NEWSLETTER OF THE

JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019 Member of: American Federation of Mineral Societies

Of Mineral Societies

YEARS

Celebrating...

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

1. Front Cover

2. South Central Federation Information

3. A Word From The AFMS President / 75

Years

4. Editor’s Corner / Welcome To The

Neighborhood

5. Personal Limits / Bench Tips

6. Bench Tips Continued

7. AFMS Code Of Ethics And Land Use

Policy

8. Regional Shows / Thank You / Deadline

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 02 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

2019 SCFMS OFFICERS

President: Roger Burford

Executive V-P: Jerrold Simpson

Secretary: Elizabeth Burford

Treasurer/Web Master:

Don Shurtz

Exec. Secretary:

Kimberly Brannon

AFMS Endowment Fund Raffle

And Nominating Committee:

Joyce Speed

SCFMS Endowment Fund Com.

Treasurer: Shiara Trumble

Past President: Walter Beneze

For more information or to send

information to the SCFMS or an

officer, please email:

scfmsinformation@gmail.com

PLEASE KEEP YOUR EMAIL

ADDRESS UP TO DATE -

CONTACT SUSAN BURCH,

EDITOR, WITH ANY

CHANGES.

NEWSLETTER EDITOR/BEAC:

Susan Burch

scfmseditor@yahoo.com

SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION OF MINERAL SOCIETIES, INC.

PURPOSE

*To promote popular interest and

education in the various earth sci-

ences, in particular those hobbies

dealing with the art of lapidaries

and the science of minerals, fossils,

as well as their associated fields.

*To cooperate with educational and

scientific institutions or other

groups engaged in increasing

knowledge in the earth sciences.

*To cooperate with or become

members of similar Federations in

the United States and elsewhere.

*To assist in the formation of earth

sciences societies in localities

where public interest justifies their

formation.

E-MAIL ADDRESS

CORRECTION AND CHANGES

It is each members responsibility to

send your email address corrections

to the SCFMS Editor:

Susan Burch,

scfmseditor@yahoo.com

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED

BIMONTHLY

DUPLICATION

In most instances material in this

newsletter may be duplicated for

noncommercial purposes providing

full credit is given. There are ex-

ceptions, please do not assume per-

missions. For Commercial use, the

individual author(s) must be con-

tacted for their approval.

A NOTE FROM

—THE EDITOR—

THE FINAL

DEADLINE, ETC.

For each newsletter the deadline is

the 20th of the prior month. Febru-

ary-April-June-August-October-

December all provide the deadline

for the following bi-monthly issue.

Although, the Editor may chose to

adjust the deadline due to circum-

stances.

As a reminder! Shop hints and tips

that are used in this newsletter have

not been evaluated for safety or reli-

ability by myself. Please use caution

and safety when trying out any new

idea. Please, if you have something

urgent give me a call, but send news-

letter content via email.

ANNUAL SHOW 2020

TBA

ANNUAL MEETING

TBA

ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION

SCFMS WEB-SITE:

WWW.SCFMS.NET

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 03 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

Welcome from Montana. By

now summer is waning, fall

is here and winter is show-

ing her ugly head in some

places around the country.

We are now getting ready to

make our way down to

Quartzsite, Arizona for the

winter months. You should

visit some time, as thou-

sands of collectors come to

see the beautiful things that

are found on this great land

of ours, Quartzsite grows from 3000 to well over

150,000 in January every year., Gems, Minerals, Fos-

sils, Jewelry and many other unrelated items are for

sale. Come take a field trip into the desert, see the

uniqueness of the Southwest. When New Years gets

here and it is time to make that new years resolution,

why not reach out and ask someone to attend your

next gem club meeting. Statistics show that for every

member in the US there are at least 20 others out

there who collect rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts,

items related to the earth sciences. That means we

have a lot of work to do. Also I would like to ask eve-

ryone to look at what they have made or collected,

purchased or traded and enter it into your next local

or federation show. Happy Holidays

Doug

DID YOU KNOW THAT SCFMS

TURNED 75 IN DECEMBER, 2018?

The SCFMS has a long history dating back to

1943 and has experienced a number of name

changes. For an interesting read, check out

o u r H i s t o r y . h t t p : / /w w w . s cf ms . n et /

about_scfms.htm

Thank you, to Virginia Adian and Liz Burford

for passing this info along.

Via December 2018-January

2019 AFMS newsletter.

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 04 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

Editor’s Corner

Susan Burch, SCFMS Newsletter Editor/BEAC

At the last minute (well, 24 hrs, lol) before the 2018 South Central Federation of Min-

eral Societies’ annual convention I became the surrogate Bulletin Editor’s Advisory

Chair for our federation. After the convention, with encouragement from the previous

BEAC I took over the office fully.

The six months since is just not enough time to really get your feet under you, lol. So,

over the last several months I’ve been concentrating on contest details. Getting out

announcements in the newsletter, making calls to as many editors as I could find con-

tact information for, to encourage entries into this year’s SCFMS annual Author and

Editor’s contest. Going through the process of receiving entries, sorting and sending

them off to regional and national judges. The last several days were spent putting the

certificates and entries all together, just hoping I did not miss any details.

Yesterday morning I left Houston headed to Fredericksburg, Texas to attend the Fredericksburg Rockhounds’ 50th

annual show which is in conjunction with the SCFMS annual convention. Later this morning, I’ll be presenting

awards and certificates to those who entered the contest. During last year’s presentation I was fumbling and

breathless, it’s my ambition to do better this year. Believe it or not, I’ve always

had an innate shyness and must push myself into situations like this. It will be ok,

I’ve already fallen on my face more than once...it’s old hat, lol.

My trip to the convention last year would not have happened without Roger and

Liz Burford, our president and secretary, swinging by Houston on their way to

Lubbock to pick me up. We had a blast along the way. This year they have galli-

vanted off to Quartzsite, AZ to work the show. Is it really work if your enjoying

yourself? You will both be missed!

To everyone else, if you’re not on your way, jump in the car, I’d love to see you

in Fredericksburg. Be on the lookout for the next newsletter, it will have our con-

test results!

A warm welcome to the Gem & Mineral Society of Louisiana.

They are the newest member club of the SCFMS. Their annual show is held in October near New Orleans, LA.

BENCH TIPS BY BRAD SMITH

TAKE A BETTER PHOTO

Most digital cameras these days have the ability to

take a good picture of your small jewelry items, but

set-up is important. There are four major items to con-

trol - background, lighting, camera motion, and focus

control.

Lightly colored papers from an art store make reason-

able starter backgrounds. Try experimenting with

other products later like glass or colored plastics.

Avoid fabrics because the weave can often be

distracting at high magnification.

Outside lighting is the easiest. In fact for close-ups,

flash never works well. Turn off your camera's flash.

Choose a bright but overcast day or a lightly shaded

area when the sun is full. For inside use, two goose-

neck desk lamps can be used with 75 watt bulbs.

Whatever you use, be sure to set the camera to match

the type of lighting you use or else the colors will be

off.

You'll be shooting up close, so turn on the Macro

mode. Now at this range, if the camera moves even a

little bit during the shot, the picture will be blurry, so

it's essential to use a tripod. Used ones are available

inexpensively from eBay, yard sales or some camera

shops. And even with a tripod, I put the camera on the

self-timer mode so that any

vibration from when you click the button settles down

before the camera takes a picture.

In order to get the largest part of your jewelry in focus,

you have to close the lens down to the minimum aper-

ture (highest F-Stop number). This is done by taking

the camera off of "Auto" mode and selecting Aperture

Priority, usually denoted by "Av" and then setting the

aperture to the largest number, which is F-8 on my

camera. You'll probably have to get out the book or go

back to the store to ask how to do this, but it's really

worth it.

That's it. In recap, here are the camera settings I use:

- Set the lens to Macro for a close-up shot.

- Turn the camera’s flash off.

- Move the camera in close enough for the item to

cover at least ¾ of the frame.

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 05 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

No doubt all safety-aware

persons are mindful of vari-

ous rules, regulations, guide-

lines and limits imposed

upon us by all manner of

property owners, equipment

manufacturers, various state

and federal agencies. Those

rules, regulations, guidelines

and limits have been thor-

oughly researched, reviewed,

relevancy tested, and released for all of our collective

safety concerns. Where however, do ones own per-

sonal limits come into play? Our various medications,

concerns about our less then satisfactory balance, our

less then sharp eyesight, and our less than optimal

motor skills all suggest limitations to which we

should also pay attention as we engage in our rock-

hounding activities. Is that a slope we could easily

climb or is it something we could no long ascend? Is

a large lapidary project something we should no

longer attempt, considering the weakness in our

hands? Should we cut back on certain faceting de-

signs because of eyesight issues? While rules, regula-

tions, guidelines and limits imposed upon us are

thoughtful and well intentioned, we would be well

advised to be aware of our personal limits and mind

them as well. Our personal limits are, well, personal.

We are the ones most suited to judging and minding

our own personal limits. How are we can walk to a

quarry, how heavy a pack we can carry, how far we

can carry that pack, should all be a part of our

thought process in being safe. Some limitations have

work-arounds. One can add wheels to their collecting

bags, or support jigs and fixtures to support heavy

lapidary work, or use a longer trail instead of the

steep slope. Those are all work-arounds. Ones own

personal limits are important to mind. One might in-

jure themselves by disregarding equipment manufac-

turers recommendations, but one might also injure

themselves when disregarding a personal limitation

such as when taking too steep a trail. Please be safe –

your safety matters, no matter the source of a limita-

tion.

Via December 2018-January 2019 AFMS newsletter.

- Look for adverse reflections from the jewelry sur-

face.

- Try to minimize reflections with changes of light

position, camera angle, or white background paper.

- Carefully check for any fingerprints or dust that

might be on the piece.

- Make any final tweaks with light and arrangement.

- Select "Av" for aperture priority mode.

- Set the lens opening to the highest number to get the

maximum depth of field.

- Set the lighting to match what you're using

(daylight, overcast, light bulb, fluorescent, etc).

- Set the timer for delayed shooting, either 2 seconds

or 10 seconds, to avoid camera movement. The de-

lay also gives you time to hold up a piece of white pa-

per to adjust lighting or reduce any final reflections.

- Set the image size to the maximum resolution.

You can size it down later, but you can never increase

it.

- Take the shot.

PICKLE PRECAUTIONS

A hot pickle pot gives off fumes that bother me in my

home workshop. I get around that by using my pickle

cold. I mix it a little stronger than for a hot pot so that

it works almost as quickly. I keep it in a

large-mouth plastic bottle and cap it off whenever I'm

done using it.

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 06 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

PROTECTING FINISHED SURFACES

I figure that any accidental scratch I make on a piece

means about 15 minutes of extra sanding and polish-

ing. So after finishing major surfaces I typically cover

them with some masking tape to avoid any scratches

when doing final work like cleanups and setting of

stones.

The blue masking tape used by painters works particu-

larly well because it doesn't leave a sticky residue.

Discover New Jewelry Skills With Brad's "How To Do It" Books

http://amazon.com/author/bradfordsmith

Here's a few to look at:

Bench Tips for Jewelry

http://amzn.to/1Z6hQ06

More Bench Tips

http://amzn.to/2KCygh4

Broom Casting

http://amzn.to/1Z6hYws

Making Design Stamps

http://amzn.to/2fvf58T

Accessories for Foredom

http://amzn.to/2fwxuaT

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 07 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

AFMS CODE OF ETHICS

I will respect both private and public property and will

do no collecting on privately owned land without the

owner’s permission. I will keep informed on all laws,

regulations of rules governing collecting on public

lands and will observe them. I will to the best of my

ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on

which I plan to collect. I will use no firearms or blast-

ing material in collecting areas. I will cause no willful

damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, build-

ings. I will leave all gates as found. I will build fires in

designated or safe places only and will be certain they

are completely extinguished before leaving the area. I

will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes,

etc. I will fill all excavation holes which may be dan-

gerous to livestock. I will not contaminate wells,

creeks or other water supply. I will cause no willful

damage to collecting material and will take home only

what I can reasonably use. I will practice conservation

and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I

have collected and will recycle my surplus for the

pleasure and benefit of others. I will support the rock-

hound project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please)

and Will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, re-

gardless of how found. I will cooperate with field trip

leaders and those in designated authority in all collect-

ing areas. I will report to my club or Federation offi-

cers, Bureau of Land management or other authorities,

any deposit of petrified wood or other materials on

public lands which should be protected for the enjoy-

ment of future generations for public educational and

scientific purposes. I will appreciate and protect our

heritage of natural resources. I will observe the

“Golden Rule”, will use “Good Outdoor Manners” and

will at all times conduct myself in a manner which

will add to the stature and Public “image” of rock-

hounds everywhere.

amfed.org

AFMS LAND USE POLICY

1. Adherence to the AFMS Code of Ethics assures

compliance with most statutes and regulations govern-

ing collecting on public lands and encourages respect

for private property rights and the environment. Clubs

are urged to read the AFMS Code of Ethics in at least

one meeting every year, to publish the Code frequently

in the club newsletter, and to compel compliance on

club field trips. 2. Individuals and clubs are urged to

write their elected representatives and land use man-

agement agency supervisors regarding issues of rule

making, legislation and enforcement affecting field

collecting of minerals and fossils. 3. Individuals and

clubs are urged to join and support activities of the

American Lands Access Association (ALAA), a sister

organization with responsibility for advancing the in-

terests of earth science amateurs with legislatures and

land use management agencies. 4. The AFMS will re-

ceive a report from ALAA at its annual meeting. 5.

The AFMS endorses the principle of multiple use of

public lands as a guarantee of continuing recreational

opportunities. 6. Wilderness and monument designa-

tions are inconsistent with the principle of multiple

use. In view of the vast amount of public land already

designated as wilderness and monuments, future such

designations should be minimal, taking into account

the increased demand for recreational opportunities,

including rockhounding, created by a growing popula-

tion. 7. In furtherance of the principle of multiple use,

the AFMS believes that laws, regulations and rules

established by relevant governmental authorities

should be designed to allow freest possible access to

all public lands, coupled with minimal restrictions on

the recreational collection of minerals, fossils, gem-

stone materials and other naturally occurring materials.

8. A right to collect minerals and fossils on public

lands should be protected by statute. 9. The AFMS

urges its members to work with any or all government

authorities to achieve a good working relationship in

order to improve the “Public Image” of recreational

collectors.

SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 08 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019

Jan 19 - 20, Fredericksburg, TX, Fredericksburg Rock-hounds and SCFMS Conven-

tion, Lady Bird Johnson Park

J a n . 2 5 - 2 7 , T Y L E R , TEXAS: Annual show; 23rd Annual East Texas Gem and Mineral Show; Tyler Rose Gar-

den Center, 420 Rose Park Dr;

Feb. 16-17—GEORGETOWN, TEXAS: Annual show; William-son County Gem & Mineral Society; Georgetown Commu-nity Center @ San Gabriel

Park, 445 East Morrow Street

Feb. 23-23—PLAINVIEW, TEXAS: Annual show; Hi-Plains Gem and Mineral Soci-ety; Ollie Liner Center, Busi-

ness I-27 South

For helping make this issue possible…

Doug True

Virginia Adian

Liz Burford

Ellery Borow

Brad Smith

2019 SCFMS REGIONAL SHOWS

DEADLINE FOR THE

MARCH-APRIL ISSUE

WILL BE

FEBRUARY 20, 2019.

Let the editor know if you

don’t see your show listed.