The Monthly News Bulletin of the Huntsville Gem & Mineral...

ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS

The Monthly News Bulletin of the Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society

Huntsville, Alabama

Volume 44 No. 12 “We’ll go to the Moon for a Rock” December 2012

No Meeting In December

MerryMerryMerryMerry ChristmasChristmasChristmasChristmas AndAndAndAnd Happy Happy Happy Happy New YearNew YearNew YearNew Year

Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society (HGMS) 2012. Reprinting Rights are granted for all material (except

for minutes of the meeting and copyrighted articles) to any organization officially affiliated with the

American Federation of Mineralogical Societies (AFMS) or Southeastern Federation of Mineralogical

Societies (SFMS), provided credit is given to the author, the original publication, and this newsletter.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

President’s Message……..2

Dec & Jan Birthdays & Anniversaries ….….. 2

Minutes of Dinner Mtg ...3

Hours for Lab ………….....4

Various Articles ………4-6

2013 Officers and

Committee Chairmen …..7

Calendar .…………..….…..8

Dues for 2013 are Due

December 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS

January Birthdays Steve Tesh 3 Ann Caves 17

Wayne Hall 4 Neda Hastings 18

Martin Hardy 8 Betty Zoller 22

Brian Burgess 9 Lowell Zoller 23

Troy Haggerty 14 John McMahon 27

Mike Wesley 27

Anniversaries None listed this month

President’s Message – December 2012 Hello one last time from the president’s desk. As I sit here, I can’t help but reflect upon the past couple of

years that I have been president. It has had its good times and bad, and has definitely been an experience.

In looking back, I have to remember the many people who have been instrumental in the formation of the

club, and it is up to each and every one of us to ensure its continued success. Those people dedicated

themselves to the love of the lapidary hobby and gave unselfishly of themselves. Unfortunately, many of

them are not able to make the meetings anymore and I ask that everyone give thought to them. And to

honor them, I call upon everyone to take an active part in the club; to chair a committee, help with field

trips, assist with our 2013 show that will be coming all too soon, or run for an office next year.

For those who didn’t make the December meeting and dinner, you missed a really good time. The

meal was good, the fellowship was great, and the officers for 2013 were elected. I want to thank both the

outgoing and incoming officers and ask that you support the new ones.

The officers for 2013 are:

Lowell Zoller – President; Dianna O’Dell – Vice President; Leslie Malakowsky – Recording Secretary;

Clara Goode – Treasurer; Wayne Hall and Mindy Shell – Directors-at-large.

Remember, we have had our December meeting, so I hope to see you at the next meeting on

January 28, and hope you have a Merry Christmas and a safe and happy holiday season.

Charlie Willhoite, President

Membership Dues for 2013 are Due by January 1 Please don't forget that membership dues are due by January 1, 2013. The fee is $15.00 for individuals and

$20.00 for families, and checks should be made payable to the "Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society". They can be

mailed to the Membership Chairman, Lori Willhoite, at 2705 Jarvis St. SW, Decatur, AL, 35603, or you can give them

to me at a meeting. Those who joined the club on October 1 or later are covered through 2013, and their cards

should say so. Please let me know if any of your contact info changes anytime, and also, if you want to receive your

newsletters by e-mail instead of on paper, which saves the club money. I also have club name tags and patches for

sale at meetings to members who are interested. --Lori Willhoite

December Birthdays Florence Mims 4 Robert Joyce 14

Shelly Curran 4 Wil T Van Manen 20

Steve Riccio 8 Dave Wyatt 23

Kathy Bowman 12 Richard Hensarling 26

Anniversaries Duane & Patty Southerland 1

Michael & Sharon Bedard 12

Darrell & Phyllis Murphy 17


Minutes of the December 4, 2012 Meeting (There was no meeting in November)

After we enjoyed our Christmas dinner, the meeting was called to order by Charlie Willhoite, President, at 7:15p.m. Old Business

♦ Minutes from the October meeting were approved. ♦ Treasurer’s Report: Floyd reported a current balance of $1447.62. ♦ Field Trips: Bill announced that there will be a rock and mineral sale from 10a.m. to 2p.m. this Saturday, December 8th, at Vincent Park near Birmingham. The collection, which is owned by long-time Birmingham Gem and Mineral club member Kenneth Kornegay, was scheduled to be bulldozed but was moved to Vincent Park for easy access by the public. For more information, see Bill’s Dec. 3rd email or contact him directly. He’s also working on a field trip in early Spring to the Union Chapel Coal Mine near Jasper, AL. (See “A Quick Trip to the Union Chapel Coal Mine – Steven Minkin TrackSite” in the November 2012 issue of Rocket City Rocks and Gems). Mike Soroczak announced two potential field trips for 2013: Dismals Canyon, a National Natural Landmark near Russellville, AL to see “Dismalites” (tiny bioluminescent insects aka “glowworms”). For more information, see www.dismalscanyon.com. And Brilliant, AL to collect petrified wood (in this case, the replacement of organic tissue by quartz) after Jan. 30th. ♦ Lapidary Shop: Bill announced that he’s going to start a new lapidary class in February. The class will be from 1p.m. – 4p.m. every Wednesday. (3 people have already signed up.) Jim announced that he’s going to start a new lapidary class and a new wire wrapping class next year. ♦ 2013 Membership Dues: Lori reminded us that membership dues are due by January 1st. They are $15.00 for individuals and $20.00 for families. Checks should be made to the “Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society” and mailed to Lori Willhoite, Membership Chairman, at 2705 Jarvis Street SW, Decatur, AL, 35603. New Business

♦ Upcoming Shows: Charlie reminded us that the Mid-Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society’s “Earth Treasures” show is this weekend (Dec. 8th and 9th) in Franklin, TN. There will be free parking. Mike and Myra Soroczak will be at this show. For more information, see the flyers or www.mtgms.org. He also reminded us to sign the meeting attendance sheet and to pay Floyd for the dinner. ♦ 2013 Election: Myra asked for volunteers to be officers and members-at-large. We voted, and the new board is: Treasurer - Clara Goode, Recording Secretary - Leslie Malakowsky, Vice President - Dianna O’Dell, President - Lowell Zoller, members-at-large - Wayne Hall and Mindy Schell. ♦ Other New Business: Charlie introduced new members and announced November and December birthdays. Jim announced that he and Bonnie will be resigning as Hospitality chairmen in 2013, but they agreed to continue until 2 new volunteers come forward. To volunteer for hospitality, see Lowell.

The meeting was adjourned at 7:45p.m. Submitted by Leslie Malakowsky, Recording Secretary

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

A Petrified Fact By Ed Wengerd in Gem Cutter’s News, via El Gambrisino

Many pieces of petrified wood, especially those from the northwest, have a center that looks like wood, but with

a layer of chalcedony or pumice between the center and the outside. This indicates that the tree was green when

it was buried in hot ash. The water in the green wood evaporated making the wood shrink. The outside was

made into a cast by the heat, so the areas left between the cast and the wood were filled with chalcedony,

making beautiful pieces of petrified wood.

From Monrovia Rockhounds, MOROKS Newsletter . Dec 2012 via Canaveral “Moonstone” Dec 2012


No Tuesday Evening Open Lab After 18 Dec till 8 Jan Dec 2012 - Senior Center Lapidary Lab Schedule

Lapidary, Silver Jewelry and Wood Carving To use lapidary equipment, you must be certified unless a licensed instructor,

is present - currently: B. Friday, J. Treadway, W. Falkenberg

Monday 7:30- 9:00am Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary, Seniors Only

9:00- Noon Silver Jewelry - Ron West, Instructor - Seniors Only

12:30-4:00 Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary, Seniors, HGMS 18+

Tuesday 7:30-10:00am Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary, Seniors Only

10:00-Noon Silver Jewelry - Ron West Instructor- Seniors Only

1:00-3:00 pm Silver Jewelry- Terry Clarke Instructor - Seniors Only

3:00-4:30pm Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary, Seniors, HGMS 18+

6:00- 9:00 pm Open Lab: HGMS Members 18+.

Wednesday 7:30 -4:30 pm Open Lab: Lapidary and Silver Jewelry - Seniors Only

Thursday 9:00-11:30am Silver Jewelry- Ron West, Instructor - Seniors Only

12:00-3:00pm Wood Carving - Copeland Instructor - Seniors Only

3:00-4:30 pm Open Lab: HGMS 18+

Friday 7:30 - 11:30am Open Lab: Lapidary and Silver Jewelry - Seniors Only

If you are interested in taking a Lapidary Class, contact Bill Friday or Jim Treadway

Bill Friday will be starting a new Wednesday afternoon class during 5-26 Feb, 1:00-4:30pm

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

Benitoite By Dave Jacobson

This article will discuss a rare mineral called Benitoite, BaTiSi3O9, barium titanium silicate. Benitoite is primarily

used as a gemstone and mineral specimen but it does have an industrial use. High quality material is used in the

tuning and alignment of electron microprobe beams. Crystallized Benitoite is only found in one area. This is in Sam Benito County, CA, where J. M. Couch discovered it in 1906 at what is now the site of the Benitoite Gem Mine. Tiny

grains in Eocene sands have been found in South West Texas and in sands in the Owithe Valley in Belgium.

Benitoite and associated minerals are found in fractured serpentine rock and were most likely deposited by hydrothermal action. Associated minerals are Natrolite, Serpentine and Neptunite. The photo below is blue Benitoite

on white Natrolite, from the Dallas Gem Mine, San Benito Co., CA.

Benitoite is in the hexagonal crystal system. The typical habit is a flattened, six faced di-pyramidal crystal. Di-

pyramidal is two pyramids back to back. The color is typically blue but it can occur in a wide range of colors such as heliotrope, purple, pink, white and colorless. Streak is white. Hardness is 6 to 6.5. Specific Gravity is 3.64 to 3.68.

Cleavage is indistinct. Fracture is conchoidal or uneven. Under short wave UV radiation Benitoite fluoresces a bright

deep sky blue. Some Benitoite crystals are blue, ranging into white. The white areas sometimes fluoresce pink-red under long wave UV light.

Benitoite takes its name from San Benito County, CA were it was discovered.

It is the California state gem stone, and Serpentine is the state rock Photo downloaded from Wikipedia. The following reference materials were used in preparing this article: A Field Guide to Rocks And Minerals by Frederick H. Pough.

Gemstones Of The World by Walter Schumann.

Mineralogy For Amateurs by John Sinkankus.

Simon & Schusters Guide to Rocks And Minerals.

Amethyst Galleries Mineral Gallery on the Internet at http://mineral.galleries.com.

California Geological Survey Note 11: Benitoite California State Gem

California Geological Survey Note 14: Serpentine California State Rock+.

The California Geological Survey Notes were found at http://www.conservation.ca.gov

California Geological Survey Note 11: Benitoite California State Gem

Borrowed with permission from Canaveral Moonstone = Mar2012 edition


Amazonite: A Rare Colorado Mineral (or not?) by Bob Carnein, Lake George (CO) Gem & Mineral Society

Most mineral collectors are familiar with the blue-green feldspar commonly called amazonite (or amazonstone).

Central Colorado supplies some of the best examples known, in terms of size, color, and aesthetics, and is especially

famous for combination specimens with dark brown or black smoky quartz and white albite. Some collectors even

believe that Colorado is one of only a handful of localities.

Mineralogists do not consider amazonite to be a separate mineral. Rather, it is a color variety of microcline

feldspar, much as ruby or sapphire are varieties of corundum. Microcline is a common potassium (K) feldspar

whose composition is given by the general formula KAlSi3O8. It is especially common in silica-rich intrusive igneous

rocks (e.g. granites) that occur world-wide. The K-feldspars include a number of minerals (e.g. orthoclase,

microcline, and sanidine) that differ from each other in crystallography, chemistry, and mode of occurrence.

(barecollection.wordpress.com) (exceptionalminerals.com)

Although they are usually thought of as minerals of igneous rocks, orthoclase and microcline commonly occur in

metamorphic rocks (e.g. schist, gneiss) and sedimentary rocks (arkosic sandstone and conglomerate). Their colors

vary widely, and the beginning mineral collector often has a hard time recognizing them. Even professional

mineralogists may have trouble without the aid of thin sections or other analytical tools.

There are a few things the mineral collector can use to identify the common K-feldspars. If you find a light colored

volcanic rock that has squarish, sparkly (because of cleavage), colorless , transparent crystals surrounded by fine

grained material, the crystals are likely to be sanidine, a K-feldspar that is confined to silica-rich volcanic rocks and

shallow intrusive bodies (dikes, sills). For example, in central Colorado, you will find sanidine in the Wall Mountain

Tuff, exposed around the margins of the Florissant lake beds. Be aware that sanidine can be confused with

plagioclase feldspar, which differs from it in that plagioclase may exhibit striations (fine parallel scratches or

grooves) on cleavage surfaces. (These commonly can be seen with low power—10X—magnification.)

Microcline often can be identified by the presence of alternating lighter and darker "stripes" that may be visible

with the naked eye or with low power magnification. The stripes are actually alternating layers of the two minerals

microcline and albite that separated from each other as the crystal cooled. The resulting intergrowth is called

perthite if microcline dominates, or antiperthite if albite dominates. Most amazonite is really microcline perthite,

and the fine stripes of lighter colored albite commonly are clearly visible within an amazonite crystal. The same is

December 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS true of "common" microcline, which is often reddish or pinkish in color with lighter stripes of albite. This can often

be seen in the Pikes Peak Granite.

This brings us to the subject of how amazonite differs from "common" microcline. The obvious distinction has to do

with color. Amazonite comes in various shades of blue and green, while "common" microcline may be white, gray,

pink, rusty red, or yellowish in color. Many mineralogists have studied the source of amazonite's color, and the

conclusion is that it may

Wall Mountain Tuff (nps.gov) Microcline perthite (sandatlas.org)

Perthitic microcline var. amazonite crystal (minerals.gps.caltech.edu)

result from several causes. In most cases, the color relates to substitution of lead (Pb) cations for some of the

potassium in microcline (Plyusnin, 1969; Julg, 1998). However, recent work (Szuzkiewicz and Körber, 2010)

suggests that the green color of some amazonite may be caused by the presence of Fe+2 ions.

Although many collectors think amazonite is a rare "mineral", the fact is that it is neither rare nor a mineral.

Mindat.org currently shows 235 "items" in its locality list for amazonite. Besides occurrences in all continents

except Antarctica and in many countries, amazonite occurs in at least 9 Colorado counties and in 16 other states.

Especially nice specimens currently are available from both Colorado and from several African localities. But most

collectors agree that the best Colorado specimens can't be beat! References Cited

Julg, A., 1998, A theoretical study of the absorption spectra of Pb+ and Pb

3+ in site K

+ of microcline: application to the color of

amazonite: Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, vol. 25, p. 229-233.

Plyusnin, G.S., 1969, Color of amazonites: Zapiski Vsesoyuznogo Mineralogicheskogo Obshchestra, vol. 98, p. 3-17.

Szuzkiewicz, A., and T. Körber, 2010, "Amazonit", oder "Grüner Mikroklin"? zur Ursache der Grünförbung von Kalifeldspäten

aus dem Striegauer Granit: Lapis, vol. 35, p. 75-77; 86.

Amazonite, in Mindat.org, accessed November 2, 2012


PURPOSE OF THE SOCIETY: The Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society is a non-profit educational organization for people

interested in mineralogy, geology, paleontology, and related lapidary arts. Its primary purpose is the education of

the members and the general public in these areas. This purpose is accomplished through programs, shows, lectures

to school children and organizations, and exchange of rocks, minerals and artifacts.

DUES: Annual dues are $15.00 per person, $20.00 per family, and are due on January 1st of each year

MEETING PLACE: Huntsville/Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL at 6:30pm

Fourth Monday of each month except for June picnic/rock swap, Christmas Dinner and major holidays:

Federation Liaison Mail: Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society, 449 Comet Dr., Toney, AL 35773, Attn: Susan Burch

This Society is affiliated with the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the

Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies

2012 COMMITTEE CHAIRS

Membership: Lori Willhoite (256) 340-3448 Property: Jim Treadway, (256) 859-1484

[email protected] [email protected]

2705 Jarvis Street S. W. Decatur AL 35603

Scrapbook: Dianna O’Dell, (256) 828-1813 Curator: Bob Neuschaefer, (256) 650-0400

Librarian: Susan Burch, (256) 828-1727 2012 Show Chair: Tony Smith, (256) 852-3210

Club Publicity: Jeff Neely (256) 572-0448 2012 Show Volunteer Chair Lori Willhoite (256) 340-3448

Education & Craftsmanship: 2012 Show Vendor Chair: Marcia Stone, (256) 653-4744

Bill Sweetman,(256) 539-8503 2012 Show Publicity Chair: Tony Smith, (256) 852-3210

Hospitality: Bonnie & Jim Treadway 2012 Show Treasurer: Floyd Mims, (256) 778-8097

(256) 859-1484 Field Trips: Bill Friday, (256)-527-8227cell

Mineral ID: Vacant (William Holland offers a class for this)

Constitution & Bylaws: Peggy Sweetman, (256) 539-8503

2012 HUNTSVILLE GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY OFFICERS

President: Charlie Willhoite, (256) 340-3448

[email protected]

Vice President: Dianna O’Dell (256) 828-1813

[email protected]

Recording Secretary: Leslie Malakowsky

[email protected]

Treasurer: Floyd Mims, (256) 778-8097

[email protected]

Newsletter Editor: Bill Friday, (256) 883-8487

[email protected]

Directors at Large: Mike Soroczak (256) 446-9938 [email protected]

Wayne Hall (256) 232-6575 [email protected]


2013 CALENDAR

28 Jan ‘13 Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 25 Feb ‘13 Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 25 Mar ‘13- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 22 Apr ‘13- Annual Rock Auction Fund Raiser, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 27 May ‘13- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 22 Jun ‘13- Picnic - tentative date, location to be determined 22 Jul ‘13- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 27 May ‘13- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 27 May ‘13- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm 27 May ‘13- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 2200 Drake Ave, Huntsville, AL 6:30pm

Rocket City Rocks & Gems Bill Friday, Editor

2508 Excalibur Dr.

Huntsville, AL 35803

HGMS December 2012

Deadline for the next Newsletter will be 16 January 2012

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