1 OCTOBER 2020 EDITION No Stone Unturned

QUEEN’S BIRTHDAY LONG WEEKEND FIELD TRIP TO INNOT HOT SPRINGS.

Fossicking is serious business and involves serious hard work

SILVER COURSE GRADUATES

Pictured left: Joe, Kylie and Kevin show off the jewellery they created in the silver course recently.

Above: The articles made include (left to right) Joe’s pendant, Kylie’s bracelet and pendant and Kevin’s bracelet and pendant 2

USUALLY CLUB HOURS ARE: CONTACT INFORMATION: Phone: 0450 185 250 Monday 4:00pm to 9:30 pm

Email: [email protected] Wednesday *8:30am to 12:30 Postal Address: PO Box 389, Westcourt. 4870. NQ 129 Mulgrave Road (in the Youth Centre Grounds) *1:00pm to 4:00pm MANAGEMENT COMMITTEE MEMBERS: Saturday *9:00am to 1:00 President: Michael Hardcastle *12:00pm to 4:00pm Vice-president: Bill Reece Secretary: Jan Hannam Workroom fees are $4 per session or part Treasurer: Ritchie Williams thereof and must be paid before session begins. Assistant Secretary: Debbie Bloomfield The Club provides tuition in cabbing, faceting, Webpage Editor John Henan silver-smithing and lost wax casting Extra Member of MC Joe Venables GENERAL MEETINGS:

OTHER PERSONNEL: General meetings are held on the 1st Saturday of Purchasing Officer: Mike Rashleigh each month. When this is a public holiday, the Specimen Curator: David Croft meeting is deferred until the following Saturday. Specimen Testers: David Croft, Trevor Hannam CLUB PURCHASING POLICY: Cabochon Advisors: Jodi Sawyer, Michael Hardcastle. You will find a new hard cover club ‘order book’ in the Faceting Instructors: Trevor Hannam office area for use as from 01 September. Silver Advisors : Sylvia Rose, Jan Saal, Trevor Normally this will be used by club committee members Hannam and course instructors to order stock for club and Machinery Curators: volunteers needed course use. Gem Testing: Trevor Hannam The club will continue to purchase club stock of tools Librarian: David Croft and Betty Reece and material for sale in the club. Media Co-ordinators: Tammi Saal, Peggy Walker If you want to order something for your Webpage Admin: John Heenan personal use please get a club committee QLACCA Delegate: Bill Reece member to place the order in the book making Youth Centre Rep: Bill Reece sure the order is clearly marked for “personal or- Field Trip Advisors: Leigh Twine, Bob Lees, Craig der for (your name)” and this can then be invoiced & Peggy Walker, Allan Gale, to you when the goods arrive. Bear in mind orders Gem Festival: Michael Hardcastle, Trevor are normally only placed monthly so if required Hannam, Jan Hannam, Tammi Saal, urgently it may be quicker to purchase these Auditor: Carey Accountancy yourself. Magazine Editor and Publisher: Jeanne Mora Safety Officers Trevor Hannam The Editor reserves the right to choose and edit all Kitchen Supervisor: Betty Reece material featured in this magazine. Club Banking details for anyone wishing to pay membership fees electronically: Although all care is taken to ensure the accuracy of the material herein, the Editor does not accept responsibility Bendigo bank Acc: 165026436 BSB: 633 000 for any inaccuracies which may inadvertently occur. 3

WE WISH TO THANK THE FEDERAL MEMBER FOR LEICHHARDT, HON. WARREN ENTSCH, FOR FACILITATING THE PRINTING OF THIS MAGAZINE.

PRESIDENT’S REPORT: Your committee has been busy of late organising courses, coordinating field trips, planning future workshops, office work, keeping the doors open, replying to emails and Web Page updating. I’ve been receiving one to three club phone enquiries per day lately. We also have many new members so please introduce yourself and make them feel welcome. Don’t forget we still have to continue to sanitise daily. It's a routine we have to get used to. The Cairns Youth Centre has reminded us to abide by the Covid-19 food regulations, all home prepared food should not be shared. Only commercially prepared food can be shared using tongs, this is rather unfortunate, for homemade treats are absolutely my favourite, so it's back to packet biscuits and cakes. On Saturday 26th September Helen and Bruno Simonetto visited the club with a variety of Lapidary Material for sale with members purchasing hard to acquire material. It was lovely to see some members from other clubs visit that day also. Michael

NOTES FROM THE MEETING

COURSES/CLASSES: Sylvia’s silver course started Oct 3rd with 6 students. Trevor’s faceting course started Sept 19th with 3 students Don’t forget to put your names in the books at the front counter if you want to be included in the next round of courses. Course fees must be paid prior to the first class. Trevor’s interesting workshop on Electroforming and Steam Casting is scheduled later in the year along with a “Can Do at Home Steam Casting” class.

60 YEAR CELEBRATION: Since we still have 2 boxes full of the 40th year booklets and the 50th booklets it is unwise to spend time on another commemorative booklet as most of the info would be the same. The Committee has decided not to go ahead with a 60 year booklet

GEMFESTIVAL: The Club has to apply to QLD Health for permission to go ahead and the committee is looking into this

XMAS DINNER & REOPENING DISCUSSION: Normally Christmas lunch would be on our Dec general meeting day (Sat 5th Dec) however, we now must decide on an alternative venue and date. We encourage everyone to have their say on this so we can vote and confirm at the November general meeting. Suggest- ed date for closing (Sat 19th Dec) is also up for discussion. Suggested date for reopening next year (Wed 13th or Sat 16th Jan) also up for discussion.

LIBRARY A very damaged reference library book (Angor to Zilmanton) was shown and members reminded that any damage MUST be reported to the Management Committee as soon as possible so repairs can be made.

FACEBOOK: We are nearly at our 1,000th follower on Facebook and it was suggested we put up a prize for the 1,000th person. FB has been a powerful medium reaching 25,000 views before last year’s Gem Festival which helped in getting the numbers to the festival. The committee agreed to discuss this.

SUNDAY SLOG: To be postponed until further notice 4

You buy the T-shirt and hand it in at the front AROUND counter. Once we have 12 T-shirts, we can get THE yours embroidered for a small fee. You can also CLUB have our name embroidered too for an extra fee.

CLUB PURCHASING POLICY Check at the counter for prices for these You will find a new hard cover club items. ‘order book’ in the office area for use CLUB HISTORY: as from 01 September. Normally this will be used by club committee members and course instructors to order stock for club and course use. If you want to order something for your personal use please get a club committee member to place the order in the book making sure the order is clearly marked for “personal order for (your name)” and this can then be invoiced to you when Did you know that the club has produced two the goods arrive. booklets, one commemorating 40 years of the Bear in mind orders are normally only placed Club and the other one commemorating the monthly so if required urgently it may be quicker to Club’s Golden Anniversary (see picture above). purchase yourself. These are nice little keepsakes and are on sale The club will continue to purchase club stock of tools at the front counter for a very reasonable and material for sale in the club. price. OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS: Happy Birthday to all those members who have an October birthday, including these we know about: Maree King, Jeremy MacKedie, Vic Cummings (life member), Sayumi Omori, Sezen Yasar and Jeanne Mora (life member).

NEW MEMBERS:

A very warm welcome to our new members: Jeremy MacKedie, Sandra Salier, Bowen Zandt, Liz Cotterell, Dave and Jaquie Seare & Family, Phill Smith, Karin Frost, Emily Muckalt, Allan Coates, Vanese Leetch.

CLUB BADGES AND T-SHIRTS The club has badges that can be purchased from the front counter for a small fee. Above : Bruno Simonetto’s set up a stall at the club which proved popular and attracted many members from both our We can also organise for you to have a club logo club and the Cairns Gem Club and a couple from Innisfail. embroidered onto a mid-grey T-shirt for you. 5

Doctor Geezer The day after his wife disap- An old physician, Doctor John Geezer, became very peared in a kayaking bored in retirement and decided to re-open a medical accident, a man answered clinic. He put a sign up outside that read: "Dr. Gee- his door to find a grim- zer's clinic. Get your treatment for $500 - if not cured, faced constable waiting in get back $1,000." the front yard. "We're sorry, Mr. Smith but we Doctor Digger Young, who was positive that this old have some information about your dear wife, Lola" geezer didn't know beans about medicine, thought said the officer. this would be a great opportunity to get $1,000. So he "Tell me! Did you find her?" John Smith went to Dr. Geezer's clinic. asked. The constable said, "I have some bad Dr. Young: "Dr. Geezer, I have lost all taste in my news, some good news, and some really great mouth. Can you please help me?" news. Which would you like to hear first?" Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box 22 and put 3 drops in Dr. Young's mouth." Fearing the worst, Mr. Smith said, "Give me the Dr. Young: 'Aaagh! -- This is Gasoline!" bad news first." The constable said, "I'm sorry to Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your taste tell you, sir, but early this morning we found your back. That will be $500." poor wife's body in the bay." Dr. Young gets annoyed and goes back after a "Lord sufferin' Jesus and Holy Mother of God!" couple of days figuring to recover his money. exclaimed Smith. Swallowing hard, he asked, Dr. Young: "I have lost my memory, I cannot "What could possibly be the good news?" remember anything." The constable continued, "When we pulled the Dr. Geezer: "Nurse, please bring medicine from box late, departed poor Lola up, she had 12 of the 22 and put 3 drops in the patient's mouth." best-looking Atlantic lobsters that you have ever Dr. Young: "Oh, no you don't -- that is Gasoline!" seen clinging to her. Haven't seen lobsters like Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You've got your that since the 1960's, and we feel you are entitled memory back. That will be $500." Dr. Young (after to a share in the catch." having lost $1000) leaves angrily and comes back after several more days. Stunned, Mr. Smith demanded, "Glory be to God, Dr. Young: "My eyesight has become weak --- I can if that's the good news, then what's the really hardly see anything!" great news?" The constable replied, "We're Dr. Geezer: "Well, I don't have any medicine for that gonna pull her up again tomorrow." so, Here's your $1000 back" (giving him a $10 bill). Dr. Young: "But this is only $10!" Dr. Geezer: "Congratulations! You got your vision back! That will be $500." Moral of story -- Just be- cause you're "Young" doesn't mean that you can outsmart an "old Geezer”. Remember: Don't make old people mad. They don't like being old in the first place, so it doesn't take much to annoy them. 6

MT GIBSON, INNOT HOT SPRINGS FIELD TRIP OCTOBER 3rd –5th By Jan Hannam Our last field trip for 2020 saw a mixture of new and experi- enced members and children converge on Mt Gibson for three days to find the elusive big blue. The peaceful surrounds of he Mt Garnet Travellers Park was our base as the Innot Hot Springs Campground was booked to capacity. The 4WD’s traversed the very challenging parts of the deteriorating track to the fossicking field, sometimes hovering precariously with one wheel in the air, but of course that’s all part of the fun of being a fossicker. Kyle and her family were devastated when their vehicle suddenly stopped a quarter of the way in on their first day. Their vehicle, camper and family were transported back to Cairns by the RACQ the next day. Perseverance, moving big boulders and hard digging is what pays dividends and we saw a 132 carat topaz being found by Debbie (see front cover). Most members found specimens. Eleven year old Ash really showed the meaning of persever- ance and passion as he dug and sieved relentlessly alongside his mum, Mami. So now it’s time to ponder the areas we want to explore next year. Any suggestions?

Happy Fossickers 7

More pictures of club members on the Mt Gibson field trip

Can you spot yourself under the shady brims and Above: Some of the locals dropped in tacky fossicking gear? to see what all the fuss was about.

I think it was the food not the fuss. 8 Dendritic Dendritic agate is a translucent, colourless to whitish- grey variety of quartz, easily distin- guished by its distinct tree- or fern-like markings known as 'dendrites', which are most often brown to black in colour. It is considered to be one of the rarer and more sought-after varieties of agate stone, although it is technically not a 'true agate' since it lacks the typical banding of other agate stones. 'Dendrites', a Greek word for 'tree-like', are inclusions that appear organic due to their plant-like structure, but they are actually inorganic traces of iron or manganese. The iron and manganese ions gain access to the forming stone as weathering solutions from neighbouring rock. The impurities crystallize inside the agate in branching formations seeping through fine surface fractures. In some cases, dendritic inclusions may form in spotted clusters rather than branching structures; these are sometimes referred to as 'mosquito stones'.

Dendritic agate has a hardness of 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale, a specific gravity of 2.59 to 2.67 and a refractive index of 1.530 to 1.540. It has no cleavage and can be identified through its (SiO2) composition and distinctive branching dendritic inclusions. Dendritic agate can appear very similar to moss which also occurs with dendritic inclusions, but quartz and opal can be easily distinguished by simple testing for hardness. Moss agate is also frequently confused with dendritic agate, but moss agate inclusions are from traces of green hornblende rather than iron and manganese ions.

Dendritic agate can be found in places with all other varieties of chalcedony. The most notable deposits are found in Brazil, China, India, Australia, Kazakhstan, Madagascar, Mexico, Mongolia, Namibia, Uruguay and the USA. The dendritic agate mined from India is often referred to as 'Mocha stone', a name credited to its former transport method via the Arabian Harbor of Mocha.

Dendritic agate is typically translucent to opaque. Translucent specimens are most desirable. Dendritic agate exhibits a waxy to dull . Dendritic inclusions that resemble landscapes are rare and highly sought-after, especially by collectors. (see picture)

Dendritic agate is typically plain-cut, most often as cabochons. Free-form slabs are most common, but other common shapes include ovals, pears, rounds and other traditional shapes.

Dendritic agate can be difficult to cut because dendrites form at various depths, which means that bringing desirable patterns to the surface requires the skilful cutting away of surface layers, often resulting in uneven and undulating surfaces.

Dendritic agate is not known to be treated or enhanced in any way. Pictured at left is a pendant featuring dendritic agate

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Dendritic agate is one of the many varieties of agate stone available today. Many agate varietal classifications are based on optical properties, while others are based on inclusions, mining localities or geographic origins. Locality based trade names are generally only used by collectors. In many cases, a single agate specimen may even be referred to by two or more different trade names. Agate is a form of cryptocrystalline quartz. Cryptocrystalline quartz is one of two primary branches of quartz (macrocrystalline is the other). Both quartz branches share the same chemical composition but form with differing crystal structures. Amethyst, citrine and smoky quartz are a few of the more popular examples of macrocrystalline quartz gemstones.

Most Popular Varieties of Agate: Banded agate, carnelian, sard, sardonyx, onyx, eye agate, dendritic agate, fire agate, agate geode, moss agate and brecciated agate are some of the popular varieties of agate. Dryhead agate Lesser-Known Varieties of Agate: Tree agate, agate jasper, Botswana agate, blue lace agate, fossil agate, iris agate, laguna agate, landscape agate, scenic agate, tube agate, snakeskin agate, Sweetwater agate, Mo- have blue agate, thunderegg Agate, Fairburn agate, Dryhead agate and Lake Superior Snakeskin agate agate are lesser known agate varieties and trade names.

Dendritic Agate Gemstone Mythology, Metaphysical and Alternative Healing were used as gemstones by ancient Egyptians over 3,000 years ago, making them one of the oldest gemstones mentioned in recorded history. In Russia, dendritic agate was prized as a stone of prosperity, good health and longevity. It is associated with the protection of the elements and is believed to aid communication with all things in nature. Dendritic agate encourages healing, restoration and creativity. It is said to improve self-esteem and emotional balance. It is a stone of protection and since biblical times, has been worn and used to protect against storms. It was highly valued as talismans and amulets. Additionally, agate is thought to quench thirst and alleviate fever. Alternative healers will place agate stones on the solar plexus region of those with stomach illnesses. (These are not the views of the editor)

Dendritic Agate Gemstone and Jewellery Care and Cleaning Dendritic agate can be easily cleaned using warm soapy water and a soft brush. Rinse stones well to remove any soapy residue. Keeping in mind that agate is a variety of quartz and though it possesses the same relatively good level of hardness and durability, there are still many gems capable of scratching dendritic agate, so be sure to not wear anything harder than quartz alongside your dendritic agate stone. As with most gemstones, avoid the use of any harsh household chemicals when cleaning your dendritic agate. Avoid prolonged exposure to extreme of heat as it may cause permanent damage to the gemstone. Dendritic agate should be stored inside a fabric-lined box or wrapped in a soft cloth. Always store dendritic agate gemstones separately from other gemstones and jewellery

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Some materials that have a RI higher than quartz: cubic zirconia, zircon, almandine garnet, sapphire, spinel, kunzite, (There are many more online) 11

For a 19cm cuff, you will need:

• 72 small bright aluminium saw cut jump rings, id 4.2mm, 1.29mm - A (rd3-50bral) • 106 small bronze saw cut jump rings, id 4.1mm, 1.29mm - A (rd3-50bz) • 48 medium bright aluminium saw cut jump rings, id 5mm, 1.29mm - B (rd4-50bral) • 64 medium bronze saw cut jump rings, id 4.9mm, 1.29mm - B (rd4-50bz) • 28 large bright aluminium saw cut jump rings, id 6.9mm, 1.29mm - C (rd6-50bz) • 14 extra large bright aluminium saw cut jump rings, id 17.1mm, 2.00mm - D (rd14-78bral) • 28 joining bright aluminium saw cut jump rings, id 7.7mm, 1.29mm - E (rd7-50bral) • copper plated 5-strand clasp (bf-cp-5str)

Each component measures 2cm in diameter. Each com- ponent with one pair of joining rings C measures 3cm long. You can buy aluminium jump rings online or use all sterling silver jump rings You will need

 178 small silver jump rings of 1.2mm wire with 4mm inside diameter. You will notice that all  64 medium silver jump rings of 1.2mm X 5mm inside diameter measurements have been rounded off. Try  28 large silver jump rings of 1.2mm X 7mm inside diameter the pattern with copper rings beforehand and  14 extra large silver jump rings of 2mm wire with 17mm inside diameter adjust accordingly if  28 joining silver jump rings of 1.2 wire with 8mm inside diameter you have to. Tools: two pairs of smooth jawed chain nose, flat nose, or bent nose pliers

1. Close eight small jump rings (A). Link two closed small rings (A) with two small rings (A) so that you have four sets of joined rings. 12

2. Join the four sets of joined rings from step 1 by linking two large rings (C) through two of the small rings from each set. The centre large rings (C) will now have four arms (left hand picture).

Fold back the end two rings on one of the arms, as shown in the centre picture.

Open out the two arm rings that are attached to the centre rings (C) to create a pathway through the four arm rings as denoted by the arrow (right hand picture).

3. Close one extra large bright aluminium ring (D) - you may find this easier to do with your fingers rather than with pliers.

Weave one medium ring (B) through the pathway created in step 2 and link to the closed extra large ring (D) (left hand picture).

Repeat with a second medium ring (B) (right hand picture).

4. Bring the large centre rings and their four arms inside the closed extra large ring (D). Repeat steps 2-3 to join the second arm to the closed extra large ring (D).

5. Repeat steps 2-3 to link the third and fourth arms to the closed extra large ring (D).

6. Repeat steps 1-5 to make six components in bright aluminium.

Repeat steps 1-5, using bronze rings A and B with bright aluminium rings C, to make eight components in bronze. 7. You will now join the components to make a doubled chain. Weave one joining ring (E) through the attaching rings of the three o'clock spoke of one bronze component, the twelve o'clock spoke of one bronze component, and the nine o'clock spoke of one bright alumin- ium component. The linking ring will overlap the extra large rings (D). Re- peat on the underside of the components so that they are linked with two rings (E). Referring to the picture, continue to link three components at a time with two rings E. 13

8. At each end of the cuff and using two joining rings E each time, link the two end components.

Using three bronze rings (A), link the middle three loops of a 5-strand copper plated clasp to two joining rings E. Link one bronze ring (A) to each first and fifth loop of the clasp and the end extra large rings (D).

There’s still plenty of topaz to find at O’Briens Creek. This haul was found by Bill who is now learning how to facet them. 14

Fracture and Cleavage . You can deduce quite a bit about a specimen if you look at it’s .

In the field of mineralogy, fracture is the texture and shape of a rock's surface formed when a mineral is fractured. often have a highly distinctive fracture, making it a principal feature used in their identification.

Fracture terms

Conchoidal fracture describes the way that brittle materials break or fracture when they do not follow any natural planes of separa- tion. Mindat.org defines conchoidal fracture as follows: "a fracture with smooth, curved surfaces, typically slightly concave, showing concentric undu- lations resembling the lines of growth of a shell". Materials that break in this way include quartz, chert, flint, quartzite, jasper, and other fine- grained or amorphous materials with a composition of pure silica, such as obsidian and window glass, as well as a few metals, such as solid gallium.

Earthy fracture is reminiscent of freshly broken soil. It is frequently seen in rela- tively soft, loosely bound materials such as limonite, kaolinite, and aluminite.

Hackly fracture (also known as jagged fracture) is jagged, sharp and not even. It occurs when metals are torn, and so is often encountered in native metals such as copper and silver.

Fibrous fracture shows fibres or splinters (possibly needs a microscope to see these) It is particularly seen in fibrous minerals such as chrysotile and nephrite but may also occur in non-fibrous minerals such as kyanite.

Uneven fracture is a rough surface or one with random irregularities. It occurs in a wide range of minerals including arsenopyrite, pyrite and . 15

Cleavage - The tendency of a mineral to break along flat planar surfaces as determined by the structure of its crystal lattice. These two-dimensional surfaces are known as cleavage planes and are caused by the alignment of weaker bonds between atoms in the crystal lattice. Cleavage planes are distinguished from fracture by being smooth and often having reflective surfaces. Whereas Fracture is the way a mineral breaks other than along a cleavage plane.

Cleavage terms (only use if cleavage planes can be recognised): Perfect - Produces smooth surfaces (often seen as parallel sets of straight lines), e.g. mica and topaz; Imperfect - Produces planes that are not smooth, e.g. pyroxene; Poor - Less regular. Non-existent.

The number of cleavage planes can differ from mineral to mineral. Mica (e.g. biotite, chlorite or muscovite) has one cleavage plane, feldspar (e.g. orthoclase or plagioclase) has two which intersect at 90°, and amphi- bole (e.g. hornblende) has two which do not intersect at 90°. Calcite has three cleavage planes which do not intersect at 90°.

Tenacity is the resistance that a mineral offers to breaking, crushing, bending, cutting, or other acts of de- struction. Fracture is how the mineral breaks once the tenacious limit has been exceeded.

GOING FOSSICKING?

You have the options of going with the club or going it alone.

So what advantages are there in going with the club?

• You will not require a fossicking licence as you will fossick under the Club’s licence.

• You will be guided by a savvy Field Trip Officers who will ensure that:

1. You go to the right place (maps, designated fossicking areas, best places to dig)

2. You know the fossicking rules and etiquette. (e.g. leave no craters behind, don’t jump claims etc)

3. Advice on fossicking equipment, clothing, etc. (You can get this info. online too)

4. You find nearby suitable accommodation for your particular needs.

5. You know what to look for. (There’s a lot of different rocks out there)

• You will be able to join in the post-fossicking get together to relax, skite about your finds and learn even more about the minerals specific to your area etc. Lots of laughs and good fun!

• There’s safety in numbers. If you get into a spot of bother, it’s nice to know there are people who will look out for you...or even look for you if you wander off!

If you go by yourself…...well you are on your own aren’t you?