Inside this Issue. July The Late Ken Wilks 27th June th June 2015 GOLD COAST MEETINGS. General Meeting : Sunday.

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1 July 2015 Issue 437 The Late Ken Wilks 27th June th June 2015 GOLD COAST MEETINGS Management Committee Meetings- 2 nd Tuesday of the Month General Meeting : Sunday Australian Facetors' Guild Gold Coast Region 4th August 7.30pm 6th October 7.30pm 8th December Xmas Dinner contact Rod Turville on for further information Inside this Issue 1. Editor s Photo of the month 2. Committee & general information 3. Presidents report 4. Vale Ken Wilks 5. July s Birthstone 6. Casting and Investment Class 7. How to clean your Opals and Pearls 8. How to live with your Opals and Pearl Jewellery Trivia Corner 9. Deb s Quote of the Month: Calendar of upcoming events 10. Queensland Agate Sir Paul Howard 11.Caught by your Camera

2 Gold Coast Lapidary Club Inc Members of Queensland Lapidary & Allied Craft Associations Inc. 80 Pacific Avenue, Miami. Queensland.- PO Box 12, Nobby Beach Queensland 4218 Phone: The Management Committee President Wayne Schulz Vice President 1: Geoff Saunders : Vice President 2: Malcolm Wanchap Secretary-Marilyn Handy ; Treasurer-Daniel Renneberg ; Assist Treasurer Geoff Saunders Membership Secretaries- Malcolm Wanchap and Aleta Marron General Committee Mike Skidmore Denis Burton Robert McGregor Edward Badura Ross Cochrane Rodney Brown Management Positions Snippets Editor-Deborah Ensor Purchasing Officer-Geoff Saunders Club Curator-Burt Last Librarian- Jadwiga Siwka Competition Steward TBA Raffle Coordinator- Elena Sparks Show Co-ordinator TBA Show Stall Conveners: Pru Aguinaldo & Dennis Burton Welfare Officers- Kieran Lee and Joe Lockley Field Trip Coordinator Mike Skidmore Show Case Stewards-TBA QLACCA Delegate-TBA Judges Faceting - Robert McGregor Cabochons - Carving - Allen Frentz Silversmith/wire work Lady Marie Howard and Jadwiga Siwka Instructors & Workshop Times Monday 10am to 3pm Cabbing Alex Toro Monday 7pm to 9.00pm Evening Cabbing John Nelmes Assist Ins Jamie Irvine Opal Cutting and Polishing Assistant Ins: Jason Neville Tuesday 10am to 3pm Faceting Bert Last (every 2nd week) must have done basic faceting Cabbing Robert Keane Bone Carving John Tonkin Free Form Boats ( 1st and 2nd week of the month) Laurence Yannaccelli Wednesday 10am to 3pm Silver Jewellery/Wire Wrapping Marie Howard & Jadwiga Siwka Robert Keane and Assistant Instructor Elena Sparks Cabbing Denise Burton Assist Ins Marianne Tokessy Investing Book with Instructor Geoff Saunders / Wednesday 7pm to 9.00pm Evening Basic Silver Esther Shelley Cabbing John Nelmes Malcolm Wanchap Assist Ins John Johnson Thursday 10am to 3pm Cabbing TBA Silver/Casting/Cabbing Ron Barr Faceting Brian Brown & Lawrence Yannuccelli Casting Book with Instructor Geoff Saunders / Friday 7pm to 9.00pm Evening Cabbing Ron Palmada Saturday 9am to 3pm Cabbing Alex Toro Faceting George Tsakmakis Soap Stone Carving/Viking Chain Merv Scott

3 FROM THE PRESIDENT July 2015 Hi All Well after much discussion, glances at the boat and thought I am willingly here again. With lessons learnt and valued advice I think this term can be a bit improved on my last. It is good to see the different areas of the club working effectively and the steady influx of new members, some who are real characters and enjoy a laugh. Sadly we lost our Patron, Ken Wilks aged 79 and a member of the club for 38 years and life member since Ken will be remembered I am sure for his, knowledge, advice, humour, volunteer labour, the smile he always had ready when asked or spoken to and many other things. We as Club members need to apply Kens knowledge and pool it with our own so that we can put it on paper, as it were, so it can be passed on to those that join and continue to keep the Club an active learning environment. Thank you to those dedicated volunteers who helped in the club clean up and lead into Show Day, hard work but needed doing. Job well done. With the help of our committee I am hoping to come up with some proactive ways of addressing and creating new interest in areas of the Club. So you may be, asked for an opinion or ideas as we move along. When you have 180 different people with likeminded interest you also get the same amount of different personalities, characters, ideas and opinions and so we need to keep looking to improve from what we have learnt and not fall into chewing over what might have been. My hope and goal this year is to spend time on the wheels, silver tables, faceting etc. so I can draw from the club what I joined for, to learn, laugh and enjoy the company of likeminded people then go fishing to relax knowing I have made my wife happy with her new bit of Jewellery. Not a hard ask and an easy goal. So remember, whoever is working next to you, may only know your name by "badge" and not your sense of humour or circumstances so be considerate and smile. In appreciation of your support Wayne Schulz Club President The person who says it cannot be done should not interrupt the person who is doing it. Chinese Proverb July Birthstone poem - the Ruby "The gleaming Ruby should adorn, All those who in July are born, For thus they'll be exempt and free, From lover's doubts and anxiety." DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed in this Snippets Newsletter are not necessarily those of the members of the Gold Coast Lapidary Club Inc, further more neither the Committee nor the Editor are responsible for any liability arising from errors, omissions or mistakes contained in Snippets. Readers are to proceed carefully especially with respect to any technical information or advice, thus the Club and /or the Editor disclaim all liability. 3

4 VALE Ken Wilks (27th June th June 2015) Ken passed away peacefully in his sleep on Sunday the 7th of June 2015, after a long battle with cancer. Ken was a foundation member of the GCLC, in fact his membership number is 8, and the club would not be what it is today without his involvement. He has instructed generations of gemstone lovers and judged hundreds of stones and cabochons. He has been assessing most of the beginner stones, giving encouragement and constructive comments to our members for many years. Ken was always happy to share his knowledge to help others to improve their lapidary skills. Ken was honored last year when he was made Patron of the club by the then Committee of Management, the new Cabbing room was named in his honor for his many years of service he gave to the club. If there was something to be done or organized, we would always see Ken s face in the crowd. Ken will be sadly missed by those who had the pleasure of meeting him and those who were instructed by him. He was a true gentleman. 4

5 July s BIRTHSTONE For those who were born in the month of July the Ruby is the traditional birthstone. The Traditional Metaphysical Properties for the July Birthstone Ruby are vitality, confidence and strength. The healing properties of the July birthstone are reputed to be effective for health problems relating to the blood and infection and increasing positive thought patterns. The Ruby is also used to enhance energy, generosity and to bring prosperity and success. There s no better way to demonstrate your love than by giving a ruby in celebration of a July birthday. Ruby is a variety of the gems species corundum. It is harder than any natural gemstone except diamond, which means a ruby is durable enough for everyday wear. Fine-quality ruby is extremely rare, and the color of the gem is most important to its value. The most prized color is a medium or medium dark vivid red or slightly purplish red. Originally commissioned by Queen Victoria this magnificent necklace had opals which surrounded by diamonds with a matching pendant and drop earrings. No fan of opals, Queen Alexandra had the opals switched for stunning large rubies as seen in the photo to the right. Worn with the Burmese Ruby Tiara and the center brooch of the Diamond Cockade 5

6 Casting and Investment Class Well where do I start? At the beginning I guess there was four young ladies that wanted to learn the art of Investment and Casting. What is that!- did I hear you say. Putting it very simply.. Firstly we purchased commercial wax patterns. The ring patterns are altered for size, the sprues were checked for length and when we were satisfied, we placed our wax patterns into a plasticine base. A metal flask made from a short length of steel pipe was placed over the sprue base and the wax patterns making sure nothing is touching. The Investment powder was mixed to the right consistency as if we were making pancake batter and poured into the flask, making sure that all the air bubbles have been removed. We then allowed it time to partially cure and harden, the final curing process occurs in the kiln where it is fired for approximately 4 hrs to finish the curing and wax burn out processes. I guess my definition of casting is the process by which a liquid material is poured into a flask, which contains a hollow cavity of the desired shape, and then allowed to solidify. This was done straight from the kiln by using the centrifugal method. On day 1 our instructor was Geoff, day two saw Ron Barr join our merry group as Geoff had to leave due to a prior appointment. I wonder if Ron knew what he was letting himself in for? There was a lot of laughter and many questions. We really enjoyed our two day class. We were amazed at the result and will proudly wear our creations. If any of you are thinking of doing this class, it comes highly recommended from Lenora CollinsDeLuthe, Annette Watts, Dale Davis and Deborah Ensor. A big thank you to Geoff Saunders and Ron Barr for sharing their knowledge, for their patience and for putting up with the four of us. 6

7 How To Clean Pearl and Opal Jewelry Why Do Pearls And Opals Require Special Care? Pearls are formed by oysters secreting a mixture of aragonite, conchiolin, and water around irritants lodged in their bodies. This material is very vulnerable to acids (even perspiration) and ammonia (which is found in many cleaners). Pearls are also very vulnerable to scratching. Opals are made of amorphous (non-crystalline) silica and can consist of up to 21% water. Although most opals used for jewelry are 1% to 6% water, they are still extremely sensitive to sudden changes in temperature. Like pearls, opals are vulnerable to scratching. Never clean pearl or opal jewelry in mechanical cleaning systems, such as ultrasonic, steam, or boiling. Use only tepid water, mild soap (no other cleaning solution), and a soft brush (not a toothbrush) for cleaning your pearl necklace. However, never immerse your necklace in the soap and water mixture to avoid getting excess moisture in the drill holes. (I have my strands checked by my jeweller every 2 years) Follow these steps: Wet a thin cotton rag (I use a muslin cloth) with the tepid soap mixture and carefully wipe the pearls. Inspect each pearl and knot with a 10x loupe. If dirt or grime remains, use a soft brush to remove as much as you can. If you have particularly stubborn grime on a knot, carefully use a sharp toothpick to dislodge it. Be sure to clean the clasp as well. Dry your pearl necklace with a lint-free cloth. Daub at any moisture buildup around the knots. Blow briskly on the knots and drill holes to help dry off any excess moisture. Lay your necklace on a 100% cotton towel to help absorb moisture Never use a hair dryer or any heat producing appliance to dry your pearls. If you wear your pearl necklace against your skin, gently wipe them down before storing. Pearls are sensitive to the acids in perspiration. I have a rule, that I put my pearls on last, but take them off first. Also if you store your pearls in a safe (a dry environment) keep a small jar of water in the safe to add some moisture to the air. (Check it periodically to be sure it hasn't all evaporated.) Most opal jewelry and pearls in earrings or other pieces without drill holes can be cleaned with warm water, mild soap, and soft brush, just like many other gemstone jewelry pieces. However, doublet or triplet opals (thin layers of opal glued to other gemstone layers) should never be soaked in soapy water because the glue holding the layers together may dissolve. Clean opal doublets and triplets with a soft muslin cloth dipped in warm, soapy water. Keep in mind that opals are sensitive to changes in temperature so keep the water close to room temperature. You might be tempted to simply wipe a bit of dirt off your pearl or opal jewelry. Don t do it. In terms of hardness, pearls range from 2.5 to 4. Opals range from 5.5 to 6.5. Most household dust is a 7 to 7.5 on the Mohs scale. That dirt could scratch your pearl or opal. 7

8 How To Live with Pearl and Opal Jewelry Pearls and opals are beautiful gems, but if they seem overly fussy to you, don t despair. There are steps you can take to keep you and your jewelry content for many years. Store your pearl and opal jewelry separately from other pieces to minimize accidental contact or scratches. Opals will craze (develop cracks on the surface) and lose their opalescence if their water evaporates. Storing your opal jewelry pieces wrapped in soft, moist cotton may prolong their life. Don t store your opal pieces in oil or glycerin. This won t help protect them and will make cleaning more tedious and messier. Keep your pearls and opals away from sources of heat or cold, like fireplaces or open windows. Apply your perfumes, colognes, makeup and hairsprays before you put on any gemstone jewelry, but be particularly cautious with your pearl and opal jewelry because they react very poorly to acids and alcohols. Avoid doing household or outdoor chores while wearing pearls or opals. Trivia Corner Mosquitoes have been around for more than 30 million years. Emus and kangaroos can t walk backwards Each king in a deck of playing cards represents a great king from history. Spades King David, Clubs Alexander the Great, Hearts Charlemagne, and Diamonds Julius Caesar Rubber bands last longer when refrigerated Peanuts are one of the ingredients of dynamite Gilligan of Gilligan s Island had a first name that was only used once, on the never-aired pilot show. His first name was Willy. The skipper s real name on Gilligan s Island is Jonas Grumby. It was mentioned once in the first episode on their radio s newscast about the wreck. Some china is called bone china because some powdered animal bone is mixed in with the clay used to make this china: it gives the china a special kind of strength, whiteness, and translucency. An airplane s black box is actually orange. If you accidentally over-salt a dish while it s still cooking, drop in a peeled potato and it will absorb the excess salt for an instant fix me up. DISCLAIMER Opinions expressed in this Snippets Newsletter are not necessarily those of the members of the Gold Coast Lapidary Club Inc, further more neither the Committee nor the Editor are responsible for any liability arising from errors, omissions or mistakes contained in Snippets. Readers are to proceed carefully especially with respect to any technical information or advice, thus the Club and /or the Editor disclaim all liability.

9 Deb s Quote of the Month Life is like a camera YÉvâá on what s important VtÑàâÜx the good times WxäxÄÉÑ from negatives And if things don t work, Take another shot UPCOMING GEM SHOW & FESTIVAL DATES 2015 Gem Show Dates June thru to November July 11 Caboolture Gemfest Caboolture Historical Village, Beerburrum Rd, Calboolture QLD July 11th-12th Hervey Bay Festival of Gems, Star of the Sea Catholic School, 39 Hughes Rd Harvey Bay July 18th-19th Townsville Gem & Mineral Show, Club Rooms, 96 Mooney St, Gulliver July 18th-20th 2015 Yowah Opal Festival, Harlequin Drive, Yowah, via Cunnamulla July 25th-26th Cairns Gem Festival, Club Rooms 129 Mulgrave Rd Cairns. July 30-August 2 Lightning Ridge Opal Festival RSL Club, Lightning Ridge NSW August 1st Ipswich & Dist Lapidary Club Show, Ipswich Show Grounds Warwick Rd Ipswich August 1st Innisfail Club Gem Show, Club Rooms River Ave, Innisfail August 2nd Atherton Show, Club House, Racecourse Rd Toga TBA Anakie Gemfest, Anakie Central Queensland August 29th Waterloo Bay Gem Show, Hemmant Community Hall, Brand & Ramsey St, Hemmant September 5th-6th AFG Seminar, Glen Innes September 6th, Fathers Day September 12-13thBribie Island Gem Festival, 191 Sunderland Drive, Banksia Beach, Bribie Island September 26th Caloundra Gem Show, Caloundra State School, George St Caloundra. October 3rd Beenleigh Gem Festival, Beenleigh Show Grounds October 5th Labour Day October 10th Nambour GemFest, Nambour Showground October 10th-11th, N.S.W. Central Coast Gem Show, Mingara Centre, Tumbi Umbi, NSW October 24-25th Toowoomba Gemfest, Centenary Heights High School, Ramsay St, Toowoomba Bundaberg Gem Show 7th-8th, Civic Centre, Bundaberg, QLD November 14th Suncoast Gem Show, Mooloolaba State School, Douglas St, Mooloolaba The Gold Coast Lapidary Club wishes to express their sincere thanks to Michael Hart local MP, who has offered the facilities of his office for photocopying our Snippets Newsletter. 8

10 Queensland Agate -where to find it; and what you need. By Sir Paul Howard. KRO. In 2014 I produced a one hour DVD about Agate Creek Fossicking Area and posted a copy to every Lapidary and Mineral club in Australia and New Zealand as my 80th birthday present for their library, for present members and future generations of hobbyists that get a great deal of pleasure and sometimes reward from fossicking; especially for agates. It is hoped that members will benefit from my 30 years of experience of fossicking for Queensland agates at Agate Creek fossicking area in far North Queensland, where they are found. Fossicking is an Australian word which means searching for gold or gemstones. I can't tell you on one page what I have learnt and experienced about this top location in Australia to find agates. They are found on a huge cattle station of 126 square kilometres called Robin Hood Pastoral lease, 500 kilometres West of Cairns, the closest International airport or 600 Kilometres North West of Townsville, or 2400 kilometres North from Brisbane. The fossicking field is located in the Southern portion plus a small area of an adjoining pastoral lease in the South Western corner called Percyvale station. The nearest town for supplies of food, drinks and fuel is in the caravan park at Forsayth 80 kilometres away, 2 hours of driving; or Georgetown, a much bigger town 105 kilometres away for almost everything. The approximate area for fossicking is 45 square kilometres in a very remote part of Queensland. Agate Creek drains the top of a valley with two other creeks adjoining into it, which eventually joins the Robertson River which empties into the Gulf of Carpentaria. You can find agate at many places on this field or along any part of the 50 to 60 kilometres of creeks and gullies, Or you can dig for them anywhere you like, except on private property within the field, or outside the gazetted area on the graziers pastoral lease. You need written permission for these areas from the owners..you must use hand tools only, no machinery of any kind is allowed. Motor bikes or quad bikes are not allowed., You need a fossicking licence; otherwise you are stealing from private property. They are available from the Queensland Mines department. There is one in Georgetown, or available on line. Penalties apply if you are caught without one. A two wheel drive vehicle will make it to the field OK, but a 4X4 will make it a lot easier to get around the farmers tracks on the field. My new DVD or my book, Fossicking for Queensland agate will give you a list of the very essentials for fossicking in this remote area, you can borrow one or both from most clubs in Australia or New Zealand. There is no Mobile phone service, only satellite phone or TV. Firstly, you must tell someone where you think you will go fossicking in case you get lost, so searchers will know where to start looking for you. There are no secret locations at Agate creek. It is a huge fossicking area approximately 11 kilometres by 4 kilometres. You must wear a broadbrim hat against the scorching sun, carry enough water for your planned excursion, a geological pick, something to carry your finds in, a sharp penknife, a cigarette lighter, or a box of waterproof matches, ( before you leave home put 3 small birthday candles in the box, they stay alight longer than a match if you have to make an emergency fire if you get lost) This is a very remote area, you must be back at camp before dark. If you are not home by 2 hours after dark the police and emergency search and rescue are informed, and they look for you THE NEXT DAY. If you are lost, light 3 small fires 100 metres apart. Once they are going well, put green leaves on them to make them smoke and with a bit of luck the farmer will come out to investigate the source of the smoke. My book is the only one in the world which gives you a recipe for getting unlost while fossicking. I suggest you read it and remember it. It may save your life. There are only 2 camps for you to camp in. Both have good drinking water, hot showers, and flush toilets and fire places. There is plenty of fire wood on the field, don't steal it from the hot water supply at the camp.. Be very careful with fire. In the year 2000 one camp was burnt to the ground by a bushfire.. Whatever you do, don t bury rubbish, the wild pigs and dingoes will dig it up and spread it all over the camp. Camping on the field is prohibited. It is also a fauna sanctuary, no guns are allowed.. 9

11 Caught by Your Camera Theresa, Peter, Mike and Michelle s finished rings The new silversmithing assistant instructor Elena has presented Theresa, Peter, Mike & Michelle with their certificates Faye looking pleased with herself, receiving the Basic Faceting Certificate from Chez Rex s lovely Silver Pendant with a checkerboard faceted stone. Great work Rex! Laraine Turville receiving her Raffle prize from Bob. Our Vice Presidents Malcolm and Geoff 10