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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
September 2006.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• PROGRAM - SEPTEMBER 27, 2006;
• REVIEW - AUGUST 23, 2006;
• If the #2 pencil;
• MARK YOUR CALENDARS;
• SUCCESSFUL FIRST 2007 SHOW MEETING;
• NOMINATING COMMITTEE TIME AGAIN.;
• Don't insult;
• CHIPS & BOULDERS;
• WEB SITES;
• PROGRAM SCHEDULE FOR MONTHLY MEETINGS;
• If it is true;
• 710;
• OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS;
• HOSPITALITY;
• VGMS MINUTES;
• MEMBERSHIP.;
• TAX ADVISOR NEWS;
• RECORDS RETENTION;
• "FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN";
• Any idiot;
• BUREAU OF LAND MANAGEMENT LAND AND MINERAL RECORDS;
• AGATES;
• THERE ARE GEMS IN THOSE HILLS;
• ELEVEN WAYS TO BECOME A FOSSIL;
• JUNIORS ACTIVITIES: GEODE FUN;
• A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ROCK AND MINERAL IDENTIFICATION;
• MINERALOGICAL TERMS;
• When you rearrange;
• HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS - (Use at your own risk);
• DOPPING COMMENTS;
• SAFETY;
• SHOW DATES;
• EDITOR'S NOTE;
• 2007 CFMS SHOW FLYER;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• VGMS PHOTO ALBUM.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The Summer is rapidly reaching a close and the Fall season is just around the corner. The Fall is the most ideal season for exploring the California Desert. The days are often warm, nights are usually cool. It is the perfect condition for that special field trip you've been delaying for all those years. The 65th annual Gem-O-Rama at Searles Lake is scheduled for October 14-15 this year. What a great way to start off the Fall collecting season. For those who have never attended this show, it is a great opportunity to collect rare minerals such as Hanksite, Trona, Halite, Sulfohalite, Thenardite, Borax and Northupite, to name a few. Be sure to pick up a few extra specimens for the silent auction at our show which only about 6 months away!

Ed Clark,
President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

Be a life long or short, its completeness depends on what it was lived for.

When we do the best we can, we never know what miracle is wrought in our life, or in the life of another.

You always pass failure on the way to success.

Comedy is simply a funny way of being serious.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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PROGRAM - September 27, 2006:
"Rockhounds, The Movie" by Todd Kent.

The program for September will be the viewing of the first half of the film "Rockhounds, The Movie". Made by Todd Kent in 2005 and hosted by geologist Devin Dennie, this film is divided into four parts. Each part lasts about 15 minutes and focuses on an event, mineral, or show display. The two sections we will be viewing include a quartz crystal collecting competition at Mount Ida in Arkansas and sea urchin fossil hunting in Texas. The film does not delve much into the geology of these specimens. Instead, it focuses more on the everyday people involved in these activities by splicing together bits of their interviews. It is in the comments made by these various folk where the film shines and gets its life. From school children to new age believers, "Rockhounds, The Movie" shows you there is a place in this hobby for everyone. If there is enough interest, we will play the second half of the film next year.

Lowell Foster, Program Chair.

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REVIEW - August 23, 2006:
Geology of the West from 35,000 Feet.

This program was presented by Jim Brace-Thompson whose job takes him flying on many business trips and that inspired the idea. He packs a camera on board and requests a window seat. He shared many wonderful air views of the geological terrain and American land marks, such as Yosemite, Meteor Crater, Shiprock and Monument Valley, Mt. Saint Helens, the Grand Canyon, and the many geological provinces of California: the Sierra Nevada, the Central Valley, Coast Ranges, Mojave Desert, the San Andreas Fault, and more! It definitely gives you a different perspective on the Meteor Craters and volcano sites. We even saw some rockhounds at a couple of our favorite California rockhounding sites, the Calico Mountains and Mule Canyon!!
Thank you Jim for collecting these and sharing them with us, it was most interesting.

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If the #2 pencil is the most popular, why is it still #2?
Gringo Gazette.

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MARK YOUR CALENDARS:

9-27-06 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington - "Rockhounds, the Movie" - 2 Parts.
10-5-06 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the I.B.E.W. Hall, 3994 E. Main St., Ventura, CA. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
10-10-06 - DEADLINE FOR OCTOBER/NOVEMBER Bulletin Articles to the Editor! (October and November are combined into one bulletin so any announcements, etc. need to encompass both months).
10-21-06 - VGMS Work Shop - Museum - Open - 9 to noon. Check with a shop supervisor to confirm (see "Chips & Boulders"). (Close the new window to return here.)
10-25-06 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington. - Silent Auction.
11-2-06 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the I.B.E.W. Hall, 3994 E. Main St., Ventura, CA. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
11-8-06 - VGMS Regular Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the Lexington. - PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE 2nd WEDNESDAY! - Sandra Butchko with a Silver Clay demonstration.
12-7-06 - VGMS Board Meeting - 7:30 pm - At the I.B.E.W. Hall, 3994 E. Main St., Ventura, CA. Everyone is welcome and encouraged to attend.
12-13-06 - VGMS Christmas Party - 6:30 pm - PLEASE NOTE THIS IS THE 2nd WEDNESDAY!

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SUCCESSFUL FIRST 2007 SHOW MEETING,
August 27th - 2:00 pm.

We had a very good first show meeting! There were several in attendance and a lot of good input. Things seem to be going well and are on track. Mary Polacek volunteered for the Donations Awards Chair so that only leaves the Show Chair open. Richard did a good job coordinating the committees, which were well covered. Our second meeting took place today as we are typing! We are all needed to make our show a success again this year. We value your input and don't be afraid to volunteer, it is a great way to get acquainted and see what our hobby is all about. Don't be bashful. If you have questions, give anyone on the Board a call. (Close the new window to return here.) The committee chairs were listed in last month's bulletin. (Close the new window to return here.)

Start collecting the following for the show:
     1) Donation award prizes,
     2) Silent auction material,
     3) Extra material for the kids' booth prizes and grab bags,
     4) Start your plant cuttings to be ready by spring,
     5) Country Store items (no Christmas decorations - they don't seem to sell in March!). Hobby magazines and paper back books.

We are looking for a 20' enclosed cargo trailer to store and haul our show equipment in. If you know of any for sale give Ron Wise or Richard Bromser a call.

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NOMINATING COMMITTEE TIME AGAIN.

I can't believe it is that time of year again already. Our President will be looking for volunteers for this committee at our September meeting. Be ready to volunteer! The nominations will be presented at the October meeting, voted on at the November meeting and installed at the December meeting. Note the following article and take it to heart.

WHY BE AN OFFICER?
By Norm & Lucille Hewer.

     Why be an officer? It can only mean meetings, rallies, dinners and lots of work. You'll sometimes get the blunt end of the stick and all complaints are headed in your direction. Are these your thoughts when approached by your nominating committee? If so, why not look at the other side of the card?
     You attend an executive meeting. It isn't long and you discover what it takes to keep the club moving forward. Not only that, but now you are a part of the decision making team and your fellow officers are the people you park next to at the rallies or sit next to at the dinners. Together you generate new ideas for the year or maybe a single event to be presented to your members. It's business, fun and fellowship, and better yet, another night out.
     At your rallies and dinners you discover how fortunate you are, as being involved you realize how many members you really begin to know. This is one of the greatest opportunities you will have. The friendships you will make within your clubs and other clubs will always be a very valuable memory of your duty as an officer.
     Work! Yes, but because of the membership you would serve, it isn't as bad as one might think. There is always someone there to pitch in. They may not always volunteer, but are always there willingly when asked.
     Serving your club as an officer is a privilege and a very rewarding experience. The joys are endless and the results gratifying because you were a part of it. Why be an officer? For all the right reasons: friendships, involvement, decision-making and most of all, enjoyment. It's a great experience - as we know.
     I hope that everyone has now read the article and will bear this in mind when the need for officers in their unit is required.
     Without dedicated officers our club would not function. We have many members with an abundance of talent, and I hope this may motivate them to come forward and share in the rewards of participation.

From Metro-Detroit Club, via CFMS NEWSLETTER September 2006.

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Don't insult the alligator until you've crossed the river!
Source unknown.

You know you're getting older when "Happy Hour" is a nap.
Dub Cooper.

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CHIPS & BOULDERS.

Many thanks to Steve and Susan Mulqueen's friend Mike, who has offered VGMS some storage area for our museum items.

For Sale - Equipment for gold hunting.
     1. An E - Z sluice, hand operated;
     2. Drywasher;
     3. Hand operated Screw Pan.
The equipment is new, still in original box. Proceeds to go to the club.

A Bit of Club History - While looking for business papers, I ran across an old notation about VGMS for 1988. That year Ray Meisenheimer was president, with membership of 84. Ray and Florence were responsible for displaying the club case, which was displayed in 16 shows that year, from San Diego to Exeter. The club show was a success - 111 guest exhibitors and 20 membership exhibits. Income - Door Prize $1,593.00; Country Store $491.90; Games $516.20; Plants, Magazines $614.65; Silent Auction $152.95. Attendance was estimated at 3000.
     Submitted by Florence Meisenheimer.

Tri-Club Educational Committee Needs - There was a list of the rocks that the Tri-Club Educational Committee will need for the completion of the project of a box of specimens for each school in the county in our March & April bulletins. (Close the new window to return here.) If you have any of these and are willing to donate them contact Donna Knapton (805) 647-8762 as many are still needed. Many thanks!

Hosts and Hostesses Schedule for 2006 Meetings - Help! We are in need of some volunteers for the open month below to fill the 2006 meetings. Give Sharon Cunningham a call at (805) 649-3579 to schedule your month. We thank everyone who participates. You can see how much they are enjoyed at the meetings!

     September: Valli & Greg Davis.
     October: Open.
     November: Pumpkin Goodies by All!
     December: VGMS Christmas Party.

VGMS Workshops - They are held on the third Saturday of each month from 9:00 am until noon unless otherwise notified. The Shop Supervisors are Ron Wise (805) 647-4393 & Greg Davis (805) 647-9214. Stop and say thanks to these volunteers for the opportunity they give the rest of us. It is there for your use; take advantage of it. With vacations and business trips it is a good idea to call to make sure the museum will be open.

Contact any board member to arrange for pick up or arrive on a workshop Saturday at the museum.

CFMS & AFMS Newsletters - Anyone interested in their own subscriptions to these, please contact Shirley Layton (805 717-9226). The cost for one year is $5.50 for the CFMS and $4.50 for the AFMS. I do share some information from these with you, but there is much more in each issue that you may be interested in. If you have access to the internet you can download both from their respective websites shown below for free!

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

WEB SITES.

AFMS web site - http://www.amfed.org/,
CFMS web site - http://www.cfmsinc.org/,
CA BLM web site - http://www.ca.blm.gov/.

If you go, close the new window to return here.

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Program Schedule for Monthly Meetings,
Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, 2006/2007.

If you have an idea for a program or would like a particular topic please contact our program chair person, Lowell Foster at (805) 648-1942.

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If it is true that we are here to help others, then what are the others for? Gringo Gazette.

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710.

A few days ago I was having some work done at my local garage. A blonde came in and asked for a seven-hundred-ten. We all looked at each other and another customer asked, "What is a seven-hundred-ten?" She replied. "You know, the little piece in the middle of the engine. I have lost it and need a new one." She replied that she did not know exactly what it was, but this piece had always been there. The mechanic gave her a piece of paper and a pen and asked her to draw what the piece looked like. She drew a circle and in the middle of it wrote 710. He then took her over to another car which had its hood up and asked, "Is there a 710 on this car?" She pointed and said, "Of course, its right there."

If you're not sure what a 710 is go here to see it.

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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS.

Happy Birthday to all those born in OCTOBER. We all wish you good health and hope you have a Great Day! Have I missed your birthday? Call Shirley Layton at (805) 717-9226 and leave a message if I'm not there or an email will also do the trick, jns@west.net. Thanks and have a Great Day!

October - Happy Birthday!!
     Avraham Barshai - 9th,
     Dallas Stephens - 16th,
     Valli Davis - 23rd.

The October birthstone is the Opal or tourmaline and the flower is the Calendula.

THE GEMSTONE OPAL.

• Chemistry: SiO₂-nH₂O, Hydrated Silicon Dioxide;
• Class: Mineraloids;
• Uses: As a gemstone and ornamental stone;
• Group: Some mineralogists place Opal in the Quartz Group.

     Opal has been a popular gem for many centuries and has a very interesting structure. Opal is considered a mineraloid because this structure is not truly crystalline. The chemistry of Opal is primarily SiO₂ and varying amounts of water. The amount of water varies from 5 - 10% and greater. This water can help geologists determine the temperature of the host rock at the time the opal formed.
     Although there is no crystal structure, (meaning a regular arrangement of atoms) Opal does possess a structure nonetheless. Random chains of silicon and oxygen are packed into extraordinarily tiny spheres. These spheres in most Opals are irregular in size and inconsistent in concentration. Yet in Precious Opal, the variety used most often in jewelry, there are many organized pockets of the spheres. These pockets contain spheres of approximately equal size and have a regular concentration, or structure, of the spheres. This has the effect of diffracting light at various wavelengths, creating colors. Each pocket produces a different color, with a different intensity depending on the angle from which a viewer sees it. The multicolored flashes of light that Opal emits gives it a truly beautiful and valuable look.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:
Color is white, colorless, pale yellow, pale red, gray or black when impurities are common. Diffraction can cause flashes of any color of the rainbow (opalescent).
Luster is vitreous to pearly.
Transparency: Crystals are transparent to translucent.
Crystal System does not apply because opal is amorphous.
Habits include massive, cavity-fillings such as in fractures and geodes, nodular or as a replacement of other minerals and wood.
Cleavage is absent.
Fracture is conchoidal.
Hardness is 5 - 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 2 - 2.5 (light).
Streak is white.
Associated rocks are chert (a form of microcrystalline quartz), volcanic rocks and many others.
Other Characteristics: Some opal fluoresces and it can be very sensitive to impacts and low temperatures.
Notable Occurrences include Western USA; Mexico; Australia and many other localities around the world.
Best Field Indicators are color play (opalescent), low density, lack of cleavage and crystal faces and fracture filling tendency.

Unless otherwise noted, all mineral descriptions and images, plus the related descriptions on this server are the property of Amethyst Galleries, Inc., (close the new window to return here) and may not be copied for commercial purposes. Permission to copy descriptions and images is granted for personal and educational use only.

THE TOURMALINE GROUP.

     Tourmalines are a favorite among mineral collectors. Their rich and varied colors can captivate the eye. Even the black opaque tourmalines can shine nicely and produce sharp crystal forms. Tourmalines are cut as precious gems, carved into figurines, cut as cabochons, sliced into cross-sections and natural specimens are enthusiastically added to many rock hounds' collections.
     There are many unique properties of tourmalines. First, they are piezoelectric which means that when a crystal is heated or compressed (or vibrated) a different electrical charge will form at opposite ends of the crystal (an electrical potential). Conversely if an electrical potential is applied to the crystal, it will vibrate. Secondly, they are pleochroic which means that the crystal will look darker in color when viewed down the long axis of the crystal than when viewed from the side. This property goes beyond the idea that the crystal is just thicker in that direction. Even equally dimensioned crystals will demonstrate this trait. This property can be used as an advantage by gem cutters who may wish to enhance a crystal's pale color or weaken a strongly colored crystal.
     The three main kinds of tourmalines are distinguished by their color and transparencies. Elbaite is the gemstone tourmaline and comes in many varied and beautiful colors. It is transparent to translucent and is highly prized as minerals specimens and as gemstones.
     The iron rich schorl is the most abundant tourmaline and is black and opaque. It is a common accessory mineral in igneous rocks and can form nice crystals.
Dravite is the least common and forms translucent brown crystals. Some of these crystals are nicely formed and can reach good size.

Unless otherwise noted, all mineral descriptions and images, plus the related descriptions on this server are the property of Amethyst Galleries, Inc., (close the new window to return here) and may not be copied for commercial purposes. Permission to copy descriptions and images is granted for personal and educational use only.

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HOSPITALITY.

Our August meeting saw 24 members and 2 guests in attendance to enjoy Jim Brace-Thompson's great program. The guests were Donna Knapton, who is working with the Tri-County Clubs to collect the educational minerals that everyone is still working on, and Dr. Flanzer, who is a resident of the Lexington and enjoyed the evening. Sharon and Mel Hixson brought the wonderful refreshments which were enjoyed by all. Thank you Sharon and Mel. Mel was rewarded by his name being drawn for many door prizes! He kept putting the tickets back and having Ray go to the next one! We missed all that weren't able to attend.

Our thoughts and prayers go out to Abe and Esther Barshai on the loss of their son-in-law in Israel.

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VGMS MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting,
Wednesday, August 23, 2006:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by Ray Meisenheimer at 7:30 pm on Wednesday, August 23, 2006, at the Lexington, Ventura, CA.
     The July membership meeting and the August board meeting minutes were corrected and then m/s/c as shown in the bulletin.
     Ray Meisenheimer welcomed everyone and directed members in the pledge to the flag. Educational cases are being put together by the tri-clubs and everyone is reminded to support the effort by collecting and/or donating specimens.
Richard Bromser gave the treasurer's report and it was m/s/c to accept it as stated. Richard also stated that our first 2007 show meeting will be held on August 27th, 2:00 at the IBEW Hall (where Board meetings are held).
Shirley Layton - The 10th of the month is the deadline for submissions and articles to the bulletin. Mary Polacek has agreed to manage the bulletin after Shirley's retirement.
Ray Meisenheimer - Ray will be providing a fossil and mineral demonstration this month to the Victorian residents. Ray next presented raffle prizes to those who had their lucky numbers drawn.
Florence Meisenheimer - The next Federation show will be held in Palmdale and the 2008 show will be here in Ventura. Camp Paradise may only happen one more year.
Lowell Foster - Upcoming presentations for monthly meetings include Dr. Gray from Santa Barbara and the video "Rockhounds the Movie".
     Ray next presented Jim Brace-Thompson who gave a slide presentation of his aerial photos of geology from 35 thousand feet. He's collected the photos of various geologic formations during business trips. It was very well done and certainly gave a new perspective of our own surroundings. Thanks Jim and Nancy for your time and effort.
     Refreshments were provided by Sharon & Mel Hixon.
     The next Board meeting will be Thursday, September 7th, 2006, at the IBEW Hall, 3994 E. Main in Ventura, all are welcomed to attend and the next regular meeting will be held September 27th, 2006 at the Lexington in Ventura.
     There being no further business, Ray adjourned the meeting at 8:50 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting,
Thursday, September 7th, 2006:
     The regular board meeting of the VGMS was called to order by Ron Wise at 7:30 pm on Thursday, September 7, 2006, at the IBEW Hall, 3994 E. Main St., Ventura, CA.
Present: Ray & Florence Meisenheimer, Richard and Shirley Bromser, Ron Wise, Shirley Layton, Lowell Foster, Dave Mautz and Greg Davis.
Old business:
Ron Wise - It was decided that a cab class could possibly be held at the museum this fall barring any change in property status.
Richard Bromser - The first show meeting was held August 27th and well attended. The future of our museum was also discussed. A work party boxed and inventoried minerals from the museum on Saturday, Sept. 2nd, the majority of which is being stored at the Meisenheimer's home.
New business:
Richard Bromser - Printed copies of the monthly financial statement were issued, reviewed and it was m/s/c to accept the financial statement as printed. The next meeting for our 2007 show will be held on September 17, 2:00 pm at the IBEW Hall in Ventura. All are encouraged to attend to not only get the facts but to give input. Alternatives for club storage were discussed. One possibility would be for the club to purchase a storage trailer as several other clubs do. This would require a location to store the trailer when not in use and would probably mean a rental site and monthly fee. It would also require a tow vehicle equipped with the proper tow package to pull the estimated 7 thousand pounds. Further study and input from club members is being gathered with data results being reviewed at the next show and board meeting. The next show meeting will be held on September 17th, 2:00, at the IBEW Hall in Ventura. Please try to attend.
Shirley Layton - The 10th of the month is the deadline for submissions and articles to the bulletin. The October & November bulletins are combined so entries need to be planned accordingly.
Florence Meisenheimer suggested and it was m/s/c to use the small and numerous minerals and fossil casts from the museum for door prizes, auction items and the show kids' booth.
Lowell Foster - The next general meeting will present the "Rockhounds the Movie" video tape. Possible future presentations include the Desert Tortoise Preservation Crew, another silent auction, a silver clay demo (by Sandra Butchko, possibly November 8) and perhaps a show case preparation program.
Ron Wise - Field trips include Palos Verdes - Sept. 9, Simi Valley - Sept. 23 and Trona - Oct. 14 & 15. See bulletin for details. The Oxnard show will be held on the 3rd weekend of November this year.
     The next general meeting will be on September 27th, 2006 at the Lexington in Ventura.
     There being no further business, the meeting was adjourned at 8:50 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

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MEMBERSHIP.

No new members this month, however, please seek out our newer members at the meetings to make them feel at home and glad they came. If you are in need of membership applications or another 2006 directory please contact our membership chair person, Shirley Bromser.

Change of Email Address:
     Vern Markley,
     vmaccts@sbcglobal.net.

(Webmaster's Note: If you want a printed copy of the following so you can place an order move the mouse cursor to the left of the word 'Attention', push and hold down the left mouse button, and sweep down over the ad with the mouse cursor. This will highlight the contents of the ad. Release the mouse button and, without clicking anywhere else on the page, select EDIT on the browser menu and select COPY. You may then PASTE into any word processor and print in your normal manner. If you highlight too much you may delete the unneeded part with the word processor before printing. This works with any browser I know.)

Attention New Members (or anyone needing a badge).
Need a Club Badge?
Blue Engravers is giving us a $.50 reduction per badge
for advertising space in the club bulletin!
Ventura County Shape badge $11.28 (includes. tax & ship).
ACCOUNT: Ventura Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.
Name (print clearly. It will be on your name badge):

_____________________________________________

Address:

_____________________________________________

_______________________________Zip: __________

Make check payable to and mail to (takes 5-7 business days):
Blue Engravers,
1375 Caspian Ave.,
Long Beach, CA 90813.
If ordering more than 2 badges call them for exact shipping
costs at (562) 983-5140, FAX (562) 983-5146,
E-mail BLUEGRAVR@aol.com.

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TAX ADVISOR NEWS
By Mike Kokinos, Tax Advisor.

REGISTRY OF CHARITABLE TRUSTS:

     Within the California Attorney General Office, there is a unit called the Registry of Charitable Trusts. It is the job of this unit to keep track of all organizations whose assets, in the event of dissolution, must go to another charitable, non-profit organization. The unit also audits organizations to ensure that excessive compensation is not paid and that expenditures support the primary purposes of the organization.
     In the past couple of months, I have had contact with three societies that have not registered with the Registry of Charitable Trusts. All societies exempt from tax under Section 501(c)(3) or 501(c)(4) should be registered and have been issued a CT number.
     The Registry has been lenient in accepting current registration for organizations that should have registered a few years ago.
     If your society does not have a CT number and/or has never filed the Form RRF-1 with the Attorney General, I cannot emphasize enough the need to do so. The process and forms needed to register can be found on the Attorney General website (caag.state.ca.us). (Close the new window to return here.) Recently a $25.00 fee for the initial filing of the Form RRF-1 was implemented. I recommend the completed Form and the $25.00 fee is included with the registration package.
     I will be pleased to assist any society in preparing the package or answering questions.

IRS ISSUES:

     The Internal Revenue Service sponsors a nationwide tax forum every year. This September four of the 21 seminars involved non-profit organizations. Discussions were held on the preparation of Form 990 and the new Form 1023 (application for charitable tax exemption). The most informative part, for me, was discussions with the IRS presenters after the sessions.
     They reinforced the need to file Form 990 or 990EZ if the Service mails you the forms even though gross receipts are less than the $25,000 threshold. The presenter confirmed that about half the forms 990 filed are prepared incorrectly.
     For those societies desiring to change from the current exemption, (many societies have 501(c)(4) exemption) to 501(c)(3) the Form 1023 application for exemption, in most cases, is now easier to prepare. I have recently assisted two societies in the preparation of the new form. I believe the form puts emphasis on compensation of directors, officers, members and contractors and fund raising using professional organizations. To the best of my knowledge neither of these issues affect our societies. Some of the questions try to ensure that the operations do not have inurement issues.

IS YOUR SOCIETY'S TAX EXEMPTION IN JEOPARDY:

     The Internal Revenue Service and the California Franchise Tax Board require public benefit corporations newly incorporated to include a paragraph in the articles of incorporation that in part states "No part of the net earnings of the corporation shall inure to the benefit of, or be distributable to its members, trustees, officers, or other private persons". These regulatory agencies and the California Registry of Charitable Trusts expect previously incorporated public benefits to abide by this provision.
     The Law of Tax Exempt Organizations by Bruce Hopkins (considered the bible for tax exempts) states "The purpose of the private inurement rule is to ensure that the tax-exempt organization involved in serving exempt interest and not private interests. It thus becomes necessary for an organization subject to the doctrine to establish that it is not organized and operated for the benefit of private persons such as the creators of the organization, trustees, directors, officers, members or their families, persons controlled by these individuals, or any other persons having a personal and private interest in the activities of the organization." "Conversely, incidental benefits to private individuals will not defeat the exemption, if the organization otherwise qualifies for tax exempt status."
     What type of activities do the CFMS societies engage in that might violate this provision? Any activity, if participation is limited to members. For example:

• Dinners free to members or charges below cost to the Society.
• Field trips for members only.
• Lapidary shop for members only.
• Newsletter available only to members.

     Another activity would be selling or auctioning member items with proceeds less commission going to the member.
     In my opinion, a violation of one of these activities may cause a "slap on the wrist". However, a combination of these activities would very likely result in revocation of tax exemption.
     I offer some suggestions to help avoid problems in this area.

DINNERS: Do invite guests but never charge them more than members.

FIELD TRIPS: A members only field trip could be justified based on risks of injury and insurance coverage. However, a continuous policy of excluding guests added to other member activities could be a problem.

LAPIDARY SHOP: Do not limit the shop to members only. Do not charge a different fee for guests. This is definitely using the organization's assets for the benefit of members. It would be appropriate to require approval of the shop manager or the Board of Directors for non-members. I believe it would be acceptable policy by the regulatory agencies provided records would show some guests had use of the facilities.
     I recently exchanged a series of emails with a society regarding sales of items made by people using the Lapidary Shop. Some of the members made a regular practice of selling items they made. The society's rules attempted to discourage selling. Once a member makes an item that he/she is allowed to keep, its ultimate disposition is their decision. However, I did admonish the society to not allow the member to sell these items at any function of the society including meetings, show, or other functions and not to use the name of the society in advertising items for sale. In other words, the society is not required to police the disposition, but only if they allow sales at their functions. I also believe it is not the concern of the society if the seller has a resale permit. I did, however, indicate if a person regularly sold products, whether or not made at the society shop, the person would be subject to obtaining a sales tax permit.
     I also raised the issue of the shop being restricted for only member use. I believe this private member benefit is sufficient to cause revocation.

NEWSLETTER: This is the least of my concern. Societies should be sending the newsletter to libraries, museums, CFMS President and prospective members to promote the society.

SELLING MEMBER ITEMS: A specific case is cited where the sole activity of an organization was selling member art. The organization kept a commission and the remaining sales price went to the member. This organization was refused tax-exempt status. Unless this is a very minor item, it is my opinion it would cause revocation of exemption.

CHANCE OF AUDIT: A person mentioned that the chance of a regulatory agency examining a CFMS society were very slim. That is true but all you need is a disgruntled member or ex-member to mention violations of the exemption. The Internal Revenue Service has reorganized its tax-exempt section and that could lead to more examinations. Right now the emphasis is on organizations supporting or opposing candidates for public office.

CFMS NEWSLETTER September 2006.

  Table of Contents.

RECORDS RETENTION
By Mike Kokinos, CFMS.

     These guidelines give consideration to reports required by the Internal Revenue Service, the States, and retention of historical records.
     In the years I have worked with California Federation of Mineralogical Societies, the biggest problem is the loss of records. The losses occur from deaths, fire, resignations, relocations, failure to turn over records by outgoing officers and chairpersons and destruction.
     Keeping records in an officer's or member's home accounts for most lost records. It is imperative that a common facility be used that is accessible to all officers and committee chairpersons. Records should be neatly organized and stored in lidded record storage boxes of a uniform size. Permanent records should be stored in a fireproof file cabinet. For non-permanent records, the date of destruction should be noted on the outside of the box. A listing of the contents should be kept both inside the box and a separate listing stored with the association's current general files.

PERMANENT RECORDS - These records must be retained for the life of the organization:
     Minutes of board meetings;
     Minutes of member meetings if business is transacted;
     Original Articles of Incorporation including Amendments and Bylaws;
     Reports to state organizations that oversee non-profit public benefit corporations;
     Letters granting exemption by the Internal Revenue Service and state of incorporation;
     General ledgers, financial statements, sales tax reports, non-profit reports to the Internal Revenue Service and state of record;
     Records of major assets and special payments;
     Membership records;
     Newsletters;
     Correspondence (legal and/or other important papers).

RECORDS TO BE RETAINED 4-5 YEARS:
     Bank statements, reconciliations, deposit slips/advices/cancelled checks;
     Cash receipts and disbursement records;
     General correspondence;
     Insurance records unless involved in litigation or other problems.

YEARLY ACTIVITIES:
     One or more members of the Audit Committee should do a year-end review at the location where the financial records are maintained. For this review, the originals of the year-end bank statements, brokerage statements, etc. should be examined. In addition, the first statement of the New Year should be examined to verify balances forwarded.
     Sampling of actual receipts and invoices should be verified to the entries posted in the financial records.
     Receipts and disbursements should be compared with prior years and any material differences verified.
     Once the annual non-profit reports are posted for mailing to the Internal Revenue Service and the State where the organization does business, the Audit Committee should review a copy before mailing.

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

"FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN."

CO-OP MEMBER & OTHER FIELD TRIPS FOR 2006,
Information correct as of 5/11/06.

Who may attend: Members of a CFMS Society that is in good standing. All non-CFMS members must become a member to attend.

• Contact the field trip leader beforehand to sign up and for further information.
• Remember to wear your name badge and sign in with the field trip leader.
• A Consent and Assumption of Risk Waiver of Liability form must be signed upon arrival at meeting site.
• CO-OP website has information: www.coop.5u.com. (Close the new window to return here.)

Oct. 2-6 Petrified Forest National Park, AZ - Fossils for Fun.
Oct. 7 Soapstone Ridge, CA - For soapstone. - Calaveras Gem & Mineral Club.
Oct. 14, 15 Searles Lake, Trona, CA -For halite, hanksite, other minerals.
Nov. Barstow, CA Area - Mother Lode Gem and Mineral Club.

MLMS Ghost Sheet June 2006.

TRI-CLUB FIELD TRIPS 2006:
Tentative Schedule 8/11/2006.
Contact field trip leader to confirm
that there is a field trip scheduled.

* Note: I will be at these events and will not have telephone service at this time - Ron Wise.
*** Please call your field trip leader to confirm that there is a field trip scheduled in the event of changes.

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Any idiot can face a crisis....it's the day to day living that wears you out!
Anton Chekhov.
From my dog: It doesn't matter when you saw your friend last, greet them with honsest enthusiasm!
Gringo Gazette.

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  Table of Contents.

Bureau of Land Management Land
and Mineral Records-LR2000 System
By John Martin, PLAC South.

The Bureau of Land Management is pleased to announce that the public reports for the Land and Mineral Records-LR2000 system are now available for use from 4:00 AM to 11:00 PM Mountain Time.
     The Bureau of Land Management manages more land - 261 million surface acres - more than any other Federal agency. Most of this public land is located in the 12 Western States, including Alaska. The BLM, an agency of the U.S. Department of the Interior, also administers 700 million acres of on-shore minerals throughout the nation.
     Congress created the General Land Office (GLO) in 1812 to handle the increasing land business from the rapid westward expansion. The GLO was given the responsibility for maintaining the land and mineral records. These and other land and mineral records are now maintained by the BLM, which is entrusted with keeping what today amounts to more than two billion records. Many of these records are now available through this site.

Who would benefit from using this web site?

This web site was designed for those who work in the oil and gas industry, title companies, utilities, state and local governments, ROCKHOUNDS, etc., that require access to BLM land and mineral records. Previously the only way a person could access this information was to visit one of the BLM Information Access Centers. This web site enables users to access the same information over the Internet. We have provided a tutorial to guide you through the reporting system. If you need assistance, please visit or call the BLM Information Access Center nearest you.

What information does this system provide access to?

This system provides access to the following systems within LR2000:
     Case Recordation contains information on leases, permits, contracts, grants, agreements, mineral patents, etc., issued by the BLM on federal actions affecting public lands of the United States. Authorizations are issued for the following activities: oil and gas, coal and other minerals, sand, gravel, rights-of-ways, land exchanges and acquisitions, land use withdrawals, mineral patents, land classifications, land claims, land sales, etc. Information on the use authorization includes customer data, location, date of issuance, the actions that have taken place, and other applicable information.
     Legal Land Description contains cadastral survey data including meridian, township, range, section, survey type (aliquot part, lots, homestead survey, mineral survey, tracts, parcels, etc.), acreage, and geopolitical information including the geographic state, county, field office, and surface management agency (BLM, Forest Service, etc.). The surface management agency in LLD is coded as BLM, even when the land is privately owned, unless the land is located within a National Park, National Forest, etc.
     Mining Claim Recordation contains information on unpatented mining claims located on federal lands including claimant name, approximate location, and other applicable information. Mineral patents are not contained in Mining Claim Recordation.
     Status contains information on title transfer documents, such as land patents and warranty deeds, to and from the United States Government. Status also contains withdrawal information which is used to determine surface and subsurface segregations on a parcel of land.
     To find out more about the Bureau of Land Management Land and Mineral Records-LR2000 system go to this web site: http://www.blm.gov/lr2000/. (Close the new window to return here.)
     Want to view, search, and access your land and mineral records using a map viewer? Go to this web site: http://www.geocommunicator.gov/GeoComm/index.shtm. (Close the new window to return here.)
     These Sites are user friendly and are interactive. They contain a wealth of information of interest to Rockhounds, Pebble Pups and BLM Land Users. (That's all of us in the CFMS.)

CFMS NEWSLETTER September 2006.

  Table of Contents.

AGATES.

Agate is a banded, multicolored, variety of Chalcedony. It occurs in an infinite amount of colors and patterns, and no two Agates are alike. The extraordinary beauty and uniqueness of Agate is responsible for its great popularity. Agate must be polished to bring out its full charm; unpolished specimens are dull and ugly. It usually forms in rounded nodules or knobs, which must be sliced open to bring out the internal pattern hidden in the stone. Some varieties have two names that are equally used. Don't be surprised when you see the same definition for two different variety names. You will notice by some varieties that the word Chalcedony is used in the definition, instead of Agate (as is in the case in Dendritic Agate). This is NOT a mistake. These "varieties" are not really Agates, as they lack banding, and although they have the word agate in their name, are only a variety of Chalcedony. This list below cites only the well known and commonly used variety names.
Blue Lace Agate - Agate with light blue bands in a lacy or wavy pattern.
Botswana Agate - Agate from Botswana banded with fine, parallel lines, often with a preponderance of pink blending into white.
Brecciated Agate - Agate with broken fragments naturally cemented together.
Cloud Agate - Grayish Agate with blurry, foggy patches of inclusions.
Crazy Lace Agate - Agate composed of twisting and turning bands of various colors.
Dendritic Agate - Chalcedony with tree-like or fern-like inclusions.
Enhydro Agate - Agate nodule partly filled with water. The water can be seen from the outside of the nodule when held up to the light. Also known as Enhydritic Agate.
Eye Agate - Agate with banded, concentric rings.
Fairburn Agate - Beautiful, unique, and rare; Fortification Agate from Fairburn, South Dakota.
Fire Agate - Agate with Goethite or Limonite inclusions, which cause the stone to be iridescent.
Fortification Agate - Agate with a pattern resembling a medieval fortress (i.e. imaginary moat and castle walls can be perceived).
Fossil Agate - Agate as a replacement of organic material.
Iris Agate - Iridescent Agate exhibiting all colors of the spectrum when sliced in thin slabs.
Laguna Agate - Beautiful and colorful type of Agate from Ojo Laguna, Chihuahua, Mexico.
Landscape Agate - Chalcedony with tree-like designs closely resembling scenery.
Mexican Lace Agate - Agate consisting of thin bands in a lacy or wavy pattern.
Moss Agate - Chalcedony with dense inclusions of green Hornblende.
Nipomo Agate - Agate with Marcasite inclusions found in Nipomo, California.
Onyx - Agate where the banding lines are straight and parallel, and consistent in band size.
Oregon Snakeskin Agate - White to cream Chalcedony with a wrinkled or cracked "skin", found in Oregon.
Plume Agate - Agate with inclusions in feather-like patterns.
Pom Pom Agate - Agate with yellow inclusions resembling pom poms.
Pseudo Agate - Agate as a replacement of organic material.
Rainbow Agate - Iridescent Agate exhibiting all colors of the spectrum when sliced in thin slabs.
Sardonyx - Agate with straight parallel bands of brownish to red alternating with white or black bands.
Sagenite Agate - Clear Chalcedony containing inclusions of other materials.
Scenic Agate - Chalcedony with tree-like designs closely resembling scenery.
Snakeskin Agate - Reddish brown Agate with black concentric bands.
Star Agate - Agate with banding lines in the formation of a star.
Sweetwater Agate - Chalcedony with star-shaped patterns of manganese oxide inclusions, found in Sweetwater River, Wyoming.
Thunder Egg - Nodule filled with Agate in the center.
Tube Agate - Agate with tube-like formations which are sometimes hollow.

From The Agate Licker, 02/05; via Breccia July 2006.

  Table of Contents.

THERE ARE GEMS IN THOSE HILLS.

     Canadian jewel hunters say they have discovered tantalizing blue gems on a hillside in the Yukon that are potentially more valuable than emeralds. The transparent stone, the color of blue velvet, could be a new gemstone, according to a federal agency that described the find as a jaw-dropping discovery. If they are not unique, geologists say they could be the next best thing, the world's second occurrence of Maxixe, a deep blue beryl, which is in the same family of minerals as emeralds. It has only been found once before, in Brazil.
     While plenty of people are talking about the glittering crystals, few people have actually seen them. The blue stones were discovered earlier this summer at a secret location in south-central Yukon. The Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council provides funds for research to the University of British Columbia geologist Lee Gloat and some of the students who are a part of the team that found the glittering blue rocks. The field crew found the gems in a half-kilometer site on a rocky hillside. The crew was literally picking them up off the ground but most of the blue crystals were found in rocks covered with lichens. The crew was also crisscrossing the hillside, turning rocks over and trying to locate the source of the gems.
     The blue crystals, which measure a millimeter to 25 centimeters across, are said to range in color from pale blue through sapphire blue to pale green. Some appear to be a combination of green and blue which makes them very unusual.

From Hy-Grader 4/06, via ROCKY REVIEW JUNE/JULY 2006.

  Table of Contents.

Eleven Ways to Become a Fossil,
Author Unknown.

FREEZING - This rare creature has suffered a minimum of change. His arteries may still contain dried blood, his stomach undigested food. Most common is the Ice-Age mammoth of Siberia and Alaska.
DRYING OR DESICCATION - If these organisms were thoroughly dried, they can be of high quality. Best known are the camels and sloths found in our Southwest caves.
WAX AND ASPHALT - Natural paraffin makes an excellent preservative, as proved by specimens found in Polish mines. The most famous asphalt fossils are still embedded in the La Brea Tar Pits in California.
SIMPLE BURIAL - English bogs are famous for their buried forests. Sand dollars, sea urchins, and mollusks have been preserved by this method for up to 75 million years.
CARBONIZATION - Incomplete decay of volatile substances leaves carbon behind, sometimes reducing organisms to paper-thin layers of shiny black film that reveal much detail.
PETRIFICATION - Our common stony fossils got that way by permineralization, the replacement of the structure by dissolved minerals, or secondary replacement, such as when limey fossils are dissolved and replaced by silica.
MOLDS AND CASTS - Natural molds in sediment remain after organisms decay. Sandstone beds reveal molds of shells and trees, and the finest molds are Northern European amber, which has perfectly preserved the forms of insects.
IMPRINTS - Sandstone, shale and tuff reveal external molds of very thin objects such as leaves. Best known of these are the Illinois Coal-Age plant imprints.
TRACKS, TRAILS, BURROWS - Dinosaur prints are the most famous of these. But Nebraska's "Devil's Corkscrew" once housed a beaver who dug an eight-foot spiral hole.
CASTINGS & COPROLITES - Ancient worms swallowed sand to help digest small organisms; they regurgitated these casings. Coprolite is a polite word for petrified "dung".
GASTROLITHS - Many ancient reptiles ground their food with these stones (as do our modern fowl). The stones are rounded, smooth, and even polished at times. Also known as "Gizzard Stones".

From Paleo Newsletter, April 2001; via Breccia July 2006.

  Table of Contents.

JUNIORS ACTIVITIES:
GEODE FUN
By Jim Brace-Thompson,
Juniors Activities Chair.

Phil and Steve Hauser, sons of Joel Hauser, recently gave my local Ventura club a walk down memory lane of collecting geodes with their departed father at the Hauser Beds near Wiley Well. This got me thinking of my own fun as a kid with trips to Keokuk geode beds in Illinois and Iowa. Geodes are especially popular with kids. The heft of these round rocks is strangely satisfying in its own regard, and that satisfaction turns to fascination as a dull potato-like object is split to reveal a colorful, sparkling interior. Thus, geodes provide a terrific kids' activity. If you're lucky enough to be near a geode-producing area, the activity can include a collecting trip. If this isn't feasible, geodes often can be found at reasonable prices at gem shows. In fact, some dealers use geodes as a draw to attract folks by having a saw to slice open a geode on purchase. You also commonly can find geodes at rock shops, museum gift shops, and even in the science area of some toy stores. Dealers and rock shops are your best bets, though, for getting a good supply at the best price if buying a quantity to use with kids. You then can hold a workshop to slice each child's geode with a rock saw or to crack them open with a rock hammer. (Just make sure each child has eye protection!)

As an accompanying activity, tell how geodes form in cavities dissolved in limestone or in bubbles left in solidifying lava through which mineral-rich water percolates. To illustrate, you can help kids make geodes in eggshells, following a recipe that circulated in various club newsletters in 1996. To start, get together one weekend morning with your kids' group for a large omelet brunch. Take care cracking your eggs to save all the undamaged eggshell halves you can. So that crystals will attach to the eggshells, remove the skin lining the interior of eggs with tweezers or by gently rolling it out with your fingertips, returning the cleaned eggshells to the original carton. This gives you a supply of the "gas bubble" cavities in which each child can grow a geode.

Because you'll use the process of evaporation to create the geodes, you'll need to do this activity at a member's home where the eggshells can be left undisturbed for several days before you reconvene the kids to share the results. The first step is to produce a mineral-rich groundwater solution by slowly adding table salt into hot water until you hit the point at which the salt no longer dissolves. This is known as a "super saturated solution". To brighten your geodes, kids might add a bit of food coloring before pouring the solution into the previously prepared eggshell halves. Into each filled eggshell, drop some extra grains of salt to serve as seed crystals before placing the egg cartons in a safe place to rest undisturbed for the next several days as evaporation takes place. To add variety, you might make several types of geodes at the same time, filling some with table salt solution and others with solutions made from sugar, alum, or Epsom salts.

Once evaporation is complete, reconvene the kids to see what lines the interiors of their eggshells. You might want to hand out the real geodes at this time for kids to crack open and compare after having learned the process of crystal formation first-hand. Using real geodes as the climax to a crystal-growing activity is a surefire way to memorably imprint the lesson of geode formation while -- as always -- having fun!

CFMS NEWSLETTER September 2006.

  Table of Contents.

A BEGINNER'S GUIDE TO ROCK
AND MINERAL IDENTIFICATION
By Marjie Strickler.

COLOR is the first of three characteristics that have to do with the way a mineral or rock looks. Color is the most striking property of a mineral, but color alone is usually not enough to identify a mineral. In most nonmetallic minerals, the color, which is often caused by impurities, is extremely variable. I will use quartz as an example. Pure crystalline quartz, also called rock crystal, is colorless and glass clear. If this quartz contains minute traces of iron, it takes on shades of pink to deep violet and it is called amethyst. Traces of manganese or titanium can result in a pink variety called rose quartz. Exposure to radioactivity, which is commonly found at great depths underground, can change clear quartz to a grayish-brown variety called smoky quartz.
     Corundum, calcite, fluorite, agate, garnets, and tourmaline are some more of the common minerals that have a variety of color. The "color" of a mineral should be checked on a freshly broken surface, one that has not been exposed to weathering.

LUSTER is another characteristic of how a mineral looks, it depends on the way it absorbs or reflects light off its surface. First, determine if the mineral has a metallic (looks like metal) or nonmetallic luster. If it has a nonmetallic luster it will fall into one of the following classes:
     Adamantine - Brilliant, like a diamond or cerussite and anglesite.
     Vitreous - Glassy like a quartz crystal or tourmaline.
     Resinous - Looks like hardened epoxy glue, like amber or sphalerite.
     Greasy - Looks like someone had rubbed it with oil.
     Dull/Earthy - These minerals have a rough, porous or lackluster surface. Limonite is an example.
     Silky/Pearly -Judgment of luster is subjective. What looks silky to one collector looks pearly to another.
     Waxy/Soapy - Looks like a damp bar of soap, chlorite for example.
The intensity or brilliance of a mineral's luster may be described as splendent (the brightest), down through shining, glistening and glimmering (the dullest).

STREAK is the third characteristic. The streak of a mineral is the color produced when the mineral is rubbed firmly across a tile of unglazed white porcelain.
     The streak is most useful for the identification of a dark colored mineral, such as metallic sulfides (marcasite, bornite, pyrite, galena) and oxides (magnetite, hematite, tungsten, tin).
     Its usefulness is limited on light colored sulfides (micas and feldspars), carbonates (calcite and aragonite) or silicates (quartz) and minerals that exceed 6.5 in hardness.
     Most mineral identification books will contain charts that tell which mineral has what color streak.

News and Views 10/90 via Salinas Valley Rock and Gem Club.

  Table of Contents.

MINERALOGICAL TERMS
By John Schwarze.

ACICULAR (a-sick-u-lar) - Needle-like crystals, either singular or in groupings. Many zeolites, such as Natrolite, Mesolite or Mordenite take this form. The word is from the Latin acus, or needle.

BLADED - Pretty obvious. The mineral takes the form of a knife blade. The mineral Kyanite takes this form and, since it's blue, it is a good addition to any collection.

BOTRYOIDAL (boy-tree-oyd-el) - These look like bunches of grapes or small marbles glued together. The classic example of this shape is the specimens of Hematite from Cumberland, England. The name is Greek and means a "bunch of grapes".

COLUMNAR - Have you seen the Devil's Postpile up near Mammoth Mountain? Well, that's the shape; standing like the columns holding up Tara in "Gone with the Wind". Best examples are any Beryl or Tourmaline crystal.

DENDRITIC - Tree like and/or branching. You'll commonly see various Manganese minerals coating rocks in this fashion. This one's Greek, from "dendron" or tree.

DRUSE - A coating of well formed crystals so tiny that it looks like the underlying rock or mineral is covered with sugar. The mineral that typically forms this coating is clear quartz, although it can be any mineral and can be any color. Believe it or not, this is a German word, a rare break from the Greek/Latin scientific name monopoly.

FIBROUS - The appearance is that of threads or fibers all found together. Serpentine (asbestos) is the best example. If the crystals look like threads or fibers but are single crystals rather than aggregates, then the preferred term is Filiform or Capillary.

MASSIVE - Showing little or no structure, but consisting of only one mineral species. If it's composed of more than one species, then you're looking at a rock, not a mineral.

MICACEOUS (my-kay-shuss) - To me this always looks like the scales of a fish; but, obviously, it's from the word and mineral Mica. I prefer Specular minerals, which also look like fish scales; but are opaque and shinier. Hematite can look great this way.

RADIATING - The crystals grow outward from a central point, forming a circular specimen. Most of the literature uses Pyrite or Wavellite as examples; but I'm partial to the Ulexite that used to come out of the mines at Boron when they were underground and not a large open pit.

RETICULATED - Minerals that form in aggregates of lattice-like structures. Some of the Cerussite from Bisbee, Arizona forms this way and can be quite attractive in its strange backyard trellis way.

     Does this exhaust all possibilities? Of course not. With the thousands of distinct mineral species that exist, the possibilities magnify. For example, there's a mineral (?) called Cylinderite that forms in little, you've got it, cylinders; the only one I know of. However, there's some dispute as to whether or not it's a distinct species or just something else in disguise. In the long run, just describe the shape of your specimens the way they look to you. Chances are you'll be on the same page as everyone else.

Mineralogical Society of Southern California 3/99 via Salinas Valley Rock and Gem Club.

  Table of Contents.

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

When you rearrange the letters:

DORMITORY = DIRTY ROOM,
PRESBYTERIAN = BEST IN PRAYER,
ASTRONOMER = MOON STARER,
DESPERATION = A ROPE ENDS IT,
THE EYES = THEY SEE,
THE MORSE CODE = HERE COME DOTS,
SLOT MACHINES = CASH LOST IN ME,
ELECTION RESULTS = LIES - LET'S RECOUNT,
SNOOZE ALARMS = ALAS! NO MORE Z 'S,
A DECIMAL POINT = I'M A DOT IN PLACE,
THE EARTHQUAKES = THAT QUEER SHAKE,
ELEVEN PLUS TWO = TWELVE PLUS ONE.

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  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

HINTS & TIPS FOR ROCKHOUNDS,
(Use at your own risk!).

The source of these hints and tips is various club bulletins. Unless otherwise noted the actual author and original source is unknown.

Add STP to the oil you use in your saws, it will cut down on the mist and the odor.

Save the inner plastic rings from scotch tape rolls. They make handy stands for spheres.

Need two cabs of exactly the same size? Glue two slabs together with paper between them. Cut to size. Separate by soaking in water.

How to Clean Minerals:
  Fluorite can be cleaned with muriatic acid.
  Barite can be cleaned in hydrochloric acid. It will loosen clay and iron.
  For water-soluble minerals, use alcohol.
  For carbonate minerals try full strength Clorox.
  Sulfide minerals such as pyrite and marcasite can be made bright by soaking over night in a solution of oxalic acid (2 oz. to one qt. of water).

A steel chip from the face of a hammer usually travels toward the center of the arc. In other words, it goes toward the user. This is a very good reason for always using eye protection.

  Table of Contents.

Here's the answer to the 710 question.

Return to the spot from whence you came.

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  Table of Contents.

Dopping Comments,
Shirley Buschke.

     Count to ten before you say those words. Yes, when that stone comes off the stick, the language may turn blue, especially if you are faceting.
     Choosing a proper adhesive can be a problem. Do you choose because it is available, it is easy to use, it is easy or hard to remove the stone, how much time is necessary to elapse before one can begin work? Is the use of the adhesive dangerous?
     The adhesive used most extensively at our shop is probably wax. Our wax is green, but again wax comes in other colors. The higher-temperature ones are usually black or brown. One must remember that both the stone and the wax should be hot or the meld will not take place. That is why you heat the stone. Further, the back of your stone needs to be clean for the wax to stick. Cleaning with alcohol is advised. A short time must pass for the wax to cool. This should give you time to orient the stone if it has slipped. After polishing, removing the stone is simple. Sometimes all you need is to slip your knife under one edge. Most probably put the stone in the freezer and the cold takes care of removal. Now there may be a problem in dopping with wax if your stone is heat sensitive. A technique suggested in Rock & Gem to overcome this problem is to coat the stone with a mixture of orange shellac and isopropyl alcohol and leave on over night to cure. Then adhere your stone to the dop stick with wax. Many of our old timers like to put the shellac directly in the wax pot. They feel the results are the same.
     Now if you want something fast, easy to use and strong, try cyanoacrylates (super glue) or epoxies. Don't over use this material. Just a dab will do you. Hold to make sure stone and stick bond. Now that stick can be a nail with aluminum preferred. Why? Because it transmits heat quickly when it is time to remove the stone. A caution here is to remember that superglue is solvent in water. In fact one way to remove the stone is to use hot water. Since you use water to keep your stone from overheating, it is important to remember this while cabbing. To remove the stone, if on a nail, hold the nail with a clothespin over a flame and let the heat slowly travel down the nail to the stone which should now drop off. [A hint from some is to coat the bond with nail polish to seal the cryanoacrylate bond to keep the stone on the stick before cabbing.] A word of warning, when using heat to remove your stone, do so in a well ventilated space.
     Epoxy is the slow method of attaching. If one has a problem it is probably because of improper mixing of the two materials or insufficient curing time. Again, work in a well-ventilated place. Because of the time factor, you may wish to create a jig or some other method to hold the stone in place. You can use acetone to break down the epoxy but expect a mess to be cleaned up.
     There are some other methods of attachment but the ones listed here work for a majority of the lapidaries.

  Table of Contents.

SAFETY
By Bill Buckner,
AFMS Safety Chair.

Concerns of safety issues in our shops, studios, or whatever we call our places where we work with lapidary concerns and jewelry making:

1. Ventilation: Either have enough room or have some way to get enough fresh air that there is no danger of breathing problems.
2. Eye safety: A pair of safety glasses (either prescription or goggles) is needed when using machinery and rocks or minerals. In breaking stones, sawing stones, grinding stones, or polishing stones small pieces of rock could hit your eye and cause damage.
3. Chemicals that we use: Care should be taken to be extremely safety minded when we use these toxic chemicals. Follow directions on the containers. Most chemicals that mix with water should be mixed into water, not water added to the chemicals.
4. Storage of chemicals: They should always be stored in a safe place with a good cover on them and out of reach of small children. I try to store mine in a wood rack with wooden dividers between the bottles or containers. They should always be labeled properly.

A Few DO NOT'S:

1. Do not store gasoline or use it in a room where you have a gas water heater or any gas appliances with pilot lights.
2. Do not haul acetylene in a closed trunk or car or truck cab without at least two windows open at least two inches. When there is an acetylene leak enough gas might build up to cause an explosion.
3. Do not try to use tools or torches when you are drowsy from medication. In fact it is a good idea to rest a little while before you go into your shop if you feel tired or sleepy.
4. Do not forget ventilation.

Some DO'S:

1. Do be careful.
2. Do have a good time.
3. Do good work.
4. Do be available to help someone who needs it.
5. Do share your love of your hobby with others.

Be careful and do good work.

From AFMS Newsletter, June 2003, via CFMS NEWSLETTER September 2006.

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SHOW DATES.
If you go to any of the web sites
close the new window to return here.

Tulsa Gem & Mineral Show - October 28 & 29, 2006 - Tulsa State Fair Grounds, Exchange Center Building, 21st and Yale, Tulsa, OK. Admission: $5., Children 12 & under Free, Scouts in uniform Free. 20+ National Dealers - 50+ Special Exhibits - Competitive Exhibits - Non-Competitive Exhibits - Kids Activity Area-Fun and Educational - Grab Bags - Wheel of Fortune - Hourly Door Prizes (These are not your average door prizes!) - Silent Auction (No leaverites here!) - Concessions - Programs include live speakers and informative presentations. ***This is by far the best local show you could hope to attend this year. If you attended the RMFMS or AFMS shows you are in for a real treat at the Tulsa Show. By far the best local area show in the Midwest this year. - Virgil G. Richards.

2006 CFMS SHOWS.

SEPTEMBER 22-24; SAN BERNARDINO, CA - Orange Belt Mineralogical Society, 6th annual Rock/Gem & Jewelry Show, Western Regional Little League Ball Park, 6707 Little League Drive. Hours: Fri./Sat. 9-6, Sun. 9-4. Mike Woolery (909) 882-6806 or Al Carrell (951) 961-5988.
SEPTEMBER 23; LOS ALTOS, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Rancho Shopping Center, Foothill Expressway & Springer Road. Hours: 9:30-4:45. Jennifer House (408) 243-7025.
SEPTEMBER 23-24; CARMEL, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Road. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Sky Paxton (831) 755-7741. Email: sky@familystones.net. Website: www.cvgms.org.
SEPTEMBER 23-24; DOWNEY, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Woman's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4. Teresa Widdison (562) 867-1521. Email: twiddison72@aol.com.
SEPTEMBER 23-24; SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego Lapidary Society, Bernardo Winery, 13330 Paseo Del Vernao Norte, Rancho Bernardo, CA. Hours: 10-4 both days. Kim Hutsell (619) 294-3914. Email: info@sandiegolapidarysociety.org.
OCTOBER 1; FALBROOK, CA - Falbrook Gem & Mineral Society, 123 W. Alva (FGMS headquarters). Hours: 10-4. Club web site: www.fgms.org/. There is a map on the web site. Janice Bricker (760) 728-1333.
OCTOBER 7-8; LAKESIDE, CA - El Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview. Hours: 10-5 both days. David Newton (619) 390-5054.
OCTOBER 14; WEST HILLS, CA - Woodland Hills Rock Chippers Eighth Annual Gem & Mineral Show, First United Methodist Church, 22700 Sherman Way. Hours: 10-5 both days. Virginia Rotramel (818) 790-7598. Email: ginigem@juno.com. Website: www.rockchippers.org/.
OCTOBER 14-15; GRASS VALLEY, CA - Nevada County Gem & Mineral "Earth's Treasures". Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road. Hours: 10-4 both days. Cliff Swenson (530) 272-3752.
OCTOBER 14-15; TRONA, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society "Gem-O-Rama", Searles Lake Gem & Mineral, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 7:30-5, Sun. 7:30-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356. Email: jbfairchild@verizon.net.
OCTOBER 21-22; ANDERSON, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Alex Stoltz (530) 474-4400.
OCTOBER 21-22; WHITTIER, CA - Whittier Gem & Mineral Society, Whittier Community Center, 7630 Washington Avenue. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jay Valle (626) 934-9764. Email: res19pnb@verizon.net.
OCTOBER 27-28; NORTHRIDGE, CA - Del Air Rockhounds GEMboree, United Methodist Church, 9600 Reseda Blvd. (at Superior St.). Hours: Fri. 3-9:30 pm, Sat. 10-5. Bill Wendell (818) 993-0119. Email: Del_Air_Rockhounds@yahoo.com.
OCTOBER 28-29; STOCKTON, CA - Stockton Lapidary & Mineral Club, San Joaquin County Fairgrounds, 1658 Airport Way. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Jim Dunlap (209) 478-0747. Web Site: www.stocktonlapidary.com.
OCTOBER 28-29; VISTA, CA - Vista Gem & Mineral Society, Brengle Terrace Recreation Center, 1200 Vale Terrace. Hours: Sat. 10-5, Sun. 10-4. Mary Anne Mital (760) 758-4599.
NOVEMBER 4-5; CONCORD, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord, 5298 Clayton Road. Hours: 10-5 each day. Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287. Email: williamrmckay@hotmail.com.
NOVEMBER 4-5; LANCASTER, CA - Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club, "Rock n Gem Roundup", Antelope Valley Fairgrounds, 2552 West Avenue H. Hours: 9-5 both days. Susan Walblom (661) 943-1861. E-mail: pgmc@antelecom.net.
NOVEMBER 4-5; RIDGECREST, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, 520 S. Richmond Road, (760) 375-8000, RV Parking. Hours: 9-5 both days. John De Rosa (760) 375-7905
NOVEMBER 4-5; SAN DIEGO, CA - San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, Al Bahr Shrine Center (behind Hampton Inn), 5440 Kearny Mesa Road. Hours: Sat. 9:30-5, Sun. 10-4. Wayne Moorhead (858) 586-1637.
NOVEMBER 10, 11, 12; SACRAMENTO, CA - Sacramento Mineral Society, 64th Annual "Harvest of Gems", Scottish Rite Center, 6151 H Street. Hours: Fri. 9-5, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-4. Sheldon Shuper (916) 383-9153. Email: jfosback@aol.com.
NOVEMBER 11-12; YUBA CITY, CA - Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral "Festival Of Gems & Minerals", Yuba Sutter Fairgrounds (Franklin Hall), 442 Franklin Avenue. Hours: 9-4 both days. Cliff Swenson (530) 272-3752.
NOVEMBER 18-19; LIVERMORE, CA - Livermore Valley Lithophites, The Barn, 3131 Pacific Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5. Joyce & Dick Friesen (925) 447-8223. Email: friesenjoyce@lxinetcom.net.
NOVEMBER 18-19; OXNARD, CA - Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society, Oxnard Performing Arts Center, 800 Hobson Way. Hours: Sat. 9-5, Sun. 9-4. Norb Kinsler (805) 644-6450. Show Website: www.ogms.net.
NOVEMBER 25-26; VICTORVILLE, CA - Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club, San Bernardino County Fairgrounds, 14800 7th Street. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4. Joe Kosik (760) 241-0894.
NOVEMBER 25-26; BARSTOW, CA - Mojave Desert Gem & Mineral Society, Barstow Community Center, 841 Barstow Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Gene Haines (760) 256-0595.
DECEMBER 2-3; ORANGEVALE, CA - American River Gem & Mineral Society, Orangevale Grange, 5805 Walnut Avenue, near Madison Ave. Hours 10-5 both days. Evelyn Tipton (916) 372-3452. Email: ektipton@charter.net.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL
SHOW SCHEDULE - 2006.

EASTERN FEDERATION,
November 17-19, West Palm Beach, FL.

SOUTHEASTERN FEDERATION/AFMS,
August 16-20, Nashville, TN.
Middle Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society Convention: 8/15-20; Show: 8/18-20. Hotel Preston @ 733 Briley Parkway. Tennessee State Fairgrounds, Creative Arts Bldg., Wedgewood Avenue. Show hours: Fri./Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5. Website: www.mtgms.org/show.htm. (There's also a link from the AFMS website.) Lewis Elrod (615) 893-8270. email: mlfelrod@yahoo.com.

SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION,
August 18-20, Bossier City, LA.

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EDITOR'S NOTE:

I want to thank all those who have contributed to the bulletin and get it to me on a timely basis. It definitely makes our job easier and your input makes it more interesting. Thank you for the recent photos, however keep in mind that we enjoy sharing your experiences so keep the photos coming. You can email them or send via mail or bring to a meeting. Sharing is fun for all! Just for the record any unsigned articles are by the Editor.

Trili - The Editor's Pet Trilobite.

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2007 CFMS SHOW FLYER.

From the CFMS Web Site:

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EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Geochemistry - The study of chemistry as it applies to the naturally occurring atoms, ions and compounds found in the Earth's crust, atmosphere and hydrosphere. Geochemistry involves the occurrence, distribution and migration of chemical matter in rocks, minerals, soils, air, water and hydrothermal fluids. Geochemistry includes all parts of geology that involve natural chemical changes and the distribution of the elements. The science has more recently expanded in scope to include the study of rocks, water and soils that exist on the Moon and on other planets.

The term "geochemistry" can also refer to a method of prospecting in which rocks, ores, minerals, soils, plants, groundwater and energy resources are sampled and chemically analyzed. Through this technique, geologists and geochemists search for indications of natural chemical conditions that may lead to the discovery of economic deposits containing metallic ores, industrial minerals, petroleum, coal, etc.

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, September 2006. The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.

Illustration of the Month.

Trilbite Morphology, dorsal view.

An illustration from the book "Historical Geology - The Science of a Dynamic Earth", written by Leigh W. Mintz (California State University, Hayward), published by Charles E. Merrill Publishing Co., Columbus, Ohio, 1972, page 193.

The trilobite refers to a class of extinct arthropods whose members exhibit three distinct lobes as part of their anatomy. These lobes include the glabellar lobe (in the center) and two pleurae lobes (on bilaterally opposing sides). The trilobites are benthic marine fossils, originally living as bottom-dwellers on the floors of ancient oceans and shallow seas. Paleontologists consider the trilobite to have been a scavenger, living on detritus (dead organic matter). Trilobites range in age from the Cambrian to the Permian. They lived in abundance during the Cambrian and Ordovician Periods. By understanding details in trilobite morphology, the fossil collector can more readily compare differences amongst the various species.

Text written by Steve Mulqueen.

The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering, engraving print or any form of art rediscovered in books, maps, manuscripts and many other sources related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was chosen for its educational content by Steve Mulqueen, Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, August 2006.

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VGMS PHOTO ALBUM:
All Photos Provided by Steve & Susan Mulqueen.

1. Susan Mulqueen & friend! - A Giant Amethyst Geode at Quartzsite.

2. Meteor Crater, AZ - An impact feature formed approximately 50,000 years ago. The crater is about a mile wide. Photo by Howard Boardman.

3. Dinosaur Trackway, Moenave formation. - Lower Jurassic, 195 million years old. Moenave, AZ on the Navajo Indian Reservation. Photo by Tim Boardman.

4. Dinosaur track to scale from the Moenave formation. Photo by Tim Boardman.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

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