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The Georgia Mineral Society *Atlanta, Georgia* Volume MMXV/Seven July 2015
General Meeting 7:30 PM Monday, July 6, 2015
The GMS Building
4138 Steve Reynolds Boulevard Norcross, GA
Dial M for Mineral The July meeting will be a murder mystery for everyone to solve. Juniors will scour the building looking for hidden clues including some tasty "red herrings". Adult players will pick clues out of a hat, compare notes with others, study forensic evidence, scan pictures for clues, and bribe juniors with rocks and fossils for special clues. Don't worry, if you don't have appropriate bribes you can answer a geology related question and earn rocks for trade. Fill out your worksheet and case file as you go and when time is up, the person with the highest score will win a fabulous prize! If you don't want to be a sleuth, join Agata Crystal as a jury member or just watch as geological mayhem ensues. No matter what you decide to do, there will be fun for all! Bring geology or mystery related snacks (or anything yummy) to share. Detailed bios that contain clues and red herrings will be available during the game, but here are summaries of the characters: Woody Petraus: The Stiff Woody had a long, difficult life that little by little replaced a soft, sensitive boy with a hard, stony man. His family tree was a little knotty, but despite his simple roots he grew to become a successful businessman. Outwardly he seemed reasonably lively, but on the inside he had been dead for some time. People speculated his heartbreak stemmed from one of his failed romances. As time went on, more and more of his salacious secrets started to come out of the woodwork, but were they enough for him to be the victim of MURDER?
Amber Hamm-Burrgler: The Socialite Amber is famous for being famous. A twenty-something celebrity wannabe, she expends more energy posting selfies and climbing the social ladder than she does at her day job. Apparently she thinks she will be accepted more readily into the wealthy elite if she portrays herself as an older, more sophisticated woman. She set her sights on Woody, but he seemed oblivious to her advances. Was Amber upset at being spurned by Woody? Enough to commit MURDER? Aunty Cline: The Eccentric Neighbor Woody’s neighbor Antoinette “Aunty” Cline has a complex, stratified personality. She has a modern exterior but the deeper you probe into her core, the more old-fashioned she really is. Though she was his closest neighbor, most of the time she avoided Woody because he liked to tease her about her tendency to be a little gassy. He often joked that she could be an economically viable source of natural gas. Understandably she did not like him, but did she despise him enough to commit MURDER? Ibbin Graben: The Recluse Ibbin Graben lives in a secluded grotto near Woody’s house. Graben’s wife, Knolla Horst, died during childbirth and he always thought it was his fault. Ultimately the property fell into foreclosure and Woody purchased the land. He allowed Graben to remain, though over time, Graben eventually blamed Woody for his depression, becoming angry at the mere sight of him. But was his anger enough to commit MURDER? Moh Shady: The Gardener Mohzez “Moh” Shady was Woody’s gardener. Moh’s father, Friedrich, was a renowned mineralogist and one of Woody’s closest friends. After Moh tragically lost his parents, Woody took him in. Now in his twenties, Moh has worked for Woody since he was a child. It was widely known that Moh was jealous of Woody’s wealth, often scheming to embarrass Woody any chance he got. But was his jealousy enough to commit MURDER?
Guests and visitors always welcomed. Please join us for our July meeting! Carl Ziglin, VP of Programs
Tips and Trips
Announcements for educational publications, continuing education classes, and shows or exhibits are provided in Tips and Trips as a service to GMS members. Appearance of the above in Tips and Trips does not constitute an endorsement by GMS.
President Tom Batcha
Executive Vice President/Membership
Elizabeth Lamb [email protected]
Vice President –Programs Carl Ziglin
Secretary Mary Porter
Treasurer Mary Gurney
Correspondence Secretary Tom Bates
Facilities Chair Bill Waggener
Field Trip Chair Charles Carter
Fossil Section Chair Kim Cochran
770.979.8331
Gem Section Chair Phil Herren
Junior Section Chair
Christine Nell-Dybdahl [email protected]
Micromount Section Chair Dave Babulski
Mineral Section Chair Tom Batcha
Sand Section Chair Lori Carter
Tips & Trips Editor Roxanne Lopez 678-491-0489
Webmaster Lori Carter
Education Chair Bill Waggener
Immediate Past President Anita Westlake
Trustee to 2015 Carl Ziglin
Trustee to 2016 Lisabeth Maclain
Trustee to 2017 Kim Cochran 770.979.8331
The Georgia Mineral Society on the Internet: http://www.gamineral.org
E-mail Early Notification Program: A field trip and club news update service. To join, members are requested to send in their current e-mail address to:
GENERAL MEETINGS General meetings are held on the first Monday of each month. In the event that the first Monday is a holiday, the meeting will be held on the third Monday of the month. General meetings are held at the Georgia Mineral Society Building in Norcross, Ga.
4138 STEVE REYNOLDS BLVD. NORCROSS, GA. 30093-3059
Any deviations from the above schedule will be announced in Tips and Trips.
The article submittal due date for the August newsletter is
July 15, 2015.
May Show Committee Chairs
Show Chair Shelly Stubbs
Dealer Chair open
Exhibits Martha Brown 770.448.0876
Demonstrations open
Hospitality open
Treasurer Mary Gurney
Advertising open
Dealer Dinner Roxanne Lopez 678.491.0489
Database Mary Porter 770.998.1018
Auction Kim Cochran 770.979.8331
Set Up/Take Down
Open for Volunteers
Page 2 Tips and Trips
The Georgia Mineral Society July 2015
The Georgia Mineral Society, Inc. A Non-Profit Educational Organization
Eighty Years of Tradition Objective and Purpose
To Educate the Youth of the State and the Members of this Society
In the Field of Earth Science
AFMS Education - All American Club 2003
Committee Chairs
Adopt-A-Highway
Casey Sosebee 706.635.3246
Awards Open for Volunteers
Carpool Bill Waggener carpool@gamineral
.org
Curator/Gem Box
Kim Cochran 770.979.8331
Historian Roxanne Lopez 678.491.0489
Hospitality Shirley Parker 404.906.3763
Librarian George Prince
Parliamentarian Open for Volunteer
Refreshments Shelley Stubbs [email protected]
Special Events Kim Cochran 770.979.8331
Sunshine Susan Filak 404-634-6931
Telephone Open for
volunteers
SFMS Rep. Dennis Buchanan
Tips and Trips Page 3
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
President’s Message GMS Members, In this month’s presidents message I will address the topic of field trips to active quarries. Active quarries operate under strict federal regulations. If we as an organization want to continue to visit these sites then we must adhere to their rules. Below are the items that I have found to be common at every active quarry that I have visited.
Hard hats, safety glasses, and sturdy boots are required.
Signing a waiver will be the first order of business once arriving.
A safety talk will be given prior to the start of any collecting.
The safety talk is a required part of the visit. All participants must attend.
The safety talk will define the Do’s and Don’ts of your visit.
Quarry workers will join the collecting party to supervise the event.
High walls are off limits. High walls are always, always,
always, off limits. To my knowledge Vulcan Corporation is the only quarry company that is open to rock clubs visiting their quarries. All other quarry companies have closed their doors to rock clubs collecting at their sites. We need everyone’s help if we are to maintain this privilege. Thank you for your assistance in this important matter. I look forward to seeing everyone at the July general meeting. Tom Batcha GMS President
Mineral Section Meeting Wednesday, July 22, 2015 7:30pm
The GMS Building
Note: We will meet on the 4th
Wednesday in July due to a vacation conflict. This month will take a look at two neighboring states in the Southeast – Louisiana and Mississippi. These states are being combined so that we can successfully cover all eleven Southeast states during our ten month schedule. Not only do these states follow each other alphabetically but they also share common minerals and formations. The variety of topics we will explore this month include gravel deposits, salt dome formations, and Louisiana Opal with news of similar Opal now found in Mississippi. Come join us for a look at these states and learn more about what minerals they have to offer. See you there, Tom Batcha Mineral Section Chair [email protected]
The Georgia Mineral Society July 2015
Page 4 Tips and Trips
Facilities Message
Greetings summer travelers, School is out and the summer collecting season is upon us. As you and the kids see new places and revisit the familiar places, be
sure to help exercise your students’ skills so they don’t forget everything. Journaling helps with budgets, travel schedules, remembering fun events, and (don’t tell them…building notes for that post summer assignment: what
did you do?) They can practice math during shopping or calculating fuel efficiency, or cataloging their collection of rocks and minerals. Writing and research helps with planning the trip and planning the next trip. Of course, science helps to explain everything while art let them appreciate what they experience. If you let the kids help, you may find an improved student in the fall. As we return to school in the fall, please remind your new teachers to apply for the Minigrant for classrooms. We will accept applications through September for this school year. Our next scheduled public appearance will be at Stone Mountain Park on Labor Day for Rock and Mineral Day. Do come visit the GMS display table and enjoy the park. Yours in education, Bill Waggener, Education Chair
Facilities Message
Thank you to all Section, work session, and meeting leaders who follow the Facilities policy. The cleaning up, turning the AC down, turning the lights off and signing in and out help us to maintain a functional facility, useful to all. With continued cooperation, we hope to be able to increase classes and use our resources wisely. Thank you for your vigilance. As a member, if you notice something that needs to be fixed or could be repurposed, please let me know. More eyes can usually see more and from a different perspective. Respectfully submitted, Bill Waggener, Facilities Chair
Sunshine News
Hey GMS Members,
Happy Independence Day!
Hope you all are able to
Enjoy and Celebrate this
July 4th. Georgia Mineral
Society had a very nice pot
-luck picnic in June. There
was a great turn-out and
lots of delicious --really
delicious--food that
members had prepared
and brought to share. There was pleasant visiting
with friends and meeting new members, and it was all
topped-off with an auction. Although the weather was hot,
we were under a covered pavilion and we had fans going.
Our very own auctioneer Kim Cochran did a great job, as
usual. I'm always amazed at Kim's skill in moving the
auction along so quickly and expertly and his ability to stay
so focused. Kudos. Thanks Kim. Hope everyone was happy
with their auction take-homes. I was. And also thank you to
all the GMS members who pitched-in and helped-out ---
you all know who you are and you made the auction work,
too !So glad you were there.
In late May Tom Batcha was in touch with Dave Babulski's
daughter Katrina and passed along the following news.
Katrina said Dave (who is our GMS Micromount Section
Chair) "... is finally starting to get his strength back. He can't
yet stand or walk on his own but can lift his water pitcher
and has a much more positive attitude." If anyone is able to
visit him, he'd love that. He is at Cambridge Recovery
Center, 2020 McGee Road, Snellville, GA 30078 - Room
D18. I believe the Recovery Center is just off Highway 78
after Stone Mountain Park and along the way to Snellville.
Dave's phone number - 404-405-0635. Call to say "hello'.
Some of our other GMS members are also having health
challenges, so please remember to keep all of them in your
thoughts and prayers. It helps. Please feel free to email me
or phone me if you would like to share
any news or information with other
GMS members. My email
is [email protected] and my phone
number is 404-634-6931 (you can
leave a message if necessary).
Happy Rockhounding ...
Susan Filak
Sunshine Chair
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
Tips and Trips Page 5
Gem Section Date: Monday, July 27, 2015
Time: 7:30 pm
Topic: Silver Projects
Location: GMS Building
The Gem Section will be continuing with Silver projects on the last Monday of the month until further notice. Make a pendant, make a ring, make a chain; you decide. . Phil Herren, Gem Section Chair
Sand Section
In the June Sand Section meeting, Mary Gurney did an excellent presentation about her sand adventures in Hawaii. She had vials of sand positioned on a map, and explained the way each specimen was formed. It was fascinating to see the diversity of sand from such a small area. Then she shared samples of sand she collected and all of it was so pretty! Many thanks to Mary for a great sand section meeting! In July, we will work on cataloging more of the club’s collection. We have one tray in the dead bird case almost filled, so we are making good progress, but we have a large backlog to catch up. Come help us organize the collection, baggie a few samples as we go, and bring any sand you would like to share. Date: Wednesday, July 8, 2015 Time: 7:30 Location: GMS Building Topic: Cataloging Trading: Club Sand Lori Carter Sand Section Chair [email protected]
Dear Juniors: Check out the Field Trips section for the numerous fun Juniors-friendly activities. For instance, we have plans for a water-soaking fun time on the creek again this year on Sunday, July 12th near Ellijay, GA, headed by our phenomenal Charles and Lori Carter. Check out our newsletter from last year about this same trip. Bring your picnic lunch, bathing suits, and watermelon with black seeds, or cherries, as we will be having a seed spitting contest for prizes. My kids (rising 6th grade girl and rising 7th grade boy) will be there to head the "building of dams" in the creek with very cool rocks. It is a nice cool area that is mostly shaded. Remember, there are plenty of Field Trips throughout the year that are plenty okay for Juniors big and small with a parent in attendance. I look forward to hearing about your Rock Hounding experiences this Summer. Please send me a story and hopefully a picture of one of your finds. I will choose a couple of your stories for an upcoming article in our GMS Tips & Trips. All juniors who send me a story will be given a prize. If you have ideas for future Junior events, please let me know! Please remember that when you attend member events, all participating attendees must be GMS members, including friends. So, get your friends to join!
See y’all in July. Warmly, Chrissy Nell-Dybdahl Junior Section Chair
New Members
Let’s give a warm GMS welcome to the following new members: Barbara and Rebecca Anderson from Atlanta, GA Marti, Frank, Rachel, Ashley and Kerri Buck from Vestavia, AL Larry and Pamela Clere from Buford, GA Alexander, Aaron, Edrian. Lewis III and Lewis IV Cox from Cumming, GA Stu, Nathaniel and Reece Abcug and Debi Demare from Decatur, GA Steve Brock from Temple, GA Norman, Liam and Kim Fulk and Isabel Melendez from Valdosta, GA Zoe, Keegan, Patrick, Justin and Holly Gallagher from Duluth, GA Mekyh, Malik, Xayvion, Auriel and Tiffany Van Pelt
The Georgia Mineral Society July 2015
Page 6 Tips and Trips
Harris and Shayla Tumbling from Jonesboro, GA Catherine, Gareth, Ben and Bram Herschel from Atlanta, GA Katherine and Joe McKinney Kevin, Robin and Melissa Rasmussen from Ellijay, GA Brenda and Steve Riner from Lawrenceville, GA We are so glad to have you with us. Elizabeth Lamb, membership chair
Happy Birthday
to our July birthday boys and girls! Jul 01 Bill Witherspoon and Michael Gropp Jul 02 Larry Adams Jul 04 Susan Carter and Patti Donehoo Jul 05 Fran Simon Jul 07 Michael Eason, Sheila
McDonald and Hilda West Jul 08 Bill Wheeler and Julie Buttros Jul 09 Karen Dawson Jul 10 Pamela E. Hyaduck Jul 12 Lynda Poole and Tim Miller Jul 13 Mary Gurney Jul 14 Walt Kubilius and Kelly Posada Jul 18 Rik Pampel, Ann D. Calhoun and Sharon
Sanders Jul 21 Betty Broome and Thomas J. Hopen Jul 22 Nannett McDougal and Michael F. Peck Jul 23 Alexander Sager, George Parks and Lizabeth
Bond McClain Jul 24 Graham Gordon Jul 25 Jay Gorday, Kenneth T.
Horton, Martha H. Moseley, Margaret L. Blom, M.D. and Joanne Curtin
Jul 26 Scott Krebs Jul 27 Gary Smith and Kyra Dolezal Jul 28 Sarah Smith Jul 29 Alex McConnell Jul 30 Freddie Rice Jul 31 Garrett Steenblik, Stephanie Yother
McDaniel, Robert Brady and Richard Swierczek
You lucky folks get to celebrate with rubies (red corundum
to us rockhounds), believed to arouse the senses and stir
the imagination. And guaranteed to attract attention of
everyone around.
Elizabeth Lamb, membership chair
Fossil Section Monday, July 13, 2015
7:30 pm In June Charles Carter discussed the recent “Epic” field trip to Western Tennessee and Mississippi. He, along with those attending, had some very nice specimens collected at those sites. In July I will speak on “A Brief History of Geology”. I hope that you can attend. Kim Cochran
GMS Field Trip Sunday, July 12, 2015
10:00 a.m. Eastern Time Ellijay, GA
TRIP: GMS will hold a field trip to Ellijay, GA for cutting material and to play in a creek! Collecting: Colorful quartzite, stripey slate, jasper (maybe), and as many free lilies as you want- seriously- as many free lily pants as you want. CHILDREN: This field trip is great for children of all ages but they should have adult supervision at all times. Kids are encouraged to bring water toys and be prepared to splash around in the creek! We will have a portable cabbing unit on site for quick face polishing. Be ready for a lively watermelon seed spitting contest too! PETS: No pets allowed on this trip. BRING: Rock hammer, buckets, floaties, water toys, towels, and picnic lunch. Shoes/boots/sandals must be worn in the creek (no barefoot please). DIRECTIONS AND WHERE TO MEET: We will meet at the Dollar General, 3067 Chatsworth Hwy, Elliay, GA 30540 Approximate Coordinates: 34.726674,-84.509146 1) From GA-515 take GA-52 West towards downtown Ellijay (you will cross a river and you should see a cement plant on the right as you turn). 2) Stay on GA-52 and go approximately 4 miles for GA-515 or 3 miles from downtown Ellijay 3) The Dollar General will be on the left (south of Craigstown/Weeks Road). Park towards the road. Travel time using GMS as a reference point: From the GMS building at 4138 Steve Reynolds Boulevard, Norcross, GA to the meeting place in Ellijay is approximately 1.5 hours and 90 miles. If you are interested in carpooling on this trip, please
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
Tips and Trips Page 7
contact Bill Waggener at [email protected] Charles Carter, GMS Field Trip Chair Telephone: 770-998-7949 Cell Phone: 770-891-5947 e-mail: [email protected]
DMC Program of the SFMS Field Trip
Committee An Official Field Trip of the Southern Appalachian Mineral
Society (Asheville, NC) HOST
An Official Field Trip of the Athens Rock and Gem Club
9:00 AM to dusk
Saturday, July 18, 2015
Little Pine Garnet Mine, Madison County, N.C.
FEE Site
DIRECTIONS: From
Asheville take I-26 west to
US 25-70 (exit 19A for
Marshall, NC – right exit).
From north of Marshall,
take I-26 south to US 29-70
( exit 19 for Marshall ). Travel US 25-70 toward
Marshall approx. 12.6 miles and turn left on Little Pine
Road. There will be a sign for Sandy Bottom Trail Rides
at this corner. Follow Little Pine Road 3.8 miles and
turn left onto Caney Fork Road. Parking will be at the
end of Caney Fork Road. Collectors will car-pool from
here to the site. Maps and/or directions will be
available from the office to the mine site. We will meet
at the office of Sandy Bottom trail Rides 1459 Caney
Fork Road, Marshall, NC 28753 at 9:00 AM. Release
forms must be turned in and admittance fee paid. You
will receive a “ticket” which you must keep with
you. Representatives randomly visit the collecting site
and check collectors. From I-240 at Asheville time
should be 35 to 40 minutes. ( approx. 25 miles ). The
Sandy Bottom Trail Rides website also had maps and
directions – sandybottomtrailrides.net.
HISTORY: Little Pine was worked commercially around
1904-05 for Garnets to produce sandpaper (garnet
paper). Good crystals of Almandine Garnets can be
readily found from ½” to 4” or more. Some remain in
the Chlorite schist matrix and can be cleaned to
produce very showy matrix specimens. There are some
crystals that exhibit an elongated growth that is very
desirable. Note: All DMC member clubs are required to
maintain field trip liability insurance!
ASSEMBLY: Parking at the collecting site is limited, so
members of attending clubs should arrange to car-pool
from the meeting site to the collecting area. The road
into the mine crosses a shallow stream, however most
vehicles should pass without problems. WE CANNOT
BLOCK THE DRIVE as it is also a homeowner’s access
road.
EQUIPMENT: For dump collecting bring scratching
tools, small shovel, or pick type rock hammers. To enter
the mine, a hardhat and some type of headlamp is
necessary. The ceiling of
this mine has some loose
material and is not suited
for children. DO NOT dig
into or weaken the support
columns! Believe it or not
people do this foolish thing. Fill in all dug holes.
COST: The Dixie Mineral Council Group is receiving a
discounted rate of $20.00 per person per day. There
is not a special rate for children who attend! Please
identify yourself as being a member of the Dixie
Mineral Council Field Trip to receive this rate!
The collecting limit is one gallon of Garnets per
person. Children 8 and older allowed with close adult
supervision. There are dump areas that are child
friendly; however there is also a mine shaft and tunnel
where children should not be allowed to venture.
RELEASE FORM: Each individual MUST fill out a Sandy
Bottom Trail Rides release form. Go to their website -
sandybottomtrailrides.net to download form. It will
save time if you have these completed
prior to arrival. Children under 18
must have a parent or guardian fill
out a form on their behalf NO
EXCEPTIONS.
A Port-O-Let is located at the mine
site. Bring water, food, and bug
repellant. No pets.
Contact: Ken Casebeer - Phone1- 828-277-1779 No
calls after 8:30 PM please! E-mail –
The Georgia Mineral Society July 2015
Page 8 Tips and Trips
CCGMS July Field Trip July 11, at 8:45 am
Mason Ruby and Sapphire Mine Franklin, North Carolina
Fee: Discounted all day price of $20 for adults, $10 children. Please sign up so that you receive the discount!
Collect : Rubies and Sapphires (corundum) Fee: Al Klatt (one of the owners) is giving us a special all day dig rate of $20 for adults and $10 for children 6 and older. Thanks Al! Bring: A change of clothes, sturdy shoes or boots, rubber boots if it’s raining and/or to keep you dry while sifting material in the flume. There is a changing room on site. Rubber gloves are nice for washing sharp pieces. The mine will provide shovels, buckets, and screens. Bring your lunch, plenty of liquids, sunscreen and bug spray. There are snack items available at the store on site. Children: This is a great trip for children and those new to collecting as there is an interesting orientation before digging dirt at the mine and help with identifying minerals. Well behaved pets are allowed but you must
clean up after them. Children should be supervised at all time MEET: Outside the mine at 8:45. The mine is located at 6961 Upper Burningtown Rd., in Franklin, North Carolina. See more info at http://www.masonsmine.com/ . The mine is open from 9am to 5 pm.
CCGMS Field Trip Team Leader: Shelton Boyd, at [email protected] Contact: Please email Field Trip Coordinator Toby Stewart at [email protected] or 678-417-1786 to sign up for this trip and receive the contact number for the day. More Info: The original mine dates back to 1895 and was operated by the American Prospecting and Mining Co. of New York. It was known as the Raby Mine and abrasive grade corundum was mined and occasionally gems were produced. In 1942, the Mason family bought the property and established the present day tourist gem mine. The mine is now owned by the Klatt family . There is also a camping area on the site. The Klatt family also owns Ruby City rock Shop and Museum in Franklin which members might enjoy visiting. It is a free, donations appreciated museum.
And the Winner Is…
At our picnic, we had the drawing for the prize for a member volunteer who helped with the show. The winner of a beautiful large emerald specimen was…Carl Ziglin! Congratulations, Carl! And next year, you, too, may be the winner. Volunteers who help with the show get entries into the drawing – the more you do, the more entries you get – and after the show we draw the winner. Even if you don’t win the prize, you will have fun! Hope to see you at the show next year!
Shelley Stubbs, Show Chair
Tips and Trips Page 9
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
June Field Trip Report Uphapee Creek, AL
By Lori Carter
The Uphapee Creek in Alabama is known by petrified wood collectors as a prime collecting locale. A USGS bulletin from 1982 by Helaine W. Markewich and Raymond A. Christopher dates some of the wood around 6,360 and 7,520 years before present and wood found in a clay pod that was reworked into one level of the alluvium as around 27,740 years before present. Their conclusion was that radiocarbon ages on wood they studied indicate
“at least one period of deposition and subsequent erosion during the late Pleistocene.” For the rockhounds who came on the trip, regardless of the age of the wood, it was beautiful and a lot of fun to collect. That morning we were greeted by the owner of the hunting cabin we were using as our base camp. He explained some of the history of the area and very generously offered the use of his ATV’s to get to the creek and back. The ATV’s were definitely a boon because though the walk through the woods was pleasant, it was very hot and a pretty good distance to walk, especially on the return trip loaded with petrified wood! The group went down to the creek to collect in the morning and returned to cool off and relax at the cabin in the afternoon. Mike Nagle helped me start charcoals in a grill, then Lawrence Parker finished prepping the grill and grilled up a pile of hot dogs for everyone. People brought lots of cold drinks, fresh fruit, chips, and desserts to share, so we had a wonderful lunch before heading back to the
creek for more collecting. Everyone I talked to found some petrified wood as well as some colorful gravel. There were some impressive logs collected, one with an opalized crust. New member Kim Fulk used a clever technique that involved goggles and lying in the water. He scanned the banks from underwater and brought out some incredibly nice logs, one of which was a root, possible acacia. It was a super fun trip and there are many people to thank. Mel, our host, was so very gracious to invite us to his cabin and let us use his grill, coolers, refrigerator, and ATV’s. Just having a clean bathroom and an air conditioned respite were more than we could have hoped for. His grandson and the rest of his family were so welcoming and helpful we can’t thank them enough. The Montgomery Gem and Mineral Society was very kind to share their location with us and we plan to thank them with a special trip in our area. Field trip chair Charles Carter worked very hard to put the trip together. Everyone who attended the trip shared their food and camaraderie, too. It was a most enjoyable trip so hopefully we will do it again someday! For more pictures from the trip, please see the website at www.gamineral.org
The Georgia Mineral Society July 2015
Page 10 Tips and Trips
Hawaii’s Colorful Sand By Mary Gurney
Hawaii is a chain of 8 major islands and 124 small islands, reefs, atolls, and shoals. The islands are surrounded by coral reefs that both create and can protect the Hawaiian beaches. The sand there is created by two main factors: mechanincal erosion mostly by waves and currents, and bioerosion by marine animals. The Hawaiian sands like most sands are composed of tiny fragments of the rock, mineral, and biogenic material found on and around the islands. One of the unusual characteristics of Hawaiian sand is how little quartz is found. The relatively “new” age of the islands and that the islands are composed of volcanic materials are factors of the sand content. The primary components of Hawaiian sand are biogenic, basaltic, pyroclastics, magnetite, olivine, apatite, and chlorite. Considering the limited sources and land mass, Hawaii has quite a range of sand colors and beaches, some of which are quite rare. Hawaii is relatively “new” with the oldest island estimated at 6 million years old and the youngest, the Big Island of Hawaii at .4 to 1 million years old. Green The most rare sand is the Green sand found on the Southeast part of the Big Island of Hawaii. A littoral cone (Pu’u O Mahana) of basaltic lava high in olivine (also known as peridot) in the area is the main source of this sand. The newer sources create larger, sharper, and brighter green sands. The more these sands are exposed to weathering and erosion the smaller, rounder and darker the granuals become. The olivine, a magnesium iron silicate is a common mineral on earth but not usually near the conditions that create a beach sand. Phytoplankton can create the look of a green beach but is not sand. There are few green sand beach on earth made from minerals. Hawaiian green beaches are found in the South Point area small coves, Mahana beaches and the famous Papakilea Beach.
Red One of other very rare beach sands is the red beaches found on the island of Maui. The most popular red beach is Kaihalulu Beach in the town of Hana. The nearby red volcanic cinder cliffs and hills weather and erode to create
the sand. This source is rich in iron and tends to stay in this area because an offshore lava reef protects the beach from being eroded away by waves and currents. However, should you wish to visit some areas of red beaches, you must get permission to cross private properties. You might also wish to know that Kaihalulu Public Beach is one of Hawaii’s clothing optional beaches! You may get more than an eyeful of sand!
Glass Beach One of the more unusual beaches is the glass beach found in the southern end of the island Kauai, near Port Allen Harbor, in the town of Ele’ele. This area used to be a dump for glass, including broken auto glass, bottles, flasks, and window glass. After 30 years or so the glass has been broken down and reduced to sand size rounded particles of mostly brown, aqua, blue, and clear glass. The waves and currents as well as the particles rubbing each other created the “beach”. The offshore reefs help to somewhat protect this beach from being washed away. Amazingly, an ounce of this “sand” was more expensive than an ounce of any of the other Hawaiian sands.
Yellow (or tan) Although most beaches in the world range from a yellowish to tan color, Hawaii has lower percentage of these than some of the other kinds of beaches. In Hawaii these beaches also have a high content of coral and seashells rather than rock or mineral content. The island of Maui has many of these beaches and also Halawa Beach and Hulopoe Bay. The most famous of these beaches is Waikiki, in the state capital of Honolulu. There have been many controversial accusations and articles claiming that the Waikiki beach sand was really imported from another country. The Department of Land and Natural Resources and the Department of Tourism vehemently deny any importation of beach sands. White Sand There are many white beaches in Hawaii. Since Hawaii
Tips and Trips Page 11
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
does not have a large source of quartz, most of these beaches are created from the corals, algaes, molluscs, foraminifera, echinoderms, and bryozoans found in and around the islands. The eroded limestone particles, coral and shell and other fragments are created by more than the normal mechanical weathering and decomposition. Creatures eating the coral, algaes, and other things break them down and pass them through their system. Yes, these highly popular beaches have a very high content of sand made and expelled as animal waste! The largest contributor to this type of sand are the many types of parrot fish. One parrot fish generally creates about 198 pounds of sand per year! Other animals contributing sand waste to create these beaches are boring worms, grazing urchins, bivalves, and boring sponges. These types of beaches bleach even whiter in the abundant sun of this area. The white sand under the shallower shore waters also reflect a beautiful azure blue popular with beachgoers. This white sand also reflects the sun rays so sun tans are quickly and easily achieved. However, unwary beachgoers easily sunburn on these beaches quickly too. White beaches make great lures to the tourists that make up the biggest part of Hawaiian income. One of the popular beaches is the Magic Sand Beach on the Big Island. The occasional large storm will wash all the sand away leaving a rocky shore. However, soon the waves and currents redeposit the sand within a short time creating the “magical” appearing and disappearing of beach sand. These beaches are commonly found on the windward side of Oahu, the northern side Big Island (Hawaii), and Molokai. Some of the more popular beaches are La’aloa (Magic Sand Beach), Kailua Bay, Makaiwa Bay, and Kahalu’u beaches on the Big Island, and Waimanalo Beach (Oahu), Anaeho’omalu, Hapuna, and Waialea. Black Black sand beaches are not as uncommon as other types of sand in Hawaii, but these beach sands are generally a beautiful shiny black. As Hawaii is composed of volcanoes, the numerous black sand beaches throughout the islands and archipelagos are understandable. The most famous are the Punalu’u Black Sand Beach,
Honokalan, and Honokalani Beach on the Big Island, Kaimu near the Kilauea volcano, Halawa Beach in Molokai, and the Keleiwi Beach Park, and on Maui. The creation of new beaches from the Kilauea volcano have allowed scientists to observe and study the creation of black sand beaches. The volcanic lava flowing into the colder ocean waters is immediately changed to glasslike obsidian that shatters from the resulting steam. The treacherous waves and currents beat at the lava flows and breaks down the shattered fragments and lava rocks quickly. The beach by Kaimu Beach is estimated at around 25 years young. The majority of black sand beaches have a “short” life span of a few hundred years because when the volcano stops erupting so does the primary black sand source. The wave and current erosion carries black sand away and generally deposits other sands eventually creating a mixed sand beach. Sea turtles favor the black sand beaches for egg laying. The biologists believe it is because the black sand absorbs the sun rays’ warmth. It can make it hot for the human bare feet (and other body parts)! Salt and Pepper This is a common type of beach mostly created by from a mix of black lava sands (pepper) and the white, biogenic (salt) sands in the area. They can also be created by the eroded and redeposited sands of other locations mixing together. Some of the more popular salt and pepper beaches are on the Kona side of the Big Island, the windward side of Oahu and many of the other islands, and Hamoa in Maui and Ke-awa-iki. Pele’s Curse Pele’s curse seems to be an urban legend created by ecology minded rangers (most cited source) or lazy bus drivers. Pele’s curse does include no pork over the Pali Highway in Oahu, no picking of red Lehua blossoms on Ohia trees, etc, but does not specifically address sand.
There is a Hawaiian legend of not removing a male or female black lava rock or they cannot produce baby black pebbles or sand and the “beach” may disappear. There was one modern religious reference to the spirits of the dead residing in the land, rocks, and plant life until they can move on so they should be treated with respect and care. However, should you believe in curses and wish to remove a Pele curse you could try offering food or flowers at the Halema’uma’u crater.
There is a law that says not to remove items from National Parks and not to take more than 1 gallon of sand per day from other beaches. Privately owned beaches can post no removal signs. There are many return sites for
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those wishing to return “cursed” sand, rocks, etc. Even if this curse is an urban legend, all geological sites should get respect to sustaining and caring for the environment and site.
Sources State of Hawaii: Department of Land and Natural Resources
General SB Hawwaii.com information on Hawaii Sand
A Coast of Many Colors: Sand on Hawaiian Beaches Isn’t Just Golden Published by the Orange County Register (newspaper)
Department of Geology and Geophysics: University of Hawaii Jody Harney PhD. www6hawaii.gov
Demand Media Travel Tips Articles Other Colors of Hawaii’s Beaches by Monica Wachman The Sands of Hawaii’s Beaches by Jacob Michael
Matt Whaley, 3943 Massey Wood Trl. Raleigh, NC 27616 (Hawaii sand collector)
Hawaii Visitor’s Bureau: Hawaii’s Beautiful, Yet Strangely Coloured Beaches (The few pronunciations of proper names I could find) Punalu’u – poo na loo Kaimu – kah ee moo Kilauea – keel a way ah Kailua – kye lu ah Oahu – o ah ho Hana – hah nah Kaihalulu – kah ha lu lu Waikiki – Y –kee-kee Kahului – ha hu loo ee Kona – ko nah Ni’ihau – ne hou Kauai – kou i or kah oo ah ee Lanai – lehn i Koho’olawe – kah ho o lah va or kah ho o lah wa
Brad’s Bench Tips
SOLDERING PRONGS
I often use prongs to hold an irregular cab or other
object on rings and pendants. But prongs can be a
little tricky to solder. You have to find some way to
hold them all upright while soldering, and the simple
butt joint that looks strong sometimes breaks when
you start to bend the prong over the stone. There's
nothing worse than having a prong break off when you're setting the stone *#~*! I solved both problems with one little trick. It holds the prongs in position while soldering and it gives you a stronger joint at the same time. Locate and center punch the position for each prong. Then drill holes a little smaller than your prong wire. Sand a small taper on the ends of your prong wires and stand them up in the holes. The wires support themselves, soldering is easy, and the joint is stronger because of the increased soldering area. - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - TWISTING WIRE Twisting wire can be done with an old hand drill but goes much faster with a power tool. My preference is to use a screw gun, although a Foredom should do well. Just make a little hook out of coat hanger wire (or use a screw-in cup hook) and chuck it up in your screw gun. Grip the free ends of the wire in a vice and slip the looped end onto your hook. Keep a little tension on the wires as you twist. Note that a power drill is too fast a tool for this unless you have one with variable speed. A picture is attached ========================================= Get all 101 of Brad's bench tips in "Bench Tips for Jewelry Making" on Amazon
Tips and Trips Page 13
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
May “Epic Field Trip” Report By Lori Carter
The first stop on the epic field trip was Wells Creek Basin, TN. The site is a very, very old impact crater. The meteorite struck with such force that the bedrock has a distinctive fracture pattern. Sometimes the fractures result in a cone which is referred to as a “shatter cone”. A limited group got to collect shatter cones at ground zero. The shatter pattern is omnipresent in the dolostone there, and with a little work we were extracting some excellent cones, including some 360 degree specimens, plus Walt Kubilius extracted a positive and it’s negative. It was a great way to begin the epic trip. The next day started at sunrise in front of the Vulcan Quarry in Parsons, TN. First we signed waivers, then listened carefully to all of the safety rules. After we donned our hardhats and steel-toed boots, quarry employees escorted the group into the quarry and directed us to the fossils. Immediately we were finding trilobite pygidiums (aka trilo-butts), crinoid stems, brachiopods, and plates loaded with bryozoans. I saw several crinoid calyxes and some unidentified specimens too. All around I kept hearing “Oh wow, look at this!” followed by “Oh wait, look at this!” Teresa Curl found a complete coral colony and Mickey McClain found a complete bryozoan colony too! There were so many superb fossils I think everyone came away with at least one prize piece. After a quick lunch we headed for the next stop on the epic trip at 20 Mile Creek near Frankstown, MS. We were met there by Roger Lambert from the North Mississippi Gem & Mineral Society and his son Matt. They led us to the best areas of the creek to collect and helped identify our finds. The water felt great and it was easy to screen for fossils there. Exogyra oyster fossils (and sand samples!) were abundant. Shark teeth were a
little more elusive, though several nice specimens were found. Lizabeth McClain found a rare piece of fossilized shark cartilage. My most unusual acquisition that day was quite a coup. By what can only be described as pure, dumb, cluck, I spotted a unique specimen laying on the ground by the cars. It wasn’t much to crow about, but it would be a nice little feather in my hat. I was in a stew over it because I had to be sure it didn’t belong to someone who may have laid it there. I brooded over it for a while, then hatched an eggcellent plan. I didn’t want to ruffle any feathers and get egg on my face for taking someone else’s find, so I decided to wing it and see if it was still there at the end of the day. Later, after I scrambled back out of the creek, there it was, sunny side up, still nesting on its perch; hence it was unclaimed. But, there was a tough old bird standing right next to it! Walking on egg shells to avoid getting her hackles up, I asked, “Excuse me – is that your rubber chicken?” Even if it was hers, she laid no claim to it, so it is now mine. Of course, the yolk was on me. After I got it home I noticed a decidedly fowl smell had come to roost on my poultry little prize. Faster than a speeding pullet, it now has free range outside my house! The last day and final stop on the epic trip was near Blue Springs, MS. Thanks to GMS member Al Klatt who introduced us to George Phillips, Paleontology Curator at the Mississippi Museum of Natural Science, we got permission to collect at a borrow pit. Decapods were the prizes that day from tiny crabs to spiny lobsters. Most of the crabs were just the carapaces, though there were some specimens with a few appendages attached, and there were several species found. Roger and his son were on hand again to help direct us to the best places to search and to identify our finds. Delicate gastropods plus sea pen fossils were abundant. Mickey McClain found a complete spiny lobster. New member John Crown even found some crab coprolites! The epic trip would not have been possible without the help of many people: Marvin Berwind; the management and employees at the Vulcan Quarry; Roger Lambert and his family; George Phillips; plus all of the field trip attendees who travelled so far, patiently endured the “who’s on first” Eastern time vs Central time confusion, and simply had fun!
For more pictures from the trip, please see the website at www.gamineral.org
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Page 14 Tips and Trips
Pictures from the June Picnic
To view
other
pictures,
check out
this link to
our website
http://
www.gamineral.org/pics/archive/picnic/2015/2015-
picnic.html
Up and Coming Shows
October 23rd - 25th, 2015 2015 AFMS/SCFMS
Convention and Show Gem Capers 2015 Convention Location Doubletree Inn 6505 North Interstate Highway 35 Austin, TX 78752 (512) 454-3737 Show Location Palmer Events Center 900 Barton Springs Road Austin, TX 78704-1169 (512) 472-5111
Sept. 25 - 27, 2015 Jacksonville, Florida 27th Annual Show Jacksonville Gem and Mineral Society in conjunction with 1st Annual Florida Faceters Frolic, Hosted by the TOMOKA FACETERS GUILD, Morocco Shrine Auditorium, 3800 St. Johns Bluff Road, Jacksonville, FL 32224 Admission: $3 or $5 for three day pass
October 9, 10, & 11, 2015 47th Annual Gem, Jewelry, &
Mineral Show, Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society -
Huntsville, AL Fri: 10AM to 6 PM; Sat:10 AM to 6 PM;
Sun: Noon to 5 PM, Jaycees Community Building - 2180
Airport Rd.. Huntsville, AL. Located west of Memorial Pkwy & east of Leeman Ferry Rd. North of Airport Rd. Turn North at Jaycee Dr @ the traffic light.
October 16 - 18, 2015 25th Annual Gem & Mineral Show, Knoxville, TN Knoxville Gem and Mineral Society Kerbela Temple, 315 Mimosa Ave, Knoxville, TN. For more information, contact Beth Willis [email protected] www.knoxrocks.org/gemshow.html December 4
th -6
th, Cobb County Gem and
Mineral Society Annual Show (moved to Jim Miller
Park) Due to the Cobb Civic Center under renovation, the show had to change venues and date. Please mark your calendar for the updated event.
Tips and Trips Page 15
July 2015 The Georgia Mineral Society
Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 2 3 4
5 6 General
Meeting
7 GMS
Workshop
7pm-9pm
8 Sand
Section
9 10 11 CCGMS
Field
Trip
12
Workshop—
Certified
members only
2 to 4 pm
GMS Field
Trip
13
Fossil
Section
14 15
16 17 18 DMC
Field
Trip
19 20 21 GMS
Workshop
7pm-9pm
22
Mineral
Section
23 24 25
26 27 Gem
Section
28 29 30 31
July 2015
I-75 Exit 293
Cartersville, Georgia 770-606-5700
http://tellusmuseum.org/index.htm
All lectures are free for members and included in the cost of museum admission for non-members. Galleries will
remain open until the start of the lecture.
Fernbank Museum of Natural History 76 Clifton Rd. NE,
Atlanta, GA (404)929-6300
http://www.fernbankmuseum.org/
A few of the Permanent Exhibits: A Walk Through Time in Georgia
Giants of the Mesozoic The World of Shells
New: ________ MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION The Georgia Mineral Society, Inc. Renewal: ________ 4138 Steve Reynolds Blvd.
Norcross, GA 30093-3059 www.gamineral.org
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___________________________ ______________________________________ __________ Names and (optional) Birthdays (mo/day) of other adults currently living with you (18 or older): ___________________________ __________________________ ______________________ Dues are $25 per year, due every 12 months from date of joining. Electronic delivery of the newsletter is included in the membership dues. For printed and mailed copies of the newsletter, add $10 per year to your dues payment (total $35) and check here ___ PLEASE MAKE CHECKS PAYABLE TO: THE GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.
All members of the Georgia Mineral Society, Inc. agree to abide by the AFMS code of ethics (www.amfed.org/ethics.htm)
THE GEORGIA MINERAL SOCIETY, INC.
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