Richmond Gem and Mineral Society’s PEBBLE PRESS For January 2017
NOTICE BOARD
Workshop Calendar NEXT GENERAL MEETING January to June 2017 Tuesday, January 24, 2017 6:45 pm start DAY TIME ALLOWED ACTIVITIES
PROGRAM Turquoise Monday 6:00 PM – Open Workshop 9:00 PM SHOW & TELL Tuesday 9:00 AM - Open Workshop Turquoise Stones / Jewellery 3:00 PM
FOR THE REFRESHMENT TABLE Thursday 6:00 PM – Open Workshop 9:00 PM If your last name starts with the following letter, then it is your turn to bring a finger food or other type of snack for the refresh- Saturday 10:00 AM – Open Workshop ment table: 3:00 PM A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K
If possible, please bring your own cup to drink from. 1st & 2nd 10:00 AM – Open Workshop Sundays 3:00 PM (Except when classes are scheduled)
The Lapidary Studio will also be Closed on the “Phenomena in Gemstones” Following Days:
Our Annual Show Saturday, February 11, Children’s Art Festival April 29 & 30, 2017 Sunday, February 12, Children’s Art Festival Monday, February 13, Children’s Art Festival Tuesday, February 14, Children’s Art Festival Time for us to get ready for the big show! Lisa would like us to Thursday, February 16, Children’s Art Festival have a better display of our work and what we collect. To add a Monday, March 13, Spring Break little extra to our displays, Lisa would like us to concentrate on Tuesday, March 14, Spring Break lapidary materials that have light and colour effects, which are Thursday, March 16, Spring Break caused by reflection, interference, and refraction. A display of Monday, March 20, Spring Break this type of materials can be both educational and spectacular. Tuesday, March 21, Spring Break Thursday, March 23, Spring Break Monday, April 17, Easter Monday The goal is to have several showcases highlighting the Monday, May 22, Victoria Day “Phenomenal Gemstones” and the remaining showcases high- Monday, June 26, Cleaning Week lighting the other work of our members. If you would like to Tuesday, June 27, Cleaning Week display your work or collection, then you can have your own Thursday, June 29, Cleaning Week showcase or share a showcase with others. Saturday, July 1, Canada Week
(Continued on page 3)
Next Executive Meeting Please Note: Tuesday, January 17, 2017 at 7:00 PM February’s Regular Meeting will be held on the third Tuesday of the month.
Pebble Press January 2017 Page 1
Executive Positions FUTURE MEETING PLANNER 2016-2017 2017
President Anthony Young General Month Executive
Vice-President Meeting Meeting Adam Kelliher Tuesday the 20th December Tuesday the 13th. 7:00 pm Secretary To be filled Tuesday the 24th January Tuesday the 17th. 7:00 pm Treasurer George Howe Tuesday the 21th February To be announced Program Chairperson Sunny Yuen Tuesday the 28th March Tuesday the 21st. 7:00 pm
Show Chairperson Lisa Kew Tuesday the 25th April Tuesday the 18th. 7:00 pm
Workshop Chairperson To be confirmed Tuesday the 23rd May Tuesday the 16th. 7:00 pm
Ways & Means Chairperson Linda Boyce Tuesday the 27th June Tuesday the 20th. 7:00 pm
Field Trip Chairperson No Meeting July No Meeting Harley Waterson
Publicity Chairperson Tuesday the 22nd August Tuesday the 15th. 7:00 pm Natalie Helmstetter
Librarian Joan Turrell Membership News
Pebble Press Editor Darlene Howe Eugenia Kurganska Thanks to all of our members who have renewed their membership for the 2016-2017 year. Social Convenor Karen Yurkovich For membership renewal or for new membership please contact me at: [email protected]
Membership Chairperson or 604-274-4893 Darlene Howe Enjoy the New Year! Senior Delegate Darlene Howe
Past President David Bell 10 Gemstone Fun Facts! 1. Garnet was named after the seeds of a pomegranate. Non-Executive Positions 2. Amber is the softest gemstone; diamond is the hardest.
Contact at Large 3. The largest diamond found in the United States, to date, is known as the Darlene Howe Uncle Sam Diamond. 4. It takes anywhere from one to three years to grow a cultured pearl. Intermediate Delegate Arn Hamelin 5. The Queen of England's jewelry collection is worth an estimated $57 mil- lion dollars. Junior Delegate Linda Grueber 6. In the Middle Ages, women would wear Opals to protect the color of their blonde hair. Workshop Assistants 7. Peridot was Cleopatra's favorite gemstone. George Howe Tom Braund 8. After millions upon millions of years, it is assumed that the Sun will become one large diamond-star! Membership Assistant Dorreh Jahanshahi 9. The Heart of the Ocean, from James Cameron's "Titanic" was not com- pletely fictitious - it is believed that a rather large sapphire went down with Ways & Means Assistant Titanic on that fateful night. Joan Turrell 10. One of the largest sapphires is known as the Star of Asia, which is current- ly housed at the Smithsonian Museum of Natural History.
Pebble Press January 2017 Page 2
RICHMOND GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY (Continued from page 1) Minutes of the Regular Meeting If you have rough, cabochons, specimens, or finished products held on Tuesday, December, 2016 that are “Phenomenal Gemstones”, then, if possible, please lend them to the club to display at the show. Minutes of the December, 2016 Regular Meeting Examples of “Phenomenal Gemstones” are: Tonight was the Christmas Social and the business portion of Moonstone (adularescence); the meeting was cancelled so that the emphasis would be on Ruby, Sapphire, Rose Quartz, Synthetic gems (Asterism) social interaction and having a good time. Aventurine Feldspar, Aventurine Quartz, (Aventurescence) Chrysoberyl, Quartz cat-eye, hawk-eye, tiger-eye, Pieter- BC Rockhounder Magazine Editor site, Seraphinite, Charoite (chatoyancy) Requests The Following Fire Agate, Ammolite, Pearls, Mother of Pearl (Iridescence) Good morning! Labradorite (Labradorescense) Common Opal (Opalescence) I hope this finds you and your members well. I am reaching out to ask for contributions/submissions for the Spring issue of the Opal (Play-of-colour) magazine. We are putting together a new Gallery feature, set to Alexandrite, Colour change Tourmaline (Colour change) contain high rez photos from clubs around the province, and I would like to ask all clubs to select a few of their best photos from activities of their choosing for inclusion – please ensure the photo’s are at least 300dpi. I would also like to ask clubs to send in a list of their planned activities so that I can be sure that the list printed in the magazine is both accurate and as up to date as possible.
In addition, I am also looking to hear more from voices around the province – reviews of activities (exploration, sales, lapidary works, presentations) of all kinds as well as opinion pieces on the current state of the forests/access to rock, the hobby in gen- eral, education or any other field that may strike you/your mem- bers as important. Please consider submitting. I very much would like ALL clubs to be represented in the magazine, but cannot travel to visit you individually – perhaps you can share a short piece with a few photos talking about the history of your club? Personally I would love to see every clubs’ story told in that print in that manner.
Greg
GW Carson BC Rockhounder Magazine
“Phenomenal Gemstone Contest” Start preparing for our Phenomena in Gemstones Lapidary Contest. Contestants will need to register to participate in the contest and registration forms will be available at the workshop beginning in the new year. Lisa would like all the entries to be displayed at this year’s annual show along with other members’ collections or individual items.
Vendor’s Tables
Tables are still available for this year’s show.
For Additional Information
Contact: Lisa Kew at [email protected]
Pebble Press January 2017 Page 3
British Columbia Lapidary Society’s Annual Rock & Gem Shows 2016 Wagonmasters’ Fieldtrips For details go to www.bclapidary.com
Wagonmasters' Field Trips February 25 & 26, MAPLE RIDGE LAPI- 2017 2017 DARY CLUB Saturday 11:00am - Pitt Meadows Heritage Hall 5:00pm 12460 Harris Road, Pitt Meadows, Most of the trips are rain or shine. Sunday 10:00am - BC 4:00pm Demostrations, vendors: stones, tools Trips are typically 2-3 hours of collecting; you are & supplies. Live auctions, Kids craft- welcome to continue hunting. er, snack bar and enroll in a class or two. Food, it would be good to bring some snacks such as granola bars, sandwich, water, hot beverages on March 11 & 12, 2017 ALBERNI ROCK & GEM cold days. Saturday 10:00am - CLUB 5:00pm Cherry Creek Community Hall Sunday 10:00am - 3720 Highmoor Road, Port Alberni, Layered clothing, bring rain wear in case it starts to 4:00pm rain & hat to avoid sun stroke. Hiking boots with BC ankle support are recommended, do not wear street March 11 & 12, 2017 HASTINGS CENTRE shoes, runners, and other soft shoes without ankle Saturday 10:00am - ROCKHOUNDS 5:00pm Hastings Community Centre support or tread for walking on slippery rocks. Sunday 10:00am - Don't forget insect repellent, and sunscreen. 3096 E Hastings Street, Vancouver, 5:00pm BC ALWAYS: arrive well in advance of time with ve- March 17, 18 & 19, VICTORIA LAPIDARY & 2017 MINERAL SOCIETY Leonar- hicles fueled full. Friday 12:30pm - do de Vinci Centre 8:30pm 195 Bay Street, Victoria, BC Saturday 10:00am - 6:00pm Sunday 10:00am - 4:00pm
BC Gem Show April 7, 8 & 9, 2017 60 Years - Diamond Jubilee
Upcoming Trips Agate, Jasper, River Rock February 12, 2017, Sunday - 9:00 a.m. Jesperson Bar Vehicle: car with high clearance Tools: rock hammer, chisels, carrying container for specimens. Meeting Place: Rosedale Traditional School, 50850 Yale Road, Rosedale, BC Wagonmaster: Trevor Christie, email: [email protected] Gold March 12, 2017, Sunday - 10:00 a.m. Yale Vehicle: car Tools: gold pan, shovel, sniffer bottle or sniffer tweezer, vial with lid, bucket. Meeting Place: Barry's Trading Post, 31160 Mary Street, Yale, BC Wagonmaster: Trevor Christie, email: [email protected]
Pebble Press January 2017 Page 4
THE PHENOMENAL PROPERTIES OF GEMS
Precious Gems and stones are fascinating. Theirs is a world of rutile, as it is known. Asterism is commonly observed in corun- endless mysteries. Precious gemstones have intrigued people dum - rubies and sapphires. The Black Star of Queensland, across the world ever since man has known them. Not only are the Star of India and the Star of Bombay are some of the world they prized for their beauty, rarity and durability, each gem has a famous sapphires displaying asterism. Of late, synthetic star distinct innate power, that human beings have harnessed for sapphires are made in the labs using the Verneuil process. their good ever since Vedic texts revealed of their mystical pow- ers. Besides this, there are several gemstones that have the key of their magnetic appeal in the distinct visual appearance or be- cause of their optical properties. The gems and stones displaying various optical phenomenon are termed as "phenomenal gem- stones". Explained Below are some optical phenomenon found in pre- cious gemstones and semi-precious gemstones.
Types of Optical Phenomenon’s in Gemstones Adularesence: Adularescence is the phenomenon of blue sheen reflecting on the domed cabochon surface of Moonstone. The phenomenon of shimmer is created by the interaction of light with layer of little “albite” crystals in the moonstones. The quality of blue shimmer is determined by the thickness of layer of these tiny crystals, thinner the layer, better the blue flash. This usually appears as a billowy light effect. Moonstone is ortho- clase feldspars and are also known as Selenite. The Romans called them Astrion.
Chatoyancy: Chat in French means Cat and chatoyancy re- fers to a phenomenon akin to opening and shutting of cat’s eye. This phenomenon can be seen in Chrysoberyl cat’s eye gem with great clarity. Cat eye gems have a single sharp band (sometimes two or three bands )running across the domed cabo- chon surface. The Chrysoberyl Cat’s eye gem is very specifical- ly cut en cabochon to highlight chatoyancy. The rutile silk in this case is aligned perpendicular to the crystal. So when light falls on it, the sharp band can be seen. In the best cases, the cha- toyant Chrysoberyl cats eye visually separates the surface into two halves creating the milk and honey effect as the stone is moved under light. Cat’s eye is the gemstone that carries the planetary energy of Ketu and is used in gem therapy to harness Metaphysical properties of moonstone include stimulating its energy. knowledge, nurturing, mothering, selflessness, sensitivity, hu- manitarian love, problem solving and decision making, emo- tional protection. In terms of physical healing, Moonstone is excellent for female health. It is the alternative gem for natural pearl. Asterism: The gem material that is low on clarity is often cut as cabochon. In such gems and stones when the light falls on the domed surface and makes star -like rays, the phenomenon is called asterism. There are 4 ray and 6 ray stars observed normal- ly. This happens when the orientation of the needle like inclu- sions or silk within the crystal is on more than one axis. These inclusions are generally a common mineral titanium dioxide or
Pebble Press January 2017 Page 5
THE PHENOMENAL PROPERTIES OF GEMS (continued)
Iridescence: Iridescence is also known as goniochromism, a Color change: The most famous example that can be taken in phenomenon where the surface of a material displays several reference to colour change is the alexandrite. These gems and colors as the angle of viewing changes. It can be easily seen in stones appear very different in incandescent light compared to neck of a pigeon, soap bubbles, wings of a butterfly, mother of natural day light. This is largely due to the gems chemical com- pearl etc position as well as strong selective absorption. The alexandrite The irregularity of surface and large interstitial spaces allow appears green in daylight and appears red in incandescent light. light to pass and reflect back from multiple surfaces (diffraction) The phenomenon of color change can be found in some sap- causing the multi color visual effect. Combined with interfer- phires and tourmaline also. ence, the result is dramatic. Natural pearls display iridescence that is very different from its body colour. Tahitian pearls dis- play great iridescence.
Labradorescence: Labradorescence is iridescence but is highly directional because of twinning of crystals. It is found in the gemstone called labradorite.
Play of colour: The wonderful gem called opal displays a beautiful color. The fire opals from Lightening Ridge, Austral- ia (showing shifting patches of luminous spectral colors against black) are famous for this phenomenon. While this phenomenon - play of color is a type of iridescence, it is wrongly called fire. Fire is actually a term used for the brilliant flashes of color in a diamond which is caused by dispersion of light. In case of opals it isn’t dispersion and hence cannot be called fire.
Pebble Press January 2017 Page 6