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The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc. (VGMS)
Rockhound Rambling
August 2008.

Rockhound Rambling Photo of the Month.
This month's photo is by Ed Clark.

Description: Photograph of petrographic thin section
through a polarizing microscope of diabase porphyry.

The Rockhound Rambling Picture of the Month is photographed by a VGMS Member. The subject may be a specimen in their own collection or a rock, mineral, gem or lapidary creation of others, accompanied with documentation of subject origin. Selection is at the discretion of the editor. Submit candidate photos to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

Permission is granted to quote any item, if proper credit is given. Exchange Editors: email to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com or mail to 3063 Bayshore Avenue, Ventura, CA 93001-4125.

For the record, any unsigned articles are by the Editor.

Table of Contents.

• PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE;
• WORDS TO LIVE BY;
• HOSPITALITY;
• UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS;
• BIRTHDAYS;
• PROGRAM REVIEW & SCHEDULE;
• DESERT GLASS;
• COMMUNITY OUTREACH;
• MEETING MINUTES;
• CHIPS AND BOULDERS;
• FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN;
• QUESTIONABLE BEAD GEMS;
• HINTS AND TIPS;
• LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE;
• EDUCATIONAL CORNER;
• GEMS FROM THE PAST;
• FUN STUFF - QUARTZ FAMILY PUZZLE;
• FEDERATION NEWS;
• LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2008.

PRESIDENT'S MESSAGE.

The Ventura County Fair is now history and, once again, VGMS excelled in both the ribbon count and in providing support to make the fair a success. Congratulations and kudos to all of those who participated. Now it's time to turn our sights on our show coming up in March. We began making preliminary preparations right after the last show, but now it's time to start getting serious. I encourage everyone to attend this month's meeting and to plan to take an active role in helping Andy Anderson make the 2009 show the best ever.

Ed Clark, President.

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WORDS TO LIVE BY.

Computers can figure out all kinds of problems, except the things in this world that don't add up.

Enthusiasm is the great hill climber.

The search for truth is more precious than it's possession --- Albert Einstein.

He who will not economize will have to agonize.

Collected by Wayne Ehlers.

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HOSPITALITY.

At the July 23, 2008 meeting, we had 26 members, 4 pebble pups and 4 guests.
     Valli Davis.

Thank you Valli for providing July's refreshments. Below is the hostess schedule for upcoming months. Please contact Sharon Cunningham (805-649-3579) if you would like to volunteer for one of the open hostess months.
     August - Nancy & Jim Brace-Thompson.
     September - Open.
     October - Open.

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UPCOMING VGMS EVENTS.

Regular Meeting - Wednesday, August 27, 7:30 pm, Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara, Ventura.
Board Meeting - Thursday, September 4, 7:30 pm, The Lexington, Ventura.
Bulletin Article Deadline - Sunday, September 7, vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

If omitted, time, location or address can be found on the VGMS Info Page. (Close the new window to return here.)

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BIRTHDAYS.

Ed Clark - August 12,
Marie Haake - August 14,
Gina Herndon - August 17,
Sunny Cross - August 19,
Karen Foster - August 24,
Shirley Bromser - August 25,
Melvin Hixson - August 26,
Wendy Holder - August 29.

Carl Stephens - September 8,
Shana Juarez - September 22,
Clint Berkheiser - September 23,
Myrle Kirk - September 27,
Susan Mulqueen - September 27,
Stuart Bloom - September 28.

We wish all of you good health and hope you have a very, very HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!

Peridot - http://www.gemstone.org/gem-by-gem/english/peridot.html.

The peridot is a very old gemstone, and one which has become very popular again today. It is so ancient that it can be found in Egyptian jewelry from the early 2nd millennium BC. The stones used at that time came from a deposit on a small volcanic island in the Red Sea, some 45 miles off the Egyptian coast at Aswan, which was not rediscovered until about 1900 and has, meanwhile, been exhausted for quite some time. Having said that, the peridot is also a thoroughly modern gemstone, for it was not until a few years ago that peridot deposits were located in the Kashmir region; and the stones from those deposits, being of an incomparably beautiful color and transparency, have succeeded in giving a good polish to the image of this beautiful gemstone, which had paled somewhat over the millennia.

The ancient Romans too were fond of this gemstone and esteemed its radiant green shine, which does not change even in artificial light. For that reason they nicknamed it the 'emerald of the evening'. Peridot is also found in Europe in medieval churches, where it adorns many a treasure, for example one of the shrines in Cologne Cathedral. During the baroque period, the rich green gemstone once again enjoyed a brief heyday, and then it somehow faded into oblivion.

But suddenly, in the middle of the 1990's, the peridot was the big sensation at gemstone fairs all round the world. The reason? In Pakistan, up on an inhospitable pass at some 4000 meters (13,120 ft.), a sensationally rich deposit of the finest peridots had been found. In tough climatic conditions which permitted the gemstones to be mined only during the summer months, the unusually large, fine crystals and fragments were brought down into the valley. These stones were finer than anything that had ever been seen before. And the deposits were so rich that the demand for peridots can, for the present, easily be satisfied.

In order to emphasize the special quality of the peridots from Pakistan, these stones are offered as 'Kashmir peridots', following the famous Kashmir sapphires. Creative gemstone cutters have succeeded in cutting some fascinatingly beautiful one-off stones of more than 100 carats from some of the large, fine, clear crystals with their magnificent rich green!

This gemstone has no fewer than three names: 'peridot', 'chrysolite', from the Greek 'gold stone', and 'olivine', for the peridot is the gemstone form of the mineral olivine. In the gemstone trade it is called 'peridot', derived from the Greek word 'peridona', which means something like 'to give richness'.

The peridot is one of the few gemstones which come in one color only. The rich, green color with the slight tinge of gold is caused by very fine traces of iron. From a chemical point of view, peridot is an iron magnesium silicate. The intensity of the color depends on the amount of iron actually present. The color itself can vary over all shades of yellowish green and olive, and even to a brownish green. Peridot is not particularly hard - only 6.5 to 7 on the Mohs scale - but it is easy to look after and fairly robust. Peridot cat's eyes and star peridot are particularly rare and precious.

The most beautiful stones come from the border area between Pakistan and Afghanistan. However, the peridot as a gemstone also exists in Myanmar, China, the USA, Africa and Australia. Stones from East Burma, now known as Myanmar, have a vivid light green and fine inclusions with a silky shine to them. Peridot from Arizona, where it is popularly used in native American jewelry, often has somewhat yellowish or gold-brown nuances.

The peridot is cut in accordance with its crystal shape, mostly faceted or in classical table cuts, or round, antique, as an octahedron or oval. Smaller crystals are cut into standardized series stones, larger ones into imaginative one-offs. Cabochons are made if the material contains more inclusions, for the domed cut brings out the fine silky shine of the inclusions to their best.

The cutters know full well that this gemstone is anything but easy to work with. The raw crystals can be very tricky and may crack easily. There is often a good deal of tension on the inside of the crystal. But once the cutter has succeeded in removing the coarser inclusions, the peridot is a precious stone with good wearing qualities which does not call for any special care.

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PROGRAM REVIEW & SCHEDULE.

July 2008 Program - Rock/Paper/Scissors.
Lowell Foster's July Program was a lot of fun. Two pebble pups, Caleb Juarez and Destiny Lopez, volunteered to be contestants in Lowell's rockhound version of the Match Game. Each member of the audience and the contestants were provided "white boards". There were two categories for the questions. The contestants selected their category and Lowell gave the question. Each time the contestant's answer matched the audience a point was awarded. Caleb and Destiny ended up in a draw, which was decided by ... you bet ... one round of Rock/Paper/Scissors. Thanks to Lowell for putting a lot of time into this program. It was enjoyed by all.


Upcoming Events by Lowell Foster.

August - Gold Panning.
Toss away your woks. Bury your BBQ's. Put away your pots. Get out your pans. Bob Abernathy will be here to tell us all about the ins and outs of gold panning. (Sandy material in - gold hopefully out.) Bob will be demonstrating the proper procedure for gold panning and allowing the audience to practice a little under his watchful eye. Also, technology permitting, there will be a presentation of photos from the Gold Country, showing different localities where Mr. Abernathy has pulled color from the water and dirt. This is one program for anybody interested in gold and the California Gold Rush.

September - The Moorpark Mammoth.
Jim Brace-Thompson will be discussing Mammoths and part of the talk will be about the one they recently unearthed in Moorpark which was displayed at the CFMS show. All his talks have been excellent - so he has some big shoes to fill for this one.

October - The Mining History of the West 1850 - 1905.
Dr. Gray from Santa Barbara City College will be visiting us again and providing an overview of the mining technology used throughout the West at the last half of the 19th century. Most likely he will be accompanied by a small contingent of students. Get ready to greet not only the professor but also his dedicated pupils.

November - Open.

December - Holiday Dinner-Details to come.

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DESERT GLASS.

In the old days, glass makers used quantities of beach sand in making their glass, and many impurities, such as manganese were included in the final product. The reaction of this metal to the ultraviolet rays of the sun over many years, turns the glass purple. This is the same process that puts the 'desert varnish' on any manganese rich rocks in the desert.

The lack of humidity in the desert atmosphere allows 90% of the solar heat to reach the ground during the day. For the same reason, the desert returns 100% of its heat to the atmosphere at night. Man has learned that by placing old, clear glass in an aluminum lined box and exposing it to an ultraviolet light on a 24-hour basis, he can color glass much faster. Some of the lovely lavender desert glass sold today may have been produced in such a fashion. However, today's modern glass is usually produced by using pure quartz and such glass, when exposed to the sun, or the UV lamp, turns amber.

From Grace and Ernest Chambers, Glacial Drifter, date unknown via Del Air Bulletin, May, 2008.

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COMMUNITY OUTREACH.

Hello, Everyone;

Below is the preliminary list of minerals for the mineral box for the libraries. These are not set and may be changed if we can get other minerals that fit the categories. Check what you have to see if you can come up with a few donations. We will need three of each mineral, one for each of the three boxes. If you can come up with just one good specimen, that is fine. Those in italics are already covered.

The minerals that are mentioned in school texts are quartz, calcite, feldspar, mica, hornblende, galena and ores of copper (azurite-malachite). We should do our best to incorporate these in the list. Most of these are incorporated into the Silicates, so possibly we should include a "Rock Builders" set within the set, with several of the common silicates that could fit the description (Quartz, Mica, Feldspar and Hornblende).

I intend to put in a set of crystals (quartz) that will show that crystals don't always have to form in the "classic shape" to still fit the classification (tabby, chisel point, etc.). We need hardness kits, magnifying lenses.

Carbonates:
Azurite & Malachite,
Calcite - Iceland Spar,
(Aragonite, Crussite).

Elements:
Copper,
Graphite or Sulphur.

Halides:
Fluorite,
Halite.

Oxides:
Hematite,
(Ruby-Zosite, Rutile, Apatite).

Phosphates:
Vanadinite,
Wavelite.

Sulphates:
Gypsum-Selenite,
Alabaster,
(Barite).

Sulphides:
Pyrite,
Galena,
(Marcasite).

Silicates:
Feldspar,
Quartz,
(aquamarine, olivine, mica, hornblende, epidote).

Organics:
Coal,
Amber.

Borates:
This class may be added although they are generally classed with carbonates. We might have some good borates among us though.
Colemanite,
Ulexite.

Donna Khapton.

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MEETING MINUTES.

Minutes of the VGMS Regular Monthly Meeting;
Wednesday July 23, 2008:
     The regular monthly meeting of the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society was called to order by Ed Clark at 7:30 pm, on Wednesday, July 23, 2008, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center.
Ed Clark introduced visitors and then asked for corrections, if any, to the previously printed board and regular meeting minutes. It was m/s/c to accept the minutes. Members were led in the pledge to the flag. Ed then added that the VGMS took honors at the Federation Show with the most points combined in competition of any club.
Jim Brace-Thompson: A committee is being formed for the purpose of locating a new workshop and possibly space for a museum. A suggestion form for ideas was passed around. If interested in being a part of and being included in this very important task, contact Jim. Jim is also finalizing the membership pamphlet derived from Fred Ott's efforts.
Ron Wise: Upcoming field trips include the Greenhorn Mountains August 22 for rose quartz, a possible gold panning trip in September, Arkansas in October for quartz crystals and the Basin Road area in November. Don't forget the Trona show and field trip October 11 & 12. It's a very worthwhile trip and experience if you've never seen it.
Jean Wise thanked everyone for their effort with the Federation Show. Now our attention turns to the Ventura County Fair and of course Camp Paradise spaces are still available.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: Nancy read the treasurer's report and it was m/s/c to accept as written.
Mary Polacek: Deadline for the next bulletin will be August 10th and any and all photos and comments concerning the bulletin are welcomed.
Lowell Foster: Upcoming programs include a speaker on gold and meteorites, Dr. Gray in October and hopefully field trips for pebble pups this month if Lowell hears back from parents. Lowell really entertained everyone by hosting a rock game show for pebble pups. It really went well and too bad our time is so limited. The "Match Game" incorporated rock and VGMS themes and also involved the whole audience. Lowell put a lot of time and effort into this. The kids obviously enjoyed it and was a different take on our usual programs. Thanks again to Lowell and perhaps we'll try "Jeopardy" another time.
     The next board meeting will be held on August 7th, 2008, at The Lexington and the next monthly membership meeting will be held on August 27, 2008, at the Ventura Senior Recreation Center, 420 E. Santa Clara.
     There being no further business, Ed adjourned the meeting at 9:00 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.


Minutes of the VGMS Board Meeting;
Thursday, August 7, 2008:
Present: Ed Clark, Lowell Foster, Jim & Nancy Brace-Thompson, Ron & Jean Wise, Mary Polacek and Greg Davis.
     The Ventura Gem & Mineral Society Board Meeting for August 7, 2008 was called to order by Ed Clark at 7:30 pm, at The Lexington, 5440 Ralston in Ventura.
Old business:
Greg Davis: Nearly everything has been moved from the museum or will be soon. We still have AC in the building. Cal Clason is recovering well from his recent mild heart attack, and so is Florence recovering from an arm fracture.
New business:
Ron Wise: Upcoming field trips include the San Gabriel Mountains for gold (more info will be forthcoming), September 8th the Knaptons will be going to Owens Valley, and Basin Rd. in November, November 26-30 is the CFMS trip to Wiley's Well and in December, a trip to Ant Hill.
Nancy Brace-Thompson: The written treasurer's report was distributed along with the prospectus for 2008. It was m/s/c to accept the treasurer's report as written.
Jim Brace-Thompson: The Fred Ott membership packet is still in progress. Jim is looking for an electronic form of our club's by-laws and procedures in order to simplify the transfer of data to the pamphlet. It was reported from a club member that the cost of ordering a club plastic badge now costs $22.00. Jim will explore costs from other vendors and report back. Jim suggests a 2009 show planning meeting be scheduled soon. There's lots to be discussed and considered with use of the different building. Dee Holland has agreed to visit our next show and critique display cases, for the purpose of competition, for those who request his help. Reporting from the Federation, Jim is requesting comments from club members concerning Federation Show programs (display) recommendations.
     On another note, a work day needs to be scheduled for sorting materials in our storage facilities and eliminating what we can to save space.
     Recommendations on a day will be tallied and Jim will report back. Also, the committee to locate a new facility has yet to be formed and will be brought before the next general membership meeting once again. In the meantime, Ron, Jim and Greg will get together and produce a "fact" sheet to be used when contacting agencies with our needs.
Mary Polacek: Articles and submissions to the bulletin are requested no later than August 10th. After discussion, it was decided that mailed bulletins will have pictures printed in black and white in order to reduce cost.
Lowell Foster: John Abernathy will give a presentation on gold panning in August, Jim Brace-Thompson will present a program on mammoths in September and Dr. Gray from Santa Barbara will present his talk on the history of mining in October. Lowell suggested we entertain the idea of setting up cabbing equipment at members' homes, for the pebble pups as a way to educate them and use our machines during this time of being without a workshop. Further study is necessary.
     The next general meeting will be on August 27, 2008, at the new location, 420 E. Santa Clara in Ventura and the next board meeting will be on September 4th , at The Lexington.
     There being no further business, Ed adjourned the meeting at 9:10 pm.
          Respectfully submitted,
          Greg Davis,
          Recording Secretary.

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CHIPS AND BOULDERS.

Rock Sale.
Mel Hixson is having to leave behind a lot of rock because it's just too darn hard to haul it all to Texas. If any club members would like to look through his bins of leftovers at 50 cents to $1 per pound or cheaper, give Mel a call at 805-646-6021 to set up a time to come and fill some buckets. Mel has lots of poppy and miscellaneous Hornitos jasper, and lots of other rough including lots of pre-cracked up tumbler mix. He will be in and out so if you don't catch him, leave a message on his machine and he will phone you back to set up a time.

Local Hot Spot.
In the local news for Ventura County, an article appeared in July regarding a "hot spot" that surfaced at a remote locality in the mountains above Fillmore. This hot spot is related to the subsurface combustion of natural petroleum-saturated shale. In the February 2004 VGMS bulletin, Steve Mulqueen wrote an article about this phenomenon. Burnt oil shale is formed through this process. You can access this article on the VGMS website, bulletin archive.

Ventura County Fair - Thanks.
We want to thank all of the members who helped in the Gem and Mineral Building with set-up, taking entries, judge clerking, floor walking, demonstrating, and tear down. Most of all, thank you for putting entries in the gem and mineral classes (total 318), and hobbies and collections (total 370). With your participation, we were able to fill the building and have a successful 2008 Fair!
     Thanks again,
      Richard and Shirley Bromser.

Congratulations - 2008 VGMS Member Ventura County Fair Awards.

     Submitted by Richard Bromser.

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SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN.

Old Topanga, Saturday June 14.
We had a good day for collecting fossils. There were 22 rockhounds from several clubs. From the Conejo club there was Xiaofang, Wei Wang, Norman, Nelson Mu family and their grandmother, Kathy, Jessie, Petra Riser, John Bouck, Kent, Mariana Christenson. I tried to list everyone from the Conejo club who attended. I do apologize for any misspellings. I take the names off the field trip waiver. If I can't read your name, I can't add it to the bulletin. The weather was nice and we had a good day of digging, quitting before it go too hot. We climbed the ravine, and dug on the backside of the hill, finding many fossils. We all had a fun time.
     Robert Sankovich.

Kanan Road, Saturday July 12.
Our tri-club field trip to Kanan Road was fun. Over 20 people showed up from several clubs including Del Air. Ron Wise of the Ventura Club led the field trip. We arrived at 9 am and went up a dirt road. Lynn Varon's car got stuck, but a tow truck pulled it out. We spread over the hills searching for agate and rocks. I and several others found a nice outcropping of agate where someone had dug before. We all collected some nice pieces. There was a lot of brush and hiking took some energy. By noon it got hot, so we headed home.
     Robert Sankovich.

Oceanview Mine Thursday Dig with Simon King.
Last Thursday, my daughter and I took the day off to drive down to the Oceanview Mine in Pala for the first Thursday dig with Simon King. We left early from the LAX area since the news broadcasts listed numerous SIG Alerts. However, the traffic was actually better than expected and we got there too early even with a small detour in the neighbor's orange grove, having turned left one dirt road too soon. Luckily, we met a very nice man who was watering his trees and, after he redirected us back to the main road, we went past the driveway to his house, around the curve and then turned left into the correct dirt road leading up to the Oceanview Mine.

Although I have been there several times over the last 5 years, the owner, Jeff, has made major improvements in the last year. The level area around the tailing pile seems larger. The ring of tables with screens and wash basins ringing the large tailing pile looks like it can accommodate around 70 people. My understanding is that the Thursday digs will be smaller groups and there seemed to be around 40 or so diggers for this inaugural Thursday.

It was very hot but Simon and Gladys had called us all the day before suggesting we bring beach umbrellas or other shade covers. Jeff helped bungee cord my beach umbrella onto the table and it held nicely even when the afternoon breezes picked up. There is a large covered lunch area with a mist system. It was so inviting and cool, my daughter spread out on a bench after lunch and we didn't realize she was sleeping there until after most people had started packing up at 3 PM to go home.

Getting there earlier than the 10:30 AM start is no advantage, since no screening is allowed until the proper use of the equipment is demonstrated to the group. Everything you need is provided by the mine - the buckets, two screens, trowels, and even a toothbrush to clean off your finds. The equipment is all in good shape - and to keep it that way, there are several rules. You have to use the mine buckets so that you don't overload and rip the screens. You aren't allowed to screen the tailings by the central pile - since then other people may waste their time scooping up and screening your leftovers. Likewise, no digging directly in the pile and high-grading.

The two guys at the table next to me kept claiming they were finding nice smoky quartz and aquamarine - which was driving me crazy since after about 10 buckets of tailings, I still had nothing much to show. Finally, Minda found a nice thumb-sized quartz point with lots of fine black tourmaline. She was happy with that and ready to check out the hot dogs and hamburgers Simon was barbequeing - but I made her fill up both buckets one last time, hoping her luck would hold. And, in that next bucket I found a gemmy, deep purple Kunzite fragment, about 4 grams.

For this first Thursday dig, they also held a special raffle. I was too determined to find something special, so didn't see the actual prizes before they started calling the winners. And, of course, the two guys next to me both won. Now, I was doubly determined to find something in the tailings. I decided to skip the tour of the mine since I'd gone on it twice before and kept screening.

Re-energized, I kept going until I found my own Kunzite crystal - a nicer crystal piece with all 3 sides intact, but not as gemmy or deeply colored as my daughter's. Time flew by and they called "last bucket" way too soon. In my last bucket, I got a cute feldspar crystal with clevelandite. Right at the end, Jeff gave me a pencil-lead piece of rare purple tourmaline from the 49'er pocket (named since it was found on the owner's 49th birthday - or so I read online).

I hung out after the others left to talk with Gladys a little. The clean-up is something to watch. After they dump the water and wash out the tubs and screens, they use a fork lift to move all the tables. Then they scoop up the dirt from under the tables and haul it up the hill. After repairing any screens, they move the tables back with the forklifts and everything is set for Sunday.

It is my understanding that they add fresh tailings and even enriched buckets from their last pockets from the mine to the pile prior to each dig. Knowing somewhat what pocket mud looks like, I must confess to looking for that when filing my buckets. I'm not sure my strategy really worked well, since I saw some really nice aquamarine crystals that somebody on the far side of the circle had found.

It was a fun day in the fresh air. I'm still cleaning off some additional rocks I picked up from along the road. One is a cauliflower shaped chunk of clevelandite with what might be a chunk of beryl on the side (good reason to have to go back for a definite ID). In talking to other "real" rock hounds that day, some felt there were a few too many rules required due to the size of the operation now and it doesn't come very close to approximating rock hounding. But - as listed on the web site - www.digforgems.com - it is the only opportunity to see a real working tourmaline mine and to have some fun and to maybe get lucky and find some nice minerals and gems that were missed from the mine. I am grateful to Jeff and Simon and the rest of the staff for all they do to make it a pleasant experience for their guests.
     By Ellen Moe, Culver City Club via Yahoo Group LA-ROCKS July 21 Posting.

The following was submitted by Robert Sankovich with additional information regarding future trips from Ron Wise. (The future trip information is located near the end of "FIELD TRIPS ARE FUN".) It is important to notify the contact if you plan to attend a scheduled field trip. It is also important to express your interest in the tentative events. If enough folks do not respond the trip may not be scheduled.

Friday-Sunday, Aug 22nd-24th Greenhorn Mountains.
Contacts: Robert Sankovich, 805-494-7734, rmsorca@adelphia.net; Mike Miller 805-498-9586, rockfimdr@aol.com.
Please let us know if you are going to go on this field trip.

This trip is to be a weekend thing, but I know that many can only do a day trip. Friday will be the "Drive to the Campsite and Set Up" day. In the evening of the 22nd, we will try our luck at getting the tungsten ore. Saturday morning we will head out to the rose quartz site at about 10 am. This is to accommodate those driving up that morning. It should take about 3.5 to 4 hours to drive to the campsite from Ventura, so get up early and drive safe. Saturday afternoon, we will head out for the epidote and garnet source. There will be some hiking on this trip, but mostly on dirt forest roads. We can try the tungsten again on Saturday evening, and that will be up to how many want to go. Sunday morning, we will hit the rose quartz again and will start early, about 9 am, as we need to pack up and head for home that afternoon. Deb and I will be stopping at Ant Hill on Sunday if there is time, where we'll be digging for shark teeth fossils.

Information: The campsite is a dry site. No water, no hook-ups. If you are camping over, you will need to bring water for drinking and cleaning. I recommend filling a five gallon water cooler jug with your tap water and bottled water for the hiking and stuff. This is a pack in/pack out trip. We are responsible for our own trash and we need to set an example as rockhounds. You will need an Adventure Pass in the area we will be in. They cost $5.00 for one day and $30.00 for a year. You will need an Adventure Pass when we go to San Gabriel for gold panning in September, so I advise buying the annual pass for $30.00. For information or purchase: http://www.fs.fed.us/r5/sanbernardino/ap/.

Fire permits will be required. I will be getting one. We will need at least one more permit for the group. They can be bought in Bakersfield on the way up to the campsite.

Campfire Permit: BLM office in Bakersfield at 3801 Pegasus Drive. They will be open from 7:30 am - 4:15 pm on Friday. Telephone: 661-391-6000.

Directions: Panorama Dry Camp, 7 miles north of Greenhorn Mountain County Park off Highway 155 in the Sequoia National Forest. Lat. N35d 48.51', Long. W118d 34.34'.

What to Bring: Bug repellant, warm clothes for the cool nights, light clothes for the sunny afternoons, hiking shoes, sunscreen, large brim hat, shovel, rock hammer or pick, gad or chisel, sledges, collecting bags, buckets, day pack, eye protection, sturdy shoes, drinking water, trash bags, fire wood, and the usual stuff you bring when you camp.

What to find:
     Rose Quartz, a semi-translucent quartz, colored pink to lavender by small amounts of titanium atoms. This variety of rose quartz is reported to have an asterism or six-ray star when cut and polished properly. The quartz is in the cliff face that you will be walking down. You will need to bring heavy sledges and chisels to break away large pieces of quartz although there is lots of small stuff. The quartz is somewhat fractured but well healed. There are lots of small gemmy pieces down the hillside. GPS: 35d 51m 22s North,118d 31m 46s West, Elevation 7244' (http://www.caltelephone.com/lamps/rose_quartz.htm).
     Epidote, a yellowish green to brownish green to black crystal that is long and transparent to translucent. The crystals are shaped like slender prisms (similar to tourmaline).
     Garnet, of the grossular variety. These well formed crystals, are brown to orange in color and transparent to sub-translucent.
     Tungsten Ore, of the scheelite variety. A fluorescing mineral has been found in many of the mountains and road-cuts. We will venture out for this collecting after dark, as the use of a black light is vital.

Field Trip Schedule 2008.*

* Please call your field trip leader to confirm that there is a field trip scheduled in the event of changes.

Upcoming Field Trips 2008:
September 8-14, Angles Camp to Owens Valley, Donna Knapton, 805-647-8762, dknapton@hotmail.com. Contact Donna or Larry Knapton if you are interested.

October 9-11, Mount Ida, Arkansas, 2008 World Championship Crystal Dig, http://www.mtidachamber.com/crystal_dig_info.htm.

October 11-12, Trona Gem-O-Rama for pink halite, hanksite. Check it out on the web: http://www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub. Remember to take old clothes to throw away.

November 26-30, Wiley's Well, CFMS field trip (Thanksgiving Weekend). I will also go to the Turtle Mountains to look for chalcedony roses and agate during this time. Contact Robert Sankovich.

The field trips listed below are tentative, they might change. All are Tri Club field trips. Either Conejo, Oxnard or Ventura will lead. Each month there will be detailed information in the bulletin. Robert Sankovich regularly updates field trip information on the Conejo Gem and Mineral Club's website field trip page: http://www.cgamc.org/PAGES/Field%20Trips.htm. The information is basic but may be useful as a last minute check.

September: San Gabriel Mountains for gold panning. Contact Brett Johnson 805-822-3836 Bj9709@yahoo.com if you are interested.

November 1-2 or 15-16: Basin Road (Barstow area) for jasp-agate, saginite. Either date is possible at this time. Contact Ron if you have a preference. Ron Wise, 805-647-4393, clintwise@hotmail.com.

December: Ant Hill, shark teeth fossils.

2009 Field Trips:
January - Wiley's Well and Quartzsite for geodes, nodules, chalcedony, petrified iron wood, agate.
February - To be determined.
March - Ant Hill for shark teeth fossils.
April - Jalama Beach for agate, petrified whale bone, fish fossils.
May (after the Conejo show) - Green River Formation - fish fossils; Kemmerer area, Wyoming - Blue Forest petrified wood; Wyoming - sapphires; Montana (this will be a week long road/field trip).
June - To be determined.
July - Jade Cove for Nephrite jade, serpentine, actinolite, soapstone, abalone shells.

Other possible Field Trips: Morgan Hill - poppy jasper; Hauser Museum - rock pile; Somis - fossils.

  Table of Contents.

QUESTIONABLE BEAD GEMS.

Cherry, strawberry, and pineapple quartz are all man-made. So is some "rutilated" quartz. Currently, there are a lot of man-made "gemstone" beads and cabochons coming out of China, where they are created. Some "rough" is sent to India, so some of these beads also come from India. There are also many enhanced and/or dyed stones.

Most of your cheaper beads are dyed, and will fade: garnets, citrine, rose quartz, peridot, blue topaz, iolite, aventurine, ruby, sapphire, lapis, some jade, coral, aquamarine, amethyst, blue labradorite, etc. "Mountain Jade" is dyed marble. "Malaysian Jade" is dyed quartz. Much of the hematite is man-made. Some luscious colored chalcedony is dyed and will fade. Dyed Peruvian opal oozes out coloring material. And there are others.
     From The Pegmatite, April, 2008, excerpted from post by Ken Rogers on LA-ROCKS, March 7, 2008.

  Table of Contents.

HINTS AND TIPS.

How to Get an Eye in Tiger-eye.
Tiger-eye is a hard siliceous or quartz family gemstone, with hardness of 7 on Moh's scale. In cutting parallel to fibers, a difference of 2 or 3 degrees will noticeably reward you. An improper cut is soon recognized.

Now look across the slab at a 60 degree angle, a light or dark area should appear, with the dark on the farther side. China pencil mark a dividing line, each side should be a different color.
     1. Hold the slice in the same plane, turn end for end, the light area should prevail nearest you, and the dark farthest away or on the opposite side as before. Again mark a dividing line; it is at the same division area.
     2. Turn the slab over, top for bottom, and the reverse lighting is apparent. The dark is on the side closest to you, even if the slab is turned the dark should still be closest.

As in (2) the dark area observed at 60 degrees is the top of the stone you wish to finish.
*** As in (1) template marking will be where light half and bottom of cab.
A floating eye of light will result.
     From Al Bodman via The Slate 07/08.
*** I don't know about the rest of you but the line above in bold confused us. We are trying to get it clarified but we don't want to leave out the entire article just because of one statement. We are going to leave the article in and will change it if we hear anything back from our inquiry. Maybe its not confusing to the rest of you anyway.

Another Tiger Eye Tip.
Try cementing three pieces of tiger eye together so that the grain is perpendicular to the next. Cabochons and other stones can then be cut with interesting chatoyancy effects.
     Original source unknown via T-Town Rockhound 07/98.

Liquid detergent.
Add a couple tablespoons of liquid detergent to your cutting oil. If your saw has a plastic lid, this will be the first time ever that you will be able to see through the top after cutting your slab.
     From The Rollin' Rock 07/08 via The Rock Collector 1/06.

Faceting Amber.
Amber can be faceted if the lap speed is reduced. Cut the pavilion at 43 degrees using a fine to extra-fine lap at 100 rpm. Cut the crown at 42 degrees, likewise. Polish on a wax lap at normal speed using Linde A.
     From VLMS Shop Tips via The Pegmatite 03/08.

Agate Polishing.
Agates can be cut and polished on diamond, but we prefer to use carborundum grinding wheels and polish with cerium oxide on hard felt. You can also use leather or poly-pads. Try a little red rouge when polishing. It seems to give a more glassy finish. One thing to remember is to get rid of all scratches from the grinding stage with a 600 grit sanding disc or belt before proceeding to the polishing stop.
     Original source unknown via Strata Gem 03/08.

Stones for Carving.
The following stones may be carved with only a file and/or motor tools and a few hand tools:
Sepiolite (Meerschaum) is famous as a material to make pipe bowls. Work and finish with steel wool.
Alabaster (Gypsum) hardness varies. Hard types respond well to hand tools; others with files and wet or dry sandpaper.
Talc (Soapstone) works with files, sandpaper and carving tools.
Antracite (Coal jet) works with files and sandpaper. Polishes to a shine equal to hematite.
Calcite (Marble Onyx) works with hand tools, steel wool and tungsten bits.
Argonite is similar to calcite and is worked the same.
Howlite is worked with hand tools and has the advantage of being dyed easily.
Most of these can be sawed with a hacksaw. Most can be polished by hand with a piece of leather and tin oxide.
     From Strata Gem 10/03 via Strata Gem 03/08.

The club presents these hints and tips for informational purposes only and does not specifically endorse or profess first-hand use or experience with any or all. As always, be aware of your situation, knowledge level and comfort zone before attempting anything new. When in doubt, stop! Get help before you need it.

Keep a log in your shop. Document your techniques and inspirations. You will come up with a journal full of useful tips, and maybe even an educational article or two!! Email hints and tips to vgms_editor@roadrunner.com.

Let us hear your good ideas!

  Table of Contents.

LET'S BE SAFE OUT THERE.

Hiking Safety,
By black_jack_1968@yahoo.com via Yahoo Group,
Rock_Collecting_and_Field_Trips Digest Number 223.

When I was young I was told this joke. Whenever you go hiking, be sure to take a deck of cards with you. If you get lost you can simply find a place to sit down and start playing solitaire. In less than 5 minutes, someone will be standing over your shoulder telling you that you missed a play. If only it were really that easy.

For years I have been hiking up and down mountains, across desert landscapes, and through snow covered valleys. Sometimes I was searching for precious gems, other times an elusive deer, and on more than one occasion I was just trying to lose my little brother. I have been out for day hikes of two or three hours, and a month long excursion into the Cascade, Okanogan, and Rocky Mountains. And although I have learned a lot of valuable lessons on these trips, one of the more important ones was that nobody plans to become lost, but sometimes they do. My first experience in this area was while a member of the Boy Scouts. I went on a few search and rescue operations - one time even looking for those people who had become lost while originally being part of the first search party.

There are two basic rules to follow when you become lost. And it does not matter where you become lost, the rules are the same.
1. Survive, and 2. Be Discovered.

There are some basic guidelines to follow to help you be discovered.

1. Tell someone where you are going and when you will be back. It is surprising the number of people who become lost and no one knows they are missing for days because no one knew where they were or when they were supposed to have been back.
2. If part of a group, stay together. It is much easier to find a group of people in the same spot than finding a single person who has gone to find help.
3. Stay in one area. Find a place safe to stay and do not wander around.
4. Have a safe resting place - not a hiding place. Part of being discovered is being seen. Don't look for a place to hide, look for a place to be seen. A safe place, but as visible as possible.
5. Wear something bright. Bright colors are much easier to spot than natural colors. I do have a Hunter's Orange t-shirt I wear or take with me. It is easy to conceal if needed, but also easily seen if that is what you need.
6. Stay comfortably warm. Not too hot, not too cold. In the desert, stay out of direct sunlight, and when not in the desert, try and stay dry as moisture will cause very rapid heat loss even on relatively warm days.
7. Do not lay or sleep on bare ground. There are a lot of reasons for not doing this, but bare ground will sap heat from you almost as fast as being wet.
8. Stay away from large rivers or lakes. This is on the better safe than sorry side of things. Remember, no one plans to get lost; well they don't plan to get swept away with the current or accidentally drown either. Creeks, ponds, and anything you can stand up in should be OK, but always be careful. Even small creeks can have some pretty fast flowing waters.
9. Don't eat anything if you are not sure what it is. This includes berries, mushrooms, roots, leaves, etc. Unless you know what it is because you come out and pick it every year, or you have had specialized training on edible plants, don't eat it.
10. Be careful with any fire. Trust me, the last way you want to be rescued is by smoke jumpers and fire fighters. You think being lost is bad, add a runaway fire to the equation and see what you think! Take every precaution you can with any open flame.

As for survival: Stay warm, Stay safe, Stay healthy. As a Scout I learned to always carry a survival kit whenever I was away from my primary campsite. Any survival kit has to be small and light enough that you will not feel it a burden to carry. Because if it is, you will not take it the time you do need it. A survival kit is simple to assemble and doesn't take up much room in a back pack or a day pack.

Personal Survival Kit (Weight = 11 oz.) [Item : Usage.]

1. 1 Two Piece Aluminum Container : Drinking Cup, Cook Pot.
2. 2 Quality thermal/space blankets : Shelter/signaling/ground cover.
3. 4 Razor blades : Cut rope, cords, make tinder.
4. 1 Fire starter / Flint : Start fire.
5. 10 Small tinder packets : Start fire when all else is wet.
6. 10 Windproof/Waterproof Matches & Striker : When all else fails.
7. 1 Wire Blade Survival Saw : Cut wood.
8. 1 Fishing Kit : (10 hooks, 2 swivels, 6 split shot, 25' of 20# line,
9. 10' of 8# leader) : Fishing.
10. 25 ft. Roll of Snare Wire : Snares and many other uses.
11. 8 sq.ft. Aluminum Foil : Signal, cooking, protection.
12. 4 1-qt. plastic Ziploc bags : Keep matches / tinder dry.
13. 50 Water purification tablets : Health.
14. 10 ft. Nylon Cord :
15. Electrical Tape :
16. 2 Large Sewing Needles :
17. 10 ft. Sewing Thread :
18. 1 Plastic magnifying Glass :
19. 8 Safety Pins :
20. 1 Small Pencil :
21. Sun block (bug repellent) SPF30 : Safety / health.
22. Medical Supplies:
         1. 2 1-gal Ziploc baggies to keep med supplies dry : Can
             also hold / purify water in them.
         2. 4 Bandaids, 1 x 3 in. :
         3. 2 Bandaids, 2 in. :
         4. 2 Antibiotic Salve :
         5. 6 Wound Closure Strips, 1/4' x 2' :
         6. 2 Iodine Solution, .6 ml ampoules/swabs :
         7. 6 Pain killer pills (Not aspirin) :

Not listed as part of the Survival kit, but which you should always have with you when you go hiking: Compass; Pocket knife; Map of the area; Watch.

This is not a complete list of everything that could be in a survival kit. I have one friend who has a master survival kit that has many parts and he only takes those parts needed for where he is going, so instead of a desert pack, forest pack, planes pack, he would have small bags of specialty items for each area and add them to the standard survival kit before he left.

Hope this is good information, would love to hear other peoples' thoughts / ideas.
          Happy hunting, Jack.

  Table of Contents.

EDUCATIONAL CORNER.

Definition of the Month.

Paleoartist - An artist who specializes in the preparation of artwork depicting extinct animals, plants and their environments. These once living organisms are known to have existed only by evidence preserved in the fossil record. The medium for artwork may include paintings, sketches, sculptures or animations. Paleoartists are also involved with the preparation of museum exhibits related to paleontology and natural history. Their talents are often needed for sketching fossil remains at excavation sites and for documenting specimens for publishing scientific works and for curating museum collections.

Paleobiology - The science applied to the study of biological processes of ancient and extinct organisms now preserved as fossils and the comparison of those organisms with those living today.

Paleobotany - The study of plants of past geological ages. This science is based on the analysis and comparison of plant fossils with those of living species.

Paleocurrent - A current, generally consisting of water and sediment in a fluid form, that existed in the geological past. The inferred direction of flow of a paleocurrent is made by determining the orientation of primary sedimentary structures such as ripple marks that are preserved in sedimentary rock units.

Paleoecology - The science of the relationship between ancient and extinct organisms preserved in the fossil record with the environment in which they lived.

Words with a prefix of "paleo" have been featured in the July 2008 bulletin and will be included in future issues.

Source of Information: "A Dictionary of Mining, Mineral, and Related Terms", compiled and edited by Paul W. Thrush and Staff, Bureau of Mines, U. S. Department of Interior, published by the U. S. Government Printing Office, Washington, D. C., 1968.

Written by Steve Mulqueen for the Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, August 2008. The "Definition of the Month" features words related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history.

Illustration of the Month.

A Single-Rope Aerial Tramway, Mining Equipment,1892.

A method of conveying ore from a mine and a means of transporting equipment and supplies to a mine. This method was originally devised to overcome the tremendous logistical problems associated with the operations of a mine in steep mountainous terrain. In many cases, the tramway was less expensive to build and more efficient to operate than excavating and maintaining wagon roads or mule trails. When the mine was located at higher elevation than the mill, the tramway allowed the ore to be hauled by gravity, without the use of electric motors or engines. The weight of a series of loaded ore buckets, moving downhill, provided the required motive force. Sturdy braking systems would be built into the tram to avert runaway loads. Some ingenious engineers would devise ways to operate an ore crusher within the tram system as an added measure to control the speed of the tram buckets and to apply available energy where needed.

Good mining practices involved the application of the natural force of gravity as a beneficial means of conveying ore. An aerial tramway was just one example of how this theory was applied.

The Keane Wonder Mine in Death Valley was operated with the use of a tramway, in a similar fashion to the design of the tram in the illustration. Visitors to Death Valley who visit the Keane Wonder Mine can still see the tram system, cable and ore buckets that were used to haul gold ore in the early 1900s.

Source: A Manual of Mining, written by Ihlseng, M. C. and Wilson, E. B., Colorado School of Mines, published by John Wiley & Sons, printed by Chapman & Hall, Limited, London, 4th edition, 1905, page 301.

Text written by Steve Mulqueen, August 2008. The "Illustration of the Month" features a drawing, sketch, pen & ink rendering, engraving print or any form of graphic art rediscovered in old books, maps, manuscripts and many other sources related to geology, paleontology, mining and desert history. This illustration was chosen for its educational content by the author.

  Table of Contents.

GEMS FROM THE PAST.

Camping at Scouts Cove near Black Canyon,
North West of Barstow, Mojave Desert, 1956.

Photo from the Bruno & Opal Benson Collection. Photo taken by Bruno Benson, former longtime VGMS member.

All photos have been digitally scanned from the original 35mm color slides by Ed Clark. Text written by Steve Mulqueen, based on information written by Opal on each 35 mm slide.

All photos Copyright 2008 Ventura Gem & Mineral Society, Inc., All Rights Reserved.

  Table of Contents.

FUN STUFF - QUARTZ FAMILY PUZZLE.

Via MLMS Ghost Sheet, June 2008.

  Table of Contents.

FEDERATION NEWS.

We Need Your Help! Please Respond Immediately!
From The Desk Of Shirley Leeson, AFMS President,
Via the CFMS Newsletter September 2008.

You have a five week window to contact your Congressman about this VERY important matter. Please take advantage of it!

On July 29, 2008, I received information from Wendell Mohr (AFMS Commemorative Stamp Project) that U.S. Congressman JOHN CULBERSON, R, from the 7th District (West Houston, Texas) regarding the Paleo Bill H.R. 554. He is trying to either stop the bill or change it. He asked for our help.

I immediately contacted everyone on our email list both in San Diego and Idaho. I forwarded the information Wendell has supplied me. I also talked directly to Assistant to the Congressman, Brittany Hooten.

They asked us to do a "grass roots" movement to help him stop this bill. Helping me was John Martin, CFMS Public Lands Advisory Committeeman from Southern California. We contacted everyone we could think of.

The response was abysmal.

Only a few responded.

SO NOW WE HAVE A FIVE WEEK WINDOW WHILE CONGRESS IS CAVORTING ON THEIR VACATION ONCE AGAIN.....

Here are a few things you can mention when you contact your congressman:
     1. Tell them you are a rockhound/amateur collector.
     2. Tell them that as the bill stands, we can be put in jail for picking up a rock that might look like a fossil to the "untrained eye" of a BLM or Forestry person. Which will result in the confiscation of your vehicle and all equipment and the burden of proof will be on you IN COURT.
     3. Amateur collectors have been responsible for many of the finds of important fossils over the years. All this will now stop.
     4. Fossils are not renewable. Once fossils are exposed by wind and rain they will disintegrate. Professional paleontologists usually don't have the time, the money or the staff to check out paleo sites found by amateurs but they don't want us to collect them either.
     5. This bill is a disaster for rockhounds, and I urge you to stop it.

One last thing: please contact me with your name, city and state and the name of the congressman you contacted. I'd like to know who responded to this emergency.


Earth Science Studies,
By Marion Roberts via the CFMS Newsletter September 2008.

As of this writing, I am in the middle of some major changes for the future scheduling of the Earth Science Studies programs. This is all due to the increasing popularity and use of the Zzyzx facility by more colleges from all over the U.S as well as Europe. As the scheduling is done by the Universities, they have priority. We no longer can get a time slot in the spring months. I was offered only 2 weeks to choose from and decided the only feasible date would be November 15th to 21st, 2009. There will be no March or April program at Zzyzx in the future. This will mean the Camp Paradise program will possibly be moved to the Spring as I am working on a May date. I need serious input from probable participants of Camp Paradise if I am to attempt a May Camp Paradise for 2009 or I may have to lose one year and plan for 2010.

This is one time I need you, as contacts for your club, to get the word to everyone as soon as possible so they can contact me. I need the help of everyone right now. Anyone who knows of a camp that we might be able to explore, be it a church camp, scout camp, or private facility, please send as much information as you can in regards to contact source and I will follow up. If this does not work, we will be forced to work with the Camp Paradise program as it now exists with no program in the south.

Whatever happens I will not let the whole project collapse. More information to come after the Camp Paradise session. As of this time, we have a few more participants than last year for the 2 week sessions and I welcome more.

'Addendum.'
As of this writing, some major changes have been made for future scheduling of the two Science Studies programs. This is all due to increasing popularity of the Desert Studies Center on Zzyzx Road by more colleges and Universities from all over the U.S. and Europe. The scheduling is done by the University at Fullerton and "they" take priority.

Next year in 2009, the program at Camp Paradise will take place from May 17th to May 23rd, 2009 and Camp Zzyzx will be moved to November 15th to 22nd, 2009.

With major changes such as this, it is imperative that everyone who receives this newsletter be sure to get this information to each and every member of your club or society. Please remember, there are only three copies sent to each club or society. We will have Camp Paradise applications in the November newsletter and Camp Zzyzx applications will be out by February newsletter.

  Table of Contents.

LET'S GO TO A SHOW - 2008.

August 29-Sept. 1; Fort Bragg, CA - Mendocino Coast Gem & Mineral Society, Town Hall, Main & Laural. Hours: Sat. & Sun 10-6; Mon. 10-4. Don McDonell (707) 964-3116, E-mail ejwebb@mcn.org.
September 13-14; Downey, CA - Delvers Gem & Mineral Society, Woman's Club of Downey, 9813 Paramount Blvd. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-4. Guynell Miller (562) 633-0614, Email : guynellallen@sbcglobal.net.
September 20-21; Paso Robles CA - Santa Lucia Rockhounds, Pioneer Park Museum, 2010 Riverside Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Mike Doherty (815) 466-4061, Email: mdoherty@tcsn.net.
September 20-21; Redwood City, CA - Sequoia Gem & Mineral Society, Community Activities Building, 1400 Roosevelt Ave. Hours: 10-5 both days. Carol Corden (650) 248-7155,Email: ccorden@earthlink.net, http://sgms.driftmine.com/home.htm.
September 25-28; San Bernardino CA - Orange Belt Mineral Society, Inc., Western Region Little League Ball Park, 6707 Little League Dr. Hours: 9 am-Dusk each day. Emma Rose Couveau (951) 288-6182.
September 27-28; Monterey, CA - Carmel Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Monterey Fairgrounds, 2004 Fairgrounds Rd. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Sky Paxon (831) 417-7477, Email: sky@familystones.net, Website: www.cvgms.org.
September 27-28; Stockton, CA - Stockton Lapidary and Mineral Club, Scottish Rite Masonic Center, 33 West Alpine Ave. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Nettie Meissner (209) 858-2263, E-mail: footsey1@yahoo.com.
October 5; Fallbrook, CA - Fallbrook Gem & Mineral Society "Fall Festival of Gems", FGMS Museum, 123 W. Alvarado. Hours: 10-4. Mary Fong-Walker (760) 728-1130, Diane Tjepkes (780) 468-8028.
October 11-12; Grass Valley, CA - Nevada County Gem & Mineral Society "Earth's Treasures", Nevada County Fairgrounds, 11228 McCourtney Road. Hours: 10-5 both days. Kim Moore (530) 470-0388, Email: Kmoore160@comcast.net.
October 11-12; Trona, CA - Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society "66th Annual Gem-O-Rama", Searles Lake Gem & Mineral Society, 13337 Main Street. Hours: Sat. 7:30-5; Sun. 7:30-4. Bonnie Fairchild (760) 372-5356, Email: slgms@iwvisp.com, www1.iwvisp.com/tronagemclub/tronagemclub.html.
October 11-12; Lakeside, CA - Cajon Valley Gem & Mineral Society, Lakeside Rodeo Grounds, 12584 Mapleview. Hours: 10-5 both days. David Newton (619) 390-5054, Email: jontom@nethere.com, Webpage: ecvgms.com.
October 11-12; Vista, CA - Vista Gem & Mineral Society, Antique Gas & Steam Engine Museum, 2040 North Santa Fe Avenue. Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4. Cherie Wilson (760) 941-7073, Lois M. Hair (760) 724-0395.
October 18; West Hills, CA - Woodland Hills Rock Chippers, First United Methodist Church, 22700 Sherman Way. Hours: 10-5. Virginia Rotramel (951) 403-2634, Email: show@rockchippers.org, www.rockchippers.org.
October 18-19; Anderson, CA - Shasta Gem & Mineral Society, Shasta District Fairgrounds. Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4. Bill Seward (530) 365-8641, E-mail: glseward@sbcglobal.net.
October 18-19; Placerville, CA - El Dorado County Mineral & Gem Society, El Dorado County Fairgrounds, 100 Placerville Drive. Hours: 10-5 both days. Jackie Cerrato (530) 677-2975, Email: info@rockandgemshow.org, http://www.rockandgemshow.org, eldoradomineralandgem.org.
October 18-19; Santa Rosa, CA - Santa Rosa Mineral & Gem Society, Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, 1351 Maple Avenue, Santa Rosa. Hours: Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Tom Dering (707) 564-4537, Email: farmarch@sonic.net, Website: www.gem-n-i.org.
October 18-19; 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 25-26; Los Altos, CA - Peninsula Gem & Geology Society, Los Altos Youth Center, One San Antonio Road. Hours: Sat. 9-5 pm; Sun. 9-4 pm. Stan Bogosian: (408)569-2489, Email: sbogosian@aol.com.
November 1-2; Concord, CA - Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society, Centre Concord - 5298 Clayton Rd., Clayton Fair Shopping Center. Hours: 10-5 both days. Sam Woolsey (925) 837-3287, Email: sdwools@earthlink.net, Website: www.ccmgs.org.
November 1-2; Ridgecrest, CA - Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Desert Empire Fairgrounds, Mesquite Hall, 520 S. Richmond Rd. Hours: 9-5 both days. John De Rosa (760) 375-7905, Vickie black (760) 371-4416.
November 1-2; San Diego, CA - San Diego Mineral & Gem Society, Al Bahr Shrine Center, 5440 Kearny Mesa Road. Hours: Sat. 9:30-5; Sun 10-4. Alva Whetton (619) 823-6787.
November 7, 8, 9; Eureka, CA - Humboldt Gem & Mineral Society, Redwood Acres Fairgrounds, 3750 Harris. Hours: Fri. 9-6; Sat. 10-6; Sun. 10-5. Toni Tyson (707) 725-2890, Email: BLUII911@msn.com.

Source: http://cfmsinc.org/.

AMERICAN FEDERATION / REGIONAL SHOW SCHEDULE - 2008.

Canadian Federation Convention.

South Central Federation (SCMS) / AFMS,
September 25-28,
Humble, TX.

Rocky Mountain Federation (RMFMS),
October 31-November 2,
Tulsa, OK.

Southeast Federation (SFMS).

  Table of Contents.

SUPPORT AND PRACTICE
THE AFMS CODE OF ETHICS.

Return to the Rockhound Rambling Center.
You may also go to the VGMS Home Page.