1

REFRESHMENTS

Drinks: TERRY FETZER Snacks: BECKY FETZER Please remember to bring paper plates, napkins, and cups. Ice is available at the

community center. It is your responsibility to find another member to substitute in the event

you are unable to fulfill a month for which you signed up. List for remainder of the year:

drinks snacks JAN 9 TERRY FETZER BECKY FETZER

FEB 13 J IM GAINES LYNN STAUCH

MAR 13 PAT/CELESTE BREWER VACANT (YOUR NAME CAN GO HERE)

APR 10 MARY BELMONT VACANT (YOUR NAME CAN GO HERE)

MAY 8 CRYSTIE WILARD THERESE FRANK

JUNE 12 JACK & CHRISTIE KIRKLAND VACANT (YOUR NAME CAN GO HERE)

JUL 10 MIKE BERKMAN LINDA GRIEBEL

AUG 14 MORNING SHERROD DAVID SHERROD

SEPT 11 MARY LOU MCHUGH IRIS MCGEHEE

OCT 9 LESLIE AMATO VACANT (YOUR NAME CAN GO HERE)

NOV 13 JEANETTE RIT CH VACANT (YOUR NAME CAN GO HERE)

HAPPY JANUARY BIRTHDAY 1 Angela Pearsall 17 James Mallonee

5 Bella Edwards 21 Henry Barwood

7 Annie Easterling 22Jane Barkley

16 Bonnie Shanks

Greetings, fellow rock hounds,

I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and is looking forward to 2014

with as much excitement as I am. First, I would like to thank all the officers

that served last term and to extend my appreciation to all those who have

shown encouragement and trust in me as your new president. I would also like

to give my heartfelt appreciation to all the members who volunteered to make

this 2013 Gem Club show a success. Your sacrifices and hard work turned

what could have been disastrous into a great success. It is my hope that, with

all the talented members we have in the club, we can schedule more work-

shops and share our knowledge and skills with other interested members. I

would also like to encourage members to take advantage of the wonderful

classes offered at William Holland and Wild Acres as this is a great way to

find your lapidary or rock hound niche. I hope to see you all at the next meet-

ing (January 9), and let's make 2014 a "rockin good one."

Morning Sherrod, President

Inside this issue:

Program Corner

Birthdays

President’s Message

1

Meeting Minutes

Dues are DUE

January Birthstone

2

First Time

THANKS...

3

Sunny Afghan Desert

Appreciation

4

Reminders

Links

5

Herkimer Diamonds

Photo Gallery

(electronic exclusive)

6-9

Club Information 10

PROGRAM CORNER

When: January 9, 2014

Where: 1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive, Montgomery, AL 36109

Time: 7:00 P M

What: ROCKHOUNDING 101

Who: Club members bring examples of finds and lapidary skills and talk about what we do

MONTGOMERY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY

THE GOLDEN

NUGGET JANUARY

2014

2014-01

2

Membership dues are due in January, so don't forget to bring cash or your checkbook. Single membership is

$15.00 and Family membership is $20.00. I will collect before the meet-ing or during break time.

Iris McGehee, Treasurer

January's birthstone is the garnet. The name "garnet" is derived from the Latin "granatum" meaning

"pomegranate" because the gems resemble the red seed-like form of this fruit. Although they are

often thought of as only red, garnets range in color from colorless, to the very rare and highly prized

green garnet, to black. Garnets derive they colors from metals such as manganese, iron, calcium,

and aluminum. Garnets are also one of the harder gems, with a hardness ranging from 7 - 7.5 on the

Mohs scale.

Ancient warriors believed that garnets brought victory. In Medieval times, it was believed that gar-

nets protected the wearer against poisons, wounds and bad dreams, and cured depression. Because

of their color, red garnets relieved fever, hemorrhages and inflammatory diseases. The Crusaders

used them as protection against wounds and accidents during their journeys. In contrast, Asiatic

warriors believed that glowing garnets, used as bullets, inflicted more severe wounds. In 1892, dur-

ing hostilities on the Kashmir frontier, the Hanza tribesmen fired on British soldiers with garnet

bullets, believing them to be more effective than lead bullets. Today, the garnet symbolizes a light

heart, loyalty and enduring affections.

Garnets have been used in jewelry since the Bronze Age. They have been found in jewelry from

ancient Egypt and Samaria, 3rd and 4th century Greece, ancient Roman times. Garnets were also

used in the ornaments of the Aztecs and Native Americans. They're found in many places around

the world, including North and South America, Australia, Africa, Asia, Madagascar, Sri Lanka,

Spain and Wetumpka, Alabama

MEMBERSHIP DUES ARE DUE IN JANUARY

January's Birthstone submitted by Terry Fetzer

MONTGOMERY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY NOVEMBER 14, 2013 MINUTES

The meeting was called to order by President Thad Cheatham and guests Pat and Celeste Brewer and Benford Holland briefly

introduced themselves. The minutes for the October meeting were approved as printed by a show of hands. Iris McGehee

presented the Treasurer’s report and it was also approved. An explanation for Mrs. Westlake’s absence as October’s pre-

senter was given and a gratuity was sent to help with her expense for actually making the trip from Atlanta. Don Hill of the

Mobile club sent flyers for their upcoming show and they were passed around. Jeff Edwards announced the November field

trip to the Sylacauga marble beds and examples of specimens containing pyrite were exhibited. Linda Griebel recognized the

nominating committee including Jeanette Ritch and Lynn Stauch and handled the nominations and election of new officers.

2014 officers are as follows: President - Morning Sherrod, 1st Vice President (Programs) Peggy Raines (2nd Vice President/

Field Trips) Jeff Edwards, Treasurer - Iris McGehee, Secretary - David Sherrod, Board Members - Mike Berkman and Jack

Kirkland. David stated that anyone who had specimens or tumbled rocks and could help, there would be a grab bag stuffing

on Nov 23 at the shop; donations needed. Refreshments were served and volunteer sheets for the upcoming December Gem

and Mineral Show were distributed. Fellowship was enjoyed until the meeting was adjourned.

Treasurer, David Sherrod

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THE GOLDEN NUGGET

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What started out as a disaster turned into a very good show. No, a great show, and all of

it is due to those who turned out on Friday morning at 5:00 a.m. to help dealers set up and mem-

bers who volunteered throughout the weekend. The show could not have been a success without

those who helped in any capacity. The dealers’ dinner with food prepared by members got rave

reviews from the dealers and others. Even though the space was smaller than in the past, members

who set up for it did an excellent job. The show cases were very good, and everyone who filled a

case should be proud of showing the public what can be done with lapidary skills and collecting

rocks and minerals. Members who manned the information table and demonstration table did a

great job answering questions, making announcements, and demonstrating lapidary skills. The

Wheel of Fortune was a great success because members contributed materials, stuffed bags, and

encouraged participants to “spin and everybody wins”. Sonny Hall kept visitors entertained with

his knapping and sharing interesting information.

This year the custodian of the Shrine Temple and his wife operated a concession stand

selling hot dogs, hamburgers, fries, chips, cookies, candy, etc. We were able to make a little profit

from this, and it was a benefit for those wishing to get something to eat without leaving the show.

Several participants visiting made favorable comments about how much nicer the facility

is and dealers were also very pleased .

Next year we will be faced with the same problem we encountered this year. We will

probably have to delay the opening of the show until later in the day, but we will deal with that

closer to the date of December 5th – 7th 2014.

The show could not have been successful without the help of so many of you and for that

we say a great big THANK YOU.

Iris McGehee and Jane Barkley

MANY MANY MANY THANKS

MY FIRST TIME WORKING AT THE GEM AND MINERAL SHOW

I am Therese Frank. I joined the Gem and Mineral Society in May of 2013, along with my

best friend Crystie Willard. We are novice jewelry designers in our free time; we decided to join the

Gem and Mineral Society to learn more about the semi-precious gems that we use in our designs.

I have attended the Gem and Mineral Show a few time in the past as a spectator and purchaser,

but this was the first time I worked at the show. Crystie and I chose to work the Welcome and Informa-

tion desk and greet people as they entered into the show. This year was the first time the show was held

at the Alcazar’s Shrine Temple. Although it was not as large as the Garrett Coliseum, it to me had good

points and not so good points. The lighting was better - so you could see what you were looking at a

little better than in the Coliseum, but being that it was not as large of a venue, it was a bit crowed. There

was only one way in and out of the show and that was through front lobby where the Gem and Mineral

Society members had their own venues set up, such as the sanders and grinders, where there were always

members sitting there making cabochons. The Wheel of Fortune where for one dollar you got to spin the

wheel to win a prize. There was a non-member vender that had a table set up in front of the entrance to

the lobby where everything on the table, with the exception of one item, was made from gems and miner-

als. This table was amazing! It was very hard to find the real food item. Then, lastly, the Welcome and

Information table, where everyone that was not a Gem and Mineral member upon entering the show

received a free door prize ticket. Also, this was the table where one could fill out cards if they were in-

terested in receiving notices for the next year’s show or to receive information about the Gem and Min-

eral Society.

Every year the members give the venders a thank you dinner for participating in our show. I

was amazed at how much it felt more like being at a family reunion. Most of the venders have been

coming to this show for years and they come from all over the United States. The dinner was a time to

reconnect, share old and new stories, and to make new friends.

I truly enjoyed my experience at this year’s Gem and Mineral Show, not to mention all the

wonderful new items I purchased to add to my ever growing semi-precious gem stash. I am looking

forward to participating in the 2014 show.

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2014-01

4

During my "vacation" to the sunny southern Afghan desert, I managed to pick up a few rocks. Unfortunate,

because I was not the one packing, most of them got left behind. Among the many rocks in the Kandahar area

are various jaspers - mostly reds, greens, and blacks - with various mixtures in between. A lot of rockhounds

call the red/green mix - bloodstone. Since usually the red is a minor component of the green. I attached a

document explaining the colors - all caused by iron in its various forms. Many of the pieces I have can be

picked up by magnet. Another large chunk of the local river rock is made up of marble. That also comes in a

variety of colors, more colors than the jasper, some includes fossils - like the turritella shell. Afghanistan is a

major raw supplier of marble to Pakistan - none of it is processed in Afghanistan. Some agates, lots of granite

in various forms, and a lot of caliche - calcium carbonate - or hard pan.

While I was there the salt cedars were in bloom along the canal. My mom had a salt cedar bush in front of the

house for years, they bloom and rebloom if they are in good soil. Unfortunately they can be invasive in some

areas of the country - like Texas. http://www.columbia.edu/itc/cerc/danoff-burg/invasion_bio/inv_spp_summ/

Tamarix_ramosissima.html It was just a very pretty pink flowering bush to us - they come in every shade of

pink from an almost red to an almost white.

Lois and I want to thank you and the Montgomery Gem and Mineral Society

for having us be a part of your 2013 Gem Show. We had a great time at the show and met so

many new people. We thank you for having us as a part of the 2013 Gem Show. We had

a great time in Montgomery and enjoyed visiting with all of our great friends.

We wish you all the best of everything that may come your way, from

this time forward.

Thanks again. Please pass this means of thanks on to the Montgomery Gem and

Mineral Society. Bill and Lois Pattillo www.rockfoodtable.com

“VACATION” IN SUNNY AFGHAN DESERT BY JAMES MALLONEE

FOOD TABLE HOSTS EXPRESS APPRECIAT ION

Strange Rocks of Kandahar Afghanistan by James Mallonee

Kandahar is in southern Afghanistan. The area is a desert now, but had a sizable lake during the Ice

Ages. There are numerous archaic rivers that flowed into the lake and these have large gravel beds,

which are represented on Kandahar Air Field (KAF). The rocks in the area range from sedimentary -

primarily clay and sand stones - to igneous - including granite and basalt. Metamorphic rocks, however,

are the most interesting from the point of view of the rock hound. There is a "canal" on the north side of

the base where you can see the various rocks. When it rains, water from the area flows very fast through

the area, then pools. There is a thick layer of caliche - or hardpan - with larger rocks under the gravel

layer. There are also several gravel pits near the "canal" that can be accessed from the road.

Metamorphic - Black or Silver: Iron ore.

Hematite - natural hematite usually cannot be picked up by a magnet.

Magnetite - can be easily picked up by a magnet, sometimes is magnetic (lodestone). Red Jasper: Form

of quartz containing iron; forms in an oxygenated environment; may contain magnetite - a type of iron

ore capable of being picked up by a magnet; may form as nodules or bands many feet thick.

Green Jasper: Form of quartz containing iron. Forms in a reducing environment (low oxygen) especially

deep ocean trenches; may contain magnetite - a type of iron ore capable of being picked up by a magnet;

may form as nodules or bands many feet thick.

Marble: Form of calcium carbonate re-crystallized through heat and pressure; colored by various metallic

salts; sometimes contains fossils.

Agate: Form of quartz - usually translucent to transparent; may be stained by various minerals including

iron.

Page 4

THE GOLDEN NUGGET

BRING COMPLETED SCHOLARSHIP FORMS (2013 DATA) TO

THE JANUARY MEETING FOR THE DRAWING! (Reminder: individuals who received a scholarship in 2013 are not eligible for 2014 drawing.)

5

All DMC clubs are reminded that it is imperative for all of their members who at-

tend DMC sponsored field trips to follow any and all collecting and safety policies of

the hosting club. The hosting club's field trip leader is always in total control of all

activities on their field trips. If you do not agree with these policies, you are required

to immediately leave the field trip!

International Colored Gemstone Assn newsletter http://www.gemstone.org/

Georgia Meteorite Association http://www.meteoriteassociationofgeorgia.org/

William Holland www.lapidaryschool.org

Wildacres http://www.amfed.org/sfms/wildacres-retreat.html

Al Mineral Locality Index http://www.mindat.org/rloc.php?loc=Alabama%2C+USA

GIA http://www.gia.edu/3954/gia_home_page.cfm http://www.greatdanepro.com/somewhere%20in%20time/index.htm

educational sources for young rock & mineral collectors and hobbyists

KidsLoveRocks.com http://fossilsforkids.com/

http://www.mineralcollecting.org/

FL Museum Natural History (fossils) http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/collections/overview/ AMERICAN LANDS ACCESS ASSOCIATION, INC. (Protecting the Public Lands for the Public; A grassroots 501-C-4 Educa-tional, non-profit organization dedicated to keeping public lands open for the public http://www.amlands.org/

http://www.gemstoneslist.com/

http://mines.az.gov/Rec_Ed/rockhound.html

http://www.mnh.si.edu/ (SMITHSONIAN)

http://www.gia.edu/

http://www.montgomerygemandmineralsociety.com/

SE SHOWS http://www.rockngem.com/show-dates-display/?ShowState=ALL

L I N K S T O C H E C K O U T

REMINDERS

Bring cancelled stamps to meetings.

Bring spare rocks, gems, minerals to any meeting in order to prepare for the Wheel of Fortune.

Show your recent acquisitions at the monthly meeting so other members can experience a vari-ety of different materials.

NOTE: the shop will be open on Saturdays from 1-4 by appointment with Les Holmes.—call by Friday afternoon for following Saturday. Be sure to read your monthly copy of the LODESTAR which is emailed. Member input is not only desired but also needed. Communicate program requests to Peggy Raines. Tell Jeff Edwards if you know of a potential site for a field trip. Talk to any officer or board member regarding the need for a class.

Page 5

2014-01

January 10-12 Largo, FL Fri & Sat 10-6 Sun Noon-5, Largo Cultural Center, Parkside Room, 105 Central Park Drive, Largo, FL. Free Admission,

Leona Sheffield (727) 894-2440.

January 18-19 DeLand, FL Adm $4, under 12 free, Sat 10-6 Sunday 10-5 Volusia County Fairgrounds, Tommy Lawrence Building, State Road 44, DeLand ,FL

( ½ mile East of I-4, Exit 118 ) Rosemary van Wandelen rrborzoi@yahoo.com

February 8 & 9 Merritt Island, FL Kiwanis Island Recreation Center 951 Kiwanis Island Park Rd. off SR 520 Exit on I95 going East

Sat./Sun 10- 5 adults $5 ($1 discount Website) children under 12 free - Roz Mestre, (321) 431-0159/ (321) 632=8281

roz.mestre@att.net www.centralbrevardgems.org

Important com-

munication from

SE Federation

6

"Herkimer Diamonds" is the name given to the doubly terminated quartz crystals found in Herkimer County, New York and sur-

rounding areas. Note that these crystals have the typical hexagonal habit of quartz, however, instead of having a termination on

one end they are doubly terminated. This is a result of the crystals growing with very little or no contact with their host rock. Such

doubly terminated crystals are very rare and this is part of what makes Herkimer Diamonds so popular with mineral collectors.

The host rock for Herkimer Diamonds is the Cambrian-age, Little Falls Dolostone. The Little Falls Dolostone was deposited

about 500 million years ago and the Herkimer Diamonds formed in cavities within the dolostone. These cavities are frequently

lined with drusy quartz crystals and often are coated with a tarry hydrocarbon.

Although Herkimer County, New York is the location for which these crystals are named, similar doubly terminated quartz crys-

tals have been found in a few other locations, including Arizona, Afghanistan, Norway, Ukraine and China. They have the same

appearance but can not rightfully be called "Herkimers". The Herkimer Diamonds of New York are not a recent discovery. The

Mohawk Indians and early settlers knew about the crystals. They found them in stream sediments and plowed fields. These peo-

ple were amazed with the crystals and immediately held them in high esteem. The key to finding Herkimer Diamonds is a knowl-

edge that they occur in cavities (vugs) within the Little Falls Dolostone. These cavities can be smaller than a pea or several feet

across.

Dolomite is a very tough rock so expect to work hard. The use of safety glasses is required and wise collectors wear gloves to

protect their hands. We always wear jeans or heavy long pants and a long sleeve shirt for "find and break" prospecting. Small

pieces of dolomite will sometimes fly when a rock breaks and they can easily cut or bruise a person wearing short pants. The

"find and break" prospecting method described above is employed by many people who visit these mines and can lead to a few

good finds. The keys to success are selection of good rocks to break and not being discouraged if you break fifty rocks without

finding a crystal.

Herkimer Diamonds submitted by Jack Kirkland

ALMOST LIKE BEING THERE. . .

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THE GOLDEN NUGGET

7

PHOTOS FROM THE 2013 GEM, MINERAL , AND JEWELRY SHOW

COURTESY OF JOHN NAMIAS , JACK KIRKLAND, AND L INDA GRIEBEL

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2014-01

BEFORE THE SHOW

8

SHOWTIME

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THE GOLDEN NUGGET

9

Page 9

2014-01

10

VENDOR DINNER PREPARATIONS

Page 10

THE GOLDEN NUGGET

WHAT A SHOW !

11

SHOWCASES

Page 11

2014-01

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ery Gem & Mineral Society, Inc.

Except for items that are specifi-

cally copyrighted by their authors,

all material in this bulletin may be

freely copied. Please give credit to

The Golden Nugget and the appro-

priate author.

Meetings of the Montgomery

Gem & Mineral Society are held

every 2nd Thursday of the month at

7:00 p.m. at the Mureal Crump

Adult Center, 1751 Congressman

William L. Dickinson Drive (U.S.

231), Montgomery, AL 36109.

The annual gem show replaces the

The purpose of the Golden

Nugget is to inform members of

news about gems and minerals

along with news about club,

state, and regional activities of

interest to our members. Most

important, the Golden Nugget

provides a way for each of us to

share information about projects

and to pass on tips that will help

others enjoy our hobby. Unless

members are willing to contrib-

ute, the Golden Nugget cannot

meet this latter purpose.

Copyright 2014 by Montgom-

December meeting. Anyone interested in gems and

minerals is invited to attend. Field trips, workshops,

and classes are held at various locations. These are

announced at monthly meetings. Membership dues

are $15.00 for individuals and $20.00 for families

residing in the same household.

The Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society is a

member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogi-

cal Societies, Inc. and the American Federation of

Mineralogical Societies, Inc.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107,

this material is distributed without profit or payment

to those who have expressed a prior interest in re-

ceiving this information.

General Information

MONTGOMERY GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY

Club Officers for 2014 President: Morning Sherrod 322-1400 1st V P/Programs: Peggy Raines 324-2475 2nd V P/Field Trips: Jeff Edwards 312-0572 Secretary: David Sherrod 201-4460 Treasurer: Iris McGehee 262-7275 Past President Thad Cheatham 462-3254 Directors: Jack Kirkland and Mike Berkman Board meetings are at 6:30 pm immediately before the monthly meetings.

THE GOLDEN NUGGETTHE GOLDEN NUGGET

Official Voice of the Montgomery Gem &

Mineral Society, Montgomery AL

Linda R. Griebel, Editor

The Golden Nugget

P. O. Box 801

Wetumpka, AL 36092-0801

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