ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY. Larimar. by Wendy Ansel of Rocks & Runes

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1 ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS APRIL 1, 2011 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY APRIL 15 TH - Looking for a tax deduction for 2011? Make a charitable donation to PLS and pay less taxes next year! Ask us how! Larimar by Wendy Ansel of Rocks & Runes Modern tradition acknowledges the diamond as the sacred stone for love and the birthstone for all born in April. Due to the covertness of the diamond industry, I am proposing an alternative for you to consider! Infinitely more rare than diamond, Larimar, a unique blue variety of pectolite, is only found one place on Earth - in the Caribbean nation of the Dominican Republic! (Continued on page 4) FEATURE ARTICLE OUNCE NUGGET APRIL MEETING DATE on calendar - page 8 Please wear a name badge to all meetings! Inside INSIDE this THIS issue: ISSUE: President s Message 2 Membership Info 2 Ed s Corner, Workshop and Annual Club Show Feature Articles Larimar Feature Articles Record Gold Nugget Field Trip, Federation News Articles and Shows 7 Calendar 8

2 ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS Page 2 President s Message Gentlefolk: I want to thank everyone for your hard work and dedication - which made this show one of the best we have held - even though it cost us a lot of our strength and stamina. One of the most labor-intensive jobs is case set-up and take-down. I appreciate those who worked as hard as possible to make the experience Officers Chris Kyte, President (626) ckyte60@att.net Cheryl Lopez, Secretary (626) rclopez002@verizon.net Mark Nelson, Treasurer (909) mnelsonair@aol.com FAIR USE NOTICE. This publication may contain copyrighted material the use of which has not been specifically authorized by the copyright owner. We are making such material available in our efforts to advance the educational understanding of the amateur jewelry fabrication and rock collecting hobbies. We believe this constitutes a 'fair use' of any such copyrighted material as provided for in section 107 of the U.S. Copyright Law. If you wish to use material from this publication for commercial or purposes of your own that go beyond 'fair use', you must obtain permission from the copyright owner. Newsletter Articles or corrections should be sent to the editor: Mark Nelson, 1475 Paseo Maravilla, San Dimas, CA, (909) or to special for the members of the public that came to see what we do. Thanks to your work we continued our reputation for the quality of displays, dealers, food and the demonstrations. I particularly want to thank Rudy and Cheryl Lopez for all the hard work they invested in bringing two new events - the Silent Auction and Treasure Wheel - to the show. The revenue generated by this booth, as well as the Raffle, Grab Bags and Sand Scoop will enable our club to do much for our Meeting and General Information March Board Meeting by Cheryl Lopez, Secretary The Board voted to renew our CD at One West Bank. The receipt of a donation of 13 buckets of geodes, agates, and petrified wood was discussed, and how to store them at the workshop for best access by the members. An idea to purchase storage racks with tubs for rocks was considered and tabled until next meeting. Membership Information and Meeting Locations Membership per calendar year is $20, $15 for a second adult member in the same house. Junior members and third or more members at the same house are $10. Initiation fee is $2.50 per person and membership badges are $7.50. Renewals are due by the December General Meeting. Mail membership checks to P.O. Box 5025, Pasadena CA Board Meetings are held at 7:00p m on the first Wednesday of the month at the One West Bank at the northeast corner of Santa March Meeting Justin Zzyzx s presentation on fake rocks and minerals was both sobering and enlightening. We are all more aware because of his research. April Board Meeting At April s Board of Directors meeting a 2011 Budget will be discussed and adopted. Members are welcome to attend and to provide input. April Member Meeting Get started working with rocks at Anita and Foothill in Arcadia. All PLS members are welcome to attend. General Meetings. This month s meeting will be at the Pasadena Central Library at 285 E. Walnut Street in Pasadena at 7:00 pm. Guests are welcome! Field Trips are scheduled each month. Refer to the bulletin for date, location and information. Workshops are offered in our well-equipped shop in Pasadena to all members for members this coming year. I also want to thank the kitchen crew who all put in much more time than their doctor s may have liked and who still said they had a good time. Honorable mentions must also go to my grandson, Gavin, Jade Svenson, Jim Gersbach, Ralph and Becky Fregoso, and Denise Davis who pitched in at the last minute and worked wherever help was needed. Thank you again for your continued assistance and may God bless us all! Chris Kyte, President home! Carolyn Duncan will review the basics of Rock Tumbling - 7-8:15pm at the monthly meeting. She will show various tumblers, what tumbling grits and fill to use and where to get them. Learn how to select the type and size rocks and how long to tumble them for maximum effect. A great meeting for juniors and beginning collectors. Bring your tumbler questions and get answers to ask them! a nominal fee - normally on the 1st Sunday of each month. Refer to the newsletter for hours and the calendar for date. Eye protection and closed-toe shoes are mandatory for all participants. Workshops and field trips are for adult members and children with direct parental supervision. The Annual Club Show is held the second weekend of March at the Masonic Hall, 3130 Huntington Drive, San Marino.

3 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY Page 3 Ed s Corner EDUCATIONAL OUTEACH BY ED IMLAY Ed Imlay visited two classes at Paradise Canyon Elementary School in La Canada on March 7 and 8. For the April meeting, Ed Imlay at local schools please bring any items of general interest to display, especially: workshop projects, material from locations of recent or upcoming field trips, and the birthstone of the month: Diamond (or Larimar). Welcome New Members!! Fourteen outstanding new members joined our club at the Annual Show. Please join us in welcoming them at the April meeting! Thank You to Jan Goodwin for pre-paying her 2012 dues! WORKSHOP Refer to the calendar on page 8 for the date of this month s workshop. Members are reminded that grinding and polishing wheels are not to be used to round off edges on rocks for sphere-making. One of the carbide wheels is getting a wear groove which will ruin it. Check with the workshop host for the proper way to use these machines. In order to assure everyone of equal access to the saws and polishing machines at the workshop we are asking each user to sign up and pay for each set of 2 slabs that they will cut (fees are posted). After two cuts another member may use the machine and the first person can sign up for another set. ROCKS TO ART 2011 CLUB SHOW By Marcia Goetz It was a great show ; I really liked looking at the display cases ; I look forward to your show every year ; I really like the food you have, and it is not what you would expect at a club show. These are some of the comments I and others heard at the show. I want to thank everyone for making the show successful. One can see when walking around that the club takes pride in their show and makes a real effort to bring a positive experience to those who walk through the doors. This year was our first silent auction and treasure wheel and it appears they were successful both in quality of materials and the joy of getting some nice items. I know Joe and I went home with some great rock. Many thanks to Rudy Lopez and Mark Nelson for their efforts in collecting and manning the booth. Jason Badgley also brought in rock to add to the sale and stayed to help out. Others told me that the treasure wheel was a focal spot for kids who played once and came back several more times. Thanks to the many people who put in a display case. Drew Wilson designed the room layout and provided supervision for the set up crew getting the cases in place. Members displayed what they had made or collected, displaying their idea of Rocks to Art our show theme. I heard many people comment about the individual creativity of the members and how much they liked seeing the cases. Often it is the members displays that encourages people to join our group. Our society does have beautiful display cases and when they are all set up they are impressive. Ed Imlay assembled the club display case and watched over the careful placement of the pieces brought in by members. After the show Ed made sure we got our treasures back! Mark & Linda Nelson, Marléné Kyte, Tim Snyder and Vern Cliffe enjoyed telling people about our club at the information and membership table. People were interested in what our club has to offer and 14 people joined that weekend. Our raffle was terrific! Both cases were full of great donated prizes - a testament to our members generosity and dedication. The raffle is one of the main fund-raising events for the club and (Continued on page 7) Sunshine: If you know of a society member who has been or is ill, had a death in the family, or has had a great event happen in their life, please contact Cheryl Lopez, our Secretary, with the news. Cheryl s phone number is (626) , or her at rclopez002@verizon.net.

4 ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS Page 4 (Continued from page 1) First recognized in 1916 by Father Miguel Domingo Fuertes Loren, and dismissed by the authorities of that day, this unusual mineral was rediscovered in 1974 by geologist Miguel Méndez and Peace Corps volunteer Norman Rilling on a Caribbean beach in the Dominican Republic. Larimar deposit in vug pocket displayed at Rocks & Runes. Miguel took his young daughter's name Larissa and the Spanish word for sea (mar) and formed Larimar - another of a number of minerals named after a person! Larimar is a variety of pectolite, formed in the vugs (in this case pockets left by volcanic activity) by a solution of sodium calcium silicate hydroxide. Although pectolite is found in many other locations, none have the unique volcanic blue coloration of Larimar. At Rocks & Runes I teach the metaphysical properties of all of the jewels of the earth. According to my research Larimar, the stone of true love, displays the most incredible, vibrant hues of blue and white. This rare pectolite gemstone corresponds to the throat chakra (the area of the body where your communication Elisa, a customer of Rocks & Runes with Larimar jewelry. abilities emerge) and is associated with hearing, including psychic hearing. Larimar encourages one to gently 'speak your truth' with love and compassion - enhancing open, peaceful and loving communication, the true foundation to all healthy relationships. It facilitates the regrouping of powerful spiritual leaders. These messengers are highly practiced in the art of public speaking and are often in the public eye. Larimar breathes peace. Because Larimar is such a beautiful stone, with a hardness of on the Moh s scale, it lends itself to uses in jewelry. Through my contacts with the miners in the Dominican Republic I have been able to import a good quantity of both raw stones, cabochons and polished Larimar that is ready to wear as jewelry. I invite my friends at the Pasadena Lapidary Society to come and allow me to show them this unique mineral and other treasures of nature! Editor s note: Wendy Ansel has studied geology and metaphysics extensively and takes time to share her knowledge with adults and children alike. Exploring her shop in Burbank is to a lover of rocks and gems as is a forgotten old bank vault is to a coin collector - and with an expert waiting to talk with you! Treat yourself to a visit at her shop soon! Thank You to Wendy Ansel of Rocks & Runes for referring new members to the Pasadena Lapidary Society. Members are encouraged to patronize the businesses of our sponsors! Rocks & Runes Your Place For Crystals 1006 N. Lima St. Burbank, CA (818) We carry gemstones from A to Z. Let us show you how to use gems and crystals for health as did the ancients. Classes, Meditation, Cards of Destiny. Tue-Sat. 11am-7pm, Sun 12pm-5pm rocksandrunes@yahoo.com web: Wendy Ansel A Pasadena Lapidary Society Member

5 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY Page 5 RECORD GOLD NUGGET FOUND! Tuesday, March 15 th, The discovery in Nevada County, California, of a nearly 7-pound gold nugget last year has been called a one-in-a-billion lucky find. Now, on the eve of the auction of the so-called Washington Nugget in Sacramento, its finder has told the story. In addition to a little bit of luck, it's a tale of geological knowledge, use of modern technology, elbow grease - and fear. He's afraid to keep his find at home! "I'm just a little paranoid about people knocking on the door, putting a gun to my head and saying, 'Where is it?' " said the finder. Hence, he demanded anonymity until the treasure sells. The find was far from total luck. The Nevada County resident had a piece of undeveloped property not far from the old gold mining town of Washington, California assayed by a professional for possible gold deposits. "Just to see what gold would be down to the first 10 feet," he said. There was some fine gold, and a hint that there might be more in the bedrock beneath the old mining tailings. Knowing how Gold Rush lodes were found in similar bedrock, "it led us to think there may be some," he said. A friend brought in a piece of equipment known as groundpenetrating radar. Similar equipment is used to locate sewer lines underground, or potential archaeological sites buried beneath centuries of dirt. In this case, it revealed the lay of the land buried beneath a yard or more of old mine tailings. "We found an anomaly a crevice or crack that indicated that it would be a good target," he said. Such crevices sometimes trap nuggets. And this one was less than 10 feet down the depth limit for their rented backhoe. After digging, they used a metal detector that can distinguish between gold and ferrous (iron-based) metals. "We started to use the gold detector and we got a very strong signal," he said. It told them where within a square foot to target shovels and pry bars. All the time they were working through ground water that seeped in as they dug. The nugget they found, weighing 100 ounces and about the size of a small loaf of bread, is worth more than $100,000 at current gold bullion prices. "We weren't expecting to recover anything that size!" the finder said. They did, though, and also two smaller nuggets of less than a pound about 4 and 10 troy ounces each. The finder took it to Fred Holabird, an experienced mining geologist and appraiser in Reno, Nevada. The nugget s size makes it unique. The Washington Nugget may be the s o l e r e m a i n i n g authenticated large gold nugget of 100- troy-ounce caliber from the California gold region," Holabird said. Holabird draws a distinction between nuggets and gold in crystalline form, of which there are larger California pieces. By way of comparison, the largest California nugget still in existence, which is on display at the Smithsonian Museum, weighs 80 ounces. The Washington Nugget is expected to draw bids of $250,000 to $400,000, at the Sacramento Convention Center on the final day of the Golden West Auction. The finder, meanwhile, has hopes of returning to his land when the snow is gone to see if there are more. If it doesn't sell at auction "It may go in a museum," the finder said. "I just don't want to have it in the house." UPDATE: The largest piece of Californian gold in existence sold for $460,000 at the auction on Wednesday, March 23 rd, The identity of the buyer has not been released as of press time for this bulletin. The single source supplier for jewelers and gemologists. 319 W. 6th St., Los Angeles, CA (213) Monday-Friday: 9 a.m. - 5:30 p.m. Saturday: 9a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Supplies, displays, boxes, jewelry tools, precious metal, findings, fine jewelry, stones, settings and wedding bands. A wide variety of lighting, photography boxes, inventory software and product labeling supplies. Metalsmithing and lapidary supplies. Free catalog. We carry the best quality tools and equipment available in the industry, at the best prices in the United States! We can confidently say that no supplier has lower prices. Jewelry and Lapidary clubs are welcome!

6 ROCKHOUND RAMBLINGS FIELD TRIPS By Joe Goetz LAVIC SIDING - April 16 th & 17 th Wouldn t it be nice to go to a place where you could camp and collect in the same spot? Well that place is Lavic siding - off the I-40. After a good night s sleep you step out of your tent or RV with a cup of coffee in hand and you wonder where you ll go to do some collecting. It s then that you realize all you really need to do is bend over and pick-up the very stone you re there to collect! That s right - the stone is jasper. It comes in green, red, orange, various shades of brown and yellow. Also in the area are minerals such as psilomelane, gypsum, copper and also plume, moss, banded and fortification agates. This is a good trip for both the first-timer or the veteran rockhound; there is lots of stuff to collect. It s only 2-1/2 hours from Pasadena, so come for the day! Take I-40 east from Barstow to Hector Road, turn right and then left on Nat l Trails Hwy. Turn right onto the dirt road toward the railroad tracks when the paved road crosses back over I-40. Some of us stay in motels in Barstow and make the 35-minute drive out to Lavic. On Saturday, meet at Lavic Siding at 8am. On Sunday we will start at Lavic and will be leaving camp for other collecting sites after the 8AM briefing. Use FRS radio channel On Saturday evening we will have a potluck dinner at 4:30PM. Hope to see you there! Be sure to let me know if you are coming, in case there is weather or some other incident that changes out plans. Call me at (626) or at joenmar1@verizon.net. Somewhere in California. going the wrong way Joe Goetz FEDERATION NEWS Page 6 CFMS - California Federation of Mineralogical Societies The April CFMS Field Trip is on Sat/Sun, April 23rd & 24th to the Kingston R a n g e t o c o l l e c t amethyst, pyrite & sphalerite. As of the writing of this bulletin the trip information had not been posted, however you can go to field trips or contact the bulletin editor for more information. If you are interested in going, call or our bulletin editor and the CFMS Field Trip leader, Robert Sankovich at rmsorca@adelphia.net or in case the trip is cancelled due to weather or other circumstance. Rob can also send you the maps and times for the trip. AFMS - American Federation of Mineralogical Societies The AFMS is holding a raffle drawing to help to fund their Endowment Fund. The drawing will offer a great selection of prizes, and we are able to purchase tickets which will support the Fund. Tickets are $5 each, or 6 for $20. Send your check, payable to "AFMS Endowment Fund", along with a stamped, self-addressed envelope for returning your tickets stubs - to Colleen McGann, P.O. Box ; S a n t a Clara, CA <Colleen.megann@hds.com> Be sure to include your name, address and telephone number for notification if you're one of the lucky prize winners. The winners will be announced during the convention at the Awards Banquet on Saturday, July 9th in Syracuse, NY. FARRIN O CONNOR DESIGN 146 W. Bellevue Drive, Pasadena This is a true hidden gem for those interested in lapidary and jewelry work. A fully-stocked store with books, tools, beads and findings awaits you. Learn how to make jewelry from nothing-to-finished in their one-day classes. See upcoming classes and instructors at Or call them at (626) Free fenced parking.

7 THE NEWSLETTER OF THE PASADENA LAPIDARY SOCIETY 2011 Show continued from page 3 Vern and Sylvia have brought new life to it with some innovative concepts. Their idea to introduce hourly drawings for our visitors was certainly a hit! Cheryl Lopez, Linda Nelson, Carolyn Duncan, Marléné Kyte, Sandie Fender, Dave Kelty, and Joe Goetz pitched in to help with the raffle s success. Where our greeters are is always a happy spot. With the colorful grab bags on the table, who could resist being cheerful? Carolyn Duncan and Tim Snyder spent a great deal of time at the Greeting/ Grab Bag table, welcoming visitors and directing our guests to the highlights of the show. Carolyn added her own touch by handing out a moki ball to every 10 th grab bag sold. On that note, I want to thank everyone who sewed and helped stuff the bags they were very nice with each one containing a crystal, some rough rock, a slab and some polished stones. Page 7 LOCAL ROCK AND GEM SHOWS: APRIL 2-3 LANCASTER: Antelope Valley Gem & Mineral Club; Lancaster High School, nd St. W.; Sat. 9-5, Sun Free admission, dealers, auction table, demonstrations, displays, games, raffle, grand prize drawing. Look for the gems in the calendar on page NEWBURY PARK: Conejo Gem & Mineral Club; Borchard Park Community Center, 190 Reino Rd. Sat. 10-5, Sun Free admission, club member exhibits and sales, gems, jewelry, rocks, minerals, fossils, youth activities, lapidary and jewelrymaking demonstrations, silent auction and door prizes. Cries of delight were heard from kids of all ages who couldn t resist the urge to dig some stones at our sand scoop with our junior members Gavin Kyte and Jade Svenson. Ralph & Becky Fregoso, Jim Gersbach, Denise Davis and Joe Goetz joined in the fun! The kitchen what can I say? We have the best. Chef Chris Kyte focuses on making sure we all have interesting and delicious food. The turkey chili this year was a healthy change and much appreciated. A big thanks to Rudy Lopez for the donations of pastrami, sodas, water, cookies and more. Chris assistant chefs were Sandie Fender, Briana Casay, Trudy Krose, and Cal Matthews. UOP Ed Imlay showed his skill for organizing and scheduling the Library demonstrators. We have many talented people in our group and everyone likes to see how we create our works of art. Lastly, my special appreciation to those who came on Friday to help set up and who remained on Sunday to tear down. Without you this show wouldn t happen. You wouldn t think it but there are many small and large things to do to get the show ready for Saturday. Those who helped were: Dave Kelty, Chris & Marléné Kyte, Corinne & Ed Imlay, Ralph & Becky Fregoso, Linda & Mark Nelson, Tony & Sandie Fender, Jan Goodwin, Trudy Krose, Tanner SooHoo, Rex Nishimura, Jim Gersbach, Drew Wilson, Vern & Sylvia Cliffe, Carolyn Duncan, Davis Coghill, David Svenson, Rudy & Cheryl Lopez, Cal Matthews, Jason Badgley, Alice Davis, Mark Grant, Denise Davis, Tim Snyder, Cal Matthews and Briana Casay. If I missed anyone please forgive me and let me know! It was a great show and we all should give one another a hearty well done! - Marcia Another THANK YOU and JOB WELL DONE to our show coordinators - Joe & Marcia Goetz for all of their hard work! - Editor Member - To - Member Beginning with the May issue of the bulletin members are welcome to submit an ad for items wanted, for sale or free to other members. Ads are limited to three lines for three months a year and may not be of a commercial nature. There is no cost for the ad Submit your message to the Editor who reserves the right to edit or refuse any submissions ANAHEIM: Searchers Gem & Mineral Society; Brookhurst Community Center, 2271 W. Crescent Ave.; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4:30. Free admission, special exhibit, gold panning, jewelry making for kids, silent auction, gemstones, hobby supplies, books, demonstrations, displays and door prizes. From The Editor: As Lew, through LARocks, commented We have been through the best of times as well as the worst. With the economy the way it is so many shows have cut back dramatically or have simply pulled the plug and gone away. A fellow editor, Barbara Matz, wrote me last week The Marin Mineral Society disbanded in January and I am no longer producing The Tumbler. Healthy clubs near ours mean more opportunities for field trip variety, new material and trading. A good way we can support other clubs is to attend their shows. Most shows are free and have educational displays and demonstrations throughout the weekend and vendors will be selling wonderful items you won't find anywhere else. Please plan on attending one of the shows listed on this page, and wear your club badge! - mn PLS T-SHIRTS are now available to order. PLS logo small on front and large on back. Only $14. Submit your order to R u d y L o p e z a t R c l o - pez002@verizon.net or (626) include sizes and quantities. Navarro s Creations 18 N. Mentor, Pasadena (626) Let Emilly Navarro create something for you! Bring her a picture or sketch of your dream design for a free quote. Open Monday - Saturday, 10am - 6pm

8 The Pasadena Lapidary Society, inc. April 2011 Page 8 The Pasadena Lapidary Society, Inc. Bulletin Editor: 1475 Paseo Maravilla San Dimas, CA First Class Mail RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Pasadena, California U.S.A. The Pasadena Lapidary Society is affiliated with the California and American Federations of Mineralogical Societies. Our editor is a member of the Special Congress Representing Involved Bulletin Editors. Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat $50 Bill = Ulysses S. Grant (April 27, 1822 July 23, 1885) was the 18th President of the United States ( ) as well as military commander during the Civil War and post-war Reconstruction periods. 1 2 Lancaster, CA Rock & Gem Show 3 Lancaster Rock & Gem Show Board Mtg Workshop Thomas Jefferson born Titanic hits Iceberg Field Trip to Lavic Siding 17 Field Trip to Lavic Siding 18 TAXES DUE CFMS Field Trip to Kingston Range 24 CFMS Field Trip to Kingston Range **EASTER** PLS April Meeting at 7pm U.S. Grant Searchers Rock & Gem Show