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.8V2110 MINTIL Y BULLETIN OF TIE MINEIIl & IEM SOIIm OF BISTRO 'DIllY. liD. 1 ••

DATES TI REMEMBER: BEILERIl MEETIIIB: Clnllnnlal Hall, 22282 Fa.lblllaIVII., HaMI'II: 7:311.m.

IIrl112, 2111 Mal 11, 2111

8DUD IEETIIIG: AI ilia ShID: 7:31 D.m.

Mala,2111 Jun112,2011

MamlrlalDa, Mal 28, 2110

~mem6er Mom.! Mother's Day is Sunday, May 14th

http://www.geocities.com/heartland/village/7324 or http://www.geocities.com/mgscv Email: mgscv@yahoo.com

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MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY, INC. PETROGRAPH, 1999

This is the monthly bulletin of the MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO V ALLEY, INC., a m~mb~J! of the California Federation of Mineralogical &o<fi~tiQS, Inc., ~d th~ American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. .

BULLETIN POLICY

Anonymous conlributions cannol be cOllsidereq fol' publication in lhe PelJ'08l'aph. However; ifl'equesled, the contributor's name will be withheld from the origin~ material. The sources of other material will be indjcated (qr 'pl'C?pel' credit. Permlssionis granted to repdllt PetJ'ograph articles when credit is given.

1000 OFFICERS Elected

';,:" President Vice President Secretflry Treasurer ] Bt Year Director 2000, '01, '02 2nd Year Director 1999, 2000, '01 3rd Year Director 1998, '99,2000 Federation Director 1999, 2000, '01 Shop Foreman 2000 Show Chainnan 2001 Show Chainnan Membership Chair Editors 2000 Past Pr.esident

Appointed Shop Steering Committee Chairman Scholarship Chair Special Shop Fund Administrator Lima1ian Historian Jl:lfI.ior Mentor Purc~asing Agent Education Coordinator Field Trip Coordinator PMrliMmtmtMriHll Re'cepti'onist HOl'ftJHo~ttl~

Sunshine R-eporter Door Prize Chair Web Master

STAFF Editor Typists Printer Advisor Assembly Crew

Bill ·Col1ins-(5l0) 276-~05"/ BOlUlie Andrade (5 lO) 276-4647

Dolores BameR(51 0) 317-~746 Mike Alves (51O) 657·7438 Gene Hahn (510). 783'1$604

Richard Davis (510) 477·0884 Willy Kochendorfer (510) 582 .. 7~"8

Ron Hasemeyer (510) 886-1747 Gene Hum (510)27()~175.Q Tom .Ford (510) 792-4223

Larry Ham (510) 547· 59()6 Candy Jones (925) 671M7844 Cheryl Hahn (510) 783 .. 86.04-

Naomi Morgan (925) 672-2458

Willy Kochendorfer (5'1 0) ·.582~7278

Mike Alves (510)'657":74J8 Bill 'Cc:>lIins (510)'276·3057 Fem Brown (510) 357., 1326

Jamie McDonald (S 10) 889-7808; jantares@a9I.com Ednah Antunovich (5'10) 522·4214 Horace Robertson (510) 278·1085

Shirley Buschke (5] 0) 797"()744 H.E. Neilson (510) 784M126~ Doc BI .• s~:hkt: (S10) 797~0744

Jamie McDonald (510) 889-7808; jantares@aol'P91~1 Clarence and Janie Boyle (510) 656·239.5

Vacallt Ednah AntwlOvich (510) 522·4214·

Cheryl Hahn (510) 783 ·8604 mgscv@.yahoo.com

Cheryl Hahn Ca.ndy Jones

Ednah Antunovich Al Richtyr

Roman GroveslViola Groves/Dick Minor/Clara Minor/Bob Raymonq AnneMnrie Kochendorfer/Billie Ashley/Horace Robertson/Janice Gnrcia

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May 2000 Thl PETROGRIPH 1

SHOP ACTIVITIES

Activities: MONDAY: Evenings: BEGINNER'S HAVE PRIORITY IN LAPIDARY SECTION -- other members need permission of shop supervisor. Flat lapping is by permission of shop supervisor only. Bead Stringing, Faceting. TUESDAY: Square Wire Wrapping, Jewelry Designing, Bead Stringing, Wax Casting Preparation, Faceting 7:00 PM-9:30 PM, Libr'8ryopen WEDNESDAY: fntars+a -- 12 PM - 3 PM Faceting -- 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM library -- 10 AM - 1 PM

SHOP HOURS: Monday 9:00 AM - 12:30 PM I

7:00 -9:00 PM Tuesday 9:00 AM - 1 :00 PM I

7:00 -9:00 PM Wednesday 9:00 AM - 3:00 PM I

7:00 -9:00 PM Thursday '12:.00 PM - 3:00 PM I

6:00 -9:30 PM Friday 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM I

6:00 -9:00 PM Saturday 9:00 AM - 2:00 PM (Juniors - Adults are also invited) Sunday 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

ORIENTATION for NEW MEMBERS: At Shop, Monday I

April 10, 7:30 PM

GENERAL MEETINGS are held on the second Wednesday of the month at Centennial Hall, 22292 Foothill 'Blvd. 'Hayward, CA (EfXCSpt July and Aug).

Visitors are always welcome. O~tr next two General Meetings are o(1l;

May 10, 2000 June 12, 2000

For Next General Meeting: ' Members whose last names b~~in ~ith K though R are asked to br""~ finger foods.

BOARD, MEETINGS: At the Shop May 8,2000 June 1-4, 2000

UPCOMING SHOWS, EVaNT' AND FIELD TRIPS

May 6-7 ANAHEIM, CA Searchers Gem & Mineral Society Brookhurst Community Center 2271 W. Crescent Avenue Hours: Sat 10·7 Sun 10.:.4:30 Co-chair George Lux (714) 995 .. 9080 Co-chair Harry Nel$on (714) 530·13e~ Publicity Beth Pelfrey (714) 774-2754 e-mail BPelfrey@Volt.com

May 6·7 BAKERSFIELD,. CA Kern County Mineral Society Kern County Fairgrounds, Ming and South "P" Hours: 1 0-5 both days Gary Paddock (661) 589-3517

May 13·14 RENO, NEVADA Reno Gem & Mineral Society Reno Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall; 1350 N, Wells Ave. Hours: Sat 10-5 Sun 10-4 John Peterson (775) 849-1522

May 13 - Stone Canyon Stone Canyon Field Trip Steve Ivie, CFMS Field Trip Chairman - South (60.5)37.6-2.340 / irockhound@aol.com

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May 2000 Thl PETRIIRAPH 2

The Field trip to Stone Canyon will be held on Saturday May 13th, 2000. Everyone attending , the trip must be at Parkfield at 9 am and ready to go. The vehicles will leave Parkfield for the collecting area promptly at 9 am.

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Parkfield - To reach Parkfield, which is near the town of San Miguel, you can either take Interstate 5 or Highway 101 ,north. The map above is not . precise and is for reference only. Make sure you have planned your trip using an accurate map.

FoodlWater/Gas - Parkfield only has one restaurant. It never opened the last time we were there. Make sure to pack a lunch and drinks. Also make sure you are OK with gas before leaving the 5 or 101 freeways.

Material Cost - Steve Blocksage has worked out with the owner that for $25.00 you get 50 Ibs. of material and any there after is 50 cents per lb.

The Owner will be accepting cash only. Please do not bring a check or charge card to pay for your material. This material is of the highest quality and the area has only opened on a couple of occasions in previous years. Steve Blocksage did a lot of

work to get this trip set up last year so try to make it on this special trip.

Safety/Equipment Everyone should know how easy it is to get cut (injured) by good Jasper. As there will be sledgehammers involved, EVERYONE should be wearing safety glasses and good gloves. Long sleeves are optional but they do ,protect forearms. Long pan.ts and field collecting boots are also recommended. ,Bring your standard collecting tools along with a possibl~ 'sledgehammer, 'chtsei and heavy buckets.

Any questions can be directed to Steve " Ivie @ ; .. 805-376-2340 or Email toirockhound@aol.com.

Below is an image of a piece of Stone Canyon Ja'sper. Steve ·saved it for years not wanting to cut his best piece. This was trom a 'collection Steve acquired when he first started in the hobby.

Remember we will also be traveling into a cow pasture so please driv~ an appropriate vel-dele for collecting, During the rain out last year, we were told that with cl iittle ra in ev€:n our 4x4's wou ldn't make it.

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May 2000 Tbl PETROIRAPH

Please remember this is a trip for CFMS members and Guests. I also wanted to clarify my article in the March CFMS bulletin. Dealers are ,Iso welcomel What I had botched in my late night writing is that this trip ie primarily for the rock hounds and they will get first choice of the material in Stone Canyon on 'this trip. The dealers are an integral part of this tr'ip and may wOr'k oui wi'lh the rancher a purchase of material, but only after' the r'ockhounds get their's. This trip was set up for the r'ockhounds but the dealer's also have their place, so please do attend but be r'espectful of the fOckhounds opportunity to get their material first befor'e wOr'king volume pUr'chase deals with the rancher. Thank you for your' cooper'ation in this ar'ea.

May 20·21 Yucaipa, CA

Yuciapa Valley Gem & Mineral Society Scherer Community Center 12202 1 st Street Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun 10-5 Henry Cobb (909) 795-3716

May 27,28,29 Weaverville, CA Trinity Gem & Mineral Society , 19th Annual Bigfoot Gemboree Lowden Park, 200 Washington St. Hours: Sat. & Sun. 10 w5; Mon. 10 - 4 Set up May 26 - 8 am to 8 pm.; Tailgators - Space fee & camping fee. Show Chairman - Jack Jennewein (530) 778-3786

June 3 - 4 Glendora, CA Glendora Gems Goddard Middle School - 85~ E. Sierra Madre Hours: Mark Thompson (626) 335-3814

June 3 M 4 West Hills, CA Rockatomics Gem & Mineral Boeing Recreation Center 8500 Fallbrook Avenue Hours: 10 - 5 both days Harley Rogers (805) 495-6 '184

July 8-9 Culver City, CA Culver City Rock & Mineral Club Culver City Veterans Memo~ial Complex 4'1'17 Overland Ave. Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun 10-5 Brad Smith (3 '10) 472-6490

July 14·15 Arroyo Grande, CA Orcutt Mineral Society, Inc. Arroyo Grande High School Parking Lot Fair Oaks and Valley Road

July 21, 22, 23 San Rafael, CA Marin Mineral Society Exhibition Hall - Marin Civic Center Avenue of the Flags (part of Gel11 Faire) Hours: Fri 12-7; Sat 10 .. 7: Sun 10"Q Maryann Maning (415) 883-8020

July 8"9 CULVER CITY, CA Culver City Rock & Mineral Club Culver City Veterans Memorial ComRlex 41'17 Overland Ave. Hours: Sat 10-6 Sun 10-5 Brad Smith (3 'iO) 472-6490

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May 2000 Thl POROIRAPH 4

August 4·6 RIVERSIDE, CA CFMS Show

Valley Prospectors I~iverside Convention Center BYral LaRue ' , P,O. Box 1657 Rialto,. CA 92377

August '5·6 San Francisco, CA

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San Francisco Gem & MiMeral Society ' ' Golden Gate Park 9th Ave. and Lincoln Way Hours: Sat. 10-6 Sun. 10-5 'Ellen Nott (415) 564-4230

September 16·17 Paso Roble$, CA Santa Lucia Rockhounds Pioneer Park and Museum 2010 ,Riverside Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-6 Sun. 10-5 Harry, Kuffel (805) 467 ~3457

September 23-24 DOWNEYj CA Show Flyer Delvers G&M Soc., Woms'n"s Club of Downey 9813 Paramount Blvd., Hrs: Sat. 1Q-S Sun. 10-4 Angie Harwood (562) 692-4540

September 30 - 'October 1, VISTA, CA Vista G&M Soc., Brengle Terralfe Comniunity Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace Drive Hours: 10-5 both days Mary Anne Mital (760) 758-4599 or TQny Meredith (760) 945-2392

President's Corner

The ('~.an up and open house was fun as usual. I want to thank those of you who helped clean up. Mary

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Howell and Jamie McDonald spent Friday cleaning the jewelry room anc! all the alass cases. Willie K. started on Monday cleaning and painting the equipment. He spent every day at the shop getting ready for Sunday. ,1\nneMarie made sure we had food ready and missed most of the sales because she was serving food. Thanks, AnneMarie.

We have oil in one of the trim saws at this time. It is non-toxic oil and it washes off easily. It is a little meSSier, but it cuts faster and smoother. Also, the blades will la$t , much longer. The saw is marked 89 you wi!! know which one to use.

And, os most of you know, we lost one of the finest. Joan Warren passed away iecently, leaving us with much sadness. She was a gr~a~ person and a hard worker at the shop and at the show. She will be missed by all who knew her. She ha~ been my right arm at the show keeping tile kitchen crew going. I will be looking for someone to work with me in her place. But, she will be a hard act to follow.

Our nominating committee will be out looking in a couple of months. If you would like to get involved, make yourself known. We can use some i1ew blood. If they contact you, give it some serious thought.

President, Bill Collins

May 2000 Thl PETROIRAPH

MINUTES OF THE BOARD MEETING

April 10, 2000

Voting Members Prese.nt: M.ike 'Alves Naomi Morgan, Bill Collins, Ron Hasemeyer, Gene Hurn, Willy Kochendorfer, Dolores Barnes, Candy Jones. Appointed Officers: Fern Brown, Jamie McDonald Guests: Pat Fernandez, Tom Miller Minutes: Ron moved, Willy 2"d, motion carried d

Treasurer: Ron moved, Willy 2" , motion carried COMMITTEES: Shop Foreman: Gene got rid of a lot of rocks at the Open House. We had a lot of people who haven't been around in a while. Also, we sold quite a bit of Joan Warren's rock. We made $190 on Joan's rocks. She passed away this past week. Gene went to Coalinga last week to the rancher's place. It's 201 miles one way no matter which route you choose. He charges $10.00 a night for camping. There is water available. Just an outhouse (no toilet facilities) and nothing else. $5.00 per person for entrance to his ranch, and you can hunt rock along the creek. He is very happy with the spheres, etc. There is a minimum of 10 people for a field trip. Librarian: Fern will be buying a book in memoriam to Joan Warren for the library. Historian: No report Membership: There are quite a few who have not paid their dues. Field Trips: Snyder's Ranch, the first weekend of May. Memorial Weekend ,is Spider Mine. May 13th Is

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Stone Canyon. Davis Creek on 4th of July week. The weekend after L..abor Day is possibly a field trip in the Duck Flat area. Stifle Claim is April 15th

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CSMF: The CSMF Show is th. fI"t weekend in August. ' , Shop Steering Committee: . Sill said that Willy started last Mon<;iay cleaning and painting and was here every day. We need new pump$ al1~ new saw blades. New oil that peoplt won't be allergic to is also needc,d. Repairs are being done by seam (o~ the grinders). Willy is fixing the bearings on the trim saws. All \\law men should be trained properly 01'1 the saws and the sphere equipm.nt. We got rid of the metal sheeting. Estate Sales has taken care of ~ lot of rock. Ron & Gene will do inve"to'¥ for equipment, etc. Faceting need$ . two transfer blocks and a bunch of dop sticks. There is a need of safet¥ before going to soldering class. Ron stated there is always a need for shop instructors and machinist,. Please keep an eye out for people who would qualify and encourage them to volunteer. Bill will work with Candy when new members come in for qualified people to work in the shop. Beginner's Class: There are 3 or 4 beginners. , Unfinished Business: None New Business: Laurie Denton sent in her resignation as Editor due to her new job. Bill recommended Cheryl Hahn as Editor for the Petrograph. Ron moved, Naomi 2ncf, motion carried. Tom Miller suggested we have ~ Memorial Board for weliNknown active members who have pass"d

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May 2000 Thl PETROIRAPH 6

away. Jamie will dig through the records and make a list of names. Estate Sale: Theo Stein hour April 20-30, 2000 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Saturday 10:·00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Sunday 1750 - 18th Ave., San Francisco For more information, call: (415) 584-3925

There being no further business, tha meet,ing adjourned at 8:05 p.m.

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Re~pectfully Submitted, Dpl<;l.r:es Bame.s, Secretary

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MINUTES OF THE GENERAL MEETING Ap'rU "12, 2000

The meeting was called to order by President Bill Collins at 7:30 p.m. Minutes: Correction to minutes of March 2000: The purpie heart was given to Gene Hurn by Mary Bufton, not Mary Howell. Cheryl Archer :moved, Mary Howell 2nd

, approved as corrected.

, Treasurer: Approved. New Member: Arlene Morris

, Guests: Ken Collier, Peter Person, Prewitt COMMITTEE REPOHTS: Shop Foreman: Gene is selling tickets at #2.00 each for a chrysoprase, plus two cabochons donated by one of the club members. Gene is also selling club logo back patches at $10.00 each. Gene went to Coalinga last week. He had some rocks to show members from a ranch he has tried to have the club go on a filed trip. It's 201 miles no matter which route you take, He (the rancher) charges $10.00 a night

for camping. There is an out outhouse and access to water. There are no electrical hook ups. For entrance to his ranch, he charges $5.00 a head. You c.an hunt for rock all along the creek. The rock is plentiful. A fee of SQ··cents a pound for rock will also be charged. There is a minimum of 10 people required for a field trip. There was a lot of people who . cleaned the shop. Willy worked in the shop fror'n Monday through Saturday cleaning and painting. Wally came down several times and cleaned the saws. Jamie McDonald and Mary Howell carne to the shop on Friday and cleaned the marble slabs and cases. Show Chairman: No report There are some signs up in various places advertising our gem show. Host & Hostess: Next month, the Host & Hostess will bring in a cake celebrating our anniversary. Historian: No report, Field Trips: Snyder's Ranel is the first weekend of May. Spider i\1ine is Memorial Day Weekend, Stone ..... . M ' 3th D ...... I' \,,.,i;myon IS la y I , aVIs \...re6 ~ IS

on the 4th of July week, Duck Flat is possibly the weekend atter Labor Day, Stifle Claim is April '15"1

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CFMS: the CSMF Show is the first weekend of August. Education: No report Unfinished Business: No report New Business: Laurie Denton sent in her letter of resignation as Editor, Cheryl Hahn will finish up the year. Charlotte Snyder reported: Recognizing Tony & George, who sold at a iot of our shows. George passed aw,ay, His wife brought in some specimens and rocl(s.

May 2000 'hi PETI8IR1PH 7

Charlotte donated them to our silent auction tonight. Joan Warren passed away. A lot of her rocks were sold at the Shop's Open House on Sunday. The club made $'190 on her rocks. Estate Sale: Theo Stein hour April 29-30, 2000 Saturday: 10:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Sunday: 10:00 a.m. - 1 :00 p.m. 1750 - 18th Ave., San Francisco Info: 1-415-584-3925 Membership Drawing: $130.00 Audrey Azevedo, not present. The May drawing will be for $140,00, Guest Drawings: Richard Dennis, Ken Collier, Susan Dennis Member Drawings: Arland Stokes - Tool set. Other member drawings: Jamie McDonald, Cheryl Archer, Buzz Owens, Vern McCullough, Gordon Matsumoto, Naomi Morgan. Gene's Drawing: Frank Newman, Bill Walsh, Arland Stokes Chrysoprasa. There are two cards to be signed by the Membership - Sympathy card for Joan Warren's family, and a Get 'Wen card for Doc Buschks.

There· being· flO' further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:25 p.m,

Respectfu.I.ly Submitted, Dolores Barnes, Secretary

Thanks to all those who brought refreshments for the April meeting:

AnneMarie Kochendorfer

Janice Garcia Diane and Mike Alves Niki Churchill Oi<;:k Duncan Ellen PI$cas

Lapidary Journal; Oct. 11'1 • I '

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, . , .,,:,."="-, Bill W~I.11 III Sfn l , or~nl.D. CllllfltrniIJ, IlIe",· btr CJ( 1/" Minora' & 0.,", lIoc:kltv .,1 C ... lro VtUII,. Wit pIR'~ ~ W lAl1fl.f ' " the c.~:tt~, e~h'b't COl11pl'titl'm c:nncWdOOld by HIII""I'!" Pa'k M"",.,,,(:II.,il1l1 OIl/IRion 01 Mu.to I I, (111~tll.'~, Inc" Dt llier 1971 Callfatrlhlt rtllol'­bon at MI ",,·r.,l"lJic.11 S"cIClth~~ ~trl)"" "el~ lit Venllll'o!I . CHUfw" lu. "1>111* 1M IHlrpetu." "Iyor If/llmy· --_ .......... ' . " " ... ~" .----.-.-

This is what some people woul(,1 pall a "b1ast from the past. II Others "J.igh~ call it "a walk down memory Ie" •. " Either way, it's a nice way to reC£jl1l or discover what members have don~ in years past. Congratulations, ~ill, 29 years later!

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A Note of Thanks From AnneMarie & Willy Kochendorfer

Thank yOu fof' all the help we had fof' the Open House to Niki Churchill and others. ,

The following Members were part of the A'pril 8th Clean Up Crew:

AnneMarie Kochendorfer Willy I(ochendorier Gordon Matsumoto Walt Klas John Gullak Ednah Antunovich Larry Ham Adrian Dyette Gene Hum Clarence Boyle Bill Collins Austin MeThorn Val MeThorn Jim Barron Ron Hasemeyer Nick Churchill Bob Drummond Don Tompkins

Hare are just some of the rocks that were for sale at the April 9th Open House & Tailgate Sale.

No ti,.ne for Gelll of the Month this time; Howard has been sick.

GROWING ••. 111 ... •

CRYSTALS

You might like to try this with your kids this summer.

Place 3-4 charcoal briquettes in a 2-quart glass bowl. Mix a Tbs. ammonia, 2 Tbs. water, 1 Tbs. table salt and 2 Tbs. laundry bluing (this may be hard to find) and pour over the charcoal. Allow the bowl to sit undisturbed for at least 72 hours. Fluffy crystals will form and slowly climb up the bowl. As water evaporates, crystals form. They are porous and more liquid moves into the spaces, thus crawling up the bowl.

R()CK RUMBLES

About three years ago a window was broken in Karol HarreWs car and her briefcase was stolen while she was at OUi monthly meeting at Centennial Hall. And recently a thief struck again. Tom Nliiier dropped into the shop and someone came i and tol j

him he had a brol<en window in his car. Tom 11ad stopped for a hamburger and had left his wallet on the seat. The thief broke the window and although Tom reported th th 'ft as soon as possible, he Ei.lreEid hEir! about $500 charged 011 his cred it t"'s"d So be e~pet"'i .::l ll\! s'AI-.:lIre ",f WI. v """""'''1 .,,, .... , '" anything you leave in your "sr. T m also discovered that the cops consider $500 trivial and probably won't pursue it ulliess li't~ J Id is a pattern developing.

May 2000 Thl POROGRAPH 9

The shop committee met recently to review policy and problems. Clean up seems to be ·number OAe concern. Improper use of equipment also was disC1.Issed as was missing items. Because of the high cost of power (we are on a meter) casting will only take place when there is an oven full. Also the sonic cleaner is only to be used for jewelry and findings.

Our casters mean business. Improperly labeled metals will not be cest.

Those lovely r'r'Ierble slebs in the silver room were made available by Neil Thornton. There should be no excuse for not keeping those tables eleen, just remember rnarble is great for rolling pie dough becaus~ it stays cold, but you may need insulation such as sheets of paper under 'your glass.

If you are collecting small gerns such as garnets or sapphires and <;Ion't went to hold them in your rllouth like some of the native collectors do, meke yourself a container that will not fall out of your pocket. Take a small pill bottle with a secure lid. Obtain a small threaded screw eye, 2 nuts to fit and 2 washer·s. Dr'ill a hole in the cap. Thread the screw with a nut iilnd w8sher. Push through the hole of the cap and add the washer and nut. Glue the ~.ye bolt in place with nail polish. Put a leather thong through the loop and wear the apparatus around your neck. Shouldn't lose any more specimen bottles when you trip. Of course you had better put that cap on securely.

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Time to think about that Alameda County Fair entry. We want to keElP the lapid~ry arts in the public eye. And besides, if you are a winner, there is a monetary prize, not a gr~.t amount, but enough to buy anoth~r rock or two. In addition you receive two passes and free parking. There is a small entry fee but the tickets and parking are rnuch more than H'I' entry fee. Look for an entry blank $t the shop.

AnneMar"ie Kochendorfer doesnlt let anything go to waste. We had sorn, cakes left over' frorn our' show and she persuaded members to store thern in their freezers and they w8r'a dessert at our open house. Thanks to those who cleaned up on Saturday. How does this place get so dirty? We should give a special thanks to those guys who tackle the saws. That is one messy job.

I hear we have another' carver' in our midst. Our solderer Mary Howell has started on a couple of pieces of turquoise. Look out Doc and Wally and Frank. You must ask Wally to show off his gargoyles. They are rnonsters. He has rnade thern as book ends.

Regretfully we announce the passing of another of OUI har'd worker'S. This time we will miss Joan Warren. She was an outstanding program chairman, got the workers for our annual show for several year's anQ always was active in the kitchen. ShE::i graciously donated her rocks for the benefit of the club and sorne wer'e fOI s~la at our open

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May 2000 Thl PETRIIRAPH '10

·house. Others win 'be part of our sileht auction and Qoor prizes in the future. She was a ceramist and painter as well as a rockhound.

Doc Buschke has missed several Tuesday nights recently because of .inness,. Tuesday .is, hIs, night .to ,open,. He wants to thank those who , . 'cover-ed 'for him.

Once you have seen abalone shell you .. can .. understand why ,it is .called opal of the sea. It has been a very st:Jocessful ·moUt:Jsk ,having' survived unchanged for millions of years. Once it was very abundant along the West Coast. Indians used the animal fOr'food 'and 'the shell as a tbol, utensil, jewelry and even used it to construct weapons. It crawls along the ocean floor in depths from 10 to 1 00 feet. It has no need for a bottom shell. It's extends its head and eyes that are on stalks, antennae and a broad snout as it meanders along. As sources close to shore disappeared, divers went into deeper water. Commercial demand and the sea otter, which used it for food, almost caused the extinction of the species. So laws at least in the U.S. have been passed to protect the animal. The red abalone of California can be up to a foot in size. The outside shell is protected by a heavy ,growth and there are about three openings for waste disposal. The inside of the shell is iridescent. Black and green abalone are also found along the California coast. Africa, Japan, Australia and Mexico also have varieties of abalone. The one

found rn New Zea'land is called a paua. It is bluish.

Abalone seldom produce pearls but an effort is now being made to produce them commercially. (See "ast month's Petrograph).

Buttons, jewelry, knife handles and card cases are'examples ·of 'l;Jse' of the shell. The French and Chinese have also used it for inlay. Abalone ca'n be worked with hand or power tools. However, 'BE 'SURE TO WORK WITH A MASK AND USE LOTS OF WATER. Working on shells is not permitted in our shop. You can use a finished piece, but dt) not expect to cut or polish in our shop.

Abalone dinner in a restaurant demands· a- hefty price; If you are lucky enough to get some, savor it. It needs to be removed from tl,e shell, sliced and pounded. Cooking takes very little time; dip in batter and quickly fry it. Delicious!!!

The .name Tiffany immediately conjures up idea of luxurious jewelry and stained glass. Perhaps the stained glass emphasis has come about because of the frequent showings of Antique Roadshow on PBS. At one time, Tiffany g!ass wee considered junk and destroyed.. Perhaps if so much had not been broken into pieces it would not be so valuable today.

In Connecticut a father removed his 15 year old son from SCllool 81)d

May 2000 Thl PETIOIIIPH '1'1

installed him in the country store business so he could learn the ropes. This son was Charles Lewis Tiffany. He was responsible for everything from buying, selling, keeping books and making buying trips to New York City. In one year he had put the store in the black and daddy sent young Charles back to school. Charles informed his father , he wanted to be an adist. This did not set well with the family. But a taste of New York got to him 'and soon he and a school friend, John P. Young, borrowed $500 each and opened a store on Broadway. The store was stocked with stationery, umbrellas, Chinese goods and articles from Japan. Charles prowled the docks and obtained oriental items, which the public liked, from saifors who squirreled away items and sold ~o suppler-nent their" income, The business grew until robbers emptied the store of everything except the day's receipts. The young entrepreneurs were smad enough to take home the daily receipts.

Prices were non-negotiable at the store, something new in merchandtstng at the ttr'ne. By 1841 tirfles were good and jewelry (paste) was added to their 'inventory. They ~Iso produced a mail orde,. catalog.

France was having economic woes 'and on one of the Tiffany buying trtp$ to Paris many of the gentry wefe forced to seH their gems. Partner Young was quick to take advantage ,of this 's'ituation.

Tiffa1'lY was '8 publ'icity hound, too. He .di.scovered that there was cable

left from laying the Atlantic cable in 1858. He purchased the cable ~nd made umbrella handles, watch charms and anything else he could think of from the material.

When the civil war came along~ Tiffany bought the store next to his and stocked it with army shoes, caps, swords and pistols. In Wqrld War I this sarne company stopped producing silver and turned their factory over' to r-naking surgical instruments and in World War" they hand worked aircraft parts.

In 1867 Tiffany won the first pfize ever awarded to an American silvermaker. In 1885 Tiffany commissioned the redesign of the Great Seal of the United States. The.y insisted ~n purity of silver thu~ setting the baSIS for Federal standards.

Charles Tiffany as a 19 year old hifld exhibited paintings. He studied ip Paris and traveled through Europe. All of this carne in handy when the company dec1ded to create interior& fo,. hOrnes and publiC buildings. Decorattve articles became much desired and up until this tirne war~ considered craft items. Tiffany 'and cornpany raised these articles to th~ lUXUry c~ass.

Tiffany a ccorn mociated even the fnosi bizarre wishes of his customers. When Diamond Jim Brady ordered a gold chamber' p,p~ with 'a g~as's 'eye' peering up from the' boHom, Tiffany obliged. Jeweled 'garters were 'a1so tile' rage at this time and could cust up to $5,OOq.

)

May 2000 The PETBOIBIPH 13

the effects resulted in the birth of great heroes ... such as ... for instance ... Hercules. But when things were not so good ... and the meeting between god and mortal ended in a challenge where the god fared less than the human ... ah ... alas ... all was then not well on Olympus or on Earth.

As Vulea'h was 'the smIthy of 'the gods ... so was Minerva the weaver. As gods go ... Minerva was no different than any other. She thought her skills were unmatched by any and all ... her product unapproachable in fineness and beauty. She was the best and she had no equal. It's the way gods and WOUld-be gods think. I'm sure you've all met folks who thought they were gods. They carry about them the aura ,o,f the ,imposter and the mantle of smug superiority.

One day ... as Minerva was carrying out her g,odly duties ... strutting her stuff so to speak ... she heard that there was a mortal lass who claimed her weaving to be superior to that of Minerva's. Minerva was in a rage. Who did this peasant maiden think she was? Well. ': . this was not to be taken lightly. Gods of past and present alike do not like their dominions threatened. So she went to the peasant hut where the maiden lived ... and challenged her to a weaving' contest. The peasant girl accepted.

Mistake, my friends. Huge mista~(e. They set up their looms 'and stretched out their warps. There was no time to waste. This thing had ,to

be settled. So they went to work, Or ... how Minerva's fingers flew. 01" ... how the peasant girl matched her in every weave and fancy. Heaps 01 skeins of unmatched beauty lay beside each in multi-colored hues, which surpassed even those color~ of the rainbow. And then they war~ finished. And Minerva showed her work. Ahhh ... it was beautiful. It w~~ a delight 'to the eye. It 'filled the optlq senses with delight. It was as good as it gets ... no? No. Most emphatically ... no. The peasant girf~ work was ... 'if not fmer ... than certainly just as good. Let me 'digress 'here f01k's ... to enlighten 'tm~ and all with a pithy bit of informatjpn. Even if you're better than a god ... you would be wise to keep that knowledg'e to yourself. Gods 'don't like to see that kind of crap.

In a fury ... Minerva slit her web aflld 'smashed 'the 'peasant 'girl ' about the head with her shuttle. The peasant 'girl ... 'disgraced -and 'shamed ... ' hU/1~ herself by the neck till dead. Minerva watched the slender young thing dangling from the silken thread she 'used to end 'her life ... and 'pitied -her. So she lifted the maiden from h~~r 'noose ... 'and ' ~fJrinkled the juice., 'h\9f with the juices of aconite. 'Immediately ... the'maiden's 'hair 'f!ew off ... as did her nose and ears. H~r form shrank ... and her fingers cleaved to the side of her body to 'serve"as legs. You 'catrall 'see 'thi. peasant maiden in her new form tQ thts very day. Her name was Arachne ... and Minerva changed ~er intt:ra 'sp'ider ... wl1ere to tl1is ver'Y day she weaves those intricate des'igt1S that basteda'god.

, '~, .~.; ,

May 2000 Thl pnROIRAPH 14

The fact is folks ... I have a pin to show you ... a representation of Arachne herself ... a spider pin of gold and diamonds and enamel ... created circa 1900 when the birth of insect jewelry began its ascent into the public fancy.

So ... for those of you who are new to this thing called Tidbits .. , may I direct you to my home page at wwW.tyler-adam.com where you will scroll down the table menu till you get to the box that says Tidbits ... and inside the box where it says Tidbit Graphics ... click on the link that says: Spider ... where you will see a rendering of our adorable little creature.

"

Minerva's Spider Photo from ~. tvler-adam. com

May Birthstones Modern Birthstone - Emerald Traditional Birthstone - Emerald Mystical Birthstone - Sapphire Ayurvedic Birthstone - Agate

, 'Other Birthstone - Chrysoprase, Beryl

May Star Sign Stones Taurus (Apr. 20-May 20)

Birthstone: Sapphire, Turquoise, Amber, Blood Coral, Emerald Planetary Stone: Emerald, Aventurine Lucky Charms: Sapphire, Diamond

Gemini (May 21-Jun. 20) D Birthstone: Agate, Chrysoprase, Pearl Planetary Stone: Tiger Eye Lucky Charms: Agate, Emerald

WEB NOTES If you haven't had the opportunity to check out our web site recently, the pictures Karl & Niki Churchill took at the Show and the April Clean Up & Tailgate Days are now on our web site. As always, Karl & Niki have my sincerest thanks for taking these great pictures. http://www.geocities.CQm/mgscv

May 2000 . The pnRllRIPI . '15'

f~~ $~lILllE AD$ Preston Bingham, a member of the Sequoia Gem a",d Mi".~ral· .. $ociety in Redwood City, sent in a letter with a number of items he has inherited and is offering for sale. .

1 -24" Slab Saw $900.00 1 - 6" Gem Tech Diamond Unit (6 wheels) $500.00 . 1 - Electro Plating Unit with Plating Solution $25.00 1 - Dremel Routing $5.00 Attachment 3 - 14" Diamond $100.00, $75.00, Saw Blades $50.00 1 - Taget Cabber (plastic) $5.00 1 - Bead-making sphere machine $25.00 1 - Small dop pot $5.00 2 - Burn-out Large - $75.00 Ovens Small- $50.00 1 - Tool Box $5.00 1 - 360-grit Diamond Galaxy Wheel 6" new $50.00 1 - Vacuum .. Pump (for vacuum casting) $50.00 1 - 10-lb. Barrel tumbler with extra barrel $30.00 1 - 3-lb. Barrel tumbler $20·9.Q. 1 - Vibra-tumbler 4-pound $1O·9~ 2 - Drill Presses $35.00 & $10.00 1 - 10" trim saw with blade $10.00 1 - 12" Vibralap $25.09_

Ii

1 - Lortone 6" ~--'--':J grinding unit, , 's'lanted new . ~50· 9.Q. Mr. Bingham il1dicat,s th~t h~ has a lot more equipment, ~l1d lo~. of rock.

. For information, call Pr'S~Qn Bingham at (415) 36~ .. 6.~61 ·

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7 9:00AM-11:00AM

Lapidary

14 9:00AM-11:00AM

Lapidary

21 9:00 AM - 11:00 AM

lapidary

28 9:00AM -11:00AM

Lapidary

9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Faceti1g 7:00 PM lapidary

BEGINNERS ONLY

·8 9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Faceting 7:00 PM lapidary

BEGINNERS ONLY 7:30 PM Board Meeting

15 AM lapidary PMFace1ing PM Lapidary

BEGINNERS ONLY

22 AM Lapidary

7:00 PM Faceting 7:00 PM L..apidary

BEGINNERS ONLY

29 9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Face1ing 7:00 PM lapidary

BEGINNERS ONLY

9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Jeweby, CasIi1g

Prep, Faceting, L.iHary 7:30 PM Square Wire

9 9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Jeweky, Casting

Prep, Facemg, t,.bary

16 9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Jewelry, Casting

Prep, Faceting, lilrary 7:30 PM SqJare Wire

23 9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Jewelry, Casting

Prep, Faceting, L.iJrary

30 9:00 AM lapidary 7:00 PM Jewelry, Casting

Prep, Faceting, library

MayZQOO-Monthly Planner

9:00 AM Lapidary, Faceting

10:00 AM library 12:00 PM Intarsia

10 9:00 AM lapidary,

Faceting 10:00 AM lbary 12:00 PM Intarsia 7:30 PM General Meeting

-Amversary

17 9:00 AM lapidary,

Faceting 10:00 AM Lmrary 12:00 PM Intarsia

24 9:00 AM Lc:pidary,

Faceting 10:00 AM Lmrary 12:00 PM Intarsia

31 9:00 AM lapidary,

Faceting 10:00 AM Library 12:00 PM Intarsia

12:00 PM lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

11 12:00 PM lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

18 12:00 PM lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

25 12:00 PM lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

Printed by Calendar C r'!ator Plus on 411912000

10:30 AM - 2:00 PM lapidary

7 :00 PM lapidary

12 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

19 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

26 10:30 AM - 2:00 PM

lapidary 7:00 PM lapidary

9:00 AM Juniors Adults welcome

13 9:00 AM JIA'liors

Adults welcome

20 9:00 AM Jmiors

Adults welcome

27 9:00 AM Jtriofs

AcNIIs welcome

YEARLY DUES

• Couples ($60 Jan. 1 to Dec. 31); ($30 luly I - Dec. 31), plus $1 fot' each active J\.Inior (ages II - 17) /

• Single adult ($35, Jan. I - Dec. 31); ($17.50, July I-Dec. ~1)

• $5 per single Junior witho)Jt parents in the club. .

• Associate Membership (former members living more than 100 miles from Castro Valley) is one-half regular dues.

GENERAL MEETINGS

• General meetings are held the second Wednesday of each month (except July and August) at 7:30 p.m. at Centennial Hall, Foothill Blvd., Hayward, CA

. i

PETROGRAPH MINERAL AND GEM SOCIETY OF CASTRO VALLEY CO-EDITORS: Laurie Denton and Sue Bolton P.O. Box 2145 Castro Valley, CA 94546

Dated Materialrrime Value

Shop Lpcation

OtJRSHOP 95 I Palisade St.

Hayward, CA (510) 881 -9430

Faceting-­Jewelry Fabrication

Stone Cutting Norlh '~------------------------------,', Palisade St. Eden Alea

Palking

Palisade 51.

RICHARD DAVIS 4552 QLleensboro Wy. Union City, CA 94587

YMCA Sign

'Y" PInking

Playglound

Cados Bee Blvd.

Parking

Exit -- Only .. - I

BULK RATE U.S. POSTAGE

SAN LORENZO, CA PERMIT #42

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