FRESNO GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY, 340 W. OLIVE AVE., FRESNO, CA 93728 (559) 486-7280
FEBRUARY 2015
VOLUME 64 ISSUE 2
President's Message
NEXT GENERAL MEETING:
THURSDAY, FEBRUARY26th
w/ keynote speaker, Jennifer
Bradley
Jennifer Bradley at the
“Gem-O-Rama”
in Trona, California
What a great group of people
we have in this Fresno Gem & Mineral
Society ! So many of you have stepped
forward and accepted positions of responsibility in the club. A special
thanks to Charlyn Oliver for coming
foreword as our returning CHIPS Editor. Paul Sherwood needed
to resign as Editor in light of the recent illness of his father. Our
prayers go out to Bob Sherwood for a speedy recovery.
I see us off to a great new year. January's General
Meeting was fun, especially when everyone laughed and
clapped to the music as we watched photos taken by members that went to Quartzsite, Arizona. A special thanks to those
members that also displayed their prized rocks.
FIELD TRIP!
FEBRUARY 14TH (SATURDAY)
Rock collecting trip to primarily obtain coastal rocks for
tumbling.
Destination: San Simeon Beach area.
Meeting Location: Club house.
Departure: 8:30 am, February 14th
Return: At your leisure.
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Carpooling is encouraged.
Bring lunch & snacks
Hand collecting only, 15 lbs maximum per person so bring
containers.
Look at the coastal weather reports and dress
accordingly.
We will be there at low tide. We will pick easily
accessible sites.
Call Reed Kirkland (559) 800-1557 if you have special
needs. This trip is for adults & teens only.
We will be collecting rocks to tumble for club use and
ourselves. Many jasper, jade, agate & bird's eye
serpentine.
Jerry Wells & Tom Ataide are the leaders of the trip. Thanks
guys!
This month we anticipate a great field trip to the coast
to collect rocks for tumbling. We are all looking forward to
hearing our keynote speaker Jennifer Bradley talk about the
"Gem-O-Rama" at the General Meeting. We will also have music and slides of Picture Jasper. All of you that have examples
(rough rocks, slabs, or finished cabs) of Picture Jasper please
bring them to the meeting to be displayed. At the conclusion
of the meeting we will have a member's rock sell, so bring those
extra rocks to sell or trade. In addition, starting this month, Jim
Tull is offering his lost wax casting class on Tuesdays at 7 pm.
Come, and learn a new skill, and create something beautiful!
We are currently looking for a club reporter for our
newsletter. Someone with good writing skills and an interest in
reporting on the lives and talents of our members. As a club we
have members pursing a wide range of interests from basic
rockhounding up through wire wrapping and gem faceting. We
have some second generational artisans and others just learning the basic skills. We are looking for a reporter to regularly
feature various club members so that we know them better and
can see their handiwork.
Reed Kirkland, President
HAVE YOU PAID YOUR
2015 MEMBERSHIP DUES ?
FRESNO GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY STATEMENT OF PURPOSE:
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., is a non -profit organization formed to promote
interest, knowledge, appreciation and the art form of mineralogy in all its phases.
VOLUME 64 ISSUE 2
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society—CHIPS
February 2015
PUBLISHERS STATEMENT
CHIPS newsletter is published monthly.
Permission is granted to use materials published in CHIPS with proper attribution, unless otherwise noted.
The CHIPS staff welcomes photos, text, informational and editorial submissions from all FGMS members & friends.
Submissions, comments & suggestions may be sent to the CHIPS Editor or brought to the club office.
We reserve the right to edit all materials submitted for publication
ELECTED OFFICERS
President, Reed Kirkland 252-7702 or 800-1557
1st Vice President, Irene Sudaria. . . . . 448-0404
2nd Vice President, Mark Freeman. . . .801-7593
Secretary, Brandy Knorr . . . . . . . . . . . . 681-3188
Treasurer, Lynn Pierce . . . . . . . . . . . . . 477-7503
Federation Director, Mark Freeman . .801-7593
BOARD OF DIRECTORS
2014 Jerry Wells . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 227-4289
2014 John McLean . . . . . . . . . . . 432-294-5004
2015 Craig Poole . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 432-8837
2015 Charlyn Oliver . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .360-6331
2016 Steve Orton . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .787-2559
2016 Eddie Leeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .322-4061
COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Building Maintenance . . . . . . . . Victor Martinez
Membership . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Joyce Law
Nominating . . .Leticia Kerber & Michael Stevens
Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Craig Poole
Donations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Wells
Educational Grants . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Craig Poole
Sunshine . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPEN
Auditing . . . . . . . . . . .Charlyn Oliver, Steve Orton
Web Master . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Ben Andersen
Parliamentarian . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Bob Sherwood
Lectures. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dave Smoljan
Field Trips . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
OPEN
Historian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O P E N
Finance. . . . . . . . . . . Mark Freeman, Joyce Law
Silent Auction. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jerry Wells
By-Laws .Jerry Wells, Craig Poole, Eddie Leeper
CHIPS Editor. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Charlyn Oliver
Charlynoliver@comcast.net
FAIR SHOW COMMITTEES
Fair Chairmen. . . . . . . Mark Freeman/Jerry Wells
Fair Maintenance . . . . . . . . . . . . . .. . Jerry Wells
Faceted Rings . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Steve Heidinger
Demonstrations . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . O P E N
Sewing (Rock Bags) . . . . . . . . . . . . . Brandy Knorr
Earth Treasurers. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .Craig Poole
Kritter Wheel . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Jackie Jacobs
Jewelry Booth . .. . . . . . Irene Nielsen-Sudaria
Geodes . . . . . . . . . . . . John and Violet McLean
Rock Art . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Melissa Kubiak
MEMBER SOCIETIES:
THE AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
THE CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES
WEBSITE: www.fgms.us
FGMS CLUB E-MAIL: info@fgms.us
FGMS EDITOR: Charlynoliver@comcast.net (559)360-6331
340 W. OLIVE, FRESNO, CA 93728 559 -486-7280
F.G.M.S.
PROMOTING THE GEOLOGICAL, MINERALOGICAL & LAPIDARY HOBBIES
PAGE 2
VOLUME 64 ISSUE 2
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society—CHIPS
February 2015
MARCH GENERAL MEETING . . .
MONDAYS:
7:00 - 9:00 pm Annex
*Eddie Leeper 408-505-2466
7:00 - 9:00 pm Wire wrap
*Judy Hansen 341-2861
TUESDAYS:
9 am - 12:00 pm Annex
*Eddie Leeper 435-2795
7:00— 9:00 pm Intarsia
*Ron Covert 435-6158
7:00— 9:00 pm Lost Wax Casting *Jim Tull 385-9588
WEDNESDAYS:
7:00 - 9:00 pm Silversmith *Barry Emerzian 438-4715
7:00 - 9:00 pm Annex
*Michael Stevens 341-0217
THURSDAYS:
9 am -12:00 pm Annex
FRIDAYS:
7 pm— 9:00 pm Faceting
*Tom Ataide 251-2983
*Steve Heidinger 395-4375
Do you enjoy BEADING and
you are a FGMS member ?
NOW YOU CAN SAVE MONEY!!!
Bella Bead Boutique (6650 N. Blackstone, Fresno) and
Bead Central (1954 High Street, Selma) will give you a
10% discount when you show them your FGMS
membership card.
Steve J. Bolm is a relatively new member of the club and an
excellent silversmith. He is taking the faceting class. Steve will give
a slide presentation during the March general meeting about his
recent trip to Ethiopia to obtain opal. He will also display his
finds, including diamond! He also has an array of turquoise.
Our first Rock Bag Sewing Potluck of 2015 will be
held at the FGMS Clubhouse on SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 21st
from 9-3pm. Everyone is welcome. Please bring a potluck dish,
and a sewing machine if you have one. If you don't have a sewing
machine, we have a few available at the club house. For those
that do not sew, we need help stringing the bags. NO EXPERIENCE
NECESSARY. Come to sew, string bags, eat and have fun. We sold 11,000
bags during the fair last year and we plan on selling even more this year.
Any questions call Brandy at 559-554-8646.
Will YOU? “STEP UP TO THE PLATE” – We need someone for the
Sunshine Committee. They will be the contact person when someone is
ill, death, marriage, etc. The Sunshine person will mail cards, order
flowers as requested and follow-up on a members condition.
ROCKHOUNDS TRAVELING ABROAD
Irene Nielsen Sudaria- sends
us her love from Morocco.
MARK YOUR CALENDARS!!!!! Jim Tull will be
offering this class in LOST WAX CASTING!!!!! The class
will be held at the clubhouse weekly on Tuesdays at
7 pm Come prepared to have fun and produce
beautiful silver rings, pendants etc.
DEMONSTRATORS & DEMO-DEALERS WANTED
By Cheri George
Hello!! We are seriously looking for Demonstrators and
Demo-Dealers for our CFMS Show 2015. This show will be held
in Lodi, CA at the Grape Festival Grounds on June 12-14, 2015.
We will start at 10:00 am each day and keep going until we can’t
work any longer. The times available are in three (3) hour
increments, or if you want to be there for the entire day you can
do that also. You can go to the CFMS Website for the show info
and download the demonstrator/demo-dealer form.
Please contact Cheri George for information concerning the
availability for your demonstrator spot,
lizardwoman3@yahoo.com or 562-243-8470 (leave me a
message if no answer, I will get right back to you).
F.G.M.S.
“KEEPING UP WITH IRENE”
STAY TUNED …Where will she go next ?
PROMOTING THE GEOLOGICAL, MINERALOGICAL & LAPIDARY HOBBIES
PAGE 3
VOLUME 64 ISSUE 2
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society—CHIPS
LEEPER’S BENCH TIPS
February 2015
Rocks that Rock!
The use of Sodium Silicate (Water Glass) as an adhesive
When using a slab saw there is a portion of the
rock that is left in the vise that cannot be cut. There is a
variety of rock clamps that can hold the remaining part of
the rock so it can be cut. Another option that is available is
to bond the rock to a piece of wood. This allows all of the
rock to be cut; this adhesive is sodium silicate (water glass).
Step 1
The rock shall have a flat side, cut by the slab saw or by
a trim saw.
Step 2
Pick a piece of wood that is no longer than the max opening size of the slab saw vise. An example would be a two
by four, 5 inches long.
Step 3
Make sure the rock (flat side) and wood surface is clean
and free of oil.
Step 4
Pour a small amount of the sodium silicate into a small
open faced container. Then use a small brush to brush on
the adhesive to the rock (flat surface only) and the wood.
Join together and allow to dry (at room temperature) for at
least 36 hrs. (Make sure there is no gap between the rock
and wood surface).
Step 5
Take the rock that has been bonded to the wood and
clamp it in the slab saw vise so that all of the rock can be
cut.
Step 6
Slab the rock until almost all of the rock is cut. Remove the
wood/rock from vise and clean with soap and water.
Step 7
Any remaining part of the rock that is left on the wood can
be removed by soaking the wood/rock in water for a
couple of days.
Sodium Silicate can be found on-line at Johnson Brothers
Lapidary.
For a 16 OZ. container $8.00 plus tax and shipping
For a 1 Gal container $48.00 plus tax and shipping
Sodium Silicate can be found on-line at CQ concepts.
For a 1 Gal container $15.26 plus tax and shipping
You can also find it at various auto parts stores.
Pietersite (pee-tur-sight)
History:
Pieterisite is a beautiful mineral that was first found in Namibia by Sid Pieters in 1992. It was found by accident while
Sid Pieters was looking at farmland. (Thank goodness that
accident happened.) Pietersite can also be referred to as the
“tempest stone” and “eagles eye”. Pietersite is a mix of
hawk’s eye and tiger’s eye. It is also a form of asbestos.
Description:
Pietersite comes in many different and gorgeous colors. It
comes in red, rusty red, gold, brown, and from baby blue to
midnight blue.
Sources:
It can be found in Namibia, Africa and in China. Pietersite is
hard to find making it a rare and expensive stone.
Healing Properties:
Pietersite helps your blood pressure, metabolism, lungs,
liver, intestines, feet, and legs. It stimulates your third eye
chakra, will power, transformation, psychic visions and
inner guidance.
Extra:
Pietersite resembles beautiful paintings. You can see many
beauteous patterns and gorgeous landscapes within this
beautiful stone that is Pietersite.
Submitted by: Jessica Ramirez
Jessica Ramirez is a member and the daughter of
Robert and Leticia Kerber. Jessica has “stepped-upto-the plate” and will submit an article every month
for our newsletter. THANK YOU JESSICA!
SODIUM SILICATE
Submitted by,
Eddie Leeper, FGMS
F.G.M.S.
PROMOTING THE GEOLOGICAL, MINERALOGICAL & LAPIDARY HOBBIES
PAGE 4
VOLUME 64 ISSUE 2
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society—CHIPS
WHAT ANNUAL DUES HELP TO PAY
Our FGMS club owns their building and annex where most
of the activities are held. Our annual fundraiser helps to
pay much of our operating expenses. So why do we pay
$25 a year for dues? In this article, I will be covering the
benefits that club members receive from our affiliation
with the state (CALIFORNIA FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES) and national organization (AMERICAN
FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES).
Our club is required to pay $8 per member to CFMS each
year, due before March 1. Part of this payment, $6 goes
towards a group liability insurance coverage which means
our cost per person is much lower because we share the
cost with all the other CA clubs. It includes legal defense
coverage for claims made against clubs or members as well
as payments for any at-fault accident or injuries. Some CA
clubs have joined the CFMS just for this reason alone.
The club pays $2 per member for dues toward CFMS (and
AFMS). I invite you to visit those two websites: http://
www.cfmsinc.org and http://www.amfed.org .There is an
incredible array of links and sources full of information for
every aspect of our organization, from geology and rockhounding to rock shows and marketing your finished product. These two organizations have promoted their own
junior member program, complete with a 100 plus page
manual. They aggressively defend the right of rockhounds
to have visitation rights on governmental grounds. Two of
us club members are working with a CFMS committee to
develop a safety manual for field trips and classes, so as to
keep insurance costs low and help prevent accidents. They
also support student scholarships and work with industry
magazines, like "Rock and Gem".
Our payments to support the CA and American Federations are a small price to pay for all the services that we
receive. This year, the AFMS President is from a Central
Valley CA club. This year, the CA show is in Lodi during
June. Plan to attend! And please remember to pay your
club dues soon. Thanks.
Mark Freeman
FGMS Federation Director
February 2015
FGMS 2014 ROCKHOUND OF THE YEAR
JOHN McLEAN
Who me?! It's not often I'm left speechless, but there I was
during the announcement that I had been selected as FGMS
Rock Hound of the Year and could only get out a heartfelt
"thank you". There are so many fine rock hounds in our club.
They're what makes this award a true honor.
Also, I have to thank Stan Vance and the guys at Lapidary
Arts who encouraged us to attend an FGMS meeting. I was
amazed how much knowledge they had of Texas rocks.
Ah, Texas, our other life. Violet's family owns a ranch in
Terlingua, the heart of Big Bend country, and we moved
there in 2007 as caretakers of that beautiful desert land.
Soon enchanted by the huge variety of rocks to be found
there, we made a visit to the 'nearby' Woodward Ranch
(60 miles away), hoping to learn more about those rocks.
Didn't know then that the Woodward Ranch was famous for
its red plume agate, among other beautiful minerals and
rock. We were encouraged by them to attend the local gem
and mineral club's meetings held there at the Ranch if we
wanted to learn more and the rock hounding hook was set
deep. We soon became members of the Chihuahuan Desert
Gem and Mineral Society of Alpine, Texas, of which Violet
served as President for two years, and I am currently VicePresident, having been elected in my absence last
December.
And who am I? Not quite Texan, having lived in Washington
and California, each for a number of years, I'm originally
from Detroit, Michigan, until I served in the Marine Corp
1966-1970, have an Associates Degree in Natural Resources
Management from College of the Desert, Bachelor of Science
in Agronomy from Fresno State. I met my lovely wife, Violet,
in 1982 while we were both working in the Five Points area
and we've been happily bumming around the country
together ever since.
I greatly enjoy being a member of FGMS and cannot express
how much I'm enjoying getting to know my fellow members
and working with everyone to make our club the very best. I
thank you once again for the unexpected honor of being
selected Rock Hound of the Year.
Sincerely,
John McLean
"The Rock Pile Hunter"
F.G.M.S.
PROMOTING THE GEOLOGICAL, MINERALOGICAL & LAPIDARY HOBBIES
PAGE 5
VOLUME 64 ISSUE 2
Fresno Gem & Mineral Society—CHIPS
February 2015
The January General Meeting was great fun with everyone that went to the Quartzsite Rock Show sharing their slides and
showing off their treasured rocks. We enjoyed their pictures as we listened to 60’s music.
Q UA R T Z S I T E
L to R: Craig Poole, Jackie Jacobs, John McLean, Dale R, Irene Sudaria, Diane White, Violet McLean. Sorry, I don’t
know who the gentleman is in the back with a rock in each hand.
We look forward to seeing you at our
76th Annual CFMS SHOW & CONVENTION
June 12 - 14, 2015
at the Grape Festival & Harvest Grounds
in Lodi, California
Contact: Margaret Kolaczyk,
markolaczyk@gmail.com
SEE MORE ABOUT SHOW -
www.cfmsinc.org
NOTICE: ALL renewing members are asked to complete
a new application. Please enclose a 2015 application with
your $25 renewal fee.
THANK YOU
F.G.M.S.
LAPIDARY ARTS
EQUIPMENT & SUPPLIES
Serving the Central Valley Since 1971
Finished/Rough/Specimen Rocks/Minerals, Tumblers, Saws,
Grinders, Faceting Machines and Accessories, Gems,
Crystals, Beads, Books, Jewelry Findings, Tools and Supplies,
Unique Gifts, Estwing Geologic Tools
Wholesale/Retail
Buy and Sell Used Lapidary Equipment
339 E. Belmont, Fresno
NW Corner of Belmont and Ferger, one block east of Palm
Store Hours:
Friday - Saturday: 11:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
Sunday: 12:00 noon to 4:00 p.m.
Appointments Available – Please Call (559) 266-6122
PROMOTING THE GEOLOGICAL, MINERALOGICAL & LAPIDARY HOBBIES
PAGE 6
FRESNO GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.
340 W. OLIVE - FRESNO, CA - 93728 - (559) 486-7280
APPLICATION FOR MEMBERSHIP
2015
The FRESNO GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY is a nonprofit organization designed to promote interest and knowledge in gems and minerals.
The primary place we share our work and educate the public is through THE BIG FRESNO FAIR. During the year, ALL MEMBERS ARE
EXPECTED TO WORK AT THE FAIR AND CONTRIBUTE TO CLUB EFFORTS. As a new member, we welcome you and ask that you indicate
your specific areas of interest and expertise.
WORKSHOPS
_____Cabochons
_____Beading
_____Carving
_____Silversmith
_____Faceting
_____Wire Wrap
_____ Intarsia
CLUB ACTIVITIES
_____Monthly Meetings
_____Refreshments
_____Door Prizes
_____Silent Auctions
_____Lectures
_____Field Trips
_____Campouts
_____Potlucks
_____Special Classes
_____Library available
_____Visit other rock shows
FAIR
_____ Kritter Wheel
_____ Jewelry Booth
BIG FRESNO FAIR
_____Work 4 hr. shifts
_____Set up
_____Clean up
_____Demonstrations
_____Sewing Rock Bags
_____Filling Rock Bags
OFFICE HELP
_____Newsletter
_____Computer skills
_____Bookkeeping
It is anticipated that all members will help as the need arises, i.e., maintaining a clean clubhouse, providing refreshments,
and accepting a chairperson or board position as they are open.
(Please PRINT CLEARLY in CAPITAL letters)
Last:_________________________________________________
_____NEW
____RENEWAL
First:________________________________ M.I:____
Name to be printed on badge: ______________________________________
Birth: Month____ Day____
Address: _________________________________________________________ City:_____________________ Zip:_______________
Home Ph.: ________________________ Cell Ph.: ________________________Emergency #_____________________
Occupation: __________________________________________________Spouse Name: _________________________
E-MAIL ADDRESS:________________________________________________________________________________________________
I agree to work at least 4 hours during the Big Fresno Fair. ______Initial
SIGNATURE: ___________________________________________ DATE: _____________________
(New Members Only)
Sponsor: 1._______________________________________________________ Date:_______________
Sponsor
2._______________________________________________________ Date:_______________
NEW MEMBERS = $32.50 ($25.00- + $7.50 badge)
RENEWALS = $25.00 Year
AMOUNT PAID: $_________________ DATE: ____________ RECEIVED BY:______________________________________________
th
HOW Please
TO JOIN:
PLEASE
BRING
YOUR APPLICATION
AND MEMBERSHIP
FEE TO A
GENERAL
THE 4th THURSDAY
submit
your
application
and membership
dues by attending
our
GeneralMEETING
MeetingHELD
heldAT
on7pm
the 4ON
Thursday
of each OF
EVERY MONTH.
340
W.
Olive,
Fresno,
Ca
93728
(1
blk.
East
of
Fruit
Ave.
Northeast
corner
of
Vagedes
and
Olive
Ave.)
month @ 7PM, located at 340 W Olive Ave., Fresno, Ca 93728 (One block East of Fruit Ave.)

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