Volume 29, Issue 8 August 2019 Congratulations Lisa King for the 2019 Founders Award NAME THAT ROCK The banner photo (above) The 2018 award win- ners, the Clark Family, changes each month - represented in above can you identify what type of photo by Tina and rock it is? Answer is on last Amanda, presented the page but don’t peek until 2019 award to Lisa King during the July meeting. Lisa is being you’ve tried to guess! recognized for her outstanding service to the Club. Over her 10 years as a Cclub member, Lisa has served as the Membership Chairperson for three years and as a Board Member for the past two. She has also volunteered to help with club activities and INSIDE THIS ISSUE events from our annual Rock Show and Club Picnic & Demo Day to shed clean outs and our officer installation/winter dinners. Birthstones 2 Words from the President 3 Meeting, Events, Kathy Clarke & Announcements 4 Karen Hilchey August 19 Presentation of their Features 7 Gem-O-Rama Adventure Board Meeting in Trona Minutes 12 General Meeting Two of our Club members, Kathy Clarke and Karen Hilchey Minutes 13 (right, left in photo), attended the 77th annual Gem-O-Rama weekend event in October 2018. Being very interested in collecting Pink Halite, and Hanksite, they enjoyed the entire weekend adventure! K & K will share a slideshow and have specimens of both Pink Halite and Hanksite. Santa Lucia Rockhounds (SLR) is a non-profit public benefit corporation with the specific purpose to promote the study of mineralogy, including (but not limited to) the fields of lapidary, metal working, jewelry design and fabrication, geology and conducts field trips for collecting and education. We encourage learning and good citizenship in a congenial atmosphere. We respect both private and public property, and we strive to protect natural resources. Meetings are held during the third Monday of each month, except December, at the Templeton Sardonyx, peridot and spinel Community Center. The original birthstone for We are a member of the California Federation of August was sardonyx, and then Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) and affiliated with the peridot was added, becoming Au- American Federation on Mineralogical Societies (AFMS). gust’s primary gemstone. The Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Inc. is also a member of the addition of spinel, which can be American Lands Access Association (ALAA). found in a variety of colors, gives Annual dues are $20 for the first adult and $8 August babies a plethora of op- each for every additional member of the same tions! household. Annual dues are payable between August 1 Though peridot is widely rec- and the third Monday of December, in person at club ognized by its brilliant lime green meetings or by mail to P.O. Box 1672, Paso Robles, CA glow, the origin of this gem- 93447. stone’s name is unclear. Most The Rockonteur scholars agree that the word This is the official monthly newsletter of the SLR and an “peridot” is derived from the Ara- independent publication containing news and bic faridat, which means “gem,” information consistent with the mission of SLR and of but some believe it’s rooted in interests to its members. Circulation is approximately the Greek word peridona, mean- 100 copies per issue. ing “giving plenty.” Member submissions are encouraged and may be Sardonyx combines alternat- sent to the editor. We reserve the right to accept or ing layers of sard and onyx—two types of the layered mineral refuse submissions inconsistent with the objectives and chalcedony—to create a reddish purpose of the SLR. Submissions may be edited as zebra-striped gemstone with needed without consent. Deadline are due by midnight white bands. of the last day of the month but early submissions are The spinel is often mistaken highly appreciated and strongly encouraged. for either a ruby or a pink sap- Newsletter Editor/Publisher: phire, as it can resemble either. Amy Phillips | [email protected] In fact, some of the most famous rubies in history have turned out Website: www.slrockhounds.org to be spinel. But its distinguish- ing features, like its octahedral (Continued on page 12) Rockonteur ❖ August 2019 ❖ Page 2 Words from the President Volunteering brings fun and fulfillment to your life. Every hour volunteering enriches the Club and strengthens our Community. This years club members have done a great job and thanks to their knowledge and patience at all our Clubs functions, our Club has prospered. Now we must form a nominating committee for next year’s Officers. To make our Club a success it will take the participation of each and everyone of you. So lets all step-up and offer our services to whatever needs to be done, and do it for the Kids! See page 5 for the descriptions of officer positions. Our Lapidary Day and Picnic will be on Saturday, September 14, at Galen Moyer’s home. This is a family fun day and will serve as our general monthly meeting. Donations for the auction are welcomed, bring a side dish to share. Hamburgers and Hot Dogs will be grilling on the BBQ and their will be many activities planned for the day. Your RSVP is requested as we must purchase enough food for all who plan to attend. A signup sheet will be available at our August meeting, or contact us at [email protected] Plan on attending this month’s meeting which will feature club members, Kathy Clarke and Karen Hilchey giving a presentation on their trip to Trona, California. Dues are due this month. See Kathy Clarke at our monthly meeting if you need an application or go to our website (slrockhounds.org) and download an application. Safe travels to the fortunate members going to Science Camp at Camp Paradise, and to the Orcutt Gem Club Show in Nipomo. Help support our friends in Rocks wherever you may travel and bring back something to brag about at our meetings. Rock On! - Mary Photo by Matthew O'Shannessy Rockonteur ❖ August 2019 ❖ Page 3 CLUB MEETINGS & EVENTS Location & Directions: (subject to your own verification) Aug. 5 @ 7pm Take the "101" to Vineyard Dr. Head east on Board Meeting Vineyard, it will turn into Templeton Rd. Take Rabobank Meeting Room, Templeton your first right after you cross the river to stay on Templeton Rd. Turn left on to S. El Pomar Aug. 19 @ 7pm Rd. Turn right onto Pioneer Ranch Rd. Galen's General Meeting house is the first house on the left. PLEASE be Templeton Community Center considerate of neighbors and drive slowly Kathy Clarke and Karen Hilchey on dirt road to minimize dust. Presentation on their Trona experience. MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL DUE THIS MONTH OTHER EVENTS & INFO Sept. 14, 9am-2pm Annual Club BBQ Picnic and Auction The San Luis Obispo Gem and Mineral Club is Galen Moyer’s residence: offering our club members a discounted rate of 2020 Pioneer Ranch Road, Templeton. $75 for an 8' foot table space at their upcoming His contact info: 805-434-2532 or Rock and Gem Show on 9/7 & 9/8 in Arroyo [email protected] Grande if they wish to participate as a dealer. The application form was emailed to all mem- There will be: bers. If you have questions about the show, con- • Demonstrations of various lapidary tact Mary M. Rafferty at [email protected] equipment by our own Club Members or visit their website: gems.vistagrande.com. • A chance to get some "hands-on" Our club will also have a table there to promote experience under their experienced our club and sell merchandise. If you are inter- guidance - including a chance for kids to ested in staffing a shift at this show or want to cut and polish a rock! demo, please email Tina Clark at tinajclark@ • Club Fundraiser Auction outlook.com. The SLO Club has gone above and • Equipment Sale beyond in supporting our show with demonstra- • Metal Detector Demonstration & Contest tors, so your participation is greatly appreciated. • Gold Panning Demo Sept. 21, 10a-5p Things to bring: Long Beach Mineral & Gem Society • A potluck side dish or dessert Expo Arts Center, 3221 Atlantic Ave (club will provide barbeque) www.facebook.com/LBMGS • Your own beverages (water provided) • Chairs for every member of your party Sept. 21-22 (or you will be sitting on the ground!) Feather River Lapidary & Mineral Society • Rockhounding Gloves/Eye Protection 2357 Silver Dollar Fairgrounds, Chico • $$$ to buy stuff Sat. 9:30a-5p, Sun 9:30a-4p • Auction items (please let us know your minimum bid amount) www.featherriverrocks.org • A metal detector (if you have one) Things to know: Sept. 21-22, 10a-5p • Wear your "grubbies" because you Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society may get dirty. Monterey Fairground • No high heels because of uneven surfaces. cvgms.rocks • If you have Lapidary Equipment to privately SELL or DONATE to the auction, or anything else Sept. 28-29 "Lapidary Arts" related, please bring it! If Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club you have something you would like to Lodi Grape Festival Grounds demonstrate, please contact Galen. 413 E. Lockeford Street www.stocktonlapidary.org/show Rockonteur ❖ August 2019 ❖ Page 4 2019 805-467-3413 CLUB OFFICERS Jasperjunkie1 It’s almost time to elect new officers @yahoo.com for the 2020 term and we really need President new people to step up to the plate. Mary Caparone CFMS Director Here are the position descriptions for 805-610-5281 Wayne Mills the elected officers of this Club: [email protected] 805-481-3495 Wwmills50 Senior Director @hotmail.com Mary Beatty 805-466-4917 Drawings All officers are to attend monthly runrungranny Deb Mecham Board Meetings on the first @gmail.com Monday of each month.