Rockhound ramblings DECEMBER 1, 2 011 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY - PASADENA, CALIFORNIA INSIDE THIS ISSUE President’s 2 Message Club News & 2 Information Ed’s Corner, 3 Workshop, More Club News Feature Articles: 4 Pyrite and Ammolite Museums and 5 Member –To - Member Field Trips, 6 Federation News December 2011 7 Dinner Meeting, Shows & Local Events Calendar of 8 Monthly Events PYRITE The very glimpse of it raises the specter of GOLD! This beautiful and fascinating mineral with its yellow color and metallic luster has the nickname of "Fool's Gold" because it has a history of being mistaken for gold - as it can resemble the physical appearance of gold. The ancient Greek named the mineral from their word "pyr" meaning "of fire". This was because they found that sparks would fly from it if struck against another hard mineral, such as iron. Archaeologists have found that burial mounds in South America often contain chunks of pyrite, perhaps so one would have fire in the next world. Aztec ceremonial masks have also been discovered where the eye sockets had been filled with pyrite along with large, flat, polished pieces of pyrite. Speculation is that these were used as early mirrors by early Aztecs and Incans. Continued on page 4 Page 2 ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS December 2011 President’s Message The club is in sound financial condition, Don‘t forget that your dues for next year has a solid meeting place, and has a new must be submitted by the December meet- Happy holidays to every- slate of incoming club officers that will do ing to avoid any penalties. I don‘t want you one. I hope that this mis- a fantastic job of guiding us forward. I to miss any of the fun and fellowship! sive finds you all in better want to take this opportunity to thank my circumstances than we fellow board members for all their support Over the next few months we will also be have experienced in the and hard work. I value their friendship and preparing for our 54th annual show. When last few years. We have tireless assistance. the chairpersons ask for your assistance lost many things, includ- with the set up, demonstrations, host table, ing numerous long term I look forward to seeing all our members kitchen, tear down, and other tasks please club members and at the club pot luck and ‗blind‘ gift ex- sign up for as much time as you can. Many friends, but we have many new mem- change on December 15th. It‘s at the Lake hands make light work. Thank you all for bers and friends to help us carry on the Avenue Congregational Church in Pasa- your assistance! traditions of rockhounding and lapidary dena. See the times and directions on work. page 7. … Chris Kyte, President Meeting and General Club Information Officers November Board Meeting Planning for our 2012 show is under- way. Mark presented several draft election (see the voting results on by Cheryl Lopez, Secretary flyers for review. Members can sign up page 3 of this bulletin) the club Chris Kyte, President Officers present: Chris Kyte, Cheryl now for demonstrations and to help. enjoyed our Fall Silent Auction. (626) 794-0519 Despite the short notice there [email protected] Lopez, Mark Nelson. Marcia Goetz is show chair (626) 914- Chairs/Members present: Vern 5030. were lots of items to suit the Cheryl Lopez, Secretary Cliffe, Sylvia Cliffe, Drew Wilson, whimsy of rockhounds and other (626) 351-6283 Marlene Kyte, Marcia & Joe Goetz The update to our bylaws is almost collectors alike. [email protected] and Ed Imlay. complete. This will be followed by an December Meeting update to our Operating Regulations. Mark Nelson, Treasurer Vern Cliff reported on the impor- A position is available as a Reporter for The December meeting will be (909) 996-1784 tance of talking about our hobby and the bulletin. Interested people should our annual Installation Dinner and of meeting a man who will demon- contact the President. Holiday pot-luck. Please note FAIR USE NOTICE. This that this will be an early meet- strate how to grind a point back onto November Meeting publication may contain copyrighted a rock hammer. This man, Al, is a ing. Directions and details can material the use of which has not tool and die maker and he will be Final nominations for our 2012-13 be found on pages 6 and 7 of the been specifically authorized by the officers were presented. Following the bulletin. copyright owner. invited to a workshop. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance Membership Information and Meeting Locations the educational understanding of the amateur jewelry fabrication and rock Membership per calendar year General Meetings: 7:00 PM are mandatory for all participants. collecting hobbies. is $20, $15 for a second adult each month on the third Call a board member for the member in the same house. Jun- Wednesday at the Pasadena workshop address We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted ior members and third or more Central Library at 285 E. Walnut material as provided for in section members at the same house are Street. Guests are welcome! Workshops and field trips are for 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. $10. Initiation fee is $2.50 per adult members and children with person and membership badges Field Trips are scheduled each direct parental supervision. If you wish to use material from this publication for commercial or are $7.50. Renewals are due month. Refer to the bulletin for purposes of your own that go by the October General Meeting date, location and information. The Annual Club Show is held beyond 'fair use', you must obtain and delinquent after December the second weekend of March at permission from the copyright 31st. Mail membership checks to Workshops and instructions the Masonic Hall, 3130 Hunting- owner. P.O. Box 5025, Pasadena CA are offered in our well-equipped ton Drive, San Marino. 91117-0025. shop in Pasadena to all club Newsletter Articles, ads or members - normally on the 2nd Advertising - a business card corrections should be sent to the Board Meetings: 7:00pm on the Sunday of each month. Refer size ad is available for $99 per editor: Mark Nelson, 1475 Paseo first Wednesday of the month at to the bulletin for hours and the year or $10 per edition. Submit Maravilla, San Dimas, CA, 91773. (909) 996-1784 or by the One West Bank, 1 E. Foothill calendar for date changes. Eye text, logos, business card or other email to mnelsonair @aol.com in Arcadia. All PLS members are protection, closed-toe shoes copy to the editor at the address welcome to attend. and machinery safe practices or email listed on this page. THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY December 2011 Page 3 Ed’s Corner EDUCATIONAL OUTEACH Welcome By Ed Imlay Chair, Education Committee New Members !! There will not be a display table at the Share the lapidary and jewelry hobby. In- December meeting, since it is our an- vite your friends and neighbors to become nual installation meeting and pot-luck members of the Pasadena Lapidary Society! dinner. Ed Imlay at a local school What you do makes a difference, This is a perfect time to schedule school visits and reminds mem- bers to bring items to the December meeting: members can display and what you have to decide is what any items of general interest or for identification, work- kind of difference you want to make. shop projects, material from locations of recent or up- coming field trips, and the birthstone of the month: Jane Goodall Blue Topaz. NEW CLUB LEADERS DON’T FORGET ! At the November meeting the club elected its officers for 2012-13. Dues Are Due! - - Our new officers will be: No Dues — No Rockhound President: Marcia Goetz Ramblings! Vice President: Carolyn Duncan Secretary/Treasurer: Linda Nelson Federation Director: Joe Goetz WORKSHOP The workshop is a great opportunity to select from our rock pile, to In the coming weeks Marcia will be looking for people willing to receive instruction on how to cut and polish rocks, and to discuss pro- have fun on our committees. See page 6 for a list and description of where you can help. jects for all skill levels. If you are new and have not attended the work- shop, call one of the officers listed on page 2 for the address. Sunshine: A snapshot of our new officers: Sylvia Cliffe will teach Part 2 of her ―how to make a basic silver ring‖ Marcia Goetz, President, is a library adminis- class. She will teach basic silver soldering techniques. If you started trator and has been with the club for 18 years. your ring or want to catch up on the class, this is where you will learn She has served as its V.P. and Treasurer, and to finish and polish your piece. She will have all of the materials you was named as Rockhounder Of The Year. need and you can buy them from her. Bring a fine file and a small torch if you have one. Carolyn Duncan, Vice President, is a teacher of clinical psychol- ogy technicians. She has been with the club 11 years and has Workshop hours are from 1:30 until 5PM. Parking is on the west side served as its Vice President. of street - please park compactly along the curb so that others will have room to park. Alternate parking is available next door to the Linda Nelson, Secretary/Treasurer, is a Certified Public Account- workshop in a paved lot behind the buildings on Foothill Boulevard.