Volume XLII Number 5 May 3, 2017 Livermore Lithogram Livermore Valley Lithophiles Livermore, CA Monthly Mineral - Unakite Next General Meeting by Lee Davisson May 11th, 2017 7:30 pm Unakite is actually not a mineral but rather a mixture of Community Room three minerals: orthoclase, epidote, and quartz. It is a Civic Center Library favorite material for cabochons, beads, pendants, and spheres because it takes on a high polish. The rock was Program: Treasures of the originally discovered in the Unakas Mts. of North Earth-Metals Carolina, and can be found in adjacent areas of Virginia and Tennessee, as well in the western US states of South Refreshments: Molly Dakota, Wyoming, Colorado, and New Mexico. The Alexander rock was originally a granite but it underwent metasomatic alteration converting plagioclase in the Next Board Meeting original rock to epidote, but leaving the orthoclase intact. Metasomatism is hydrothermal circulation that is 4th Thursday of the month high enough temperature and pressure to convert the at the Shop. rock chemistry. Unakite is also found in South Africa, Zimbabwe, Sierra Leone, Brazil, and China, but nothing All Members are welcome matches the vivid color of the eastern North American to attend! variety. Inside this issue: Monthly Mineral 1 State Fossils 2 Minutes 3 Beading Buddies 4 Shows & Events 5 https://crystal-information.com/encyclopedia/unakite/ Volume XLII Number 5 May 3, 2017 State Fossils Maryland State Fossil Bill Beiriger Ecphora gardnerae gardnerae, is a gastropod mollusk if the family Muricidae. The genus Ecphora lived from the Oligocene to the Pliocene, but is a totally extinct genus containing more then 30 species in Maryland’s Miocene formations. Several species of Ecphora are found in all three of Maryland’s Miocene formations; Calvert, the Choptank and the St. Marys. There are many other genus of muricidae that are still living in the oceans of today, they account for about 1600 living species and 1200 fossil species. As with many murex gastropods Ecphora was a predatory animal that bored holes through the shells of other seashells to feed on the content of that shell. Other members of the Muricidae family use acids and toxins to subdue their pray, see small photo below showing edge and side drill holes. The State Fossil came from the St. Marys Formation, of Miocene age in Calvert County, Maryland and was adopted as the Maryland State Fossil in 1994. Besides the state fossil Maryland has a State Dinosaur, Astrodon johnstoni it was accepted in 1998. Volume XLII Number 5 May 3, 2017 Minutes of Lithophile Meeting Minutes of Lithophile Board Meeting April 13, 2017 April 27, 2017 We watched a film that Bill Bish had bought: Present: Bill Beiriger, Bill Bish, Dick Freisen, “Treasures of the Earth-Gems.” Andrea Rodriguez, Molly Alexander Many members have not paid their annual dues. Bill Beiriger presented fossils to three 3rd grade classes, approximately 65 students, at Marilyn A shop at L Street and Railroad Avenue has an Avenue Elementary School. assortment of minerals. On May 17, he will conduct a fossil-mineral dig at Arroyo Seco Elementary School. Also in May at the same school, Bill will 1) demonstrate an erosion table to the 2nd grade; CFMS Camp Zzyzx Note: 2) construct and set off paper rockets with the fifth A few of our members have taken classes at graders. Camp Zzyzx near Baker, California, this year the site had a few surprises. Bill Beiriger suggested that members use The Barn Camp Zzyzx was an exciting week. Winds at on a Saturday to repair 10-15 display cases for the next Lithorama. The cases are stored in the loft of over 75 miles per hour, camp tent totally The Barn. New cables are needed for the lift to the destroyed, snakes and scorpions, and yet, a loft. wonderful fun time by all. In addition to new lift cables, we also need a new Lithorama Chairperson. Our previous Chairperson, Dick Freisen, will be traveling for the next few months and will not be available. Volunteer now so that Dick can dispense his words of wisdom to you before he leaves. Nearly half of Lithophile members have not paid their annual dues! Individual membership = $20 Family membership = $25 Cabochon by Luca Please pay your dues at the next meeting Schneider. so that our Treasurer Bill Bish can balance the accounts and doesn’t go to bed crying. Homeschool & 4H The next Lithophile meeting is Thursday, teens in the shop. May 4, 2017 at 7:30 pm. We will watch “Treasures of the Earth-Metals.” Molly Alexander will bring snacks. Don’t forget to bring your checkbook! Volume XLII Number 5 May 3, 2017 Beading Buddies Beading Buddies will meet on Saturday, May 13, 1-4 pm at Dick and Andrea's, Livermore. We will be making a bracelet (on right) with the new Ava beads from Potomac Beads. Kit cost is $10. Please print out the instructions prior to the meeting. If you have any of the small zip lock bags that previous kit materials were packaged in and don't need them, Andrea and I can reuse them. Pat Volume XLII Number 5 May 3, 2017 California Shows & Events May 5 - 7: YUCAIPA, CA Hours: Fri & Sat 10 - 5; Sun 10 - 4 Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society Contact: Diane Cook, (805) 312-8467 Yucaipa Music & Arts Festival Email: [email protected] Yucaipa Blvd and Adams Street Website: 2017CFMS-AFMSShow.com Hours: Fri 6 - 9; Sat 12 - 10, Sun 12 - 6 Contact: Lee Peterson, (909) 794-0731 August 19 - 20: SAN FRANCISCO, CA Website: www.yvgms.org San Francisco Gem & Mineral Society San Francisco County Fair Building May 6 - 7: JACKSON, CA 9th Avenue & Lincoln Way Amador County Gem & Mineral Society Hours: Sat. 10 - 6; Sun. 10 - 5 Kennedy Mine Contact: Ellen Nott 12594 Kennedy Mine Rd (off Hwy 49/88) Email: [email protected] Hours: 10 – 4 daily Website: www.sfgemshow.org Contact: Gaylene Lichty, (209) 245-5388 Email: [email protected] September 23 - 24: LODI, CA Website: amadorgemandmineral.org Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club Lodi Grape Festival Grounds May 6 - 7, 2017: RENO, NV 413 East Lockford Street Reno Gem & Mineral Society Hours: 10 - 5 daily Reno Livestock Event Center Contact: Jerold Kyle, (209) 368-9411 1350 North Wells Avenue Email: [email protected] Hours: Sat 10 - 5; Sun 10 - 4 Website: www.stocktonlapidary.com Contact: Daniel Ellis, (775) 359-6068 Email: [email protected] September 23 - 24: MONTEREY, CA Website: www.renorockhounds.com Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society Monterey Fairgrounds May 6 - 7: ANAHEIM, CA 2004 Fairgrounds Road Searchers Gem & Mineral Society Hours: 10 - 5 daily Brookhurst Community Center Contact: Janis Rovetti, (831) 372-1311 2271 W. Crescent Avenue Email: [email protected] Hours: Sat 10 - 5; Sun 10 - 4:30 Website: www.cvgms.org Contact: Margaret Hogarth, 909 815-3045 Email: [email protected] September 23 - 24: REDWOOD CITY, CA Website: www.searchersrocks.org Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society Community Activities Building June 9, 10 & 11: VENTURA, CA 1400 Roosevelt Avenue VENTURA ROCKS THE NATION! Hours: 10 - 5 daily 2017 CFMS-AFMS Show & Convention Contact: William Spence, (408) 398-7502 Hosted by Ventura County Gem & Mineral Email: [email protected] Society Website: Ventura County Fairgrounds www.sequoiagemandmineralsociety.org 10 West Harbor Boulevard Volume XLII Number 5 May 3, 2017 Livermore Valley Lithophiles Jennifer Siders, Editor P.O. Box 626 Livermore, CA 94551-0626 [email protected] We’re on the Web at www.lithophiles.org & www.facebook.com/Lithophiles/ Elected Ofcers & Club Information Elected Officers: Club Shop: The shop at the Barn is open to club President Lee Davisson members 7:00 p.m. to 10:00 p.m.. on Tuesday nights. If leedavisson@sbc global.net no one arrives by 7:30 p.m. or if the Shop Foreman has V. President Stephanie Goldsmith not been informed a member will arrive late, then the Secretary Molly Alexander (925) 606-6977 shop will close at 7:30 p.m. Shop Foreman, Stephanie Treasurer Bill Bish ( [email protected] ) Goldsmith (925) 447-1722. Field Trips: Location and date will be published in the Membership: The Livermore Valley Lithophiles invites Lithogram. to its membership anyone genuinely interested in minerals, gems, lapidary, geology or any of the other earth Bulletin: Livermore Lithogram. Published monthly and sciences, and who desires association with others of like mailed or emailed to active members and guests. News of interests. Membership in our club consists of three interest, reports and articles must be received by the first classes: Senior, anyone eighteen years or older; Junior, Tuesday of the month. Articles may be reprinted by giving anyone under eighteen; and Honorary. Dues are for the proper credit. calendar year and are as prescribed in the by-laws, Article III. $25.00 per family, $20.00 per individual and $10.00 Editor: for Juniors (twelve and younger.) Jenny Siders email: [email protected] Meetings: General Meeting – Second Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m. Civic Center Livermore Library Community Room (Locations change go to Lithophiles WEB-SITE). Board Meeting – Fourth Thursday of each month, 7:30 p.m. at the Club Shop or to be announced in the Lithogram. Any special meetings or places will be published in the Lithogram. .