1

Meeting at LAKE CTY CENTER 1916 Lakewood Drive 667-4628

6 PM om the third Thursday of each month VISITORS WELCOME

DOWNLOAD THE NORTHWEST NEWSLETTER AT wwwamfedorgnfms

The Web Site for our club is wwwnorthidahomineralclubcom

PROGRAM FOR AUGUST 21 2014

ORIENTATION OF THE IDAHO STAR GARNET

BY LEON AGEE Gemologist and Jeweler

(if you have some garnets that you wonder about there will

be a question and answer period after the presentation)

Silent Auction and Refreshments

AUGUST 2014

All who could not make it to the picnic meeting were missed The day was a little warm

but the shelter was adequate for comfort and the food was outstanding There are sure

some good cooks in this group No official meeting was held so no minutes were taken

but Carl did present a letter he had drafted to the Fairgrounds management regarding

some of the concerns we had during our show in June Agreement was provided for this

to be sent BB Two new members joined the club at the picnicmdashLink Shadley and Mary

Merrill from Sandpoint

NORTH IDAHO MINERAL CLUB INC

2

Lake City Rockhound News Aug 2014 page 2

A process which took nature hundreds thou-

sands or perhaps millions of years to complete cannot

be covered in a few words but lets take a simplified

look at their creation

First came the raw materials-silica (silicon di-

oxide (Si02) This compound is a combination of silicon

and oxygen and is a major rock builder in the earths

crust being second only to the compound water in

abundance With silica so common gems should be

everywhere but their formation depended upon condi-

tions and this is where our story begins

About 400 million years ago the Pacific North-

west began to rise from the sea In a succession of vol-

canic upheavals a landmass rich in silica was created

Occasionally these lavas cooled so rapidly they formed

a volcanic glass-obsidian Generally however vol-

canic masses cooled slowly tended to crystallize and

were porous eventually breaking down to release min-

ute particles of silica This free silica in turn was dis-

solved by acids in percolating ground water then trans-

ported and finally deposited as concentrated liquids in

subsurface cavities Experts differ on how the liquids

eventually became solids however the following basic

silica forms were the result

Crystalline- Silica deposited in obvious crystal

forms and known as quartz or rock crystal

Opaline-Silica form similar to chalcedony but

totally noncrystalline more porous and containing small

added amounts of free water (3 t014 percent) held

within its structure rather than its chemistry Gem opals

are of this form

Cryptocrystalline-Silica deposits of microscopi-

cally fine-grained almost non-crystalline masses known

as chalcedony Chalcedony characterizes agate and

jasper

Each of the silica forms occurred within cavities

of previously formed rock and are termed secondary de-

posits How each formed however depended largely on

where it formed

Individual gemstones when found in gravel

bars or loose soil are usually a long way from their

birthplace having rolled and tumbled with the eroding

forces Generally the surface landmass of their origin

has long since crumbled and vanished Some Gems

however are still embedded where they developed and

show that each basic type resulted from its own charac-

teristic surroundings

Agate The result of chalcedony which filled

empty gas pockets or cracks in otherwise solid rock

forming as nodules or seams Since only limited

amounts of foreign materials were included the stone is

fairly pure and ranges from clear to translucent when

held to the light Not all agates formed this way with

the two exceptions being thunder eggs and fossils

Recognizing and Testing Agate The mineral

Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society

San Jose CA

world has many look-alikes but not all have gemstone

quality To avoid filling your pockets with excess rock

three simple test can be made

Luster Look for even textured non-granular

material ranging from clear (glasslike) through translu-

cent (semi-clear) to opaque (blocking out light)

Rough specimens may have a glassy waxy pearly or

even dull appearance and can be better judged when

wet Agate Waxy clear to near opaque Jasper

Waxy to dull and opaque Opal Pear-like clear to

opaque

Fracture Broken edges are usually conchoidal

(cupped shell-like fractures as on a chunk of glass)

Water-worn pebbles often show curved crescent-like

surface markings An exception to this is opal which

tends to be brittle and more angular in fracture

Hardness Part of the reason these are

termed gemstones is in their ability to polish well and

withstand abrasion They rank between 7 to 75 on

the Mohs hardness scale

Probably no gemstone is known in a greater

variety of colors and patterns than agates And like

fingerprints no two of these are ever exactly the

same Recurring agate characteristics however have

been given appropriate names such as White or Milk

Turtle-back Coated Snakeskin Blue Amethystine

Carnelian Sard Polka Dot Sunset Enhydro or Water

Agate Fortifaction Iris or Rainbow Agate Banded

Sardonyx Grape Eye or Orbicular Agate Tube or

Pipe Angel Wing Dendritic Moss Plume Flower

Sagenite and Ellensberg Blue

AGATESmdashauthor unknownmdashvia Gem Cutters News 505 via Quarry Quips 42000 via Breccia 805

3

Lake City Rockhound News Aug 2014

RULES OF THUMB From Lapidary and Shop Hints

wwwlapidaryclubcom

Contact paper makes excellent templates for cabochon cutting Simply trace design on paper cut remove backing and affix template to the

stone Although the glue is water solvent it will usually hold on long enough to effect cutting

A small sander A safety razor makes a handy sander Remove the blade and wrap a sanding paper around the curved blade holder Tuck ends

under the teeth and tighten handle Ideal for sanding small surfaces especially if they are curved

Rocks too big for your saw To cut native stones and rocks into smaller pieces needed for fireplaces entrances markers and stone fronts

saturate a rope with gasoline and tie it around the stone where the split is wanted ignite the rope andwait until the brief hot flames dies a

away Strike the stone several sharp blows with a sledge hammer following the charred mark of the burned rope The stone will part cleanly at

that point For splitting smaller or breaking off small sections in a series of splits from a larger stone an old clothesline with do USE CAUTION

Mix a tablespoon of Crisco with the same amount of Linde (or other polishing compound) and apply it to a felt polishing wheel or lap Its viscosity

prevents the powder from flinging off or traveling to the edge of the lap

SARDONYXmdashALTERNATE BIRTHSTONE FOR AUGUST via Breccia 805

Sardonyx a form of chalcedony (micro-crystalline quartz) derives its name from the multilayered bands of onyx ( white)

and sard (red-reddish brown) The best specimens are found in India but most come from Brazil It is also found in Germany

Czech Republic and Uruguay In the US it is found around Lake Superior and inOregon

A common and inexpensive stone it has often been used in place of gems in jewelry by the less wealthy It is often used for

cameos and intaglios Cameos are carved so the white layer is in relief against the colored background Intaglios are the reverse

The most famous example of a sardonyx cameo is the one with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First set in a gold ring she gave

to the Earl of Essex Sardonyx is one of the stones in the breast plate of the High Priest Aaron

Historically the Egyptians carved it into scarabs and beetles Often referred to as the gem of courage it is not surprising

that Roman soldiers carried pieces carved in the likeness of Mars the God of War to render themselves brave fearless and

daring Some people place it at the four corners of their home andor in the garden to prevent against crime and misfortune

In lore it has the mystical and magical properties of strength courage and protection and was often used as a charm against

warts boils cramps and the evil eye In healing lore it increases sensory perception and heals lungs and bone Sources

Peridot

Peridot is the best known gem variety of olivine a species name for a series of magnesium-iron rich silicate minerals This bright yellow-green to

green gemstone has caught the fancy of humans for thousands of years Some historians even suspect that at least some of the emeralds worn by

Cleopatra were actually peridot Much of its recent popularity can be explained by its currently being recognized as the birthstone for the month of

August people wear the stone because it is supposed to bring the wearer success peace and good luck

The United States was for many years the largest producer of peridot the value of production in 1993 was estimated to be about $15 million

according to the USBM The United States is getting major competition from China and Pakistan for the title of worlds largest producer

The earliest recorded production of peridot was in about 70 AD from St Johns Island in the Red Sea about 54 kilometers off the coast of Egypt

Most of the earliest known peridot gems came from this location and small amounts of material are still being produced from there today Later very

large fine-quality peridot was produced from deposits in Myanmar (formerly Burma) These deposits were well known for their 20- to 40-carat cut

stones of superb color and clarity but since the socialist government came to power the supply of Burmese peridot has been curtailed to

such a point as to no longer be a factor in the industry One can only guess as to whether the deposits are mined out or if government policies have

resulted in the shortage of material

Arizona--Currently the United States is the basic supplier of peridot to the world gemstone industry Deposits in Arizona are the major source of

US peridot Faceted Arizona peridot is highly prized locally but also enjoys widespread popularity for the manu- facture of birthstone and other

jewelry The bright green yellow- green to Olive-green peridot is used both as a faceted and tum- bled gem The faceted stones are used in rings

earrings pendants bracelets and as accent stones The tumbled gems can be set in baroque jewelry drilled and strung as beads used in mosa-

ics and in the manufacture of gem trees (continued on page 5)

2

Lake City Rockhound News Aug 2014 page 2

A process which took nature hundreds thou-

sands or perhaps millions of years to complete cannot

be covered in a few words but lets take a simplified

look at their creation

First came the raw materials-silica (silicon di-

oxide (Si02) This compound is a combination of silicon

and oxygen and is a major rock builder in the earths

crust being second only to the compound water in

abundance With silica so common gems should be

everywhere but their formation depended upon condi-

tions and this is where our story begins

About 400 million years ago the Pacific North-

west began to rise from the sea In a succession of vol-

canic upheavals a landmass rich in silica was created

Occasionally these lavas cooled so rapidly they formed

a volcanic glass-obsidian Generally however vol-

canic masses cooled slowly tended to crystallize and

were porous eventually breaking down to release min-

ute particles of silica This free silica in turn was dis-

solved by acids in percolating ground water then trans-

ported and finally deposited as concentrated liquids in

subsurface cavities Experts differ on how the liquids

eventually became solids however the following basic

silica forms were the result

Crystalline- Silica deposited in obvious crystal

forms and known as quartz or rock crystal

Opaline-Silica form similar to chalcedony but

totally noncrystalline more porous and containing small

added amounts of free water (3 t014 percent) held

within its structure rather than its chemistry Gem opals

are of this form

Cryptocrystalline-Silica deposits of microscopi-

cally fine-grained almost non-crystalline masses known

as chalcedony Chalcedony characterizes agate and

jasper

Each of the silica forms occurred within cavities

of previously formed rock and are termed secondary de-

posits How each formed however depended largely on

where it formed

Individual gemstones when found in gravel

bars or loose soil are usually a long way from their

birthplace having rolled and tumbled with the eroding

forces Generally the surface landmass of their origin

has long since crumbled and vanished Some Gems

however are still embedded where they developed and

show that each basic type resulted from its own charac-

teristic surroundings

Agate The result of chalcedony which filled

empty gas pockets or cracks in otherwise solid rock

forming as nodules or seams Since only limited

amounts of foreign materials were included the stone is

fairly pure and ranges from clear to translucent when

held to the light Not all agates formed this way with

the two exceptions being thunder eggs and fossils

Recognizing and Testing Agate The mineral

Santa Clara Valley Gem and Mineral Society

San Jose CA

world has many look-alikes but not all have gemstone

quality To avoid filling your pockets with excess rock

three simple test can be made

Luster Look for even textured non-granular

material ranging from clear (glasslike) through translu-

cent (semi-clear) to opaque (blocking out light)

Rough specimens may have a glassy waxy pearly or

even dull appearance and can be better judged when

wet Agate Waxy clear to near opaque Jasper

Waxy to dull and opaque Opal Pear-like clear to

opaque

Fracture Broken edges are usually conchoidal

(cupped shell-like fractures as on a chunk of glass)

Water-worn pebbles often show curved crescent-like

surface markings An exception to this is opal which

tends to be brittle and more angular in fracture

Hardness Part of the reason these are

termed gemstones is in their ability to polish well and

withstand abrasion They rank between 7 to 75 on

the Mohs hardness scale

Probably no gemstone is known in a greater

variety of colors and patterns than agates And like

fingerprints no two of these are ever exactly the

same Recurring agate characteristics however have

been given appropriate names such as White or Milk

Turtle-back Coated Snakeskin Blue Amethystine

Carnelian Sard Polka Dot Sunset Enhydro or Water

Agate Fortifaction Iris or Rainbow Agate Banded

Sardonyx Grape Eye or Orbicular Agate Tube or

Pipe Angel Wing Dendritic Moss Plume Flower

Sagenite and Ellensberg Blue

AGATESmdashauthor unknownmdashvia Gem Cutters News 505 via Quarry Quips 42000 via Breccia 805

3

Lake City Rockhound News Aug 2014

RULES OF THUMB From Lapidary and Shop Hints

wwwlapidaryclubcom

Contact paper makes excellent templates for cabochon cutting Simply trace design on paper cut remove backing and affix template to the

stone Although the glue is water solvent it will usually hold on long enough to effect cutting

A small sander A safety razor makes a handy sander Remove the blade and wrap a sanding paper around the curved blade holder Tuck ends

under the teeth and tighten handle Ideal for sanding small surfaces especially if they are curved

Rocks too big for your saw To cut native stones and rocks into smaller pieces needed for fireplaces entrances markers and stone fronts

saturate a rope with gasoline and tie it around the stone where the split is wanted ignite the rope andwait until the brief hot flames dies a

away Strike the stone several sharp blows with a sledge hammer following the charred mark of the burned rope The stone will part cleanly at

that point For splitting smaller or breaking off small sections in a series of splits from a larger stone an old clothesline with do USE CAUTION

Mix a tablespoon of Crisco with the same amount of Linde (or other polishing compound) and apply it to a felt polishing wheel or lap Its viscosity

prevents the powder from flinging off or traveling to the edge of the lap

SARDONYXmdashALTERNATE BIRTHSTONE FOR AUGUST via Breccia 805

Sardonyx a form of chalcedony (micro-crystalline quartz) derives its name from the multilayered bands of onyx ( white)

and sard (red-reddish brown) The best specimens are found in India but most come from Brazil It is also found in Germany

Czech Republic and Uruguay In the US it is found around Lake Superior and inOregon

A common and inexpensive stone it has often been used in place of gems in jewelry by the less wealthy It is often used for

cameos and intaglios Cameos are carved so the white layer is in relief against the colored background Intaglios are the reverse

The most famous example of a sardonyx cameo is the one with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First set in a gold ring she gave

to the Earl of Essex Sardonyx is one of the stones in the breast plate of the High Priest Aaron

Historically the Egyptians carved it into scarabs and beetles Often referred to as the gem of courage it is not surprising

that Roman soldiers carried pieces carved in the likeness of Mars the God of War to render themselves brave fearless and

daring Some people place it at the four corners of their home andor in the garden to prevent against crime and misfortune

In lore it has the mystical and magical properties of strength courage and protection and was often used as a charm against

warts boils cramps and the evil eye In healing lore it increases sensory perception and heals lungs and bone Sources

Peridot

Peridot is the best known gem variety of olivine a species name for a series of magnesium-iron rich silicate minerals This bright yellow-green to

green gemstone has caught the fancy of humans for thousands of years Some historians even suspect that at least some of the emeralds worn by

Cleopatra were actually peridot Much of its recent popularity can be explained by its currently being recognized as the birthstone for the month of

August people wear the stone because it is supposed to bring the wearer success peace and good luck

The United States was for many years the largest producer of peridot the value of production in 1993 was estimated to be about $15 million

according to the USBM The United States is getting major competition from China and Pakistan for the title of worlds largest producer

The earliest recorded production of peridot was in about 70 AD from St Johns Island in the Red Sea about 54 kilometers off the coast of Egypt

Most of the earliest known peridot gems came from this location and small amounts of material are still being produced from there today Later very

large fine-quality peridot was produced from deposits in Myanmar (formerly Burma) These deposits were well known for their 20- to 40-carat cut

stones of superb color and clarity but since the socialist government came to power the supply of Burmese peridot has been curtailed to

such a point as to no longer be a factor in the industry One can only guess as to whether the deposits are mined out or if government policies have

resulted in the shortage of material

Arizona--Currently the United States is the basic supplier of peridot to the world gemstone industry Deposits in Arizona are the major source of

US peridot Faceted Arizona peridot is highly prized locally but also enjoys widespread popularity for the manu- facture of birthstone and other

jewelry The bright green yellow- green to Olive-green peridot is used both as a faceted and tum- bled gem The faceted stones are used in rings

earrings pendants bracelets and as accent stones The tumbled gems can be set in baroque jewelry drilled and strung as beads used in mosa-

ics and in the manufacture of gem trees (continued on page 5)

3

Lake City Rockhound News Aug 2014

RULES OF THUMB From Lapidary and Shop Hints

wwwlapidaryclubcom

Contact paper makes excellent templates for cabochon cutting Simply trace design on paper cut remove backing and affix template to the

stone Although the glue is water solvent it will usually hold on long enough to effect cutting

A small sander A safety razor makes a handy sander Remove the blade and wrap a sanding paper around the curved blade holder Tuck ends

under the teeth and tighten handle Ideal for sanding small surfaces especially if they are curved

Rocks too big for your saw To cut native stones and rocks into smaller pieces needed for fireplaces entrances markers and stone fronts

saturate a rope with gasoline and tie it around the stone where the split is wanted ignite the rope andwait until the brief hot flames dies a

away Strike the stone several sharp blows with a sledge hammer following the charred mark of the burned rope The stone will part cleanly at

that point For splitting smaller or breaking off small sections in a series of splits from a larger stone an old clothesline with do USE CAUTION

Mix a tablespoon of Crisco with the same amount of Linde (or other polishing compound) and apply it to a felt polishing wheel or lap Its viscosity

prevents the powder from flinging off or traveling to the edge of the lap

SARDONYXmdashALTERNATE BIRTHSTONE FOR AUGUST via Breccia 805

Sardonyx a form of chalcedony (micro-crystalline quartz) derives its name from the multilayered bands of onyx ( white)

and sard (red-reddish brown) The best specimens are found in India but most come from Brazil It is also found in Germany

Czech Republic and Uruguay In the US it is found around Lake Superior and inOregon

A common and inexpensive stone it has often been used in place of gems in jewelry by the less wealthy It is often used for

cameos and intaglios Cameos are carved so the white layer is in relief against the colored background Intaglios are the reverse

The most famous example of a sardonyx cameo is the one with a portrait of Queen Elizabeth the First set in a gold ring she gave

to the Earl of Essex Sardonyx is one of the stones in the breast plate of the High Priest Aaron

Historically the Egyptians carved it into scarabs and beetles Often referred to as the gem of courage it is not surprising

that Roman soldiers carried pieces carved in the likeness of Mars the God of War to render themselves brave fearless and

daring Some people place it at the four corners of their home andor in the garden to prevent against crime and misfortune

In lore it has the mystical and magical properties of strength courage and protection and was often used as a charm against

warts boils cramps and the evil eye In healing lore it increases sensory perception and heals lungs and bone Sources

Peridot

Peridot is the best known gem variety of olivine a species name for a series of magnesium-iron rich silicate minerals This bright yellow-green to

green gemstone has caught the fancy of humans for thousands of years Some historians even suspect that at least some of the emeralds worn by

Cleopatra were actually peridot Much of its recent popularity can be explained by its currently being recognized as the birthstone for the month of

August people wear the stone because it is supposed to bring the wearer success peace and good luck

The United States was for many years the largest producer of peridot the value of production in 1993 was estimated to be about $15 million

according to the USBM The United States is getting major competition from China and Pakistan for the title of worlds largest producer

The earliest recorded production of peridot was in about 70 AD from St Johns Island in the Red Sea about 54 kilometers off the coast of Egypt

Most of the earliest known peridot gems came from this location and small amounts of material are still being produced from there today Later very

large fine-quality peridot was produced from deposits in Myanmar (formerly Burma) These deposits were well known for their 20- to 40-carat cut

stones of superb color and clarity but since the socialist government came to power the supply of Burmese peridot has been curtailed to

such a point as to no longer be a factor in the industry One can only guess as to whether the deposits are mined out or if government policies have

resulted in the shortage of material

Arizona--Currently the United States is the basic supplier of peridot to the world gemstone industry Deposits in Arizona are the major source of

US peridot Faceted Arizona peridot is highly prized locally but also enjoys widespread popularity for the manu- facture of birthstone and other

jewelry The bright green yellow- green to Olive-green peridot is used both as a faceted and tum- bled gem The faceted stones are used in rings

earrings pendants bracelets and as accent stones The tumbled gems can be set in baroque jewelry drilled and strung as beads used in mosa-

ics and in the manufacture of gem trees (continued on page 5)

4

By John Hausberg

Have you ever considered how large the Quartz family is How often have we heard someone say Its only a

piece of quartz If you feel so inclined you can read on and find out about this family that all rock hounds have

worked with

Crystal Quartz

Rock Crystal Herkimer diamondsArkansas diamonds Quartz Crystals

Amethyst Violet - purple colour probably due to an iron compound

Citrine Yellow probably due to iron much citrine is heat treated amethyst

Smoky Quartz (Morion if opaque and black) Smoky to smoky brown to almost black

Smoky Topaz Variety is yellowish Color due to atomic structure and apparently requires some aluminum

Rose Quartz Pale pink to deep rose-red In pegmatites usually turbid and cracked May be asteriated by needle-

like inclusions of rutile Cause of color unknown but may be manganese Very rare as crystals

Blue Quartz Usually pale masses and grains in igneous and metamorphic rocks Most blue quartz contains many

needle-like inclusions of rutile Inclusions evidently produce color

Rutilated Quartz Rutile inclusions Tourmaline chlorite and many other minerals may occur as inclusions

Fine Grained Varieties Chalcedony Fibrous microscopic structure

Iris Agate Internal structure like a diffraction grating

Agate Banded chalcedony

Onyx Dark and light banded agate used for carving cameos etc

Sard Light to dark brown chalcedony

Carnelian Red to reddish brown chalcedony

Moss Agate Chalcedony with inclusions of pigment

Agate Geode Hollow-agate lined cavity

Thunder Egg Agate filled irregular cavity in acid volcanic rocks

Chrysoprase Apple green translucent variety of chalcedony

Plasma Micro granular or micro fibrous variety of quartz in various shades of green

Prase More translucent than plasma and has a leek-green color Bloodstone Chalcedony or plasma with red spots of iron oxide

Chert Tough very compact microcrystalline quartz All colors Gem varieties are found atFlintRidgeOH

Flint Black variety of chert usually translucent Novaculite A variety of chert which may

have undergone low-grade metamorphism

Jasper Massive fine-grained quartz with large amounts of iron oxide Usually red but may be yellow to

black Usually opaque May be spherulitic

Enhydros Chalcedony with entrapped water usually with some air space

Opal Crystalline aggregate disordered internal structure contains up to 20 water Hyalite Opal Transparent and colorless

Fire Opal Internal color display

Black Opal Black color with internal fire

Jelly Opal Translucent to transparent brilliant luster orange red etc

Hydrophane A white or light colored translucent to opaque opal that becomes mostly transparent when placed

in water

Tabasheer A milky white opaline silica deposited within joints of bamboo

(Did you find a few surprises in the list I sure did the first time I read it Now when someone says Its only a piece

of quartz you can say Would you be more specific please which one of the 30 or so varieties would you say

it is If you plan to appear on Jeopardy then you had better memorize the entire list (From the SummerIFa1l 2000 edition of The Narrows News Newsletter of the Samia Rock and Fossil Club p12 via The Rockcollec-

tor via Osage Hills Gems Bartlesvkille OK

PROVERBS He who laughs last thinks slowest Everyone has a photographic memory Some just dont have film A day without sunshine is like night On the other hand you have different fingers Change is inevitable except from a vending machine

I just got lost in thought It was unfamiliar territory

When the chips are down the buffalo is empty

5

Vonnie Dillon a member of the Rock Rollers who is

an accomplished silversmith has offered to teach a

class in this art We must agree on a time (if we

want the class) but it will have to be a weekend day

as she works full time Details Time 9-5 PM

Place-Rosesrsquo shop

$75 for class and $15 for silver

All tools provided

10 x 14 or 18 x 25 mm cab (or she will

provide)

The first class should complete a simple ring or pen-

dantmdashthe majority vote will decide the projectmdash

Aim for Sept Let us have a discussion Aug 21

Officers of NIMC for 2014 as of July 1 2014

President-Dale Ruperdmdash664-2712

Vice Presidentmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdash

Treasurerndash Carl Chapin 773-9049

Secretary-Diane Rosemdash659-6173

Show Chairman 2014mdashMike Burton 772-9347

Show Chairmanndash 2015mdash

Committees etc

Newsletter and Membership-Bev Bock man 773-5384

Programsmdashclub members

Federation DirectormdashBill Johnson

ldquoDelegate

ALAA Field Trips

PAINTING ON ROCKSmdashANIMALS FLOWERS ETC TO BE OFFERED BY MARILYN KOHLER She will do a class anytime so lets get

with it Lots of fun and great items for the show prizes She has most of the materials neededmdashI have some great river rocks

and all the acrylic paints and brushes are available Letrsquos talk seriously about this Diane will host the get-to-gethers in their

shop Need to schedule with Marilyn and Diane

Conrsquot from page 3

However it is estimated that 80 to 95 of the worlds production of peridot comes from the San Carlos Reservation The peridot occurs as individ-

ual grains and aggregates of grains in a basalt which is about 3 to 35 meters thick that forms the top and sides of Peridot Mesa The material is

recovered after it has weathered out of the basalt in the gullies and canyons which lead down the sides of the Mesa or it is recovered in place in

the basalt The latter method of recovery requires drilling and blasting The peridot grains that are commercially recovered are typically 6 to 13

millimeters in size Therefore the faceted stones produced from this material are generally about 1 carat in size 2 to 3 caratstones are not uncom-

mon but stones particularly flawless ones 5 carats and over are unusual Stones as large as 15 and 22 car- ats have been cut from San Carlos

peridot

On the Reservation peridot can be mined only by individual Native Americans or by individual families of Native Americans from the San Carlos

Reservation In the past the miners have not marketed the peridot directly to the gemstone industry They marketed the material in random size

lots from as small as a coffee can full to as much as a 55-gallon barrel full to local brokers or mineral dealers These local brokersdealers mayor

may not sort and grade the material but they do tend to market to the industry in uniform size lots Currently some of the large volume

miners are marketing the material directly to the industry and are also contracting for cutting services and are marketing cut stones

Currently there is no commercial production of material from any of the deposits in New Mexico but rockhounds and other mineral collectors

gather materials from these locations for their own use

For more information see httpmineralsusgsgov mineralspubscommoditygemstonessp14-95peridothtml

5

Vonnie Dillon a member of the Rock Rollers who is

an accomplished silversmith has offered to teach a

class in this art We must agree on a time (if we

want the class) but it will have to be a weekend day

as she works full time Details Time 9-5 PM

Place-Rosesrsquo shop

$75 for class and $15 for silver

All tools provided

10 x 14 or 18 x 25 mm cab (or she will

provide)

The first class should complete a simple ring or pen-

dantmdashthe majority vote will decide the projectmdash

Aim for Sept Let us have a discussion Aug 21

Officers of NIMC for 2014 as of July 1 2014

President-Dale Ruperdmdash664-2712

Vice Presidentmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdashmdash

Treasurerndash Carl Chapin 773-9049

Secretary-Diane Rosemdash659-6173

Show Chairman 2014mdashMike Burton 772-9347

Show Chairmanndash 2015mdash

Committees etc

Newsletter and Membership-Bev Bock man 773-5384

Programsmdashclub members

Federation DirectormdashBill Johnson

ldquoDelegate

ALAA Field Trips

PAINTING ON ROCKSmdashANIMALS FLOWERS ETC TO BE OFFERED BY MARILYN KOHLER She will do a class anytime so lets get

with it Lots of fun and great items for the show prizes She has most of the materials neededmdashI have some great river rocks

and all the acrylic paints and brushes are available Letrsquos talk seriously about this Diane will host the get-to-gethers in their

shop Need to schedule with Marilyn and Diane

Conrsquot from page 3

However it is estimated that 80 to 95 of the worlds production of peridot comes from the San Carlos Reservation The peridot occurs as individ-

ual grains and aggregates of grains in a basalt which is about 3 to 35 meters thick that forms the top and sides of Peridot Mesa The material is

recovered after it has weathered out of the basalt in the gullies and canyons which lead down the sides of the Mesa or it is recovered in place in

the basalt The latter method of recovery requires drilling and blasting The peridot grains that are commercially recovered are typically 6 to 13

millimeters in size Therefore the faceted stones produced from this material are generally about 1 carat in size 2 to 3 caratstones are not uncom-

mon but stones particularly flawless ones 5 carats and over are unusual Stones as large as 15 and 22 car- ats have been cut from San Carlos

peridot

On the Reservation peridot can be mined only by individual Native Americans or by individual families of Native Americans from the San Carlos

Reservation In the past the miners have not marketed the peridot directly to the gemstone industry They marketed the material in random size

lots from as small as a coffee can full to as much as a 55-gallon barrel full to local brokers or mineral dealers These local brokersdealers mayor

may not sort and grade the material but they do tend to market to the industry in uniform size lots Currently some of the large volume

miners are marketing the material directly to the industry and are also contracting for cutting services and are marketing cut stones

Currently there is no commercial production of material from any of the deposits in New Mexico but rockhounds and other mineral collectors

gather materials from these locations for their own use

For more information see httpmineralsusgsgov mineralspubscommoditygemstonessp14-95peridothtml

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