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May 2013 Pretoria Rockhound Digest Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club Clubhouse: P.O. Box 36 888 No. 29, 26th Street, Menlo Park, Pretoria Menlo Park 0102 Tel. 012 – 460 1494 (only Sat. 11:00–15:00) South Africa website: www.pgmc.co.za

Chairman: Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812 Treasurer: Jeanne Wentzel, 082 449 5450 krabben@mweb.co.za Secretary: Di de Villiers Vice-Chairman: Guido de Beer, Editor : Heidi Naudé, 072 923 2180 g_debeer@mweb.co.za heidi.naude@za.bosch.com

Programme Highlights May 2013

*** Swop & Sell and Social 4 May *** Silversmithing Course 11 May

*** Club Outing: Open Day – African Gems & Minerals 26 May

Early Announcements

*** Pietermaritzburg Club – Jozini Outing 14 – 17 June (for details contact Heidi)

*** Pretoria Club – Vivo Outing 3 – 7 July (details see page 5 of this NL)

Professor Bruce Cairncross has just published a new fabulous book, together

with Nicolas J. Beukes:

The Kalahari Manganese Field – the Adventure Continues

The book will be available soon and retail for US $ 85 (± R700); prepaid orders may be

placed with Ursula Coetzee, Tel. +27 (0)11 770 6901, Fax +27 (0)11 268 6457, or via email to

Ursula.Coetzee@assore.com

The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the PGMC Committee. This newsletter is the property

of the Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club; articles/photos may not be re-produced without the written permission of the Editor.

Affiliated to the Federation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies

Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club

Page 2 PGMC Programme for May 2013: (as at 25.04.2013)

Date Event Time Contact Details

2 May Silversmithing Workshop open 18:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267 Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

4 May Swop & Sell and Social

Lapidary and Silversmithing Workshops open 11.00 – 15.00

Duty Members

9 May Silversmithing Workshop open 18:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267 Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

11 May Silversmithing Course – booking essential!

Lapidary and Silversmithing Workshops open

10.00 – 15.00

11:00 – 15:00

Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267

Duty Members

16 May Silversmithing Workshop open 18:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267 Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

18 May Committee Meeting

Lapidary and Silversmithing Workshops open

14:30 – 16.00

11.00 – 14.30

Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

Duty Members

23 May Silversmithing Workshop open 18:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267 Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812

25 May Lapidary and Silversmithing Workshop open 11:00 – 15:00 Duty Members

26 May Club Outing: Open Day – African Gems and Minerals (Rob Smith)

10.00 – 15.00 For more details - see separate Attachment

1. Duty Roster – May and June 2013

May 4 11 18 25

Open – 11:00 am Nick Fay Bernard Bernard

Duty Team Nick Pettit Tish Pettit

Nico Roux Fay Pierides

Nick Raftopoulos Karin Mayerl

Will v/d Berg Beatrice Enslin

Close – 15:00 pm Nick Fay Committee Bernard

June 1 8 15 22 29

Open – 11:00 am Dieter Heidi Bernard t.b.a. t.b.a.

Duty Team Dieter Heinichen Linda Stone

Barry Vermeulen Hester Hattingh

Stella-M.Laredo Jean Schutz

Willem Vorster Marion Blair

Karl Gribnitz Zelda Carey

Close – 15:00 pm Dieter Committee Bernard t.b.a. t.b.a.

Please check the dates assigned to you and organize “stand-ins” for the date/s you are not available. Details of duty members have been distributed to all with the March newsletter. Please forward confirmed changes to Lex Krabbendam.

Page 3 2. Have you paid your Membership Fees for 2013?

If not, then this will be your last newsletter; to avoid being “left out” please settle your account immediately, either at the clubhouse or via direct transfer into the club’s account at ABSA Bank, branch code 335 345, acc.no. 405 584 9839. Remember to give your name as reference, to ensure the correct allocation of the payment. The fees for 2013 are as follows:

R 420 Principal Members

R 380 Pensioners (over 60’s)

R 60 per additional Family Member

R 30 Joining Fee (new members only)

3. Personals

On 10 April 2013 we said a final farewell to our member Philip Alp.

Philip joined PGMC in 1984, shortly after his parents Rex and Daphne Alp. He has been actively involved ever since by serving on the Committee and giving faceting classes, teaching many of us how to achieve the best polish for cabochons, introducing us to the world of enamelling and promoting our club and hobby at shows by organizing exhibits of his own and his parents projects.

Like his late father Rex, he was a true master of cutting cabochons and faceting stones, winning many local and international competitions and awards.

Our sincere condolences go to his mother Daphne, and brothers Donovan and Geoffrey with their respective families in Canada and Australia.

The most Precious Gem

Rockhounds who have been in the hobby for some time, begin to realize that the most precious gems they have collected are the friends they have made along the way. Some are still rough, some are dull and colourless unless viewed in the right light, and others sparkle at first sight.

And like every gemstone in nature, they also have inclusions, sometimes referred to as flaws. If we enjoy them as they are, realizing that their warmth and beauty makes up for their imperfections, if we concentrate on their better aspects, the flaws become insignificant and merely add to their individuality. (Source: Exchange NL Shawnee Slate, issue 06.2008) Good-bye Philip, we will miss you dearly.

Page 4 4. Swop & Sell and Social, 04.05.2013

The Swop and Sell will be held from 11.00 onwards. Members are invited to bring their friends and family and introduce them to the club and it’s activities.

Do you have any surplus material lying around at home? Why not bring it to the club and sell it to your fellow rockhounds? Tables are supplied by the club. Dealers are also very welcome to sell their stock on this day.

After the activities we will light the fires and have the monthly bring-and-braai and socializing.

Please note:

The GIA (Gemmological Institute of America) presentation previously scheduled for this day has been cancelled, due to the non-availability of the GIA speaker.

Martha du Plessis will advise the new date/time in due course.

5. Silversmithing Course

The next course is scheduled for 11 May 2013 (10h00) at the clubhouse. Please contact Bernard Strydom or Tobias Beyers regarding the course subject, course fee and material required. Please remember that you need to book in advance for each course with them.

6. Faceting Classes

Members interested in faceting classes may contact Helmut Schönberger at 084 620 0270 too make the necessary arrangements.

7. Club Outing – Open Day at African Gems and Minerals – Rob Smith, 26.05.2013

The long awaited “Open Day” at African Gems and Minerals, 14 Klippoortjie Road, Germiston has been confirmed for Sunday, 26.05.2013 from 10.00 am onwards.

Rob has cleared out a few of his warehouses in Germiston and you will be amazed what is going to be on offer. Spirit Quartz from as little as R 10 per flat; Gemstone sculptures, large Amethyst crystal cluster, red gem quality Garnets, tumbled Gemstones (all sizes), Messina Quartz crystals, Malachite Gem rough, Coboltian Dolomite specimens, jewellery fittings, old mining memorabilia, Vaal River Agate, and much, much more.

Many other dealers will also be present and offer their latest finds. The Bargain Rush starts at 10.30 sharp; the annual FOSAGAMS auction will follow straight after this. Any donations for the auction are very welcome. MISS THIS AND YOU WILL MISS OUT !

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8. Early Announcement – PGMC Outing to VIVO, Wed. 03.07. – Sun. 07.07.2013

Minerals to be collected include Agates, Azurite, Carnelian, Copper related minerals, Corundum, Dragon Stone, Garnets (new site), Messina Quartz, Papagoite and Unakite. We have to pay a fee to go onto the Corundum site. This will be collected at the farm. I am negotiating for more sites and places to visit.

It will be advisable to wear ‘correct’ clothing, there may be some snakes crawling around! We will stay on the farm ‘Dankbaar’ of Arrie and Sannie Kruger. This farm is situated near Alldays.

Accommodation:

Rooms: R200,00 p.p.p.d. sharing; children under the age of 18 may stay free of charge. Linen and towels will be provided; bathroom facilities will be shared.

Camping and caravanning: R75,00 p.p.p.d.; children under the age of 18 free of charge; please bring an extension cord; bathroom facilities will be shared with the people staying in the rooms. In all cases a 50% deposit is required. The balance to be paid in cash on arrival.

The following facilities are available: Braai and a fully equipped kitchen (gas stove, fridge, freezer, cutlery, crockery), cold store, tables and chairs.

How to get there: From Polokwane (Pietersburg) take the R521 to Alldays. Turn right on to the Bronbeek Road. This road is about 1,5 (1½) km before Alldays. Then look out for the 22 km and 23 km concrete markers. Between the 22 km and 23 km markers turn to the right at a sign board indicating ‘Arrie en Sannie Kruger’. Travel down this road, fenced on the one side with game fencing for 8 km. When approaching the farm house you will see the MTN tower.

Booking: Call Sannie Kruger at (015) 575 1274 or 072 4986 023 to book your accommodation. After you have booked, contact me and provide your name, surname, cell number and your booking details. I will need the same information for all the people accompanying you. You can contact me on my cell phone only at 082 5989 117 after 13:30 on weekdays or during the day on weekends. You can also SMS the above information to me.

Arrie and Sannie Kruger’s banking details: AJ Kruger, ABSA Bank, Acc. No. 407 427 2986, branch: Pietersburg, ref. your name and surname.

Please note: The closing date for bookings and payment of the deposit is Monday, 10.06.2013.

I have booked an outing to Makgabeng, an archaeological site, for Sunday. We will see some beautiful San paintings. There are more than 800 Khoisan and Sotho art sites. The Makgabeng Plateau is west of the Soutpansberg, rising 200 meters above the bushveld. It covers an area of 250 square kilometers, most of it is uninhabitated. The cost will be R300 for the whole group. We will have to use high clearance vans / bakkies, 2x4, or 4x4 vehicles.

See you all at ‘Dankbaar’ ! Linda Stone (Outing Co-Ordinator)

9. Gemboree 2013 – Short Feedback

Thank you to all Gemboree participants who made this event a success for our club. A total of 72 adults and 8 children made their way to the Aloe’s Guesthouse in Pitseng, Lesotho over the Easter Weekend. All outings in search of the Maluti Agates, Quartz Crystals, Dinosaurus tracks and finally the Katse Dam and Botanical Garden where well attended; even the rainy weather could not deter the hardened rockhounds. Lesotho’s weather is very unpredictable and according to Siggi and Margret from the guesthouse you often get three seasons in one single day. Luckily most of us stayed in the cosy chalets, well protected from the harsh elements. The meals provided by the guesthouse where also good value for money and everybody seemed to be satisfied.

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Special thanks for organizing this event got to Guido, Elisabeth and Stephan de Beer, who organized the outings, accommodation, evening entertainment, participants’ registration and the PGMC Website for this Gemboree; without their combined efforts we would not have had a Gemboree at all this year.

The live and silent auctions, the stake a claim and the various raffles where also very successful and our thanks go to the generous sponsors and organizers, Helmut/Hannie Schönberger, Tobias Beyers, Bernard Strydom, Guido/Elisabeth de Beer, Piet/Elize Smith, Heidi Naudé.

We also thank our chairman, Lex Krabbendam, who made the nice rock/mineral collection bags received by each participant, and who proved to be a first class auctioneer.

Another big thank you goes to our treasurer Jeanne Wentzel who assisted with the registration process and collection of moneys at the various auction/raffle activities. She is currently finalizing the income and expense schedules for this Gemboree and will report on the status as soon as possible. Below a few photos – a detailed slide show will be presented later at the clubhouse.

The opinions expressed in this newsletter do not necessarily reflect those of the PGMC Committee. This newsletter is the property of the Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club; articles/photos may not be re-produced without the written permission of the Editor.

Chalets at Aloe’s GH Spiral Aloe (National Plant) Guido with Maluti Agates

Investigating Dino Track Site Dinosaurus Track Sand/Stone Erosion

Rockhound Convoy Happy Raffle Winner Maluti Agate Find

Live Auction Participants Interesting Rock Formation Katse Dam Lesotho