Volume 57 Number 10 October 3, 2016

From Da Prez:

It was brought to attention at the September meeting that the Yearly Raffle specimen, donated by

Mac Anderson-Whitehurst, a beautiful polished Cephalonia pod plate that is a 14" x 8" block, approxi-

mately 10 lbs. with about 20 shells, from the Atlas Mountains in Morocco, has had only $65 in ticket

sales. Tickets are only $1 each and we encourage you to increase the odds of your chance to win this gor-

geous specimen in December. If any of our Honorary or out-of-town members would like to purchase tick-

ets, please send a check to the Club Treasurer, Joe Maguire, and we will have the specimen guardian, Roy

Carlson, add your tickets to the rest. Joe can send your ticket halves to keep, as receipt. The pod plate is

worth $200-ish.

I have spoken with a representative of Hoot Owl Mine who says they are open for digging! They are lo-

cated in Spruce Pine and request groups to be a minimum of 6 people, no group discounts, fee is a firm $75. That includes

tools if you need, a group guide, and all stones you find. I asked if digs are productive and she answered, “it depends on how

hard you want to work”. There are surface materials and they are continually adding and turning material. Beautiful aqua-

marines are coming out of that mine! I need those of you interested to email me at kbmonty@triad.rr.com and let me know

which Saturday in October you prefer: 1st, 8th, 15th, or 22nd. I will email the winning date to the Diggers for confirmation of

attendance before I reserve a date and guide. Dig time is 10 a.m to 2 p.m. They ask you register at 9 a.m. Here is their web-

site: https://gemmountain.com/gem-mining/mine-trips/

Also, our club meetings are ‘loosely’ based on Robert’s Rules of Order so there is continuity to each meeting and

member voting opportunity to endorse motions of action. The only additional rule I announce at each meeting is the no-

cellphone ringing or use during the meetings. I need to remind that as our meeting room is rather large and it is frequently

hard to hear, that side conversations be reserved before or after meetings. We discourage people changing seats and moving

around in order to have a “meeting within a meeting”. It is disrespectful to our Speakers and members and quite a distrac-

tion to all. Thank you for mindfulness!

The October meeting is Auction Time! Bring something to donate, anything, that may be of interest to rock

hounds. Not mandatory, but makes for fun bidding! We wish to congratulate Judy McCourt on her marriage to Justin Bur-

Next Club Meeting

October 3, 2016 7:00 PM

New Garden Friends

801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC 27410

FALL AUCTION

McCreery Scholarship: $ 1,182.00 + $23.00 = $1,205.00

2016 Specimen raffle $65.00 + $7.00 = $72.00

Next Meeting November 7, 2016

Hospitality Report 2016:

Janet Woodcock

Jan. 4: Joe Maguire Feb. 1: Debbie Bechtold March 7: Dawn & Shawn Healy April 4: Debbie Bechtold May 2: Gary Parker June 6: Mary Pendergraph July 11: Shelton family

Aug. 1: Montgomery Family Sept. 12: Smith family

Oct. 3 Roy Carlson Nov. 7: Adams brothers Dec.5, Holiday Dinner

Piedmont Prospector© Volume 57 Number 10 Page 2

October Birthdays: Pat Maguire Bryan Deel Dan Pilhorn Shaun Shelton Steve Smith

Visitors:

New Member: Kathleen Hurley

2016 Field Trips Jan . none

Feb. 27 Night at the Museum– Raleigh

Daytime scavenger hunt

March Burgin Quartz, Norwood, NC quarry

April open

May 14 cookout/rock swap, Shelton’s

June 4 show

July 23 Garnet mine / Spruce Pine, NC

August Crabtree Emerald Mine,

Little Switzerland, NC Sept none

Oct Quarry

Nov none

Dec:. 5 Club Holiday Special carry in meal

2016 Programs:

Jan. 4 Lapidary DVD part 1—trim saw

Feb. 1 Gem Trees, Gary Parker

March Lapidary DVD part 2

April 4 Spring Auction May 2

June 6 Lapidary DVD part 3

July 11. Shaun Shelton Aug. 1 Joe Maguire, GGMC History Sept. 12 Show and Tell

Oct. 3 Fall Auction Nov. 7 Dec. 5 Holiday dinner; “Dirty-Rotten-Santa”

Highlights of the September Meeting by Joyce Patton

President, Kathie Montgomery, began the September 2016 meeting by welcoming 24 members

and guest Sandra King of Burlington, friend of Ron Hammond. Steve and Grace Smith provided re-

freshments consisting of crackers, veggie tray, chips, salsa, cookies and soft drinks. Thanks, Smiths.

Door Prize and Raffle Winners

Joe Maguire—selected pyrophyllite, Granville County, NC and donated it to Adley Emirbayer.

Amber Shelton—calcite and marcasite, from Waterloo, Iowa

McCreery Scholarship 50-50 winner—Kathie Hurley, $23 total. Kathie graciously donated her winnings

back to the scholarship fund

Club Show

Kathie reported that a new show committee should be formed now so the committee could be

certain to get advertising ready and sent to publications for January editions. When she asked for vol-

unteers, every member of the 2015 committee volunteered again. They are Kathie Montgomery, Charlie

Finch, Gary Parker, Ed Deckert, Steve Smith, Dawn Healy, Shawn Healy, and Joyce Patton. The com-

mittee can concentrate on advertising and planning this year without worrying about a location. All

comments about the Farmers Market were all positive from both vendors and club members.

Member News

Vice-President Charlie Finch was able to attend the September meeting. He has had surgery to

correct a pinched sciatic nerve. Welcome back, Charlie.

Program—Show and Tell

The September meeting was our annual Show and Tell. Members were asked to bring in speci-

mens, either purchased or a new dig discovery, a rock that needed identifying, a cool decorative item

made with minerals or something that displays a mineral, pieces of jewelry; basically, anything a mem-

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 56 Number 10 Page 3

ber wanted to show off or find out about. Also, too much of something in a collection could be brought

in and sold.

Joe Maguire started the discussion by showing samples and telling how he became interested in

faceting. He had found an amethyst in the mountains then had it cut and the fellow charged him $200.

At that point he decided to learn faceting himself and started taking classes. His first specimen started

out the size of his thumb but ended up the size of a grain of sand. Many years later he had learned well,

and showed the group some beautiful examples. His most successful piece was a rock thrown into the

trash by another student. He got it out, faceted it, and it turned out to be a 17 ct. ametrine (amethyst

and citrine). Following Joe’s talk everyone started moving around the room having individual discus-

sions with other members and their displays.

Steve Smith showed off beautiful polished malachite specimens. These included two carved

pieces, one a rhino so well done that Steve could not be convinced to sell it.

Roy Carlson showed off his woodworking skill with a display piece holding an ammonite that

was visible from both sides. Adley Emirbayer showed off his display case of arrowheads that he had

collected himself, quite impressive for a young man. Another nice collection was shown by Amber Shel-

ton. She had a large display case full of quartz crystals from the Bergin dig site.

Kathie Montgomery had two beautiful specimens on display. One was polished malachite, the

other a rough azurite/malachite specimen, both from Morocco. Shawn and Dawn Healey had some

beautiful cabochons that they had mounted.

New member Suki Knight brought in eclectic pieces of jewelry, all with interesting stones, many

to be identified.

Mike Smagner had part of his large collection of garnets from Little Pine mine, quite impressive

for a new member. Joyce Patton brought in an agate slab that showed an etched drawing of a prospec-

tor and burro, as an interesting technique for some of our crafty members to try.

Members seemed to have a great time exploring the different displays, discussing and admiring

specimens, getting minerals identified, sharing stories and techniques, and generally enjoying time with

other enthusiastic rockhounds.

***************************************************************************************************

October Birthstone : Opal Multi-colored

October's birthstone treats the eye to an explosion of shimmering colors, not unlike those of a

magnificent rainbow following a summer rain. The Opal derives its name from the Latin word

"opalus," meaning precious jewel. Prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wave-

lengths of light, the Opal was called "Cupid Paederos" by the Romans, meaning a child beautiful as

love. One legendary explanation for this gemstone's origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery

lightning.

Ancient monarchs treasured Opals, both for their beauty and for their presumed protective

powers. They were set into crowns and worn in necklaces to ward off evil and to protect the eyesight.

These gemstones were also ground and ingested for their healing properties and to ward off night-

mares.

The Opal dates back to prehistoric times. It is a non-crystallized silica, which is a mineral found

near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. As the hot springs

dried up, layers of the silica, combined with water, were deposited into the cracks and cavities of the

bedrock, forming Opal. This gemstone actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from

heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of irides-

cence. Opal must also be guarded from blows, since it is relatively soft and breaks easily.

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 57 Number 10 Page 4

Most of the world's Opal deposits are found in Southern Australia. Other sources of this gem-

stone are Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia and Nevada. Quality Opal is very expensive, made more so

by the caution that must be exercised in cutting, polishing and setting it into jewelry.

A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. And the powerful energy radiating

from this fiery gemstone will surely illuminate any occasion!

Alternate Birthstone

An alternate birthstone for October, Pink Tourmaline has the seemingly magical property of

pyroelectricity. Scientifically speaking, this means that when heated, the gem takes on a static electric

charge, making it capable of attracting lightweight objects. No wonder this gemstone was revered for its

mystical properties centuries ago! Considered the "stone of the muse," it was believed to stimulate the

creative process of its wearer. Pink varieties of Tourmaline range in color from pastel pink to ruby red

and are mined in Brazil, Afghanistan, Burma, and India. A gift of this stone is symbolic of hope.

*******************************************************************************

Science Daily

Opal discovered in Antarctic meteorite

Date: June 27, 2016

Source: Royal Astronomical Society (RAS)

Summary:

Planetary scientists have discovered pieces of opal in a meteorite found in Antarctica, a result

that demonstrates that meteorites delivered water ice to asteroids early in the history of the solar sys-

tem.

Images of one of the many pieces of opal found in meteorite EET 83309. At top right is a back

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 57 Number 10 Page 5

scattered electron image (the long thin dark object is opal). At bottom

left is an image of silica concentrations in opal and surrounding meteoritic

minerals. At top left is an image of oxygen concentrations in opal and sur-

rounding minerals. At bottom right is an image nickel concentrations in

opal and surrounding minerals.

Credit: H. Downes

Planetary scientists have discovered pieces of opal in a meteorite

found in Antarctica, a result that demonstrates that meteorites delivered

water ice to asteroids early in the history of the solar system. Led by Pro-

fessor Hilary Downes of Birkbeck College London, the team announce

their results at the National Astronomy Meeting in Nottingham on Monday 27 June.

Opal, familiar on Earth as a precious stone used in jewellery, is made up of silica (the major component

of sand) with up to 30% water in its structure, and has not yet been identified on the surface of any as-

teroid. Before the new work, opal had only once been found in a meteorite, as a handful of tiny crystals

in a meteorite from Mars.

Downes and her team studied the meteorite, named EET 83309, an object made up of thousands

and broken pieces of rock and minerals, meaning that it originally came from the broken up surface, or

regolith, of an asteroid. Results from other teams show that while the meteorite was still part of the as-

teroid, it was exposed to radiation from the Sun, the so-called solar wind, and from other cosmic

sources. Asteroids lack the protection of an atmosphere, so radiation hits their surfaces all the time.

EET 83309 has fragments of many other kinds of meteorite embedded in it, showing that there were

many impacts on the surface of the parent asteroid, bringing pieces of rock from elsewhere in the solar

system. Downes believes one of these impacts brought water ice to the surface of the asteroid, allowing

the opal to form.

She comments: "The pieces of opal we have found are either broken fragments or they are re-

placing other minerals. Our evidence shows that the opal formed before the meteorite was blasted off

from the surface of the parent asteroid and sent into space, eventually to land on Earth in Antarctica."

"This is more evidence that meteorites and asteroids can carry large amounts of water ice. Although we

rightly worry about the consequences of the impact of large asteroid, billions of years ago they may

have brought the water to the Earth and helped it become the world teeming with life that we live in to-

day."

The team used different techniques to analyse the opal and check its composition. They see con-

vincing evidence that it is extra-terrestrial in origin, and did not form while the meteorite was sitting in

the Antarctic ice. For example, using the NanoSims instrument at the Open University, they can see that

although the opal has interacted to some extent with water in the Antarctic, the isotopes (different

forms of the same element) match the other minerals in the original meteorite.

Story Source:

The above post is reprinted from materials provided by Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). Note: Con-

tent may be edited for style and length.

Cite This Page: MLA / APA /Chicago

Royal Astronomical Society (RAS). "Opal discovered in Antarctic meteorite." ScienceDaily.

ScienceDaily, 27 June 2016. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2016/06/160627095939.htm>.

The Piedmont Prospector © Volume 57 Number 10 Page 6

Included below are a couple Jewelry Bench Tips for use in your club's newsletter

See all Brad's jewelry books at Amazon.com/author/BradfordSmith

Many thanks, Brad www.BradSmithJewelry.com

REMOVING SOLDER FROM A BEZEL

Sometimes when you solder a bezel to a base plate, you end up with excess solder that needs to be removed before

setting the stone. My choice of tool for this is called an "Inverse Cone" bur used in a rotary tool or flexshaft. It cuts on both

the bottom and the side and is shaped so that there's less chance of cutting into the bezel wall than if you used the more com-

mon cylinder bur shape. I find the 2 mm size

useful for almost any bezel.

TESTING FOR SILVER

Often you need to identify some of those unknown "silvery" pieces in the bottom of the toolbox or some piece of old

jewelry. Is it silver or something else?

Of course, if you need to know exactly what you have, it's best to send your metals off for refining. But inexpensive

silver testing solutions can be used to help distinguish higher silver content alloys from alloys

that have the same appearance but with little to no silver content, like German Silver or Nickel.

I purchased a half-ounce bottle of JSP Silver Testing Solution #GT41.

It's not a rigorous analytic test, but it lets you know if you're on the right track. And it's inexpensive. Mine was only $3.

With a fresh solution you have an instant reaction after applying it to the metal being tested. The procedure is sim-

ple - as you apply a small drop, look for a color change. Note that the acid will leave a slight mark, so choose a spot that is

out of the way or will be easy to polish.

If you suspect the object is silver plated, you should file a little notch somewhere inconspicuous to expose what metal

is below the surface. Otherwise, all you test will be the surface plating.

Here's the reaction I got when testing various materials:

Fine silver Red/Orange Sterling silver Brick Red

80% silver 20% copper Dark red changing to gray Brass Yellow changing to blue

Nickel Gray-green Copper Yellow changing to blue

Steel Black Stainless Steel No color change

Caution - If you do any of this testing, know that you are handling a reasonably strong acid. The GT41 label says it

includes nitric acid and potassium dichromate.

Wear safety glasses.

Do not get any testing solution on your skin.

Use a solution of baking soda and water to neutralize acid.

Wash and clean up well when you're done.

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Earth Songs 2106 Patterson Street

Greensboro, NC 27407

336.294.2111

“The largest collection of specimens between

Atlanta and Washington DC”- Editor

2016 SCHEDULE

Jan. 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING 2016 Dues Due

Feb. 1: MEMBERSHIP MEETING

March 7: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors, membership roles updated.

April 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Spring Auction

May 2: MEMBERSHIP MEETING

June 4: Our annual outdoor show

June 6: MEMBERSHIP MEETING

July 11: MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Aug. 1: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors and Nomination Committee Sept. 12: MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Oct. 3 MEMBERSHIP MEETING

Nov 7: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Ballot in Newsletter, mail or bring to meeting.

Dec 5, Holiday dinner, “Dirty-Rotten-Santa”; Awards; Election results;

Meetings are held the first Monday of each month (except holidays ) at 7:00 PM at New Garden Friends Meeting

Friendship Hall, 801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC,.

Phone (336) 288-7452 or e-mail Joe_maguire@prodigy.net.

How to get to the meeting: Get off Interstate 40 ( I-40 ) at Guilford College exit, Go north towards Greensboro. You will cross railroad tracks at Market Street; Continue north another 1.1 miles to the second traffic light, this is Friendly Avenue. The meeting is at the next light so get into the left lane. Continue north one tenth of a mile to the next traffic light and driveway entrance. Turn left into the meeting property and park in the back. Have your Family and Friends “Like” us on Facebook: Greensboro Gem & Mineral Club See us on the web: www.ggmc-rockhounds.com

Year 2016 Officers:

President & Chairperson Vice President Treasurer (TEMP) Secretary Program Chair Charlie Finch Joe Maguire Joyce Patton Chief Executive c/o Club address c/o Club address c/o Club address Kathie Montgomery charliefinch@ joe_Maguire@prodigy.net c/o Club address bellsouth.net kbmonty@triad.rr.com _ Board of Directors for 2016: Gary Parker ‘16 Ed Deckert ‘17 Steve Smith ‘18

Shaun Shelton ’16 Charlie Finch ‘17 Roy Carlson ’18

Dawn Healy ‘16 Joyce Patton ‘ 17 John Hiller ‘18

Honorary Life Members: Dr. Cyril H. Harvey & Judith W. Harvey Joe Meadows Steve and Grace Smith Joe & Pat Maguire Steve Adams Laurie Adams Dr. Jean & Kevin Bonebreak Joyce & Kelly Patton Mac & Marie Anderson-Whitehurst Dr. Tim & Elaine Biggart Debra Livingston Dr. Joseph & Maria Mountjoy Ed Deckert John Hiller Kathie & Jim Montgomery Gary Parker Russ Holshouser (D) Program Chair: Kathie Montgomery Hospitality: Janet Woodcock Membership: Joyce Patton Editor: Joe Maguire Historian: Joe Maguire Show Chair: OPEN Librarian: OPEN Web Chair: Glenn Woodfin Auctioneers: Steve Smith / Gary Parker Trip Consultant: Shaun Shelton Publicity: OPEN McCreery Fund: Club Treasurer Special events/Geodes: Steve Smith Show Hospitality: Joyce Patton & Grace Smith Holiday Chairperson: Janet Woodcock Facebook: Kathie Montgomery

October Dates: Items of interest: (Something going on? Let us know.)

Lapidary workshops www.sfmsworkshops.com for more info.

14-16—VIRGINIA BEACH, VIRGINIA: Annual show; Treasures of the Earth Gem, Mineral & Jewelry

Shows, Virginia Beach Convention Center; 1000 19th Street; Fri. 12-6, Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-5; Adults $5, Students

16 and under free; Vendors from across the United States bring a variety of merchandise. Their items include

14K and sterling silver, classic, estate, fashion and handmade jewelry. Loose stones, beads and findings, pearls,

mineral specimens, rocks, crystals, lapidary supplies. Jewelers and wire wrappers who can design, remount and

set stones and make repairs on site. Display of rocks and minerals and demonstrations of lapidary arts by the two

Gem and Mineral Societies of the area. ; contact Jane Westbrook, PO Box 59, Gloucester Point, VA 23062, (804)-

642-2011; e-mail: ellen@treasuresoftheearth.com; Web site: www.treasuresoftheearth.com

14-16—FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA: Show and sale; Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin, NC, Robert

C. Carpenter Community Building; 1288 Georgia Road; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-4; Adults/Seniors $2, Stu-

dents $1, Children under 12 free; There will be door prizes, demonstrations, and benchwork on site. Finished

jewelry (gold & silver), rough & cut gemstones, specimens, beads, minerals, and tools. ; contact Linda Harbuck,

425 Porter Street, Franklin, NC 28734, (800)-336-7829; e-mail: lindah@franklin-chamber.com; Web site:

www.visitfranklinnc.com

15-16—CHARLESTON, WEST VIRGINIA: Annual show; Kanawha Rock & Gem Club, So. Charleston,

Community Center; 601 Jefferson Rd.; Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5; Adults $3.50, Children under 12 free; Annual,Gem

& Mineral Fossil, & Jewelry Show & Sale. A well selected group of dealers with some great stuff you just won't

see any where else in town.We got plenty of free parking live demo's , food in the house & plenty of door prizes. ;

contact Franko Franko, Po. Box 252, Farmington, WV 26571, (304)-657-7089

October 3, 2016

Vol. 57, No.10

The Piedmont Prospector©

2012 Honorable mention Large Bulletins

2002 winner AFMS Large Bulletin

The Greensboro Gem and Mineral Club, Inc. The Piedmont Gemcutter's Guild c/o GGMC Editor P.O. Box 13087 Greensboro, NC 27415-3087

.