Monthly Newsletter

EDITOR’S COMMENTS

Welcome to Spring, rock hounds! It is that time again, to start individual and Club field trips. North Carolina July 4th weekend and Herkermer Diamond mine in New York on Labor Day weekend; make your arrangements if you plan to go. If you have a field trip in mind and need partners to help pay gas, put on the club board or contact our web master, Mike Bamfield to post on our web site. Remember, Ohio has a plethora of sites to hunt in, bring a big black garbage bag to pick up not only your own trash, but trash left by other inconsiderate people who don’t care about our environment. I always carry a bag with me event when I walk my dogs through the woods, picking up everything including cigarette butts with filters. Local folks and rangers will be happy and may be even more lenient to our rockhounging if we refrain from destroying and trashing the areas we visit.

We have our newest Rock hound, 5 lbs, 5 oz baby boy born to the Lamparyk family, congratulations!

In other news, Rio Granada’s web site has free downloads on a variety of projects. Just log into their web site, click downloads, then peruse the different free downloads, very cool.

Just a few weeks before the Big One Show and we need young muscles to help haul, set-up, break down and haul to our new, bigger and less expensive storage site. Let’s make this the biggest and best Show yet. We need all hands that can help. Please sign up for the different areas we need help on.

Finally, we have an on-line blog source run by Brad Smith called, “Bench Tips” that has different ideas and how too’s. I will post his monthly bog, but you can check out his site by signing up for the group at brad@greenheart.com or benchtips@yahoogroup.com

I wish you all a wonderful Spring and remember to send your ideas to me for our “Tricks of the Trade” column. I can’t believe we have all this experience in the club and no one has any advice to share.

Rick Earhart, Editor

EVENTS

MAY
BIG ONE SHOW
May 14-15th
Berea Fairgrounds
Sat. 9 am—6 pm ~ Sun. 10 am-5 pm

Spruce Pine, North Carolina
Memorial Day weekend
Various mines in the area

JULY
Herkimer, New York
July 4th weekend

TRICKS OF THE TRADE

Silicone Polishing Wheels
In the finishing sequence there’s a step I call pre-polishing, between sanding and buffing, and one of the most effective tools I’ve found to help here is the little silicone wheels used in a Foredom or Dremel. They come in several different abrasive levels and several different shapes. The wheels are color coded to denote their abrasive level. Different shapes (coin, knife, cylinder, point, etc) are available to match the geometry of the area being cleaned up.
For a starter, I’d suggest a medium, a fine and an extra fine wheel in both the coin shape and the knife-edge shape. The thicker coin shapes are particularly handy. Be sure to get a few mandrels to have one of each mounted and ready to go. Cylinder shapes are nice for doing the inside of rings.
Most jewelry catalogs carry these wheels, but often the color codes don’t match between different manufacturers. Some catalog companies offer a trial kit with a few wheels of each grit.

Silver Prices
We’ve all noticed the price of silver is climbing these days, but I hadn’t realized just how fast it had happened until now. You can see the number at http://sliverprice.org/silver-price-hisotry.html As I write this, they give a price of $46.56 per ounce, up more than $2 for the day.
The price has doubled in the last six to seven months. It’s within a dollar of silver’s all-time high back in 1980 when it was driven up artificially. The Hunt brothers of Texas tried, and almost succeeded, in cornering the world market. Back then it rose from about $9 to a high of $49.45 in just a few months before the scheme broke. The price of silver rapidly plunged back to $12 within a year.
I have no reason to feel there is any reason to think that the recent rising price of silver was started by market manipulation, but it wouldn’t surprise me that the hoards of speculators who have climbed on board have driven up prices to more than the market can sustain. Let’s just hope the price will drop soon.
Nevertheless, we are left with astronomically high costs for the raw materials to do our jewelry. If jewelry is a hobby for you, it’s easy to switch to less pricey metals like brass, nickel and copper. But what can you do if you make and sell jewelry for extra income?
Here’s a couple ideas:
Concentrate on reducing the weight of metal in your designs. Experiment with hollow-form construction out of 26-30 ga. Try out some of the new silver-filled wire and possibly sheet. CGM in Tarzanna, CA has the wire, and Rio will carry it soon.

Fire Scale Inhibitor
Q: Which is better, boric acid or borax mixed with alcohol as a fire scale inhibitor? I mix them half and half.
A: I’ve used a similar mixture, one called Pripps flux. It’s boric acid, borax and TSP (trisodium phosphate) mixed in a ratio of 3:2:2. The original Pripps flux is dissolved in water (boiling) and sprayed onto your work. I found this messy and awkward. Never did find a sprayer that wouldn’t clog up.
So I started mixing the same ratio of powders in denatured alcohol. Now, I just dip my pieces, light them off to dry the coating, position the components, add the solder and complete the job.
WARNING— be sure to cap off your bottle before lighting the torch!
BTW—I recently found the Boric Acid at the 99 cent store being sold as powdered bug killer.

Posted with permission from Brad Smith of BenchTips@yahoo.com

APRIL CLUB MINUTES

April 6, 2011

Mike Bamfield did a talk about Club field trips at 7:00 PM.

President, John Zaborowski opened meeting at 7:32 PM. John asked for a quorum; Annie McNeilly, Membership Chairman said yes we have a quorum of 29 adult members, and 2 guests.

Ron Brooks, Treasure read report and filed for audit. Ron Brooks, asked for a motion to approve, Laura Havlena so moved and Bea Jordan second the motion will all members saying I, approving motion.

Jim Lamparyk, Trustee Chairman had nothing to report.

Rick Earhart, Rock Box Editor had nothing to report.

Mary Shaffer, Sunshine Chairman said that she has sent cards to Stephen Brooks and Jim Suffolk. Also, to check on Vera Molls, who is having knee replacement.

Ron Shaffer, Equipment Chairman said the Club needed more used equipment.

Mike Bamfield, Web Master said that he is changing the date on the coupon for a dollar off, that is now on the web, to reflect the 2011 show. He also said that the American Midwest Federation is having their convention on July 6, 2011.

Holly Nagornery, Librarian had nothing to report.

Stephen Brooks, Safety Chairman no report; was not present due to his mother’s death.

Bob Boyd, Finance Chairman had nothing to report.

Sue Zaborowski, Shop Coordinator said that she was still waiting on members to put in their orders for a blue Club vest, please see her to order one.

John Zaborowski, Show Report said that there are four pick-up trucks that are going to help bring items from storage to the show.

Old Business:
John Zaboroswki said that the moving of the storage unit 10’X10’ after the show to a unit 10’X20’ which is larger, cheaper by $100, and nearer to the show location will be done.

John also said that the Club computer is now on line and anyone caught searching porn on the computer will be told to leave immediately and membership will be revoked.

New Business:
Sue Zaboroswki said thank you to Mary Shaffer for doing raffle tickets tonight at the meeting.

John Zaborowski said that if you have any items for the Chinese or Silent Auctions, please give them to Pat Miller or Carol Brooks. He also said that this November is five years for trustees; please think about running for this position.

John Zaborowski called to adjourn meeting at 8:08 PM and Frank Vasarhely so moved and Holly Nagornery second the motion with all members saying I, approving motion.

Respectfully submitted,
Carol Brooks, Secretary/

Clipart courtesy FCIT

GEMSTONE TREATMENTS & ENHANCEMENTS

The treatment and enhancement of gemstones has existed for hundreds and hundreds of years. The first documentation of treatments was presented by Pliny the Elder. And, 2000 years later, many of these treatments are still being used today! Some enhancements improve on nature, cannot be detected and are permanent; this provides the gem market with a larger supply of beautiful gemstones. Other treatments produce dramatic changes in the gemstone itself or it's clarity; the irradiation and heating of colorless topaz that permanently transforms it into blue topaz is an excellent example. A few treatments are less stable and should be avoided by the knowledgeable buyer. Following is a description of some common treatments. This is just the tip of the iceberg. Please refer to the recommended reading list at the bottom of the page for further information. In the past, treatments of gemstones were usually done by the cutter. The lapidary wanted the value of the finished product to be as high as possible. Today, there are centers, such as Bangkok in Thailand where there are facilities that specialize in treatment of both rough and fashioned gems. The heat treatment of corundum (rubies and sapphires) is an excellent example. The heat treatments of corundum (both simple heating and heating with a flux, such as beryllium) are often done before before cutting, and may not be disclosed to the lapidary before cutting is done. Treatments and Pricing There are some gemstones that would not even exist if it were not for treatments. The abundance of citrine, in shades of yellow, gold and orange is the result of heat treating amethyst. Naturally occurring citrine is quite rare in nature. If it was not for treatments the stone would be far more expensive than it is! Tanzanite in shades of violet and blue depends on heat treatment to produce enough supply to meet the demands of the public. Pink topaz is another example of a gem that would not be available without heat treatment. Not only are these treatments acceptable, they are necessary to keep these products affordable and available. Recent demand for unheated sapphires and rubies has caused a price increase of as much as 50%-100% for unheated material. Does this mean that the untreated gem is more beautiful? NO! In most cases the heating enhances the gemstone to make it more beautiful; the price premium is the result of the rarity of being unheated!. Heating Heating is the most common treatment available. It can cause the color of a stone to lighten, darken, or change completely. It can bring about an improvement in clarity and brightness. Heating is detectable only by trained observers in a laboratory setting and is usually irreversible under normal conditions. Unheated rubies and sapphires will contain microscopic rutile needles or tiny gas bubbles in pockets of liquid which are evidence that laboratories can use to guarantee that these stones have not been heated. If these gems are the finest color they will command premium prices due to their extreme rarity. Within the last couple of decades, it was discovered, quite accidentally, that if sapphires were heated along with a flux containing beryllium, the color of the sapphire could be dramatically changed.
The following gems are routinely heat treated: Tanzanite Citrine Pink topaz Aquamarine Paraiba tourmaline Apatite Ruby Sapphire Zircon (both blue and colorless)
Oiling Oiling of emerald is universal, but not EVERY emerald is oiled, (fine untouched specimens will command astronomical prices). When the rough emerald is mined it is thrown into a barrel of oil; when it is cut, oil is used as a lubricant on the cutter's lap. The colorless oil seeps into the fissures on the surface of the emeralds. When the fractures contain the oil they are less eye visible. To complete this process oil is pressurized into the fissures of the polished stone. This is something that must be accepted; it's the way it is! The only way you will find an emerald that isn't oiled is if there are no fractures at the surface of the emerald, so no oil can get inside the stone. If color is equal, obviously you will pay more for an emerald if it has no fissures that reach the surface; they simply will have fewer inclusions. If an emerald that originally had fissures that reached the surface,is put into an ultrasonic or is steamed clean, then the oil may be leached out and fractures. This will make the surfacing inclusions appear whiter and more obvious. In this case, the stone can be re-oiled.
Recently, I have read articles that other colored stones such as rubies, alexandrite, other varieties of chrysoberyl, and demantoid garnets have been treated with oils and resins to make surfacing inclusions less visible. Occasionally colored oils are used on emeralds and rubies. The idea is to add color while concealing fractures. You want to avoid buying these because you can't judge the true color or know how bad the fractures are. This is done to deceive the buyer. Fortunately this is not common and it is unlikely you will encounter this if you buy from a reputable source in the United States. Synthetic resins can be used to fill in fractures in emeralds and other stones with fractures that reach the surface of the gem. Hardeners are often applied to make the process more permanent. The use of these resins, with hardeners (Like Opticon) are NOT acceptable treatments. Irradiation Irradiation means pounding material with subatomic particles or radiation. Sometimes irradiation is followed by heating to produce a better or new color for the gem. Blue topaz is the most common example. Although blue topaz occurs in nature, it is quite rare and pale in color. In the United States irradiated gems are regulated by the Nuclear Regulatory Agency to in an attempt to insure there is no harmful residual radiation. You do not have this protection if you buy it out of this country. Today irradiation of blue topaz has created shades not found in natural blue topaz; prices are very reasonable for irradiated blue topaz since there is a great deal of competition in the wholesale end of this market. If you could find an untreated blue topaz, it would sell for a price comparable to untreated Imperial Topaz. Tourmaline can be irradiated to darken pink stones into red ones; these are indistinguishable from natural red ones. Off colored diamonds can be irradiated and heated and turned into intense greens, yellows, blues, browns & pinks. These stones are fairly common. Irradiated diamonds will sell for much less per carat than the naturally colored ones of comparable color, clarity grade, and size Cultured pearls can be irradiated to produce gray or blue colors; but dyeing in these colors is more common. Irradiated pearls will sell for about the same price as the dyed pearls, this should be well below the prices asked for pearls with very fine colors. Varieties of quartz and spodumene are irradiated and subsequently annealed with heat to produce dramatic and desirable colors.

Dyeing Without dyeing there would be no black onyx: this is not a natural color of chalcedony! Chalcedony or more commonly known as agate, is often dyed blue, green, or orange and carved into bowls, statues, or cut into beads. This is fine, as there are some lovely pieces around using this stuff, especially carved animals and the like and no one minds that it's not "natural". Japanese cultured pearls, which are grown in an Akoya oyster that produces pearls up to about l0 millimeters, grow into a limited selection of colors with various overtones of colors. If they are dark gray, bluish, violet, nearly black, or intense bronze, assume they are dyed. To meet current demand for pearls with rose overtones, some cultured pearls have been given a pink tint; this can be detected by looking for concentrations of dye around drill holes or around blemishes. On the other hand, South Sea cultured pearls which are generally larger than the Japanese cultured pearls, may grow into a variety of exotic colors naturally because they are grown in a different variety of oyster. Tahitian black pearls are a good example of naturally colored black pearls. Cultured pearls with a natural exotic color will command a much higher price than a dyed one. Dyeing of chalcedony and of pearls is prevalent, permanent, and acceptable. These colors do not occur in nature; no deception is involved. Dyeing of other materials, jade, lapis laxuli, turquoise, coral, rubies, emeralds and sapphire may be less acceptable. Generally, dyeing of these materials is done to disguise poor quality goods. Dyed lapis lazuli can be easily tested by rubbing it with a piece of cotton soaked with acetone (fingernail polish remover).

If it is dyed, blue color will eventually rub off on the cotton. Dyed lapis should be much less expensive than fine natural lapis. In the case of lapis lazuli or turquoise, the natural material is not that expensive, so why bother with inferior material unless it is irresistibly cheap or you just love the color? Dyed lapis lazuli may bleed blue onto the wearer or his or her clothing (not a fun thing to remove, trust me). Dyed jade may be tricky to detect, so be careful if the price seems "too good". An inexpensive tool (around $30) called a Chelsea Filter and supplement emerald filters can somewhat useful detecting dyed jade but the sophistication of the bleaching and polymer impregnation of jadeite can be extremely hard to detect without the aid of spectrographic analysis. Coral beads may also be dyed. Suspect coral that has a very intense color, coupled with an inexpensive selling price. I recently encountered strands of sapphire beads which were quench cracked and died. The treatment was easily visible with microscopic observation, but it did not bleed at all when soaked in acetone. Impregnation and stabilization Impregnation and stabilization are common for turquoise. Impregnation is the infusion of wax or paraffin into a porous material. Stabilization is the introduction of a bonding agent, usually plastic, into a porous material. Of the two processes, stabilization is the most permanent. Impregnated pieces must be kept away from heat or the wax could melt & leak... not a pretty sight !!. Some gems are waxed on the surface to enhance luster but this is not very usual. The upside for stabilized turquoise, is that it will not absorb oils and discolor as untreated turquoise may. Opal can be stabilized with plastic to hide crazing, but this is not common at all and would only be done to deceive the buyer. Bleaching Bleaching is a process for organic gem materials such as ivory, coral, and for pearls and cultured pearls. It lightens the color and is permanent and undetectable. No price difference exists as a result. Coating Coating is a process (used and described for over 200 years! where a lacquer or film of some type is applied to improve a gem's appearance. Today, coatings are increasingly utilized to alter and improve the color of gems. Mystic topaz is an example of a coated gem that was conceived by Azotic Coating Technologies. The company is now coating topaz in all colors, including pinks and rich "imperial" tones. Recent reports have indicated that tanzanite is showing up in the labs with coatings on the pavilions to improve the appearance of saturation. Coatings are occasionally identified on diamonds to improve the apparent color of an off-colored stone and deceive a buyer. Opals may have a black coating on the back to intensify the play of color or to give the appearance of a black opal; this can take the form of a simple coat of black lacquer or what is called a "doublet." A doublet is a thin layer of opal cemented to a black onyx base. Diffusion Diffusion was originally used on sapphires. Chemicals, like beryllium, were infused at high temperatures, and actually penetrated the gems. Early diffusion only produced color on the surface of the gem's surface and was referred to as "Surface Diffusion". Surface diffusion was easily detectable with immersion, and often with simple magnification. Great advancements have been made in diffusion treatment in the last decade and it was discovered that if corundum is heated to very high temperatures for a long duration, the diffusion would penetrate the entire stone! It can improve color, change color, or create asterism (stars). Filling Filling is used on gems with surface fractures or cavities. Glass, plastic or other materials are used to fill these holes. This is sometimes done to rubies. With close examination with magnification you may be able to spot differences in surface luster, or see a spectral effect in fractures when viewed with dark-field illumination. The AIGS, The Asian Institute of Gemological Sciences, has done extensive research on filled rubies.

Infilling Diamonds Diamonds with inclusions are sometimes filled with glass to make them appear clearer. Oved and Yehuda Diamonds have undergone this treatment. Filler can be damaged by heat, ultrasonic cleaning, and by re-tipping. The filling does not repair the inclusion, it just makes it less visible. If you look at a filled diamond closely, rotate it under light, you should be able to notice a bluish flash. Both Yehuda and Oved will usually refill your diamond for free if it is ever damaged. Check for guarantees before buying such a diamond. Lasering Lasering is sometimes used on diamonds. The process drills very tiny holes into a diamond to provide access to an inclusion which detracts from the beauty of the stone. The inclusion can then be, vaporized or bleached to make it less obvious if it is not burned out by the lasering. Under magnification laser holes are visible when viewed at the correct angle. A lasered diamond would be classified in the slightly imperfect or imperfect category regardless of the improvement in apparent clarity and should be priced accordingly.

Gems that are Not Enhanced There are some gemstones that are not known to be enhanced. These include: Garnets (with the exception of demantoid), Peridot, Iolite, Spinel, varieties of Chrysoberyl, Tournaline (with the exception of the Paraiba variety), Malachite Hematite and, Feldspar with the probable exception of varieties of andesine and labradorite. Keep in mind that new technology in gemstone treatment is always changing and improving and many are seriously difficult, if not impossible, to detect. Disclosure With some gemstones enhanced by specifically defined treatments according to the guidelines of the CIBJO, it is a requirement of the Trade in the US to make such disclosures and in any case a vendor should always disclose any known treatments or enhancements (remember, they may not always know themselves, with imported Gems) and record it on your bill of sale. Most vendors are honest and forthcoming, but it is YOUR RESPONSIBILITY TO ASK. Reprinted with permission from www.gemologyonline.com

“Knowledge gained yet unshared is wasted “

ROCK BOX

JANUARY 2010

PRESIDENTS MESSAGE

Remember dues are due now! Please get them in! The time we spend sending reminders takes away from the time spent working on the show coming very soon (May 15, 16).
Our bills have gone up, rent and insurance which will put a big hole in our budget this Year. The only way to make up this money is to have the best show ever, which means we need all members participating! We could rise the shop time to $10.00; the next thing would be raising dues to $40.00 per person. I know with your help on the show we won’t have to do this. Remember the bylaws say that if you use the club you must help in some way with the show. If we all do a little no one has to do it all. One of the biggest things we need is to get the flyers out and any free advertising we can get; nothing is to small.
The last thing I have to say, I would like to thank Dan Herod for the work he did on Rocky River demo we did a few weeks ago. To the members that took time out from their day, thank you all for a job well done. This Rocky River event was the best I’ve seen since joining our club!

I Am A Shiny Rock

Smooth and rounded from the casting and the tumbling that is the experience we call a lifetime. I have been polished through deed and action and although the appearance from an outward glance might suggest to you that I am smooth in my wholeness – it would be an untruth.

There are blemishes. My life has given me abrasion and dent, scar and scratch. It is the test of time and time will do its level best to test the bounds of what you are and how you are made. It has me. Look, I’m a shiny rock.

I have survived in the talus piles of despair, been tossed from tall hilltops and allowed to tumble haplessly toward an uncertain ending. Some I influence. Sometimes I pick the direction or the vector, but most times I was a likely victim of providence. Cast and crowned at where I arrived. My scuffs were numbered too high sometimes to measure, but even a thousand scuffs can appear to be a consistent skin. A smooth skin, for they run together, don’t they? Over time all the scuffing and scratching become the surface that you have, the outward bearing that you present. Mine is now shiny from the many years of experience of the many lake beds, dry creeks, roadsides and flower pots.
I have been hurled in anger, rubbed in sorrow, adored in a collective and displayed for all to admire and praise. And yet, I am only a shiny rock. One of many, many such rocks set upon the planet to hold down my little space on the surface. To take up a slot in the great making, to be counted, to be allowed to be. That is the destiny of what I am, of what I become along the way. The twisting and winding byways of a lifetime, wearing the marks of my journey and establishing the roundness of a fulfilled being, a needed entity, a shiny rock.
Where I go now I know not, but I go there with all that I have and all that I ever wanted because to depart with less would be as to rob myself of my rightful gifts. As I slip under the surface of the next time, of the next thing, I know that my time here was not wasted. I served a purpose, my presence was necessary. Someone was made richer for either the comfort I gave or the frustration I allowed them to release. I mattered. I bear all of the markings of a life well lived and I move on with gratitude and a wanting of more, but a fullness of living.
For after all, I am a shiny rock.
Copyright 2009 - Gregory Bell

Gregory Bell is a sculptor in Vancouver WA.
He wrote this as a writing project.

HELP US GROW

Have questions or suggestions on new ways to play that makes our artistic hobby’s easier, faster even cheaper! Bring it on, all of you. Send all comments to my email and I’ll post it on the following newsletter. We have a wealth of knowledge in our membership, from the youngest to our most senior Rock hounds; all you folks have something to share, so don’t be shy.

Rick Earhart
Email: herballore1@sbcglobal.net

EDITORS COMMENTS

Happy New Year members of the Parma Lapidary Club may it be a blessed one for all of you and yours as well as for our ever-evolving Club!

Many thanks to Sue Zaborowski for an outstanding job as Rock Box Editor all these many years. Please be patient with me as I try to fill her rock-hound boots, but always feel free to offer constructive criticism. Remember, this is your newsletter and thus is open to your input.

If you have found new ways to improve on old ideas, such as tools you have improvised to make a job easier or short cuts to make a job go faster or more efficient, please share. It does not matter which of the Lapidary Arts most interests you, all of us would be glad to hear and even use your innovations, giving you full credit. In fact, as I acclimate myself to this new position I hope to create different features in which our members can share their knowledge - and there is a lot of knowledge in our ever expanding club - and ideas that can benefit the club and its members in their quest to hone their individual Lapidary passions.

Also share any personal stories/experiences you have had while rock hounding hither and yon in search of that elusive prize. To get the rock rolling so to speak, I will feature the monthly birthstone; its history/origins and locations it is found. I hope that I can make our Rock Box as interesting and fun as Sue did, with your help, I might almost succeed. Rick Earhart

SHOP REPORT

There will be a meeting for all shop tenders and teachers Saturday January 30, 2010 at 1:15 we need to discuss procedures. We have a list of supplies available for silver classes just see me if you need one.		We now have a new silver teacher at least temporarily. That person who kindly stepped up is Ron Brooks he is a certified bench jeweler. Thank you Ron. I do want to thank Bruce Klosynski for all his dedication and work teaching silver since even before I joined many years ago.
Know the door is open when you are ready to return. The raffle will go on as usual at Wednesday’s meeting February 3, 2010 . See you there…..SueZ

JANUARY’S BIRTHSTONE

Garnets are found in Brazil, Mexico, Bohemia, Australia, and the North America, an uncommon bright green variety being also found in Ural Mountains.

Garnets have always been extensively used throughout the East and amongst the Greeks and Romans. The Romans frequently using them for engraving, several fine specimens of Imperial portraits, including those of the Emperors, have come down to us in this way.

Garnets where known in India and throughout the Far East as an Amulet against poison and the plague, worn to attract health and cheerfulness, and as a protection against lightning.

During the middle Ages, they where used as a remedy for the plague, or the Black Death, and inflammatory diseases. Garnets were also worn to confer constancy, fidelity, and cheerfulness to its rightful wearers, but was said to cause discord amongst those having no right to it by birth. Like the Ruby, the garnet warned its owner of approaching danger and trouble by changing its color, and was much in vogue at one time as a keepsake between friends at parting.

The name “garnet” comes from the Latin word “Garanatus”, meaning “seed like”, in reference to a pomegranate.

“Always leave the smallest footprint upon the land while helping clean up what others disrespectfully leave behind “

ROCK BOX

WINTER 2009

Bea Jordan honored at November meeting

Bea Jordan was honored at our November meeting. The meeting was well attended and the cake was donated by a generous family.

DUES ARE DUE!

It’s time to write a check for dues to the Parma Lapidary Club. You can mail the check to Mary Shaffer,
our Membership chairman; her address is 2252 Boston Road Hinckley, OH 44233-9619

Our dues need to be paid early so the Club can pay it’s dues to the MWF.
So please try and get your dues in by the end of December if not sooner.
Mary would appreciate it, I would appreciate it and most of all Jan will appreciate it.
If you don’t want to mail your check out bring it to the meeting. We always enjoy taking your money.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MEETINGS ARE AT 7:30PM AT THE CLUB
3488 WEST 25TH, CLEVELAND,OH

The next regular meeting is Wednesday February 3rd, 2010
Doors open around 7pm

Christmas Party

We all had fun at the Christmas party.	The food was great
Gail and other members helped	Bea was presented a pillow signed by the members

ROCK BOX

OCTOBER 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Dan Herod is chairing Demo’s in the Park again this January 2010. Let’s increase the number of demonstrators this year; share your talent with others it’s fun. You know the things you make are beautiful so give it a try, you’ll have a great time talking to people about what you are demonstrating and what you’ve made. The exact date is yet to be set but it will be late January 2010. So please give Dan Herod a call at to volunteer.

October 11 was the SWAPNIC I saw quite a few of you there. If you went home hungry it was your own fault because the food was really great.
I want to thank Fred and Lynn Wypasek for hosting this first Swapnic you are both extremely good members. Keep them both in your prayers as Fred will be under going very serious surgery very shortly.
There was a lot of swapping,, trading, selling and buying going on. I know Sue Z sold a lot of stuff.

The Christmas Party will be held at Gargano’s next door to the Club on December 2, 2009. This will be instead of a meeting. If you are interested please mail you checks to Gail Broughton at 2652 Kingston Road Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118 or for more information call Gail. The price is $13.00 per person, $26.00 per couple.

When is the last time you checked out our website? I must admit every time I check it out it just keeps getting better. Mike you are doing one awesome job! THANKS!!!!! If you have pictures of field trips or any other club activity or event get them to Mike, he get them on the website.

Have you noticed our new soldering table? I want to thank Dan Papp for making this possible. This part of our continuing efforts to improve our facility. If you have suggestions for club improvements; please let us know or drop in Suggestion Box
John Z

Minutes for General Meeting 10/07/09

The meeting was called to order at 7:30pm. John Zaborow ski presiding.
Minutes were read by Holly Nagornery . Motion to accept by Ann Cook second by Ron Shaffer.

Jan Widiger gave the treasurer report which was filed for audit.
Mary Shaffer gave a report of Membership. We had many new members and 2 guests.

There will be a Show meeting Monday 10/12/09 at 7:00pm.
Planned field trips are as follow: 10/31/09 Tignalll, Georgia, Antreville, South Carolina11/6 –11/8/2009 and Rochester, New York
Rick Earhart reports no report from the Trustees.
The swapnic was reported to be a success.
The Christmas party is scheduled at Gargano’s for 12/2/09 instead of our December Meeting. The Dinner will be $13.00 per person. Please call Gail Broughton at 216-932-4233 or just mail your checks to her at 2652 Kingston Road; Cleveland Heights, Ohio 44118.

Don’t forget the January Demonstrations in the Rocky River Metro Park.

The Club voted to allow John and a group of five people to spend up to $2000.00 on equipment at Rocks and Chips if the occasion should arise.

Suez brought up the need for a credit card for Club use. The motion was tabled.

The raffle raised $35.00 at the meeting.

Motion to adjourn by Pat Miller second by Anne Cook. Meeting adjourned at 9:00pm.

Respectfully,
Holly Nagornery.

DUES ARE DUE!

Bea Jordan To Move

Bea Jordan is a lady who never tells her age but she is young enough that John and myself adopted her as our “MOM” and most of you call her Aunt Bea.

Our loss when she leaves will be the Jordan Family‘s gift . She already has an eye on another Rock Club in Grants Pass, OR.

Bea and Dave held season passes for the Cleveland Ballot the Cleveland Orchestra, the .Cleveland Pops Orchestra. And of course her Indians.

Bea enjoyed many good times with Dave her now departed pal. They did a 8day 7 night trip down the Colorado following in the steps of Lewis and Clark.; took the narrow gauge train from East to West across Canada.

EDITOR'S NOTE

First of all I want to thank all of you for the cards, thoughts, and prayers. I can now stand a few minutes where before it was almost impossible. I am still in PT two days a week until Thanksgiving. But I am back on Tuesday’s and looking forward to seeing all of you back too. Because I really missed everyone.

I saw a lot of new faces at the Swapnic. We need to have one in June or July when it’s warmer.

I have a few people who sent in publishing materials. Thank You.

Anyone who wants to try glass fusing or learn the in and outs of stringing beads please let me know the fusing cost is $15.00 for the use of my tools and enough glass to make at least two projects. There is no extra cost for beading unless you need tigertail , crimp beads, or fasteners. You should at least have your own beads any size but enough to make at least an 18 inch necklace.

Volunteerism is up!! Thanks.

Logan Jaycox Takes First Place

Logan Jaycox 11, has only been a member of our Club for a few months, but that hasn’t stopped this junior Rock hound from entering his personal lapidary collection at the Lorain County Fair.

It all started with his Mother entering some baked goods in the Fair, When she saw a category for the Lapidary Arts she encouraged Logan to enter. “When I heard that I could enter my collection in the Fair, I felt really good about it.” Said Logan, I thought I could make first or second place.” His Mother entered him into the category Crystals or Mineral Collection. What she didn’t know was this was an adult category (wrong numbers and letters) Logan’s reaction was “Uhhhh…” he started feeling a little less confident.

Several days after the judging , Logan made his way towards his collection, curious to see how he did. “I was really nervous, but still confident.” When he finally got to his collection first thing he saw was the blue ribbon. “It was really cool and awesome. I was real happy.” Along with the ribbon came a $5.00 prize. When asked about it he just smiles.

Logan enjoys being a Junior Club member. “They taught me how to make cabochans and helped to indentify some of the rocks in my collection. It”s been the best summer of my life and I can't wait to learn more .”

Logan and his family have taken part in several Club field trips. Including the Indiana geode trip and the to Flint Ridge. “Everyone at the Parma Lapidary Club has been awesome to me as well as my brother, and Dad.” When asked what draws him to Rock hunting he replies: “It’s interesting I love how they look. How different they all are. They all have value to me. I’ll never throw a rock away.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MEETINGS ARE AT 7:30PM AT THE CLUB 3488 WEST 25TH
The regular meeting November 4, 2009

1:00 PM SATURDAY
10/31/09 BOARD OF DIRECTORS

7:00PM WEDNESDAY
11/04/09 GENERAL MEETING
Bring money for Christmas Party at November meeting

7:00PM MONDAY
11/09/09 SHOW MEETING

PLC Christmas Party
December 2, 2009 - 7:30 pm
Held at Gargano’s next door to the Club
$13.00 per person

David Gutridge Now in Spirit

Born on a Dairy farm close to Flint Ridge he didn’t know what a “rockhound” he would become. He spent his working years as a pipe fitter / welder in construction.

After working all those years Dave and his wife Marie went to an Emerald Mine in North Carolina where they both came down with “Rock Fever” the rest is history.

In 1972 Dave and Marie purchased Stan’s Rock Shop which they promptly named Rocks N Chips.

Dave lost Marie in 1988; 13 days before Bea lost Paul which kind of thru them together. Dave and Bea eventually became sweet hearts and married in the twenty-first century. One of my favorite memories is when Dave removed his hearing aids at the wedding.

The same year they opened
Rocks’ N Chips they joined Parma Lapidary Club. Because of Marie’s illness he missed a year or two to help in her care. Other than that he always supported the Club.

Dave set an example for all to
Follow for a 75th Birthday celebration he parachuted out of a plane against Dr.’s orders.

He loved roller Coasters and tried para sailing.

ROCK BOX

SEPTEMBER 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE

Next years Show will be held May 15 and 16, 2010. We are desperate need of a Display Chairman. If you are interested in having a judged case at the show please let us know so we will be able to line up the proper judges. Last year we had three blue ribbon winners from our club. With all the talent in this club I know we could have many more winners.

The next Show meeting will be September 14, 2009 at the club; starting promptly at 7:00pm. If you have ideas for the club or would like to join on some of the committees please come to the meeting.

The machines are looking a lot cleaner which means your workmanship should also improve. Keep up the good work.

Check the website for all the exciting field trips coming up. We have a choice on Labor Day weekend a Gold Rush or a trip to Flint Ridge. If you are going to Flint Ridge we will be leaving from Applewood at 7:00am . First we will stop at the park to see the flint knappers. Then we will head over to Neithers farm to collect Flint. The last stop will be for dinner after dinner we will continue home.
John Z

EDITOR'S NOTE

I will be unable to work on the ROCK BOX for the next three or four
months. If anyone would be willing to take over or help out call John Z . I am going to concentrate on getting well and don't want to worry about anything else; so that's what I am doing.

This month's board of directors meeting is not being held because John will be too busy. If anyone knows what is happening between Thursdays class and Saturdays class please let John know because sometime between the two the machines are getting very dirty and messy. Call to let him know.

Enclosed you will find a flyer for the SWAPNIC which will be our FALL FLING please come bring a covered dish and anything you are willing to swap trade or sell. This is a family affair so bring your family.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

MEETINGS ARE AT 7:30PM AT THE CLUB 3488 WEST 25TH
The regular meeting November 4, 2009

Bring money for Christmas Party at November meeting

PLC Christmas Party
December 2, 2009 - 7:30 pm

ROCK BOX

AUGUST 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
First I want to announce the need to fill three positions for THE SHOW. The first position is the Display chairman. It would be your responsibility to distribute and collect the applications for displays. It would also be appreciated if you could make the Show meetings or at least send in a report The second would be the kid's corner chairman Linda sold all her games to another club; so you will need to come up with new games. The third position would be demo chairman. Sue has been doing this for a few years and feels it's time for someone else to give it a try. She is willing to demonstrate and help whoever volunteers for the position.

Remember class fees go up September 1, 2009. If you want to save yourself a few bucks invest in some shop cards before that date.
We have a new spindle polisher please read the instructions in this issue before attempting to use; and remember when polishing never use pressure. The 100,000 diamond wheel also has instructions in this issue. Aside from no pressure remember no polish on stone before using the 100,00 grit polishing wheel.

I want to spend some time talking about our other equipment and its upkeep. Starting with the trim saws they need to have the oil changed and cleaned at least bi-weekly. Do your fair share help keep these machines clean. It isn't fair that one person gets stuck doing the work all the time. Not knowing how is no, excuse since you can ask Ron Shaffer or myself .:. we will show you how.

The same goes for the grinders clean them after each use or before you leave for the day. Shop tenders are not there to clean up after you neither is your Mom so CLEAN UP!!!

The polishers each have a designated polish ... DO NOT MIX THE POLISHES. Very little polish compound is needed. Spend more time sanding your stone to remove all scratches and imperfections. Dry your stone and look at it if you do not see a slight shine you need to continue sanding on the finer papers until a shine is achieved. Now is the time to apply the polish after all imperfections are gone.
Facetors you must do the same thing when cutting a gem stone with 100 grit you must now work thru the 600, 1200, and 3,000 grit laps before attempting to polish with the 100,000 grit diamond. A big pat on the back for all Facetors you religiously clean and put away your machines.

And last but not least our silversmiths your area is looking much better. Contamination is your worst enemy. The buffers need to be cleaned after use or before you leave for home. A clean machine and the area around it will produce a better quality product. All groups; cabbers, facetors, and smiths if you see anything that needs to be repaired or replaced please tell the shop tender so it can be handled immediately.
I would like to thank everyone for doing their part to keep the club house clean; it's looking much better. If you have an idea how to improve the looks of our Club let us know. If there is a class you would like to see offered let us know about it well see if we can make it happen.
I hope you are all having a great summer. Remember Christmas is only five months away the therefore now is the time to start work on those beautiful presents for your loved ones. I also want to thank the person or persons who donated the sturdy comfortable chairs.
Rocking along, John Z

UPCOMING MEETINGS

ALL MEETINGS ARE AT 7:00PM AT THE CLUB 3488 WEST 25TH
JULY 20 ..........SHOP TENDERS AND
SPECIALTY INSTRUCTORS
JULY 27 ........ BOARD MEETING
AUGUST 5 ......GENERAL MEETING

Lightning fuses soil into Rock
If a lightning bolt strikes soil or sand, the intense heat creates glassy stringers called fulgerites, after fugur, the latin word for lightning,
Fulgerites also can form if lightning strikes solid rock, such as the tops of high mountains. The result is a glassy coating or crust called a rock fulgerite.
Furgerites form faster than any other rock on earth, in about 1/1000'h of a second. They are thought of as petrified lightning.
Most fulgerites are branched hollow tube within thin walls. They are a few feet to a few tens of feet long and an inch or two wide. Their diameter usually decreases with depth and they may have occasional bulbous or knobby enlargements.
The interiors are glassy, sometimes with a silvery luster, and look as if a glaze has been applied. Blister like bubbles may be present, some intact and some exploded, leaving small pits and craters. The inner cavity is usually round and elliptical, but it may have three, four or five corners.
The exteriors are grainy, bumpy or even spiny and may have ridges paralleling the long dimension. Color depends upon the original material, but many are gray. Fulgerites may spiral, and if so, they always twist to the right.
The quartz grains adhering to the exterior often have rims of cristobalite, a type of quartz. The change to crystobalite takes place at 2678 degrees F. Above 3110 degrees F. cristobalite becomes liquid. Rapid cooling of that liquid creates the glassy material of the interior. Fulgerites are thought to be formed at temperatures of about 3300 degrees F.
The glassy material has been given a mineral name, lechatelierite, after Henry LeChatelier (1850-193E) a French chemist. Most references disallow the name because, by definition, a mineral is supposed to be crystalline, which glass is not.
Fulgerites are fairly abundant in some areas, such as western Australia, the sand dunes of the Sahara Dessert and the eastern beaches of the United States. One area of the Kalahari Dessert in southern Africa was estimated to contain 2000 fulgerites.
Fulgerites have been known for a long time, but their origin was a bit of a mystery until 1790, when one was found near a tree that had been struck by lightning. It was discovered during excavation for the foundation of a tablet meant to warn people against taking refuse under a tree during a thunderstorm.
Sources: The Rockpile 10/08; The Tulip City Conglomerate 7/08; by Dale Gnidovec; The Chicago Rocks and Minerals Society 2/08

BLAKE'S COMPACT GEM POLISHER
INSTRUCTIONS
Your new gem polishing unit has six pairs of grooves and flats to sand and polish cabs, cushions, small flats and stars of all gem materials. We iecommend 325,' 6o0, 1200, 600o,14000 and 50000 grit Crystalite diamond compound. To charge the drum apply a dab of the coarsest compound to the dopped stone and work lightly into left hand groove and/or flat.
When the compound has been picked up by the wood, put a drop of the extender fluid on the stone and work into the same area. The fluid softens the paste allowing it to spread more evenly on the drum. The first stone, depending on it's size will require from 3 to 6 dabs applied a minute or so apart for even distribution. This first step — the course sanding is the most important; spend plenty of time here getting out all the grinding scratches and flats before proceeding to the finer grits. When the grinding scratches and flats have been removed, wipe the stone carefully with a soft tissue, apply a dab of the next finer grit to the stone and repeat the above operation in the next groove to the right; continue this procedure until all the grooves have been used and your stone polished. Much less time is required on each of these steps if you did a good job on the first step. On the next 10 or 12 stones use one dab of each grit as you go thru the procedure; by this time you will have enough of the charge on the drum that you will be able to do several stones without applying anymore compound.
From here on apply compound only as needed, by a dab we mean approximately. 1/16" of the paste as it come from the syringe. Use a different tissue for wiping each grit (toilet tissue works fine) discarding the tissue when finished with each grit. The course grits will leave the stone with a dull satin finish which will get brighter with each finer grit.
MAINTENANCE
Oil drum and motor bearings with a light machine oil. Be sure the drum rotates freely on the shaft which must remain stationary. Adjust thrust with the nuts on the right end of the shaft; allow approximately 1/16'" of end play and be sure all nuts are tight against rubber grommets.
In ease of accidental contamination start the polisher and wipe the affected area with a cloth moistened with a light solvent, lighter fluid or cleaning solvent will do. Then using a dopped cab of hard material agate or jasper will do apply as much pressure as possible to the contaminated area until you have driven the course grit deep enough into the wood that it will no longer scratch.

What is a Phantom Crystal?
A phantom crystal is actually a crystal within a crystal. The makeup of one phantom must be the same as the one that encloses it. There may be more than one inside a single crystal. The usual explanation of phantom is intermittent growth,--- growing for a while, and then stopping. The crystal is exposed for a period and a very small amount of foreign material falls on the surface (ie dust). The conditions then change and the crystal starts to grow again, with the possibility of this happening several times. The result is a crystal that appears to have one or more enclosed within. Sometimes phantoms are oriented the same as the enclosing crystal, at other times they are not. In clear crystal, such as quartz, the enclosed crystal appears shadowy and faint and therefore, we have the name phantom. The difference between phantom and an inclusion is that the inclusion must be a different mineral species.
Sources The Rockpile 10/08; The Quarry?/08; and Chicago Rock and Mineral Society02/09

Tips on how to properly use the 100,000 Grit Polishing Belt.
1. A LIGHT PRESSURE. This belt was designed for polishing, excessive pressure can result in belt damage. If your stone hasn't been properly ground don't use the 100.000 grit Polishing belt
2. Steadying your hand while using the polishing belt will help prevent bumping and chattering which can cause excessive and uneven wear on the belt.
3. Use coolant while polishing. Water is best and a small amount will usually do to keep the belt wet. This prevents the formation of rock dust, keeps your stone cool, and stops the build up of rock residue which can hinder the polishing process.
4. Use the entire belt surface as you polish your stone. AVOID using just the center or edge or any one area of the belt surface as this will cause excessive wear and shorten the effective life of the belt.
5. Once you have used any other kind of polish you CAN NOT go back to the 100,000 grit polishing belt ... it will clog with polishing grit on the belt and ruin it. It is best to decide which polishing method will be best for your stone, and then follow through..

"...for purple mountained majesties..."

Spring 2009 appeared to be the optimum time to take a trip to fulfill a childhood dream. Lynn had wanted to see the Grand Tetons since as a child reading about them and the colorful characters in Jackson hole. So we planned a great western loop that would take us past 13 states, six' national parks and monuments, multiple state and private parks and some of our country's marvelous geologic wonders. Our trip was also blessed with numerous serendipitous events and discoveries. For example, as we exited Interstate 70 at the small town of Oakley Kansas to take a shortcut to Colorado Springs we saw signs advertising the Fick Fossil and Historical Museum. It turned out to be a real gem, filled with excellent specimens, well labeled and prepared. It's historical section was filled with a great collection of antiques and artifacts artfully presented. Overall it was a resource that would be envied by larger cities.

Moab Utah was our base camp from which to visit Arches National Park, Canyonlands and explore the desert. Even though we hadn't planned on doing extensive rock hounding and back road travel, we found plenty of opportunities to do so. The friendly lady at Lin Ottinger's Moab Rock and Fossil shop gave us directions to nearby Mill Canyon for our first off road excursion to see the dinosaur fossils in the canyon wall and collect some rocks on BLM land. After seeing every color of sandstone imaginable (white, beige, pink, orange, red, yellow, gray, green, brown, black) and a wide variety of shapes (arches, spires, exotic weathered, forms and monoliths the height and width of a skyscraper)` I've developed a better understanding of sedimentary rock and its role in our spectacular landscape.

Moving on further northwest, we spent the day at Antelope Island in the Great Salt Lake. We had hoped to see the gneiss formations on the southern end of the island, but the area was closed. One of the Rangers pointed out, some other areas we did see.

Our original purpose was to see mountains and boy did we ever - Granite, limestone, sandstone, alluvial, tree covered, 'grass covered, snow-covered and so on. Each state's mountains bore significantly different characteristics. The Grand Teton Valley was unique, with rolling rounded grass covered mountains to the right and to the left the Grand Tetons, snow-covered and majestic rising abruptly just beyond Jackson Lake. We spent several days there just trying to absorb their grandeur.

We continued north to Yellowstone and it's other-worldly geological features. The mineral laden superheated water flows looked like gorgeous abstract paintings. The yellows, reds and oranges in them resembled the colors in the Grand Canyon of the Yellowstone. We were reminded Yellowstone is more than just thermal features when we discovered that the cliff next to the road above a waterfall consisted of columnar basalt. Since our time in Wyoming was spent in visiting national parks we didn't do any rock hounding. Montana was a different story.

Our plans for seeing Montana were flexible and the campgrounds were able to accommodate us as we added some spontaneous rock trips. Ruby reservoir wasn't too much further than Nevada city so we trekked on. Very pretty area but spring 'runoff meant high water and no real beach areas to look for garnets. After gold panning at the, Mining
Museum in Nevada city the genial proprietor gave us directions to a dirt road in Virginia City which would take us to a rock site at 5 mile Lake. To call a 5 mile trip with two-way traffic on a one lane dirt mountain road an adventure is an understatement. We passed several working mines and saw parts of Montana few easterners ever would. We did find some interesting specimens.

One information rack provided a folder for Crystal Park, a claim owned by the Butte Mineral Society and managed by the U.S. Forest Service. To visit it meant a detour from our original route but still doable. Our maps showed the Pioneer Scenic Byway where the park is located as unpaved. But the road certainly was and in excellent condition. The park is unique. Like Herkimer New York, it is one of the few places where double terminated individual quartz crystals can be found. Packing enough equipment to camp for 30 days had limited our rock hounding tools to some hand tools and a collecting bag. A shovel, mattock, and screen boxes would have been more appropriate at Crystal Park. Lynn did find a few small crystals though. As we walked the trail back to the car I couldn't resist commenting "you know you're in rock hound country when all you can see are big holes in the ground and someone's behind sticking up out of them." In response, one fellow stood up, confessed to being a digging addict and gave us a handful of quartz crystals.

We traveled on the Pioneer Scenic Byway toward Butte Montana. We saw the geology Museum at Montana Tech, the Berkeley open pit mine and just happened to be in town for the Butte Mineral Society gem show. Lots of fun but no rockhouding. Helena, the state capital is beautiful with an impressive Gothic cathedral and a first rate art museum. If flowers and whimsy are your fancy, then the Tizer Gardens are a must see location. Still no collecting.

Next stop - the Black Hills of South Dakota. After seeing prairies, deserts, mountains, rocks and boulders, the lushness of the Black Hills was refreshing. Two things surprised us. First was the extent of the geological diversity in a relatively small area and secondly the
abundance of visible wildlife - more so than in Yellowstone. In addition to a variety of mountain types we saw cliff walls with pegmatite dikes. Something we had not seen previously were several forms of South Dakota Shale - soft enough you could break it by hand but also containing extremely high content of very fine mica flake. At times an entire hillside would appear to be chrome plated as the sun sparkled off the mica. South Dakota is a true rock hound area with plenty of rock shops. The town of Custer S. D. has two that are quite large. After admiring some specimens of Teepee Canyon agate at one shop and musing how beautiful but beyond my budget the stone was, the gracious store attendant told me I could gather some myself because the site was nearby. Hallelujah! Time was more available the next day and we headed into the countryside. We found the right area and had a little excitement as a National Guard convoy passed us on a narrow dirt mountain road. Finally, with the car safely parked off the road and some cows nearby to keep Lynn company, I grabbed my rock hammer and bag and started hunting. Rock hounding is still a relatively new experience for me and I'm a neophyte at identifying agate nodules.You can imagine my thrill with a least finding some fragments of Teepee Canyon agate.

Our campground in Hill city South Dakota had a closed and boarded mine smack next door to its office and one of the workers pointed out the location of a nearby abandoned quarry. It proved to be a good source for a couple of nice rock garden rocks and two smoky quartz pieces with white lines crisscrossing them.Overall it was a marvelous trip which enhanced our appreciation for how blessed we are as a nation and we are grateful for the kind and generous rockhounds we met. Their warmth and generosity mirrored that of the members of our club... which is the whole reason we joined the Parma Lapidary Club.
Fred Wypasek 7/14/09

ROCK BOX

JUNE 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
I want to thank each and everyone who worked on "our show" this year. All things being said I thought our show was a big success. A special thanks to all of you who submitted displays for the show, and congrats to all the Ribbon winners (Laura Havlena, Sue Z, and myself). A huge thank you Alice for the table covers they really dressed up the Show. Maybe we could add more 8' covers for next year.
If you want to complain about any of our many chair people because you think them ineffective or whatever the reason see me with your complaints; because the "buck" starts and stops with me!
If you happen to think of something we could have done better or something that was done wrong; please let me know or come to the Show meeting 6/8/09 .... At the Club at 7:00pm on Monday.
Be sure to read the by-law changes. We will be voting on them at our June meeting. It is as important to bring these up to date as it is to get our books audited, which hasn't been done but should have been done in the past. The reason I bring this up is to keep everyone on their feet. We need grants for new equipment and these are things that need to be done before the process can start.
Remember shop fees are going up to $4.00 September 1, 2009. Your shop cards will be honored just like the "forever stamps" at the post office. Buy these shop cards from Jan Widiger, our treasurer at the meetings or order them from the shop stewards. The cards will sell for the usual 5 for $15.00 and 10 for $30.00 until August 30, 2009. After that, September 1, 2009, the price will go up to 5 for $20.00 and 10 for $40.00. Save yourself some money buy as many as possible while you can and use them after the first of September.

AROUND THE SHOP
The silver classes although full are coming along with less and less problems. Bruce Klosynski is teaching the beginners classes on Tuesday evening and the Advanced classes on Saturdays. Nancy Halloran and Dan Papp have agreed to teach the intermediate classes on Wednesday nights. If you aren't interested in classes and you are experienced Wednesdays are for Silver.
Bob Miller will be teaching Wire Wrapping Starting June 6, 2009. A list of what you need can be obtained from Bob on Saturday mornings.
We are preparing to inventory and lockup the cabinets. Which will start getting done very soon. Don't forget we are not responsible for things you leave at the shop. Many other projects are under way, and will be finished one at a time so look for changes. Hopefully they will be good changes! If you have suggestions for improvements please see me... we will discuss it. Remember Change can be good., John Z

EDITOR'S NOTES
First I want to thank Mike Bamfield for having the guts to enter our website in the contest. And I'm really glad we won. Next year maybe I'll enter the Newsletter contest. But most of all I want you members to enter too. I found out at the Editors breakfast that other clubs have people writing poems, travel logs, even the kids are writing articles so my challenge to all of you is write something for the Rock Box whatever it is IT will be appreciated. We all need to be as brave as Mike and do it. PLEASE.

I was very impressed with all the volunteers at the show. It looks like our Club is getting younger which is really great. Maybe I can get younger too. That would be nice wouldn't it ?

Bruce has all his beginners silver classes filled right now. But as soon as he finishes with the last group he will be starting an advanced class for those of you who have already signed up. Dan Papp and Nancy Halloran will be starting an intermediate class on Wednesdays for those who have finished Bruce's beginners class and signed up.
Bob Miller will be teaching wire wrapping starting June 6, 2009. So if you signed up show up.

The shop always looks good now that winter is gone and the nice clean floors can stay nice and clean longer without snow tracks. Thanks to Dan Herod. Now if only myself and the shop stewards can keep the tables a little less cluttered we would really be doing great.. Anne Cook donated two six foot tables to our Club, which will come in handy with the wire wrapping class coming up this month.

ROCK BOX

MAY 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
After a year and many hours of hard work the team has finished all the preparations for the Big One Show. I would like to thank them all for their hard and dedicated work. And now it is up to you, our Parma Lapidary Club members, to finish the work. If you have signed up to help at the show make sure you fulfill your responsibility. If not, why not? As you all know this is the main source of revenue to keep our Club strong and viable. It also keeps our shop fees and dues affordable. A few hour of your time is not too much to ask.
I am very disappointed with the lack of interest in displaying at our show by our members. There is still time to display your work or collections. Contact Kay Sharp or download a form from our website.
On Friday May 15, 2009 we will need trucks to move cases and supplies from storage to the fairgrounds. If you have a medical condition and can’t lift we will do the lifting we just need you and your truck. As for set up and take down we still need help this is heavy work! I want to thank all the people who have graciously volunteered their services to help at the Big One Show.
One more thing before I go tell your neighbors and friends about the Show. There is a downloadable coupon at our website. I firmly believe that with your help this show will be a big success.

UPCOMING MEETINGS

Board of Directors Meeting……………5/2/09
Club Meeting……………………………5/6/09
Show Meeting …………………………5/11/09

WHAT IS A ROCK ?
Everyone knows what a rock is, until you ask what it is exactly. After some thought and discussion most people will agree that rocks are more or less hard solids,of natural orgins, made of minerals. But all those criteria have exceptions.

ROCKS ARE HARD
Not necessarily, some common rocks can be scratched with your fingernail; shale, soapstone, gypsum rock, peat. Others may be soft in the ground, but they harden once they time in the air (and vise versa). And there is an imperceptible gradation dated sediments. Indeeed, geologist name and map many formations that don’t consist of rock at all. This is why geologist refer to work with igneous and metamorphic rocks as “hard-rock geology,” opposed to “sedimentary petrology.” .

ROCKS ARE SOLID
Well, some are far from completely solid. Many rocks include water in their pore spaces. Many geodes hold water inside them like coconuts. And the fine lava threads called Pele’s hair, and the fine open meshwork of exploded lava called reticulate, are barely solid.
Then there’s the matter of temperature, Mercury is a liquid metal at room temperature (and down to 40* below zero), and the petroleum is a fluid unless it’s asphalt erupted into cold ocean water. And good old ice meets all the criteria of rockhood too, in perma frost and in glaciers.

ROCKS ARE NATURAL
Not entirely. The longer humans stay on this planet the more concrete accumulates. Concrete is a mixture of sand and pebbles (aggregate) and a mineral glue (cement) of calcium silicate compounds. It is a synthetic conglomerate, and it acts just like the natural rock, turning up in riverbeds and on beaches. Some of it has entered the rock cycle to be discovered by future geologists. Brick, too, is an artificial rock – in this case, an artificial form of massive slate. Another human product that closely resembles rock is slag, the byproduct of metal smelting. Slag is a complex mixture of oxides that has many uses, such as in road building and concrete aggregate. It too has surely found its way into sedimentary rocks already.

THE EDITOR SOUNDS OFF
This week I was approached by a soon to be new member, who volunteered to become our New Editor after she learns the ropes. For that I would like to thank you Wendy Korenek, of Seven Hills.
This is an easy job, but it takes time and when you have a computer that never types what you want it to; well, the time doubles.
With our involvement in this Club and the Midwest Faceters Guild (I’m vice president and John is Seminar director) my time has escaped me; I no longer have any. Even though Bob and Pat Miller have taken over Saturdays, but that only gives me the time I need to leave town.
I am consistly looking for articles you will find new and interesting and will continue to do so as much as I can but Wendy will be doing the assembling and editing. This is truly an answer to my prayers.

THIS MONTH’S RAFFLE
We are going to have a few slabs, some jewelry donated by Chuck Missig and myself plus whatever you bring in to donate, our raffle is held between the Old business and the New Business in order to keep it short and on time do it right.

MEMBERS DO VOLUNTEER
Volunteering is becoming the thing to do in our Club. We have been able to find shop tenders, a Newsletter Editor, Extra teachers for Silver the volunteers for the Show are up.
These are things that make a Club successful. I’m proud of you all !

ROCKS ARE MADE OF MINERALS
Many are not. Minerals are inorganic compounds with chemical formulas and mineral names, like quartz or pyrite. But what about coal? Coal is made of organic material, not minerals. The various types of stuff in coal are instead called macerals. Similarly, what about coquina, a rock made entirely of seashells? Shells are made of mineral matter, but they aren’t minerals any more than teeth are.
Rocks like these are not controversial, but they have their own category: biogenic rocks. Perhaps concrete and slag could be added to that category too. Concrete would fit in with the others, being essentially sedimentary, but slag would probably be a biogenic igneous rock.
Finally we have the exception of obsidian. Obsidian is rock glass, in which little or none of its material has gathered into crystals. It is an undifferentiated mass of geological material, rather like slag but not as colorful. While obsidian has no minerals in it perse, it is unquestionably a rock.
This article comes from The Conglomerate issue #15 April 2009”Bluegrass Gem and Mineral Club”.

SPECIAL SALE
RAYTEC 6” TRIM SAW
Walter Zayk, a former member has donated a 6” Raytec trim saw to our Club. This saw will be sold at our meeting 5/6/09. This saw is in like new condition. If it were new it would sell for $300.00. We are asking $100.00. If it does not sell it will go to the Silent Auction.
We wanted to give our members first chance at a good deal. And this is one way we can do this.
Bring your money buy a saw.

ROCK BOX

APRIL 2009

PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
The Cleveland Indians are coming to our April 1, 2009 meeting. Hopefully you’ll bring friends so the meeting will be next door at Gargano’s Restaurant.3486 West 25th Street. The Indians program starts at 7:00pm followed by our meeting at 7:30pm. There is parking behind Gargano’s feel free to use it.

I would like to thank everyone for doing their part to keep the club house clean; it’s looking much better. If you have an idea how to improve the looks of our Club let us know. If there is a class you would like to see offered let us know about it we’ll see if we can make it happen.
Remember Wednesday classes are now open.

About the Big One

We only have another month till the Show.
Let’s show the Federation that we are one of the best clubs in the Midwest by displaying what we have made at the show. I personally will have a display there. How about you? If you haven’t got enough for a case how about sharing one with a friend or two? Remember the cases are nameless so no one knows unless you tell them.
The displays and demos are the most educational, therefore some of the most important things in the show. These help attract new members and keep our club alive. Be proud of what you make it’s all beautiful. The club has 19 cases so turn your applications in early. Your help is needed to get the word out about our Show best way to do this is to pass out flyers in your neighborhood; grocery stores; hair dressers; barbers; laundry mats; and libraries.

LIBRARIAN TO DO INVENTORY
Mike Bamfield, our new Librarian, Requests that you please return all library books at or before the next meeting; so he can do a book inventory. Remember you can check a book out for one month; then you have to return it or recheck it out for a max of three times.

ODDIES OF THE MINERAL KINGDOM

ITACOLUMITE – The Rock That Bends

It will bend and when turned over it will bend in the opposite direction. No known practical use has been found for this bend rock, but it is a source of gold and some diamonds in Brazil and India. It is also found near clay with diamonds in it in these countries.
Itacolumite is a metamorphic rock. The rock is a most extraordinary kind of sandstone and will bend under it’s own weight and slabs of it will bend even if the slabs are thick.
The rocks flexibility is caused by symmetrical quartz grains which inter lock and therefore, rotate against each other when it bends. There is also some mica in it that helps as elasticity for the bending. Minerals of chlorite and talc are also found flexible. Itacolumite is pourous to some degree from the water running through the rock.

BENTONITE – The Rock That Swells

This rock, when put in water will swell, taking up five times its own weight, and can enlarge to fifty times its own volume.
Bentonite is a clay material, which makes it soft and slippery. The Black Hills region has beds of this mineral and they have a very wrinkled look when viewing them, as there is hardly any vegetation growing on them.
Bentonite is used by oilmen to fill the pores in rocks which they are drilling.
Bentonite is in beds and is mined with mechanical shovels used for industrial purposes. It filters and also purifies some commercial products and holds molding sand together.
It is also used as a paper filler/carrier for such things as drugs and in farm ponds to prevent leakage. There many other uses as well. Utha is one of the sources of bentonite.
Magnetite The mineral magnetite, used in compass needles, has been found in Monarch butterflies. This discovery may help explain the well known yearly migration from eastern North America to Mexico.

From the Rock Rattler 2/92 via T-Town Rockhound 2/02 via Umpqua Gem 8/03 via Gem of the Rogue 3/09.

CHAIRMAN NOTICE
It has come to my attention that there isn’t a volunteer for chairman of the Show next year. I have agreed to work as co chair with whoever volunteers. If there isn’t a volunteer the Show will not have a chairman, which means there will be no Show. This really is sad but Sue and I have a very active life style and We just can’t do it all. We also need a display chairman for next year.

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

PARMA LAPIDARY CLUB MEETING 4/1/09
GARGANO’S RESTAUNTANT…NEXT DOOR TO THE CLUB
TIME: 7:00PM
The Indians will be there !

THE SHOW MEETING 4/6/09
PLACE: 3488 WEST 25TH STREET; CLEVELAND, OH
TIME: 7:00PM

NEXT BOARD MEETING 5/2/09
PLACE: 3488 WEST 25TH STREET; CLEVELAND, OH
TIME: 1;00 PM

SUPER GLUE AND ROOFING NAILS
If you are dopping small stones, an easier method than using wax, is to use super glue and roofing nails. Set the stone in a base of modeling clay, and get it level. Put a drop of super glue on the back of the stone and then attach a roofing nail to it. Hold the stone in a pin vise. To remove the stone, heat the nail with your alcohol lamp. It will drop off in a couple of minutes..

DOPPING METHODS
By Roger K. Pabian, MFW Lapidary Chair via MWF newsletter Feb. 2009 issue No.479

Dopping is that first problem area. Why doesn’t the stone stick to the stick?

THE STICK
Hardwood sticks work best. They don’t absorb water quickly. If you use a pine dowel, paint it to slow down water absorption. If the stone comes off a stick, go to a new, dry stick, as the old one will have some water in it, and it will pick up some water when the stone pops off. The stick need not be any longer than the width of the palm of your hand. Think of the stick as an extension of the stone. Hold your stick up such that your fingers come in contact with the stone. That minimizes vibrations and bouncing by the stone, and the stone will be less likely to fall off the stick.
The dop stick doesn’t have to be round. If you are shaping a stone that has a large length to width ratio (greater than 2:1 such as in a marquis), cut a stick from a lath or rectangular slat of wood such that the stick extends almost to the tips of the stone.. There will be no great pressure on the ends of the stone, and that will help prevent the stone from coming off the stick.

THE WAX
Most lapidary wax is now the 140 degree wax; that is, it melts at 140 degrees, and is usually dark green. You have to get the wax hot enough that it really flows, but not runs. Heat the stone, as well as the wax, and the stick. There are fancy dop pots that are available from lapidary supply houses, but I use an old slow cooker base that I picked up at a Goodwill store for a $1.00. I heat the stone on the cooker base. I usually start the wax beforehand to give the wax a chance to melt. Heat the stone slowly, dip the end of the stick in the wax, apply the stick to the stone, lift off, and form the wax around the stick with moistened fingers to prevent the wax from sticking to you and burning you. If you use the 170 degree wax, you have to heat it to 170 degrees otherwise it will not stick any better than the cooler 140 degree wax. Keep in mind the wax for dopping cabochons will not work for dopping stones to be faceted.

WHAT AM I ?

Flex your brain mussels with these classic riddles.

1. There are no other words like me. I have three lettersand one syllable. But add one letter to my end, the same as the first letter, and now I have tyhree syllables. What am I ?

2. First comes my thunder, then comes my lightning, then comes my clouds, then comes my rain. What Am I ?

3. My hands quickly wave at you, though I never say goodbye. But you’d be cool to hang with me, especially when I say HI. What Am I ?

4. Try to raise only one of my legs. Two three or four not so hard. What Am I ?

5. Head and tail are equal: my middle is barely here. Right side up or upside down, the same I do appear. But if you cut my head off, nothing would be there.
What am I ?

6. I am very small but I help to carry a great weight,
even though I walk on my head. What Am I ?

7. I am a five letter word and I am very capable…
of murder if you remove my first letter. If you then take away
my new first letter, it will make me sick. What Am I ?

8. I surround you, but you rarely even notice me. Even
though I weigh almost nothing, if you move me I’ll come right
back. And if you bite me your life you will lack. What Am I ?

9. When I am young I am sweet in the sun. When I am
middle aged I make people happy. When I am old I am valued
more than ever. Wha Am I ?

10. My visionary name is both present and past. When I
Sink, Ialso rise. But I’ll never move until you sit down.
What Am I ?

When you take a walk in the fields with your head bowed low and the wind blows gently over your shoulder like a big hug from the Big Guy, Himself. Doesn’t it make you think how fortunate you are to have the abilities God gave you? Will then why don’t you get up your courage and volunteer your assistance in a capacity that would allow to hone in those God given skills and help others , too..
It’s like living your life for a purpose besides yourself. You make new friends who are eternally grateful for your sharing kindness. So don’t think “I have my two hoiurs or four hours of volunteer time in; I’m out of here. Stick around and find out what else you can do to help.

Answers:1. ARE, AREA…2. A VOLCANO…3. A FAN…
4. A TABLE…5. THE NUMBER 8…6. A NAIL IN A HORSESHOE…
7. SKILL, KILL, ILL…8. DUST…9. WINE…10. A SEESAW…
VIA Gems of the Rogue 1/09

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