Sedona Gem and Mineral Club MAY, 2012 P.O. Box 3284, Sedona, AZ Volume 58, Issue 5

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1 Sedona Gem and Mineral Club MAY, 2012 P.O. Box 3284, Sedona, AZ Volume 58, Issue 5 MEMBER AMERICAN FEDERATION OF General Meetings are held on the third Tuesday of the month at 7:00 PM at the Sedona Library off of Dry Creek Road in West Sedona. The Board of Directors meets at 5:00 PM the week before the General Meeting, also at the library. Members and guests are always welcome to attend. MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES MEMBER ROCKY MOUNTAIN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES Newsletter Editor: Patti Polk rockhound_86326@yahoo.com Start planning now for our annual Sedona Gem and Mineral Show in October, 2012! MAY PROGRAM Happy Face Agates Presented by Pat McMahan WE HAVE A GREAT PROGRAM PLANNED FOR OUR MAY MEETING. PAT MCMAHAN IS GIVING US A PEAK AT HIS LATEST AGATE PROJECT... HAPPY FACES, ANIMALS AND PEOPLE IMAGES FOUND IN ROCKS, ESPECIALLY IN AGATES. SOME OF THE PRESENTATION MATERIAL WILL BE FROM A TALK HE IS DOING AS A GUEST SPEAKER FOR... A CELEBRATION OF AGATES...ONE OF THE LARGEST AGATE SHOWS IN THE COUNTRY; BEING HELD IN MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA FROM JULY 26-29, (FOR MORE INFO ON THIS EVENT GO TO FOR NEW MEMBERS AND THOSE OF YOU NOT FAMILIAR WITH HIS BACKGROUND IN ROCKS AND MINERALS...WE ALREADY KNOW HIM AS AN HONORARY MEMBER OF OF THE SEDONA GEM AND MINERAL CLUB, PAT HAS DEVOTED MUCH TIME, ENERGY AND KNOWLEDGE TO MANY OF THE CLUB S EVENTS AND THEIR ADMINISTRATION; BUT WHERE DID HIS PASSION FOR ROCK/AGATE HUNTING COME FROM? PAT S PASSION FOR AGATES HAS TAKEN HIM ALL OVER THE WORLD, EITHER DIGGING,PARTICIPATING IN SHOWS IN EUROPE AND THE US,OR PUBLISHING VARIOUS ARTICLES IN RELATED MAGAZINES. HE IS ALSO THE AUTHOR OF A CHAPTER ON AGATES IN THE PREMIER COLLECTOR S BOOK: AGATES II PAT OWNS WHAT IS CONSIDERED ONE OF THE TOP 5 COLLECTIONS OF AGATES IN THE WORLD...(.AND SPEAKING FROM EXPERIENCE, IT IS BREATH TAKING!). SO, COME ON OUT ON MAY 14th, AT 7 O CLOCK, AT THE SEDONA LIBRARY AND HEAR A WONDERFUL TALK ON THE DELIGHTUL AND MORE WHIMSICAL, MAGICAL ASPECTS OF AGATES!!! MAY Field Trip GRAY MOUNTAIN Our field trip for Saturday, May19th will be up to Gray Mountain for agate, jasper and petrified wood. Gray Mountain is appoximately 34 miles NE of Flagstaff on HWY 89. We will meet at the only gas station in Gray Mountain on HWY 89 at 8:30am. We will then proceed 3.8 miles further north to just before mile marker 461 and turn on to a good dirt road for another 7.7 miles to the site. The area reminds me of the pebble terraces of the Colorado River areas in Arizona and California. The wood is more of the drift wood type...not agatized or opalized. The agate/jasper is water worn with a heavy desert varnish and could be overlooked. No digging tools required but a rock hammer and collecting bag/ bucket will be needed. This is wide open desert country...no shade, water or restrooms so be prepared. We will collect until we drop or until high noon, which ever comes first. Then head up to the Cameron Trading Post for lunch... if we are all up for it. Darryl Berghorn, Sedona Field Trip Leader (949) (Verizon cell) *ANNUAL CLUB PICNIC* Our annual summer club picnic will be coming up on the first Saturday of June with the time and location details to be announced at the May general meeting. Last years picnic was a huge success and everyone had a terrific time, thanks to the delicious refreshments and plenty of fun activities and games. Be there or be square!

2 Sedona Gem & Mineral Club Page 2 Sunshine Needed! If you have not heard, Bernice Brown took ill on 4/13, had surgery, went to Kachina and was released to go back home Tuesday the 24th. No one knew about it but Harry and he didn t tell anyone. An came into the website from a friend of hers and Patti Polk got it to me. Bernice had served on the Sunshine committee for so long that it is a shame she has not received cards of support. Bernice s address is: 275 Mogollon Dr., Sedona, AZ Please if anyone can send cheery cards of support, she could really use it. She is very weak still and has help and care set up at home. Thanks so much, Marge Schwartz Most emeralds used in jewelry today are treated to enhance their appearance. Nearly all emeralds are treated with oils or epoxy resins to fill-in surface cracks, making the cracks less visible and improving transparency. Some coating oils are clear but some are tinted green to make the emeralds more vivid. Egyptian emeralds were introduced to the world about 4,000 years ago, but the stones from those mines are a dull green and are not considered high quality by today s standards. Emeralds are traditionally thought to enhance the clairvoyance of their wearers. Mummies were often buried with emeralds and the gems were popular in ancient Rome, but some think that many of the stones called emeralds in ancient times were actually peridot. Gaius Plinius Secundus (23 AD August 25, 79 AD), better known as Pliny the Elder, was a Roman author, naturalist, and natural philosopher who noted that sight is refreshed and restored by gazing upon this stone. Following his advice, Roman emperor Nero wore emerald sunglasses to watch the gladiators. Now that s a pair of designer shades I would like to own! The Moguls of India loved emeralds so much that they inscribed them with sacred texts and wore them as talismans. This led to the flourishing Jaipur cutting industry. Zodiac Birthstone MAY BIRTHSTONES Spring is upon us! As the Spring Sun warms the Earth, green appears as the plants awaken and rockhounds start exploring for new treasures. Here is some information about the birthstones for this month so if you have a birthday this month many happy returns! Traditional Birthstone Emerald is the gemstone for May. The ancients prized it as the symbol of love, rebirth and eternal youth. Because the rich green color of emerald reminds us of spring and it has been treasured for at least the past 4,000 years by different cultures all around the world. Those born under the zodiac sign of Taurus (April 20 - May 20), respond well to Sapphire, Garnet Agate, and Diamond. Those born under the zodiac sign of Gemini (May 21 - June 21) respond well to Emerald, Alexandrite, Agate and the Ruby. Ayurvedic and Mystical Birthstones Ayurvedic medicine beliefs date back to ancient India (1500 B.C.). This month responds to agate. Tibetan origin of mystical stones dates back over a thousand years. May is represented by the Sapphire. If May is your month, you certainly have some beautiful gems as your lucky charms so ENJOY! By Marge Schwartz

3 Sedona Gem & Mineral Club Page 3 Member News! Last month we mentioned that two of our club members were in the process of opening a brand new rock shop in the Village of Oak Creek. Well, now the mystery has been solved and our hosts, Patti Polk and Mike Silberhorn are now formally announcing the birth of their new shop, The Village Rock Shop of Sedona, opening in mid-may, with a Grand Opening scheduled for Saturday, May 26th. The shop is located at 6101 Hwy 179 between the Blue Moon Cafe and Absolute Bikes in the Village of Oak Creek. The shop will offer a varied selection of rocks and minerals, lapidary supplies and services, unique custom-made jewelry, classes, and art. There will also be live music and coffee during selected evenings for people who just want to come and hang out for a good time. Do stop by and visit the shop during the all-day May 26th Grand Opening if you are in the area and partake of the refreshments and festivities. There will be a free raffle for a great specimen for one lucky winner, and lots of beautiful rocks and minerals to ogle while you cruise the shop - and there might even be one special rock there that calls your name and needs to go home with you! For information, sedonarocksandjewelry@gmail.com Upcoming Field Trips from Darryl Berghorn May Coalition Trip The May coalition trip will be to the Salt Mine in Camp Verde on May 12, The Mineralogical Society of Arizona is sponsoring the trip and the leader is Betty Deming - phone number: They will meet at the entrance to the mine at 9am. Minerals to look for: Aragonite, calcite, glauberite, gypsum, halite, mirabilite and thenardite. Bring digging tools, water and sun protection. Might be a hot one!! June Coalition Trip THE WHITE MOUNTAIN GEM AND MINERAL CLUB IS PLEASED TO ANNOUNCE THAT FOR OUR COALITION TRIP THIS YEAR WE ARE GOING TO BE ABLE TO INVITE ALL OUR FRIENDS IN THE COALITION TO OUR CLAIMS IN THE ESCAUDILLA MOUNTAINS NEAR ALPINE, ARIZONA! THIS IS THE FIRST TIME WE HAVE EVER BEEN ABLE TO HAVE A FIELD TRIP THERE AND BRING OTHER NON-MEMBERS OF OUR CLUB. WE ARE MAKING THIS ANNOUNCEMENT 3 MONTHS BEFORE THE DATE OF JUNE 23 RD, 2012 SO THAT PLANS CAN BE MADE, AS WE ARE HOPEFUL TO HAVE A GOOD TURNOUT! WE WILL MEET AT THE SAFIRE RESTERAUNT IN SPRINGERVILLE, AZ BETWEEN 8:00 AND 9:00 ON JUNE 23rd AND CARAVAN TO THE MEADOW OFF OF FS ROAD 577 WHERE WE WILL MEET OTHERS COMING IN FROM OTHER DIRECTIONS. WE WILL THEN GO TO THE CLAIM AND PARK ALONG THE ROAD CREST AND HIKE DOWN HILL OR ON SURROUNDING HILLS. WE WILL BE FINDING LUNA AGATE AND CRYSTAL SO BRING A SHOVEL, PICK, CARRYING BUCKET, ETC. CHAIRS, LUNCH, WATER, SPF 30 OR BETTER. HIGH-CLEARENCE VEHICLES PREFERRED, BUT 2 WHEEL DRIVE CAN MAKE IT (OR PARK AT THE MEADOW AND CARPOOL IN! 2.2 MILES) WE ALWAYS HAVE A GOOD TIME HERE AND HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US AND HAVE A GOOD DAY ROCKHOUNDING TOO! IF YOU NEED ANY OTHER INFO, PLEASE ME AT: SUMNER01@FRONTIERNET.NET OR CALL

4 Sedona Gem & Mineral Club Page 4 CLASSIFIED SECTION This is a section dedicated to club members for sharing information about items or services that they would like to buy, trade, or sell. If you would like to submit information to be included in the classified section, please Patti P. with your complete announcement at:rockhound_86326@yahoo.com before the end of the month to be included in the next month s newsletter. Wire Wrapping Classes Learn to make wire wrapped jewelry. A 3 hour class is $40.00 (non members) or $25.00 for Sedona Gem and Mineral club members. Limit of 4 students per class. You can see my work at My work is also for sale. If you would like to purchase jewelry or sign up for a class, contact Amy at paintrocks@hotmail.com, or call Lapidary Equipment For Sale For sale. Raytech 4 inch Jem Saw in good condition with ten brand new 4 Pro-Slicer diamond blades- $ for all. Also have 15 brand new Pro-Slicer 6 diamond blades for sale- buy the lot for $150.00, or individually for $15.00 each. These four and six inch blades sell for over $20.00 each. Also for sale: Brand new Raytech Yellow Blazer 12 inch diameter saw blade- $50.00, and a brand new Raytech Red Blazer 14 inch diameter saw blade- $ Rough for sale by appointment. Selling off all my rough, including pertified wood. Everything is $1.00 pound, or make an offer for all of it. Contact Greg Capatch at (928) For Sale: Vibrasonic VT-35 - Large Bin Vibrating Rock Tumbler Unit is in good condition, with two spare motor belts. Instruction manual included. Vibrasonic service and spare parts available from Diamond Pacific. Very heavy duty unit, designed to handle large loads. Fast tumbling action days from rough to polished. $ Call Ray Topp at: New Club Merchandise Info The Sedona Gem & Mineral Club now has hats and embroidered patches for sale. Hats are $12.00 and Patches are $4.00. Support your club and show your enthusiasm for our hobby! Also, if you are a club member and would like to purchase a membership badge, the cost for a badge is $6.00. FREE to anyone who wishes to pick it up! Red Carving Wax for Lost Wax Casting. Call Garry at for more info or directions.

5 Sedona Gem and Mineral Club May Newsletter, 2012 AUGUST PRESCOTT, ARIZONA: Annual show; Prescott Gem & Mineral Club; Embry Riddle Aeronautical University Activity Center; 3700 Willow Creek Rd.; Fri. 9-5, Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4; adults $2, children (12 and under) free; rocks, gems, jewelry, fossils, beads, slabs, cabochons, lapidary tools, raffle, kids Mineral Mine and spinning wheel, displays, dealers, special Pebble Pups display. Contact Judy Sullins, (928) or Web site: JULY FLAGSTAFF, ARIZONA: Retail show; Sharon Szymanski; Radisson Woodlands Hotel; 1175 W. Rte. 66; Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4; adults $3, children (under 12) free with adult; dealers, fine and costume jewelry, sterling silver and gold, minerals, rocks, slabs, cabochons, crystals, beads, unset gemstones, wire wrapping on the premises. Contact Sharon Szymanski, (480) HAVE A FUN & SAFE SUMMER! SEE YOU IN SEPTEMBER! Sedona Gem & Mineral Club P.O. Box 3284 Sedona, AZ 86340