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Greetings, Fellow Rock Hounds, Fall is finally here and, along with the delightful weather, comes a busy schedule. For David and myself that includes three shows in five weeks. There is also the Ala-bama National Fair competition in about one month and the ongoing preparation annual Montgomery Gem and Mineral show.

I'd like thank everyone for their efforts thus far - thanks in advance for their continued service. I'd also like to thank David Niedzielski for showing an excellent DVD presentation on the tourmaline mining going on at the Pederneira mine in Bra-zil at the September meeting. It provided an in depth look at what an actual operat-ing pegmatite dig looks like. The Minas Gerias area of Brazil has produced out-standing crystals of tourmaline, aquamarine, and quartz over several decades and is still going strong. It was nice to see one of a kind specimens preserved instead of parceled out to be cut.

I just returned from a class at William Holland where I studied chasing and reposse. The teachers were Tom and Kay Benham who were fantastic. They have so much knowledge in all the lapidary fields. They also are published monthly in one of the jewelry artist magazines. I'll have some pieces to show at the next meeting, if they don't sell in Pascagoula.

As always: "Keep on Rocking" and God Bless. President, Morning Sherrod

Inside this issue:

Program Corner

Birthdays

President’s Message

1

Meeting Minutes

What is Beryl?

2

ENTER FAIR!

Beryl continued

3

What is Azurite?

Bench Tips

4

October Birthstones 4

Shows & Reminders

Reminders

Links

5

Club Information 6

PROGRAM CORNER

When: October 20, 2015

Where: Mureal Crump Center, 1751 Congressman William L. Dickinson Drive,

Montgomery, AL 36109*

Time: 7:00 P M

* Park in back. Enter through single glass door. Meeting room 1st door to left.

MONTGOMERY GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY

THE GOLDEN

NUGGET OCTOBER

2015

2015-10

REFRESHMENTS Drinks: SUZANNE LOWERY Snacks: CANDY RUTHERFORD

Please remember to bring paper plates, napkins, and cups. Ice is available at the community

center. It is your responsibility to find another member to substitute in the event you are unable to

fulfill a month for which you signed up. List for remainder of the year:

drinks snacks NOVEMBER 17 JEANETTE RITCH SHARON ERVIN & DAWN SULLIVAN

HAPPY OCTOBER BIRTHDAY 3 Steven Easterling 6 Jasmine Edwards

7 Ardis Cecil 9 Mel Barkley 17 Dawn Sullivan 18 Candy Rutherford 21 Anthony Dasinger 23 Chris Vanderlaan

26 Alton “Sonny” Hall 28 Linda Boyd 31 Mike Berkman

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Beryl is a relatively rare silicate mineral with a chemical composition of Be3Al2Si6O18. It is found in igneous and metamorphic rocks in many parts of the

world. Before 1969, beryl served as the only important ore of beryllium metal. Since then, most of the world's supply of beryllium is refined from ber-trandite, a beryllium silicate hydroxide, mined at Spor Mountain, Utah. Small amounts of beryl, mostly produced as a by-product of gemstone mining, are still

used to produce beryllium.

The major economic interest in beryl today is its use as a gemstone. It is one of the most important gem minerals, and the gems are named by their color as

emerald (green), aquamarine (greenish blue to blue), morganite (pink to orange), red beryl (red), heliodor (yellow to greenish yellow), maxixe (deep blue), goshenite (colorless), and green beryl (light green). Emerald and aquamarine are the most popular. Compared to other gemstones, emeralds are second only

to diamonds in terms of the dollar value imported into the United States. Occasionally, chatoyant specimens of beryl are found that can be cut into cabo-chons to produce interesting cat's eyes.

Goshenite Goshenite is the name used for colorless beryl. It is very common in nature but not often used as a gemstone. It is frequently found in large transparent crys-tals. Some of these crystals have such exceptional transparency and clarity that they were ground into lenses. Maxixe Another rare beryl is a very dark blue material known as "maxixe" (pronounced mashish). The dark blue color is thought to be developed in the ground by exposure to natural radiation. Maxixe is an unfortunate material because the wonderful blue color quickly fades in daylight to a pale brownish yellow color. The color can be restored with additional irradiation, but that color is also quickly lost with exposure to light. Maxixe was first found in 1917 in a mine in the Minas Gerais area of Brazil. It has since been found in small amounts at a few other locations. Chatoyant Beryl Beryl occasionally contains a fine silk that allows it to be cut into a chatoyant gem. Aquamarine, golden beryl, and emerald are the most likely beryls to be found with chatoyance. When properly oriented and cut en cabochon, these gems usually produce a weak cat’s eye, but occasionally a strong cat’s eye is produced. The most desirable chatoyant beryls are those with a highly desirable color and a bright, thin eye that perfectly bisects the gem. Aquamarine Aquamarine is the second most popular gem beryl. Like emerald, its identity is defined by its color. Aquamarine has a distinct greenish blue to blue color. Unlike emerald, light-colored stones in this color range are still called aquamarine. The stones that are richly colored are the most desirable, and the stones with a very pale color are made into inexpensive jewelry. Aquamarine differs from emerald in another way - it normally has far fewer inclusions and fractures. So, most of the aquamarine seen in mall jewelry stores is usually eye clean and without visible fractures. The color of aquamarine can usually be improved by heating. Most stones entering the retail market have been heated. Many of the greenish blue stones offered for sale were distinctly bluish green or even yellow before treatment. Morganite Morganite, also known as “pink beryl” and “rose beryl,” is a rare variety of beryl that ranges in color between yellowish orange, orange, pink, and lilac. “Rose,” “salmon,” and “peach” are words often used to describe the gem’s color. Trace amounts of manganese are thought to cause the pink color. Morganite is the third most commonly seen variety of beryl in jewelry stores, but the selection is usually limited, and stones with top color are very hard to find. Most morganite sold in jewelry has been heat treated to improve its color. Heating generally removes traces of yellow from the stone and converts or-ange or yellowish stones into a more desirable pink color. Some morganite has been irradiated to deepen its color. Synthetic morganite has been produced but has not been widely marketed because morganite is not well known to consumers. Three things have limited the popularity of morganite: 1) most specimens have a very light color; 2) jewelry manufacturers are hesitant to make a large com-mitment to the gem because they usually do not have a steady source of supply; and, 3) consumers are not familiar with morganite because it has never been strongly promoted.

WHAT IS BERYL? (CONTRIBUTED BY JACK KIR KLAND) (CONTINUED ON PAGE 3…)

MONTGOMERY GEM & MINERAL SEPTEMBER 15, 2015 MINUTES The meeting was called to order by president Morning Sherrod and our guests Frank Ledford and Megan Hale were recognized. Hopefully they will return and join our group. The August minutes were approved as pub-lished in the September newsletter. Iris McGehee delivered the Treasurer’s report and it was turned over for filing. Jeff Edwards gave an update on the Alabama National Fair competition and Linda said she would send out a bulletin with all the particulars needed for entering. Candice Rutherford spoke about her show promo-tion efforts and some of the options available. Terry Fetzer said he had a few flyers for the show and that they could also be printed off via the website. Sonny Hall was welcomed back after an extended absence. Good to see our resident knapper back and feeling better. Peggy Raines recommended a book on wire wrap-

ping techniques that she found at Ollies's for only three dollars. Refreshments were provided by Theresa Knight and Christie Willard and everyone mingled before the presentation. David Niedzielski provided an excellent DVD from his collection on the prolific Pederneira tourmaline mine. It was discovered after a storm in the 1940's. Since that time, it has had multiple claim owners and been mined intermittently. It has literally produced tons of gem material over the years. Thanks to the efforts of one of the current claim owners, Daniel Trinchillo, extraordinary museum quality specimens are now being preserved instead being sent to the cutting houses to be faceted. A great DVD with lots of details on the operation of an active mine, prospecting techniques, processing of specimens, and some unbelievable photos of reconstructed tourmaline in matrix. Afterwards, the meeting was adjourned. Secretary, David Sherrod

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THE GOLDEN NUGGET

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Don’t forget to enter your rockin’ treasures in the Fair. Not only can members enter the fair, it is not restricted to G&M club. And you could win recognition

for your delightful bracelets, necklaces, etc.

It's easy. You can enter online at the fair website: www.alnationalfair.org (information is under

the competitions link; click on creative living center - see page 31 of booklet for categories) where you

will find instructions on how to enter your CREATIVE LIVING CENTER items. Entry deadlines may vary

on the categories you may enter.

DROP OFF INFORMATION: Wednesday October 21st - Saturday October 24th. (You don't pay entry -

just go there to enter your items.) If you enter something, be sure to remember to pick it up on either

Monday November 9 from 1-6pm or on Tuesday November 10 from 8-4.

We'd love to see your special pieces at the Fair this year. YOU COULD TAKE FIRST PRIZE RIBBON

AND POSSIBLY WIN CASH! Display your treasures!

Our own Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society is the sponsor for the Gems and Minerals Category!

Geologic Occurrence of Beryl: Beryl is a mineral that contains a significant amount of beryllium. Beryllium is a very rare metal, and that limits the occurrence of beryl to a few geological situations where beryllium is present in sufficient amounts to form minerals. It mainly occurs in granite, rhyolite, and granite

pegmatites; in metamorphic rocks associated with pegmatites; and, in veins and cavities where hydrothermal activity is associated with rocks of granitic com-position. These different types of deposits are often found together and serve as an exploration model for finding beryl. Gem Beryl: The primary economic use of beryl today is as a gemstone. It occurs in a wide variety of colors that appeal to many consumers. A brief descrip-

tion of popular gem beryl varieties is presented in the sections below. Beryl is also found where carbonaceous shale, limestone, and marble have been acted upon by regional metamorphism. The famous emerald deposits of Colombia and Zambia have been formed under these conditions. The carbonaceous material is thought to provide the chromium or vanadium needed to

color the emerald. Yellow Beryl: Yellow beryl, also called “golden beryl” or “heliodor,” is a yellow to greenish yellow beryl. A few vendors call it “yellow emerald” but many believe that name is inappropriate. Yellow beryl is a durable stone that often has a beautiful yellow color and a relatively low price. The public is not familiar with the gem, and as a result the demand is very low and so is the price. People who enjoy yellow gems and want an item of jewelry with a yellow beryl will

have a hard time finding it at most jewelry stores. It is most often seen in the inventory of a jeweler who does custom designs. Small amounts of iron are thought to produce the color of yellow beryl, which can often be changed with heating or irradiation. Despite the fact that many specimens of yellow beryl depreciate with treatment to less valuable colors, some specimens can be heated to a greenish blue similar to aquamarine, while

others can be irradiated to produce a more desirable yellow color. Those with plans to treat yellow beryl must experiment because treatment success is variable. Green Beryl: “Green beryl” is the name given to light green specimens of beryl that do not have a tone and saturation dark enough to merit the name

“emerald.” Some of this light green beryl is colored by iron and lacks the distinct green color associated with emerald. Some is colored by chromium or vanadium and does not have the proper hue, tone, and saturation to be called “emerald.” The price difference between green beryl and emerald is significant, so some buyers or sellers hope to have specimens judged in their favor. This can lead to

problems because a precise color boundary between emerald and green beryl has not been defined with industry-wide agreement. Green beryl can be an attractive gem, but it is rarely seen in jewelry. Red Beryl: Red beryl is one of the world’s rarest gem materials. Gem-quality material that is large enough to facet has been found in very modest amounts in

the Wah Wah Mountains and Thomas Range of Utah. Occurrences of red beryl have been found in the Black Range of New Mexico, but crystals there are just a few millimeters in length and are generally too small to facet. Red beryl is usually a very strong and attractive red color. It has a high enough saturation that even small gems have a very strong color. This is fortunate because most gems cut from red beryl are very small and only suitable for cutting into melee. Gems over one carat in size are very rare and sell for thou-

sands of dollars per carat. The material is often included and fractured, and these characteristics are accepted just as they are accepted in emerald. In Utah, the host rocks of red beryl are rhyolitic lava flows. Here, crystals of red beryl formed in small vugs and shrinkage cracks long after the rhyolite crys-tallized. It is thought that ascending beryllium-rich gases encountered descending mineral-rich groundwater to create the geochemical environment needed

to form red beryl. Trace amounts of manganese are thought to cause the color. Beryl is a relatively rare mineral because beryllium rarely occurs in large enough quantities to produce minerals. Red beryl is extremely rare because the conditions needed to supply the color-producing manganese at the proper time to a beryl-forming environment is improbable. So, the formation of red beryl

requires the coincidence of two nearly impossible events. Red beryl was initially named “bixbite” after Maynard Bixby, who first discovered the material. That name has been mostly abandoned because it was so often confused with bixbyite, a manganese iron oxide mineral also named after Mr. Bixby. Some people call it “red emerald,” but that name is rejected by

many in the trade because it causes confusion with another variety of beryl named “emerald.” Emerald: Emeralds are gem-quality specimens of beryl that are defined by their green color. To be considered an “emerald,” a stone must have a rich, distinct color in the bluish green to green to yellowish green range. If the color is not a rich saturated green, the stone should be called a “green beryl” instead of an

“emerald.” There are some disagreements between buyers and sellers on judging the color boundary between emerald and green beryl. Some also believe that the name “emerald” is reserved for stones with a green color caused by chromium rather than by vanadium. Material colored by iron is almost always too light to be called emerald and usually lacks the distinct green color typically associated with emerald. Emerald is the most popular beryl. Excellent specimens are also quite valuable. Emerald, sapphire and ruby are considered to be the “big three” of colored

stones. More money is spent on these in the United States than all other colored stones combined. In many years, the United States imports a higher dollar value of emerald than of ruby and sapphire combined. Colombia, Zambia, Brazil, and Zimbabwe are major producers of gem-quality emerald. A small amount of emerald is sporadically mined in the United States near Hiddenite, North Carolina.

WHY NOT SHOW OFF YOUR LAPIDARY ART AT THE FAIR? with jeff edwards

MORE ON BERYL… (CONTINUED FROM PAGE 2)

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Here' are some stones we are in the midst of tumbling and pol-ishing. These are stones we picked up during the last field trip at Mel's. We would like to thank Ms Judy loveless for the rock tumbler and for helping to collect stones during the field trip (Chris & Candy Rutherford)

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Azurite is a deep blue copper carbonate. It serves as a

minor ore of copper. It is also a popular gem and orna-

mental stone because of its blue color. Azurite's low

hardness limits its use as a gem and as an ornamental

stone. It is often found in association with malachite in

the oxidized zone above copper deposits.

October is another month with two birthstone choices – Tourmaline and Opal. Tourmaline Tourmaline has become a favorite gemstone among jewelry designer, and gem collectors the world over. Since it is available in a wide variety of colors, it is ideally suited to almost anyone's taste. Tourma-line also is known for displaying several colors in the same gemstone. These bi-color or tri-color gems are formed in many combinations; gemstones with clear color distinctions are highly prized. One multi-color variety is known as watermelon tourmaline, and features green, pink, and white colors bands; to resemble its namesake, the gemstone is cut into thin slices having a pink center, white ring, and green edge. Tourmaline is found in many localities including Brazil, Afghanistan, East Africa, and the USA. Opal The name opal derives from the Greek Opallos, meaning "to see a change (of color)." Opals range in color from milky white to black with flashes of yellow, orange, green, red, and blue. An opal's beauty is the product of contrast between its color play and its background. Opal is a formation of non-crystalline silica gel that seeped into crevices in the sedimentary strata. Through time and nature's heating and molding processes, the gel hardened into the form of opals. The opal is composed of particles closely packed in spherical arrangements. When packed together in a regular pattern, a three-dimensional ar-ray of spaces are created that give opal its radiance.

What is Azurite?

OCTOBER BIRTHSTONES (contributed by Terry Fetzer)

BENCH TIPS BY BRAD SMITH

DEBURRING A HOLE

When you drill a hole, there's usually a burr produced on the underside of the metal. Typically, burrs are re-

moved by filing or sanding the area smooth, but doing it this way will put scratches on your piece that will have

to be polished off. A quick way to remove the burr is to grab a drill that's two or three times larger than your

hole. Simply twist it in the hole to cut off the burr. I usually do this twisting by hand, but if you have many holes

to do, it's easier on your fingers to put the drill into a holder like a pin vice.

CLEANING STEEL SHOT

Steel shot in a vibratory or rotary tumbler works great to burnish and shine your finished silver pieces. But a

common problem is how keep the shot clean. Carbon steel shot can get rusty if exposed to the air, and even

stainless steel shot can sometimes develop a blackish coating that's hard to remove. My solution of choice to clean the shot is Classic Coke. Just pour an ounce or two over the shot and let the tumbler run for an hour or

so. A bad case might require a second cleaning. Some folks like to let the

bubbles in the Coke dissipate before using it so that gas pressure doesn't build up in the tumbler barrel. I've

heard that it's the phosphoric acid in Coke that does the trick. While you're waiting for the shot to clean up,

just settle back and enjoy the rest of the Coke.

"Bench Tips for Jewelry Making" and "Broom Casting for Creative Jewelry" are available on Amazon

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THE GOLDEN NUGGET

Specific Gravity 3.8

Diagnostic Properties vivid blue color, effervescence in HCl,

high specific gravity

Chemical Composition copper carbonate - Cu3(CO3)2(OH)2

Crystal System monoclinic

Uses minor ore of copper, gemstone, orna-

mental stone, pigment

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October 16 – 17, 2015, Knoxville, TN

October 23 – 25, 2015, Austin, TX

October 31-November 1, 2015, Plant City, Fl

November 7&8, 2015, Melbourne, Fl

November 13-15, 2015, Gray. TN

November 20 – 22, 2015 – Columbia, SC

November 21-22, 2015, West Palm Beach, Fl

November 27 – 29, 2015, Mobile, AL

December 4th, 5th and 6th, 2015, Marietta, GA

International Colored Gemstone Assn newsletter http://www.gemstone.org/

Georgia Meteorite Association http://www.meteoriteassociationofgeorgia.org/

William Holland www.lapidaryschool.org

Wildacres http://www.amfed.org/sfms/wildacres-retreat.html

Al Mineral Locality Index http://www.mindat.org/rloc.php?loc=Alabama%2C+USA

GIA http://www.gia.edu/3954/gia_home_page.cfm http://www.greatdanepro.com/somewhere%20in%20time/index.htm

educational sources for young rock & mineral collectors and hobbyists

KidsLoveRocks.com http://fossilsforkids.com/

http://www.mineralcollecting.org/

FL Museum Natural History (fossils) http://www.flmnh.ufl.edu/collections/overview/ AMERICAN LANDS ACCESS ASSOCIATION, INC. (Protecting the Public Lands for the Public; A grassroots 501-C-4 Educa-tional, non-profit organization dedicated to keeping public lands open for the public http://www.amlands.org/

Gemstone List http://www.gemstoneslist.com/

Arizona Geological Survey http://www.azgs.az.gov/minerals.shtml

SMITHSONIAN http://www.mnh.si.edu/

Gemstones International http://www.gia.edu/

Ben Clements Mineral Museum http://www.clementmineralmuseum.org/

http://www.montgomerygemandmineralsociety.com/

SE SHOWS http://www.rockngem.com/show-dates-display/?ShowState=ALL

L I N K S T O C H E C K O U T

REMINDERS

Please let Mary Belmont or Virginia Webb know if a member needs a get well card or any other communication for which a card is appropriate.

Bring spare rocks, gems, minerals to any meeting in order to prepare for the Wheel of Fortune.

Show your recent acquisitions at the monthly meeting so other members can experience a vari-

ety of different materials. NOTE: the shop can be opened on Saturdays 1-4 by appointment with Leslie Amato.—Call by Friday afternoon to determine if Saturday is convenient.. David Grant will also open the shop on Wednesdays at 5:30 if you call him at462-7105 by Tuesday evening. Shop fee :$1 per hour or $5 maximum. Be sure to read your monthly copy of the LODESTAR which is emailed. Member input is not only desired but also needed. Communicate program requests to Peggy

Raines. Tell Jeff Edwards if you know of a potential site for a field trip. Talk to any officer or board member regarding the need for a class.

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2015-10

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ery Gem & Mineral Society, Inc.

Except for items that are specifi-

cally copyrighted by their authors,

all material in this bulletin may be

freely copied. Please give credit to

The Golden Nugget and the appro-

priate author.

Meetings of the Montgomery

Gem & Mineral Society are held

every 3nd Tuesday of the month at

7:00 p.m. at the Mureal Crump

Adult Center, 1751 Congressman

William L. Dickinson Drive (U.S.

231), Montgomery, AL 36109.

The annual gem show replaces the

The purpose of the Golden

Nugget is to inform members of

news about gems and minerals

along with news about club,

state, and regional activities of

interest to our members. Most

important, the Golden Nugget

provides a way for each of us to

share information about projects

and to pass on tips that will help

others enjoy our hobby. Unless

members are willing to contrib-

ute, the Golden Nugget cannot

meet this latter purpose.

Copyright 2015 by Montgom-

December meeting. Anyone interested in gems and

minerals is invited to attend. Field trips, workshops,

and classes are held at various locations. These are

announced at monthly meetings. Membership dues

are $15.00 for individuals and $20.00 for families

residing in the same household.

The Montgomery Gem & Mineral Society is a

member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogi-

cal Societies, Inc. and the American Federation of

Mineralogical Societies, Inc.

In accordance with Title 17 U.S.C. section 107,

this material is distributed without profit or payment

to those who have expressed a prior interest in re-

ceiving this information.

General Information

MONTGOMERY GEM AND MINERAL SOCIETY

Club Officers for 2015 President: Morning Sherrod 322-1400 1st V P/Programs: Peggy Raines 324-2475 2nd V P/Field Trips: Jeff Edwards 312-0572 Secretary: David Sherrod 201-4460 Treasurer: Iris McGehee 262-7275 Past President Thad Cheatham 462-3254 Directors: Jack Kirkland and Mike Berkman Board meetings are at 6:30 pm immediately before the monthly meetings.

THE GOLDEN NUGGETTHE GOLDEN NUGGET

Official Voice of the Montgomery Gem &

Mineral Society, Montgomery AL

Linda R. Griebel, Editor

The Golden Nugget

P. O. Box 801

Wetumpka, AL 36092-0801

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