.'

'. Monthly l!ulletln , " , " " . ,,',.

of the l\1lneral & Ge~ SoCiety . . .

of Castro Valley, CA ,

Dates to Remember

General Meetings 7:30 p.m . • Centemilill Hall, 22292 Foothill Blvd., Itaywatd . . .

November 9, 1994 December 14, 1994

. . ,

, Board Meeting 7:30 p.m . • Shop

• November 7, 1994 December 12, 1994

/

.. ,

Anon,ymous contrih~tions ca,nQ9t i?e ,considere~ f?c publica~ion in 'the>pc;~raph:' H6w'~~~~, ,if, ~~~e.~~~1 the, ' : I, contnbutor's name wIll be wlthheld from ~he onglnal matenal. The sources of other matenal 'WIIl be maleute-d'far ' proper credit'. '- Permissioh is' granted tb reprint Petrograph articles when phdit is given. "I:" J

. " '.' ·F~,' · , :; ~

1994 OFFICERS . . .. .' ,.. . ", .... ", .,' .. ,~ ..... ",, :

Elected

Vice President " ......... "., ... ................ ...... " ..... ....... .......... , .............. ....... ," .... .......... .. .. ,.,,, ........ Bob Drummond (223·8514) Secretary ........ ..... " .............. ............ " .......... " .... , .. " .. ... '" ... -: .. ; ..... " .. "" ...... .... , ................................... Judy Karls (581-7123)

, . I . ,

Treasurer .......... ............ ...... ......... .... ..... ... ...... ... ................. ............. ... ......... ......... ....... ................ Russ Sanborn (278·7133) 3rd Year Dire~t9[ ...................................................... . , ............... ... ... .. ............ .. ............... ... ....... Arland ~tokes (58.1·11.706)

. D· ·····' . " ; '. , ", .. , ... 1., 1 2nd Year !rector ...... . , .................. , , ... , , ... . , , ........ "":.: , .... ..... ..... .. , ... , .. ,., .... , ........... , .......................... . , Ron Ring (786·4284) I st Year Director ...................................... ". " ........ :.:.':: ... "" ... " " .... :'::;~ ,.";,, ,' ... ". " .... '" "" .... ". Marj Gruenewald (653·5560) Federation Director ......... " ................. " .. " ......... , ... ... :;, .... " ........ .. ....... ·.\,. .. 1; " ,., ... , .... :, ... " .... " ..... " Russ Sanborn (278·7133) Shop Foreman ............... , ........ , ...................... .... ............... , ......................... ........... , ... , ..... , ..... , ... ... , Bill Collins (276·3057) 1994 Show Chairman ........... ... .................................................................. ... ... .. .... ...... ....... ............ Ron Miller (538·2397)

", . ' "" ,-." 1995 S,how Chairman " .. '" ,:, ,' .. :": ... " " ... " .... ", .. , ". ". ". ". ". '" '" "" .. , ..... , .. '" '" ". '" " .. " .......... ""., ". Norm Hodgson (429·1153) Membership Chair ....... . ,.,:: .... :.; .... :;':: ....................................................... Candy Jones (60 I ,0278) Joan Miller (538·2397) Editors ~.,." """""" ... ".: .. : .. ".". ,:: ... : ......... ". " ................ " ... " .. ". '" " .. " ... Lenore Brest (278·2855) Candy Jones (6.01 ·0278) Past Prellident .................. .. ; .. .... ...... ............. .. .. ....... ... ... .. .. ...... , ............... ............ ... , ............... , .. Joe Hammond (886·5095) . . .

• Appointed Shop St.eeriog Committee Chair .. I ... " ..... " ....... .. ...................... , . .. ................ .. .... .. ........ ... , .......... Arland Stokes (581·8706) Scholarship Ohair .... .. . " .... ; ...... ~ .. ............................................... .. .. .. ...... ................................... Joe Hammond (886·5095) Special Shop Fund Administrator .... " ....................................................................... , ............. , Arnold Barron (538·6254) Librarian .... .. . , ... ... ... ... ... ..... , ..... , .... . , ." .......... ... ...... .... ........... ..... ,., .. , ........ , .. , ..... "., , ........................ Fern Brown (357·1 326) Historian, ..... ...... ..... ..... ....... ... .. ..... .... . , ..... , .... ....... ,. Jamie McDonald Co·Chair (889·7808) • Vern Kontad (537·9485) Junior Mentor ................................................. , .... : ... .. ... .. , .. : .................. .. .... : ........ " ............ Ednah Antunovich (522·42 14) Purchasing Agent .. , .. , ........... , ...... , ....... , ..... , ......... ,., ... , , ....... , ... ................. , .......... ... ... ........... H.orace RO.bertson (278· 1085) Education Coordinator , ...... ...................................................... :,: .... ' ................................................ Bill Walsh (35 1·3225) Field Trip Coordinator .. .. ........ .. .. .. ...... " ........ ' ......... , ........... . ::' .. ~ ' ; ..... , ... : .. ;. , ..... " ............... , .... ... Bob Drummond (223·8514) Parliamentarian .. .......................... , ..... .... .. ............... , ........ , .................... " ................. , ......... , ... Ron Hasemeyer (886·1747) Club Publicity ................................................ , ..... , ..... , ........................ , ....... , .. , ............. , ......... , .. Cheryl Archer (889·7808) Receptionist ..... ............................................................................... , ........... , .. ....................... Jam ie McDonald (889·7808) HostIHostess .................................................................................. , ..................... , ..... Tom and Shirley Miller (793-3950) Sunshine Reporter ............................... , ......... , ........ , ........... , ..... , .................................. " ............... Jean Hanzel (895·2322) Door Prize Chair .................................. ... ... , ........... , ..... ......... , ..... , ............................. .. " ... " ....... Bob Raymond (278·2520) Blood Bank Chair .... " .................. , ..... ... " ....................... , ........................................................... James Barron (276·0134)

STAFF Editors ............ , ........ , ...... , ..... , ...... .................. ... .... .. .. ............... . " .......................... , ............. ...... Lenore Brest/Candy Jones ""-=-. Typists ... ............... , ......................................................................................................................................... Candy Jones Plate Makers .. , ............................. ... , ..... , ........ ...... , ..................... ................................ Ednah AntunovichfRon Hasemeyer Printer ............................ ........... ............. , .. , ..... ... , ......... ...................... ... ........ .. .. ..... ........... ............ ..... ... Ednah A ntunovich Advisor ....... , ...... , ......................... ,' ..................... , ............................................................................................... AI Richter Assembly Crew ....... , ........................................ . Roman GrovesNiola GroveslDick Minor/Clara MinorlBob Raymond/ ........................ ...... ........... , ..... , ............................................ Roy Le Roy/ Billie Ashley/ Horace Robertson/Janice Garcia

CALENDAR/EvENTS

Monday BEGINNER'S HAVE PRIORITY IN LAPIDARY SEC·

) TION - other members need permission of shop supervisor. Flat lapping by permission of shop supervisor only; Bead Stringing; Faceting.

Tuesday Faceting, Square Wire Wrapping; Wax Casting Preparation; Jewelry Designing. Library open

Wednesday Faceting (9 a.m. - 12 p.m. only); Intarsia (12 - 3 p.m.)

Thursday Faceting; Wax Casting Preparation

Friday Library open

SHOP HOURS

Monday ............... 10 a.m.-l:30 p.m.l7-9:30 p.m. Tuesday ........................... 9 a.m.-l p.m.l6-9 p.m. Wednesday ................. 9 a.m.-3 p.m.l7-9:30 p.m. Thursday .......................... 12-3 p.m.I7-9:30 p.m. )Friday .................. 10 a.m.-l:30 p.m.l7-9:30 p.m. Saturday ......................................... 9 a.m.-2 p.m.

(Juniors - Adults are also invited) Sunday ......................................... 10 a.m.-3 p.m.

General MeetlnKs 7:30 p.m. - Centennial Hall 22292 Foothill Blvd., Hayward, CA

November 9, 1994 December 14, 1994

Orientation on Monday November 7, at 7:00 p.m.

Board MeetloKs 7:30 p.m. - Shop

November 7, 1994 December 12, 1994

Refreshment requests for Nov. Meeting, R-Z Please bring coffee cake or loaf cake. The Millers

SHOWS AND EVENTS

_ 11112-13 .~

Oxnard, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society; Oxnard Community Center; 800 Hobson Way; Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun. 10-5; Day Champion (805) 488-3438.

11112-13

ll/12-13

ll/18 - ll/20

11118 - 11120

ll/19

11/19-20

11119-20

11126-27

1213-4

12/16-18

1

Costa Mesa, CA- Orange Coast Mineral & Lapidary Soc; Senior Center; 695 West 19th St.; Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun 10-5; Lyle Thorell (714) 830-5084.

Glendale, CA; Miner. Soc. of So. Calif; Glendale Civic Au­ditorium; Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun 10-5; Gus Meister (8180797-8057.

Golden Empire Gem & Min. Soc. Silver Dollar Fairgrounds Chico, CA.;Hours: Fri. Sat 9-5 Sund. 10-5; Cindy Scott (916) 533-0807.

Sacramento Mineral Society, Placer County Fairgrounds, 800 All American Blvd., Roseville, CA; Hours: Fri, 8:30-5; Sat & Sun, 10-5; Jim Dole (916/367-2128).

San Diego, CA; San Diego Lapidary Soc. Juniors. San Di­ego Lapidary Clubhouse; 5654 Mildred St; Hours: Sat only 9-5; Marlene Hill (619) 571-3262.

Ontario, CA; Pomona Rockhounds; Masonic Temple, 4th & Vine St; Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun 10-5; Doris Hietikko (909) 622-0546.

Livermore, CA; Livemore Valley Lithophiles; Livermore Barn, Pacific A ve; Hours: 10-5 both days; 9510) 447-3997.

Barstow, CA; Mojave Desert Gem & Min. Soc; Community Center, 841 Barstow Rd; Hours: Sat 10-6Sun 10-5;Bob Depue (619) 791-4517.

Orangevale, CA; American River Gem & Mineral Grange Hall, 5807 Walnut Ave; Hours: 10-5 both days; Flo Hanson (916) 791 -4517.

Las Vegas,NV ;ClarkCo.Gem Col. ;Conv .Center;S .Hall; 3150 Paradise Rd; Fri & Sat 10-9 Sun 10-6702/458-8435

GENERAL MEETING. 10112/94

The meeting was called to order by President "Doc" Buschke at 7:35.

Carol Harrell, the hostess and chief cook for our spaghetti dinner, introduced her kitchen helpers: Betty and Sam Privett, Shirley & Doc Buschke, Joan Warren, Joe Hammond, and Ron Hasemeyer.

MSC: Ron Hasemeyer/Kevin Oldenburg: that the minutes be approved as printed in the Petrograph.

MSC: Cheryl Archer/Elaine Glahn: that the Treasurer's report be approved as printed in the Petrograph.

Program: an excellent slide program by Marge and Kevin Oldenburg on their trip to Davis Creek for obsidian and to Oregon for jasper.

"Doc" announced the opening of a bead shop in Newark by our members Joan and Ron Miller.

Thelma and Monte Cook have donated another jew­elry box to be auctioned at our Christmas Party. Tickets are $.50 each or 3 for $1 to benefit the Special Shop Fund.

Frank Schlotter was thanked for his lively accordian music.

Members are beginning to take show flyers to other shows.

Arland Stokes presented the following slate of offic­ers for the nominating committee:

President Arland Stokes Vice President Bob Drummond Secretary Judy Karls Treasurer Russ Sanborn 3rd Director Tom Miller 2nd Director Ron Ring 1st Director Marj Grunewald Shop Foreman Bill Collins

Federation Director, Editor, and Membership Chair­men are serving multi-year terms. Charlotte Snyder was appointed Membership Co-Chairman.

David Clayton announced a meeting at Moss Land­ing Chamber of Commerce Building, 8045 Moss Landing Rd., Friday, October 28, 1994, at 1 p.m. about the reopening of Jade Cove.

Bill Collins thanked everybody for taking better care of the shop equipment. He needs a crew Saturday, October 15, to help put locks in the pony cases. There are some changes in shop instructors: Art Howell will be opening on Mondays, 9 - 12:30; Margo and Kevin Oldenburg will open on Sundays.

There are plans working to take a trip to Crystal Peak near Verdi for quartz crystals.

The member name drawn for $170 was Larry Hanson. Next month, $180.

Door Prizes: Guests: Lucila Anderson, Pat Schultz/ 2

Members: Ron Hasemeyer, Mardell McDowell, Roman Groves, Vern McCullough, Christina Anderson, Art Howell, Jennifer Anderson, Elmer Snyder.

Ellen Placas invited everyone to the Livermore club show November 19th and 20th.

Meeting was adjourned at 8:40

Submittted by Jamie McDonald

BOARD MEETING MINUTES. 10110/94

The meeting was called to order by President Doc Buschke at 7:35 p.m.

Members Present: Doc Buschke, Bob Drummond, Russ Sanborn, Bill Collins, Ron Miller, Norm Hodgson, Lenore Brest, Joe Hammond, Fern Brown, Cheryl Archer, Jamie McDonald, Vern McCullough

MSC: Russ SanbornlBill Collins: that the minutes of the previous meeting be approved as printed in the Petrograph.

MSC: Joe HammondlBob Drummond: that the Treasurer's report be approved as read.

Shop Foreman: Replaced polishes and grits. There will be a group at the shop Saturday, October 15, to install locks on the pony cases.

Show Chair: Everything is going fine. Joe Hammond took flyers to the Campbell show. Norm is looking for "all purpqse" people. Dealer spaces in both rooms are sold out. ... ' Editor: Everything is fine.

Librarian: The library is doing well. Historian: There are many loose pictures in the filing

cabinet. The Board authorized $20 for binders for storing the pictures.

Field trips: No trips coming up. The October "Rock and Gem" has an article about Crystal Peak, near Reno at Verdi. Norm will check further.

Publicity: Nothing to report. Scholarship: $1,452 in checking; $1,489 in savings.

The CD is up for renewal soon. ·Classes: A sign-up sheet will be posted at the shop for

a class in introduction to silver soldering to be taught by Ron Hasemeyer.

The raffle case for the 1995 show is still quite bare . • Bill Collins is helping Karol Harrell with the spaghetti feed October 12.

Vern McCullough: An alternative to locks is needed for some of the cases. It was suggested that holes be drilled in the bottom front. The Board approved the suggestion.

Norm Hodgson is checking on trophy cases available at no cost from Cal State Hayward.

Thelma and Monte Cook have donated another jew:::=. elry case for a drawing to be held at the Christmas dinner. - ,

The Nominating Committee made the following rec­ommendations: President Arland Stokes Vice President Bob Drummond

Secretary Judy Karls Treasurer Russ Sanborn 3rd Director Tom Miller 2nd Director Ron Ring

)1 st Director Marj Gruenewald Federation Director Russ Sanborn Shop Foreman Bill Collins 1995 Show Chair Norm Hodgson Membership Candy Jones* Editor Lenore Brest* * Serving last year of a three-year term Nominations for the 1996 Show Chair (and for all offices) will be accepted from the floor.

The meeting adjourned at 8:20 p.m.

Respectfully submitted, Jamie McDonald

MEMBERSHIP RENEWALS

Yes, our membership renewal is on again. Thanks to those who have already renewed, even though it seems quite early. It always helps to get a head start, so thank you all. PLEASENOTETHATMY ADDRESSANDTELEPHONE NUMBER HAS CHANGED. Everyone is responsible for completing an application and sending it to me with their check (and hopefully a self-addressed, stamped envelope). In order to keep things in order, no member is processed without )an application. There are many members in our Club, and glitches can occur in the best of software. The hard copy is our final checklist.

As always, all memberships expire as of December 31, 1994. Early renewals are heartily welcomed and really appreciated, as it makes my job a lot easier. As always, thanks to all of you who make my job a lot easier I

Candy Jones, Membership Chair

WELCOME NEW MEMBERS

This is a partial list of new members for the month of October: Richard Paulisich, Edward Heimark, Mikey Biernacki, Robert Ayres, Eldo Bianchi, and Maureen and Stephen Maltz.

Candy Jones, Membership Chair

OOPS. I'M SORRY

While giving outthank you' s, I have one way past due. / ohn Gullak loaned me rings with his beautifully faceted stones in them for our Society case at the Fair. Once again, thank you, John; the rings added considerably to our exhibit.

Jamie McDonald

MANY THANKS

I know it is rather late, but thank you's are never too late. My thanks to Roy Anderson, Ednah Antunovich, Cheryl Archer, Jim Barron, Margo Buckles, Doc Bllschke, Jack Carlson, Carlos Castillo, Jerry Clegg, Bill Collins, George Colville, Mark Dawson, Janice Garcia, Roman Groves, John Gullak, Joe Hammond, Karol Harrell, Norm Hodgson, Ron Hasemeyer, Vern McCullough, Pete Peterson, Sam Privett, Dan Richter, Elmer Snyder, Arland Stokes - the clean-up crew extraordinaire. Special thanks to Mary Wilson who came in Friday and cleaned all the glass.

My thanks again to our mean, green, cleaning machine.

Jamie McDonald

Vesper Hospice and Home Health Care of the East Bay has acknowledged what they considered a generous contribu­tion of $500 made by many members of the Mineral and Gem Society of Castro Valley in memory of our beloved and much missed member, Arnold Barron. Vesper Hospice was very helpful in caring for Arnold in his last few weeks and it was his and his wife's, Charlene, wish that contributions to Vesper Hospice be made instead of flowers, etc.

Thanks to all who contributed.

Joe Hammond

THANK YOU

Thank you for the many cards and phone calls during my recent surgery. Hope I am soon able to come to the shop and meetings to thank you personally.

Viola Groves

SUNSHINE REPORT

I'm back, feeling great, and will be waiting to hear from you when you have an item for the Sunshine Girl.

While I have been recuperating, I find that we, sadly, have lost a number of our Friends.

Arnold Barron will be missed so very much at the meetings, at the shop, at the shows. In between, he was planning or working on something that the Society would benefit from. He was a talented and caring person and we are all better people because we knew him.

Our hearts go out to Mitch Ashley, son of Billy and Allen Ashley, in the recent loss of his wife.

Vernon Ford, one of our very special Dealers for many years (The Fords), died in March of cancer. Our sympathy and prayers go out to his wife, Charlene, and his family. He will be missed by so many of us.

Bob Parker, a former Dealer at many of our shows 3 (The Parkers), died recently after a long illness. He and his

wife, Norma were well known in the Mineral and Gem world. Our thoughts and prayers are with you, Norma ..

Viola Groves had knee surgery September 17th at Eden Hospital. She is doing very well- so much so they had her up walking the second dayl Soon she will be ready to go dancing I

I hope that when I turn 80, I will look as good as Rom.an Groves did September 17th on his 80th. Many more happy birthdays, Roman.

Janice Garcia has been having some problems with emphysema, but to quote Janice, "1' ve got a handle on it". So much of a handle she is on the go all the time. Visited the Auburn Show on September 24th, from there she has a full schedule: a trip to Reno, sailing on a boat, and then to the mountains for "Apple Time".

Congratulations and many more years of happiness to Mary and Del Jones. On November 5th, they will celebrate 50 years since their wedding day.

Genie Hanzel

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR

I want to thank you and the members of the Mineral & Gem Scoiety of Castro Valley for including me on your mailing list for your newsletter. It has been very helpful to me in my work to know what the various societies of our Federations are doing and what the members' interests and concerns are.

Your September bulletin again tells of the many community activities which your Society participates in and your members are to be congratulated for their involvement.

Thanks again, to you and your Society, for all of the help you are gi ving to our hobby and for keeping us informed.

Sincerely your, Ruth Bailey, AFMS President

TIME AND DAY CHANGE

Beginning in November, orientation for new mem­bers will be held on Monday nights at 7:00 p.m., the evening of the Board Meetings. This will give new members an opportunity to do the orientation and begin work on their first cabochon all in one night, and it will allow the 1st Year Director to cut down on the evenings at the Shop. She has quite a demanding schedule this year.

Also, it is imperative that cabochons for "Cab-of-the­Month" be turned in by 7:00 p.m. on Board Meeting Mon­days. I will not longer accept cabs turned in after that time. It is too complicated to keep track of cabs when they are coming in at all times of the month, so I would appreciate your cooperation in this.

Marjorie Gruenewald, 1st Year Director

GEM OF THE MONTH NOVEMBER

Ifwe had more volunteers like this month's gem, we wouldn't need many volunteers. Where she gets all the energy, I don't know. She'd get rich if she could bottle and sell the energy.

Our gem this month was born in Ohio and was majoring in engineering when love came along, along with the war, and Ellen left school. She worked in the aircraft industry in Arizona and in metallurgy in Washington State shipyards. After her husband, now deceased, a victim of Hodgkin's disease, returned from overseas, she went to work, again in metallurgy at V.C. Berkeley. She eventually trans­ferred to Lawrence Livermore in 1962 where she worked in quality control doing x-ray, ultra sound and other testing. She retired in 1983.

Along the way Ellen had two boys and today she has six granddaughters. Two Ii ve in Pleasanton and the other four in Florida, which she visits about twice a year. In Pleasanton, she often visits the classes of her granddaughter.

How did she get interested in rocks? When the family went camping, rocks became interesting and this interest has continued. She says her home and yard are full of rocks along with two beautiful dogs and two cats. Her dogs ofte" accompany her on trips and you can see them in her car. meetings.

Ellen does have a last name. It's Placas. She consid­ers herself a "Happy Hour" rockbound. She doesn't cut, polish or play with rocks. She collects, especially beads and does string or restring them. She has been president and is now V.P. of the Livermore club. She's also in charge of exhibits at their November show. Any maybe she will carve in the future. To her, the information at meetings and comradeship make club membership worthwhile. Maybe she had enough "hands on" at the lab job.

And now about her volunteer jobs. She volunteers at St. Vincent de Paul in Livermore working on food collection. She puts out the bulletin for the Chamber of Commerce. She is V.P. of the Livermore Lab retirees, she works at clea!;ling up the bicycle trails once a month, and she volunteers at her granddaughter's school. She also has been ticket chairman at our March show and is always around volunteering.

Shirley BUYING JADE

The best advice in buying any gem is "know YO'= , dealer". But it also helps if you know some of the langua~~

and the kind of questions to ask. If you are going to buy jade, you need to know there are two kinds. Jadeite is a silicate of sodium and aluminum, and nephrite is a hydrous silicate of

4 calcium and magnesium. Jadeite occurs as mauve, gray,

orange and green. Nephrite is slightly softer but just as tough. It can be creamy white, beige, dark gray, yellow, black and green.

Imperialjade became known as such because the very best was always presented to the court in China. This

') transparent to translucent green to this day is known as imperial jade. Ages passed before scientists determined this beautiful jade was jadeite and that jade from most other countries was nephrite.

Those factors which make jade valuable are color, tone, color distribution, texture, translucency, luster and if jewelry or carving, cut or workmanship.

. Pure jadeite is white. It is the impurities that give the color. Green jade colored with chrome gives a vivid color. There may be a slight bluish cast. The color is intense. Iron tends to make the jade grayish or yellowish and less intense in color. The color should be evenly distributed, although carvings often make use of the distribution in execution of the design.

Compact masses of tiny crystals make up both kinds I of jade. Nephrite is almost completely fibrous while jadeite also has grains as well as fibers. The fibers give toughness but also effect the amount of translucency.

Fine textured stones have more luster because of the compactness and take a better polish. A glassy, soft or greasy look may appear.

If there are foreign bodies, inclusions, in the stone, they may appear as patches, clouds or spots. They are usually

) white or black. Slight flaws will not greatly effect the value of the stone.

Jade is sold by the piece; it is not sold by the carat as most colored stones. It can be quite thin (because of its toughness). Color seems to become most important in evalu­ation. A perfect imperial jade is rare and EXPENSIVE. Translucency supports color.

If you are dealing with a carved piece, artistic value becomes paramount. Proportion, balance and craftsmanship, count heavily. Old jade is usually more valuable since more attention is usually paid to detail. Look for signs of wear. Be careful, too, to check color. Dying is done by soaking a stone in dy~. The color enters the stone through tiny cracks. Often this color is not permanent.

I In white jadeite, look for color. Translucency and texture are equally important. White to yellowish is the most valuable. Be aware that ferrous oxide can be added to give a brownish color as it is heated and goes into cracks. Lavender jade is popular and is often dyed. Some of these pieces are actually chalcedony and almost impossible to detect as not jade.

. Nephrite is not as valuable as jadeite. It is the jade - most people know. It can be white, grayish or green. It does

) not contain chromium so it doesn't get that transparent green look. Jade is found in Wyoming, California, Taiwan, New Zealand and Canada. In fact, much Canadian jade is sent to China for cutting and carving.

I

A final caution. Most jade is waxed to improve the appearance. Hold the jade near a light or in your hand for awhile. If it feels sticky, it's waxed.

You may be surprised to know that many pieces of . nepqrite were shaped into tools. It became adzes, ax heads, knives, spear.tips and ritual objects. You may see some of

:, th~se in museums or even for sale in some tourist spots. The tourist objects mayor may not be jade.

Still confused? So am I. But I do know a little more than when I started writing.

Shirley TOPAZ

Today many people think topaz is blue, probably because of all the advertising, and it can be blue but most of the time topaz is brownish. Many times citrine, yellow quartz and smoky quartz are sold as topaz.

Topaz occurs in cavities and veins of granite pegmatites and in vugs in rhyolite. It is found in Maine, New Hampshire, Utah, Colorado, Connecticut and California. Texas is a favorite area and yields a range of colors of topaz. Topaz is also found in Brazil and here, too, the colors range from yellow, to pink to blue. The pink may be produced by heat treating. Some blue was recently found to be hot. Seems it had been subjected to radiation and sold too soon.

Topaz is a favorite of facetors because of its variety of colors and sizes. It takes a high polish and is relatively cheap. Care must be taken in orienting the crystal rough as it cleaves easily. To prevent this, the rough should be oriented so the table of the gem will be 10-15 degrees from the cleavage plane. Linde A is a good polishing medium.

Some blue topaz is color zoned and must be properly oriented to save the color. Topaz is essentially aluminum, fluorine, silicon and oxygen and has a hardness of 8. It's refractive index is plus or minus 1.63 and a specific gravity of3.4 to 3.6. It cleaves in one direction and crystallizes in the orthorhombic system, bypyramidal class ...

Topaz is the birthstone for November. Shirley

ROCK RUMBLES

Jim Barron left pretty good suggestions and Karol Harrell added her own professional touch. With the help of a crew consisting of Joan Warren, Doc and Shirley Buschke, Bill Collins, Joe Hammond, Sam and Bettie Privett, Ron Hassemyer and Kevin Oldenburg.

A great spaghetti feed was enjoyed. Jamie McDonald took care of all the incidentals like plates, knives, forks, set up, etc.

It sure can be a problem when you need glasses to see. Frank Schlotter, our accordion player, bought the rock lathe that's been sitting in the lapidary room. He finally made room for it at home, brought his pickup and began to dismantle it. But first, he put on his reading glasses because of all the

5 screws involved. He and Horace carted the table out to his

truck on the dolly and Horace returned to the shop. Frank returned to the shop and couldn't find the lathe part. Horace said it must be gone. N ow t~ose reading glasses were no help

Thisfall club picnic at the shop. Below I. Jack Carfson with meeting door prlzes for lucky winners.

at all. Frank figured he'd find his regular glasses and take af­ter the cUlprit. With his dis­tance glasses he spied the lathe,

. concealed partially, in the shop. And who do you think those culprit were? Yes, NICE Bill Collins, Roy LeRoy, Eldo Bianchi and his helper, Horace.

The other Monday, thejoint was jumping. Roman Groves and Charlotte Snyder were so busy they had to tell two pro­spective members to please come back next week. We sure do like to hear this kind of news. Rocking isn't deadl Robert

Ayres, K. Scholtz, Robert Andrade, Salley Haber, Rick Avis and Heidi Darmen are new faces at the shop.

Bettie and Sam Privett just returned from Colma where they participated in a gold panning contest. They walked away with some of the prizes. Seems the festival is so successful that the event will be expanded to two days next year. Sam was the guy who stirred the spaghetti sauce. Our cook, Karol, couldn't reach the pot without a stool.

Monte and Thelma Cook have generously donated a jewel box and ajewel case to be raffled off at the December meeting. They wanted to be sure that the winner was a member of our society and of course the proceeds come back to all of us. Thank you, thank you.

After writing all about Ellen Placas I find she has more laurels in her background. She is an engineer and does some work at the state level, too. I love her comment of being a "happy hour" rockbound.

Joan and Ron Miller have opened a bead shop in Newark with a very appropriate name - The Bead Asylum.

Now that you are getting ready for Christmas pre- 6

sents, don't forget one for the shop for the auction. Of course, we hope for the big ticket items, but don't forget some simple pieces where the bidder might get them for less than $25.00. But no junk, please.

Did you know that topaz is pyroelectric? That means that if you rub it against a cloth, it will be charged and can attract bits of paper. Once topaz was used to treat boils by rubbing it over the abscesses. The gem is also supposed to rid you of headaches and generating tissue regeneration. If you dream oftopaz, someone loves you. Well, the first sentence is a scientific fact - the rest, who knows?

Doc and I just returned from a great trip through Nevada, Utah, Colorado, Wyoming and South Dakota. Many rock shops and museums were closed for the season or were on shortened hours. It was kind of a disappointment. There were some great rocks in Fallon, Nevada, where one of the dealers offered info on field trips nearby. Arlen Stokes hopes to take him up on his. He just came back from visiting friends in Nevada and brought back some big, big rocks. His wife said, "If we go over a cliff, go backward. Those rocks would kill us before we hit bottom. It He brought back some terrific specimens.

Out in the middle of nowhere, at the loneliest city in the world on the loneliest highway in the world (their tourist attraction, and true, too), Austin Nevada, we met ~ tiny Indian gal who had beautifuljewelry she has made. Her husband has also made some of the jewelry. She's working with local turquoise miners to form a sort of cooperative. She will be at the Mineral and Gem Show in Tucson in February, the one ir. the convention center auditorium ...

Ron Hassemeyer is hoping to offer another course in soldering. Enrollment is limited, because of the hands on approach. This is a two day course - Friday night and most of Saturday.

Another wax class for beginners will be given soon. The tentative date is after November 8th.

After such a delightful evening at the last meeting, with the great program presented by Kevin and Margo on their field trip to get obsidian, Karol Harrell cam~ back in to tell us her car was broken into. Someone broke the window, messed up the interior, but didn't seem to get anything. Probably scared off.

Shirley

MOUNTAIN MISERY

If you have been to the Sierras, you may have noticed a rather disagreeable smell at the higher elevations. This may be due to a plant called Mountain Misery. But what this article is about is another mountain misery. Travel is so swif these days that one can easily rise several thousand feet injust a short time. At these higher elevations, the oxygen content is much lower than in Hayward, California, and one may develop symptoms of mountain misery. Unless you have

)

heart trouble, the unpleasantness is not life threatening. Symptoms are headaches, tiredness and shortness of

breath. The victim's heart may pound. Dizziness, ringing in the ears and nausea to the point of vomiting may result. There

\ is usually a desire to sleep and this is probably a good idea. 1 Lots of liquids should also be part of the prescription, at least

four quarts. This should not be alcohol. If the symptoms persist, get to a lower elevation and seek medical help. Sometimes a drop in elevation of as little as 2,000 feet can help the victim.

So when you go collecting at the higher elevations, take it easy. Take it easy at these elevations even if you aren't collecting.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE

Dear Members: Many thanks to our new member Karol Harrell for

. coming forward to act as head chef for our spaghetti feed. A great dinner was enjoyed by one hundred twenty members and guests. We appreciated Jamie McDonald's kitchen crew for the way they set up, served and cleaned up for us.

Margo and Kevin Oldenburg presented a slide show of the recent field trip to Davis Creek and showed that there is a lot of fun to be had in the field. Maybe there will be a renewed interest in field tripping in our club. The main business portion of the meeting was the report of the Nomi­nating Committee. The nominees are listed elsewhere in the

) Petrograph. The election will be held at the November meeting and further nominations can be made from the floor at that time. Please come to support and vote for the candidate of your choice.

)

November has always been the month of giving thanks for the good things we have enjoyed and for making plans to improve the future. It is a time to enjoy the fellowship of family and friends. We plan a fun and festive time at our home and hope you can all do the same.

Doc

THANK YOU

Thanks to all who contributed so generously to Vesper Hospice of San Leandro in Arnold's name.

Words cannot say how helpful they were in every way, during his illness, particularly the last few weeks. They were there for both of us and our families when we needed them.

Thank you again, Charlene Barron andfamily

TO ALL OUR MEMBERS

And especially those members who have helped make our Petrograph what it is today, with the articles,

~ ..

assembly, printing, Shirley Buschke-Gail Lewis, Doc Buschke, Cheryl Archer, Ednah Antunovich, Ozzie Osborn, Jamie McDonald, Gene Hanzel, Joe Hammond,Judy Karls, Bob Drummond, John McClure, Margo Oldenburg, Russ Sanborn, Bill Collins, Bill Walsh, Marj Gruenewald, Roman Groves, Viola Groves, Dick Minor, Clara Minor, Bob

. Raymond, Roy Le Roy, Billie Ashley, Horace Robertson and Janice Garcia. Thanks! We couldn't do without you.

Lenore and Candy, Editors

COPPER HINT (Napa Gems) Catsup spread evenly on your copper specimens when left to dry a few minutes then rinsed well will brighten your copper.

:ms (Chips) Quite often you will have a problem polishing software material. Try going through 600 grind with either diamond or silicon carbide. The move to a soft flannel buff using Zam or Fabuluster for the final polish. It works wonders on turquoise, petosky stone, etc. and is very fast.

OPAL HINT (The East Bay Nodule) Put afew drops of rubbing alcohol in the bottle of water in which you keep opals. It will keep them from turning black and the water from turning stagnant.

ANOTHER COPPER HINT (Napa Gems) This may sound foolish, but all you need is a Toni home permanent kit. Place the solution in a glass bowl, submerge your specimen, and slosh the solution around for about 45 to 60 seconds. Remove and rinse in water. This is all you need to do. Do not put the neutralizer or ammonia on the copper, as this will dull it. Do not try to clean too much copper with the same solution, as it becomes weaker with use.

OBSIDIAN SAFETY TIP (The Rock Licker) After the obsidian is sawed, be sure to bevel the edges all around on the fine grinding wheel to keep them from flaking and chipping. Wear goggles or glasses at all times. If a small chip of glass got in your eye, it would be hard to remove, as it is transparent and ,hard to see even with a powerful magnifying glass, and the edges may cut your eye to a great extent before it could be removed.

IIfS (Chips) In cutting soft material that is porous, do not use oil, as it will stain the material. Instead, use water with a water-base coolant, and rust inhibitor.

SHOP ~INT "';. :.': " :<~~:~':~:~: ';~;~~::~<;: : .,." .'; ' . '" .. ' (Pegmatlte) . . ~~; , ..... :., ..... /::.:~< .. ' '.J. '

Cabachons that have become dull by wear can be re-polished .: / ... :.,.( .. ;,: ...... ~ . ... • • ," . ',.~ ~ ." J" '. ~ "

without removing them from the mounting. Cut 114" diametef ',· ~';: ', . , ~""i~ j'~~ ' \ . ' " soft leather discs and put three of them on a Dremel or Foredorn ", :; . ;'.:. : . '. screw-type mandrel. Use this tool with Linde A or diamond ' .. '", .. ;. ':; .. " '.

'j " ~ 11 I

paste and you can work carefully close to the bezel and aroun~ . c. : ': .,: .j; '''. ,:" , the prongs. ' ." . ' '' '.::'~ .' .,.

FOR YOUR INFORMATION (M' I) .. ,:.:.: :';:" mera og '" . ". .,.,'" ,; i

Silicic is anew word to add to your rockbound vocabulary. It is " " f.. .:';, "/' ' . ... ,

used in petrology, meaning containing silica in a dominant . :. ,' ';. "f,.: ~I ' . . ':~ ' . ••.. • • • • • • ~ , '. ~",~ J , ~ I ',' :

amount. Agates and Jaspar are sl11cIC. ' .. ~ .. ': '.'1" .:;·"1.' ".:.:.' I:. (" .: . '.

fc~~L1NG TIe . .:: ' ;'ji·f{~~;~:'t· , When tumbling, use of a pre-polish is almost a must. At the v~ry . ',' .:::.': .. least, use a soap run prior to going into polish. This is aflush~n~ ' : , ::' . '.: .. :,}" '-,',/:'-':. :" ' .. action and wi11loosen up any grit that was not washed out ih the ...... ;-.< \.' .',,' ~:\~: .: :,:. ... :'. ' . grinding runs. ' ·> '~·· .. " ~'. i .'. '.::

GENERAL INFORMATION (The Rock Licker) Cut milk and cream cartons 1-114" from the bottom and fit them ." with a 112" layer of styrofoam. Cotton can be used, as well. . These square boxes make uniform trays to hold mineral and gem, specimens,

SAFETY FIRST (Chips) Burning scrap lumber may be cheap, but lumber treated for outdoor Use with preservative-containing chromated-copper­arsenate (CCA) produces poisonous ashes when burned, warns University of Illinois extension Forester Mike Bolin.

The ailments that can result from the burned wood ashes read like a medical book primer. "The accumulation of high levels of copper, chromium, and arsenic in the ash can cause respiratory problems, muscle cramps, dermatitis, black­outs, and seizures, nose bleeds, ear infections, and gastrointes­tinal disturbances", Bolin says. These symptoms are directly related to the ashes ofCCA-treated wood. These preservatives are commonly found in residential construction scraps, tele­phone poles, fence posts, and railroad ties. So wood burners, beware!

8

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MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY

SPECIAL COMPETITION FORM

NAME: ______________________________________________ __

ADRESS: ____________________________________________ __

CITY: ________________________ PHONE: ________________ _

TYPE OF ENTRY:'

3 STONE

SINGLE PIECE:

CABOCHONS FLATS

=

JEWELRY CARVING

INTARSIA ____ SPHERE

____ FACETING

BEGINNER INTERMEDIATE ____ MASTER

WHIMSEY: can include Square Wire Jewelry, Scrimshaw, etc.

_____ FULL CASE

Must be constructed of earth materials usually used in lapidary and jewelry work. Let , your imagine take off!

YOU must ~vide your own labels and stands. (All displays are more easily judged on stands). cases will be provided. Please send the fom to; and arrange deli very of entries to:

EDNAH ANTUNOVICH 2016 SAN ,AN'roNIO AVE. ALAMEDA, CA. 94501

I

~ I i ...... '

No entries will be accepted after February 28, but you may withdraw after that date.

1995 NEW/RENEWAL MEMBER INFORMATION

Dues are payable by mail. Please fill out the membership form below, include a check for the proper amount )

(made payable to MGSCV), enclose a self-addressed, stamped envelope, and mail to me at the following

address:

Candy Jones, Membership Chair 3910-0 Northwood Dr., Concord, CA 94520

Membership cards will be mailed to you as soon as your application has been processed (within one week of

receipt). Upon processing, your name will be added to the roster, the Petrograph (our newsletter) mailing list,

and entered into our membership files. If you have any questions, please do not hesitate to call me at

510/671-7844.

IF YOU ARE A NEW MEMBER, please contact Marge Gruenewald (510/653-5560) to sign up for your orientation session. At that time, you will begin cutting your first cabochon, which is one of the requirements for using the shop.

, Candy Jones, Membership Chairperson

1995 NEW/RENEWAL/UPDATE MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION

TYPE OF MEMBERSHIP (please choose one) (Half-year memberships are only available from July 1 - Dec. 31 and are half the price of regular dues)

Single, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 ($20)

Juniors ($1 each)

Married Couple, Jan. 1 to Dec. 31 ($30)

Name of Juniors (with married couple)

Associate ($10) (Former Members living more than 100 miles away)

Juniors ($5) (Juniors Without parents in the club)

Life Membership (voted by the Board)

NAME(s) (please print). _________________________ _

ADDRESS (please print)."--________________________ _

Zip Code (necessary for mailings) ______ _

PHONE (please put area code). ___________ _

I DO N01r WANT MY ADDRESS PRINTED IN THE ROSTER

I DO NOT WANT MY TELEPHONE NUMBER PRINTED IN THE ROSTER

OCCUPATIONAL SKILLS: ___________________ ---__ -(In case we are in dire need of electrical, plumbing, mechanical, clerical, or some other skill, we would like to have this on file.)

Send to: Candy Jones, 3910-0 Northwood Dr., Concord, CA 94520 (510/671-7844)

, MINERAL & GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY, INC. , .! !, ~l.' I .

Balance Sheet Perlod 0/1/94 to 9/30/94 .' '" I '

ACCT CODE '· >~( " I: BUDGET YEAR~TO-DATE SEPTEMBER . ' INCOME i. ,', . ;

210 Membership Dues 7500 4997.00 0.00 220 Annual Show 380aO . 29055.22 ..• 0:00. 230 Shop 'Fees 400 0.00 0.00 235 Sbopspeolal Fund 5000 3763 .07, .' 0.00 245 . Dqnatlons 100 • . 0.00 . 0 . .00 , . ' . 250 SchOlar1hlp . 5all 0.00 ,0,,00 260' . Interest, Checking 200 122.12 '14.'11 262 hit~J8st , MMF 400 301 .02 37.96

"264 ~t$rest , Bldg Fund 900 593.45 .. 67.1,4 270 . ril~ell.neous 500 68.00 '0:00

• . ,i ~~~--- ------------ -------"

". • 53500 . ·38899:88 119.21 ,_. EXPENSES ,

"

302 Rent, Shop 12800 9480.00 1.080.00 304 ' R~nt, Mtg Hall 1700 1110.00 0.00 :i06 T$lephone 400 298.09 33.13 308 Shop Exgense . 7200 2772.90 312.57 309 Special hop Fund 5000 2666.9'1 21 .64 310 PetrOgraPh 'supclfes 1200 209 .98 34.00 311 Petrogr1ph Pos age 1200 750.00 550 .00 312 . Library 300 283 .39 75.54 313 . Meri1bershllp 400 150.41 0.00 3111 Insur1nce 750 781 .20 0.00 316 Taxes 750 166.48 0.00 318 Scholarship 500 0.00 0.00 320 Speakers 200 166.00 0.00 322 Door Prizes 400 100.00 0.00 324 Hostess 100 0.00 0.00 326 Christmas Party 200 0.00 0.00 328 Open House 150 120.44 0.00 330 Plchlc 150 0.00 0.00 332 Field TrlFc8 50 0.00 0.00 334 Federat on Director 150 0.00 0.00 336 CFMS 450 434.00 0.00 340 Miscellaneous 350 358.71 3.00 342 Service Charges 50 0.00 0.00 350 Annual Show 19000 16244.35 98.20

--------~- -------.------. --------.--~

53500 36092.92 2208.08

Checking 911194 Starting Balance 15956.77 Checking 9130/94 Ending Balance 13762.80

Respectfully submitted, Russell Sanbom MGSCV Treasurer

9

YEARY DUES

• C9uple (S30, January 1 to December 31); (SIS July I to December 31)"plus $1 for each active Junior (ages 11 -17). ·,.c

• Single adult ($20, January 1 -,December 31); SIO July I -.December 31).

I S5 per singh~ Junior without parents in the club. • Associate Membership (fdrmer members living more

than 100 miles from Castro Valley) is one-half regular dues.

GENERAL MEETINGS

• General meetings are held the,second Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall, Foothill Blvd., Hayward. CA.

PETRO GRAPH MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY CO-EDITORS: Lenore BrcH and Candy Jones P.O. Box 2145 Castro Valley, CA 94546

Dated Materialrrime Value

OUR SHOP

951 Palisade, H~yward, CA

(510) .881-9430

. '.

Faceting Jewelry Fabrication

Stone Cuttina:

"Y" Parjdng \

YMCA '

Parking

Exit o ly

Carlos Bee Blvd. i

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE

SAN LORENZO, CA PERMIT #42

,