26 March Program 6:30pm

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ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS The Monthly News Bulletin of the Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society Huntsville, Alabama Volume 44 No.

. 3 Hours for Lab...4 Shows & Digs.5 Mystery Mineral.

in the daytime. At night, the scene was incredible. You have seen some of these at our Fall Show 2012 Officers and Committee Chairmen..7 Calendar.

1 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS The Monthly News Bulletin of the Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society Huntsville, Alabama Volume 44 No. 3 We ll go to the Moon for a Rock March 2012 INSIDE THIS ISSUE President s Message..2 Minutes from Feb Mtg.3 Mar & Apr Birthdays & Anniversaries.. 3 Hours for Lab...4 Shows & Digs.5 Mystery Mineral.6 26 March Program 6:30pm Dianna O Dell will discuss and show a selection of fluorescent minerals from her trip with her family to Franklin NJ area a few years ago. The mine spoils pile is almost entirely made up of such rocks, so that with a black plastic tent and portable black light, the O Dells could search in the daytime. At night, the scene was incredible. You have seen some of these at our Fall Show 2012 Officers and Committee Chairmen..7 Calendar Huntsville Gem & Mineral Society (HGMS) 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

March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 2 President s Message - March 2012 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Corley, our speaker from last month.

Joe has donated some interesting rocks for the auction (sorry, no pretty ammolites). Bill Friday is still trying to set up some type of rock hunt.

2 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 2 President s Message - March 2012 I would like to take this opportunity to thank Joe Corley, our speaker from last month. I am not a fossil person, but it is fascinating that fossils can have such beauty. And, at his point, I would like to bring up our annual auction scheduled in April. Joe has donated some interesting rocks for the auction (sorry, no pretty ammolites). Bill Friday is still trying to set up some type of rock hunt. I wish him luck since it seems like more and more places are being closed. So, if you happen to know of some place or good contacts with someone, please pass that on to Bill. Also, if I remember correctly, the Grave s Mountain hunt is scheduled at the end of April. Remember, at the March meeting, we will be holding the drawing for the two scholarships to William Holland and Wildacres we try to award each year. For new members (and to refresh all of our memories), William Holland Retreat and Wildacres Retreat are schools presenting a wide array of interests in week-long segments during the months of April thru October. These scholarships will not pay for the full costs, but are to help defray some of the costs associated with a session I would like to remind everyone once again, our annual auction will be held at the April 23 rd meeting. This is scheduled to be held it in the Auditorium of the Senior Center. Setup will start at 6:00 pm (maybe earlier), and we will want to start the auction promptly at 6:30 pm because we must be out of the building by 9:00. So, please search your homes and rock piles for anything that you might have that would be appropriate for the auction. In the past, there have been machinery, supplies, jewelry, books, and, of course, rocks. Also, keep in mind that the younger members might want to purchase items to enhance their collections or even start them on the road to the pleasures of lapidary. This is our largest fundraiser of the year, so we want to have an ample supply of items to induce lively bidding and fellowship for all. The auction, as are all of our meetings, is open to the public, and remember, it will be in the Auditorium. Also as a reminder, we will be holding our 2012 show October 12-14, in the South Hall of the VBC. This is the same location used for the last few shows. This is a larger location that necessitates advance planning and a greater need for the involvement of all of our members, new and old. We should be planning now for the show, and I encourage all of you to get involved early to help make the show a success again this year. We look forward to seeing everyone at the next meeting. Charlie Willhoite, President **************************************************************** Tuesday Evening Lapidary Open Labs Come on down and join the fun - at a time convenient for those of you who still have day jobs

3 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 3 Continuing Education Scholarships - William Holland or Wildacres Every year, we try to hold a drawing for two scholarships for use at either the William Holland or Wildacres Retreats. These are supported by the Southeast Federation and conduct classes in a wide array of interests associated with the rock and gem hobby. in week-long segments. These classes, held in week-long segments, are offered during the months of April thru October. It should be noted that not every subject or class-level is offered each month. The two scholarships are to help defray some of the costs associated with the classes. The drawing for these scholarships will be made at the March meeting so the winners might register for April classes. To be eligible, you must be a member of the Huntsville Gem and Mineral Society as of January 1, 2012 and in good standing (dues paid by March 1). If you are interested in entering but are unable to make the March meeting, please send your name and contact information to the Club President Charlie Willhoite for membership verification. ************************************************************************************* Minutes of the HGMS for the month of February 2012 The meeting was called to order at 6:30 PM, meeting (April 23) in the auditorium. The February 27, 2012, by Charles Willhoite, auction will start at promptly 6:30 PM and we President. Minutes from the January were must be out of the building by 9:00. No other approved. Floyd Mims, Treasurer, reported a new business was discussed. current balance of $ No field trips or classes were discussed. It was reported that the The meeting was then turned over to the drawing for the two scholarships will be held at program. The program for February was Alberta the March meeting. Lori Willhoite, Membership Ammolite Jewelry by Joe Corley. First it was Chairperson, reported that 2012 membership explained that Ammolite was a gem-form of dues are currently due and will be past-due in Ammonite, having a play of color similar to March. Tony Smith, Show Chairperson, reported opal. Joe spoke about how he joined the hobby, that show contracts have been sent out. He also taking his family out to collect the Ammonite reported that our show should not be in conflict and dinosaur bone native to that part of Canada. with either the Knoxville or Franklin (NC) Joe also described the procedure and reasons for shows for several years. No other old business making doublets. The program was then ended was discussed. and Joe showed the samples of jewelry, cabochons, and ammonites that he had brought. New Business included the 2012 HGMS Budget which was approved. The only upcoming show discussed was the Dothan, AL show on April The annual auction will be held at the April There were two visitors present at the meeting. The meeting was then adjourned for refreshments and fellowship. March Birthdays Mary Eisenhower - 3 Carol Roden - 15 Matthew Kowalczyk 6 Ola Ann Lee - 18 Donald Stickels - 7 Bonnie Neuschaefer 18 Kathleen Sweeney - 7 Michael O'Dell - 18 Virgil Fischer - 8 Ben Carroll - 19 Christi Lang - 11 Susan Hessler - 22 Marcia Stone 13 Elizabeth Eisenhower - 28 Mario Bedard - 29 Anniversaries Barbara Deckelman 7 Robert & Gayle Joyce 18 Ben & Monica Carroll 14 John & Betty Olson 24 April Birthdays Tim Eve - 6 Leslie Malakowsky - 11 Duane Southerland - 12 Bill Sweetman - 17 Bill Friday - 23 Nathan Proper - 29 Anniversaries Mike & Myra Soroczak - 8 Joe & Judy DeFiore - 25

March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 4 UPDATED March 2012 Lapidary, Silver Jewelry and Wood Carving To use lapidary, you must be certified unless a licensed instructor, is present - currently:

4 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 4 UPDATED March 2012 Lapidary, Silver Jewelry and Wood Carving To use lapidary, you must be certified unless a licensed instructor, is present - currently: B. Friday, J. Treadway, W. Falkenberg Monday 7:30-9:00 am Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary, Seniors Only 9:00- Noon Silver Jewelry - Ron West Instructor - Seniors Only 12:30-2:30pm Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary Seniors Only 2:30-4:30 pm Open Lab: Silver and Lapidary Seniors and 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 7:30-2:30 pm Open Lab: Lapidary and Silver Jewelry - Seniors Only 2:30pm-4:30pm Open Lab: HGMS 18+ Thursday 7:30-11:30am Open Lab: Lapidary and Silver Jewelry- 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 New Wednesday afternoon Lapidary Class will be Starting May 9th - check with Bill Friday ********************************************************************************************************************************* Re: Help with Alabama blue star quartz Dear Rick, Alabama blue star quartz ranges from a distinct blue to nearly stark white. Samples are hard to obtain these days. Most material was collected from small pegmatites widely distributed in Chambers and Tallapoosa County. Unfortunately, this was in the days when roads were unpaved and the woods (now) were cotton fields (then). I've cut cats-eyes, 6 and 12 rayed stars out of this material, but have never actually cut a 4 rayed star. Most pieces have multiple stars with only the rays on crystallographic axes being strong. Years ago, I was convinced that the blue colors were from needles of ilmenite in the quartz. Research conducted since (some by me) indicates that the star causing inclusions are more likely tourmaline, or even dumortierite, fibers. I have not collected any material since the late 1960's and have not cut any stones since the early 1970's. I do remain interested in the material from a scientific standpoint. Not too long ago I post a few pictures of some stones in my "collection" to the web. Check the listed URL to see them. I had planned on putting up more images, but got sick with the flu and simply have not done any more work on the subject. Hope this helps you out. Henry From Henry Barwood - January 26, 2005 at 21:44:49 Editors Note - Mr. Barwood s weblink and address from this old article are no longer active so were deleted.

5 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 5 Dothan Gem & Mineral Club 5th Annual Gem & Mineral Show Saturday, April 21 (9-5) Sunday, April 22 (10-4) Westgate Park Recreation Center Gym 501 Recreation Road Dothan, AL Free Admission & Parking For questions contact Arnie Lambert - (334) ; arlambert@comcast.net or wiregrassrockhounds.com Jewelry Minerals Fossils Beads Exhibits Lapidary Flint Knapping Silent Auction Door Prizes ************************************************************************************** Seventh Annual Ben E. Clement Gem and Mineral Show With Digs June 2 & 3, N Walker St, Marion, KY 42064, 35 miles northeast of Paducah KY Complete Dig Schedule. April 21, am till 7:45 pm May 19, am till 8:15 pm June 2 & 3, 2012* 9am till 8:30 pm July 21, am till 8:30 P.M August 18, am till 8:00 P.M September 15, am till 7:30pm October 13, am till 7:00pm Take a look at the Clement Museum website, for details, map, and a great video - ************************************************ Graves Mountain Rock Dig, Lincolnton GA Friday - Sunday, April 27-29, am till 6pm each day Friday - Sunday, October 5-7, am till 6pm each day Contact Information: Clarence Norman Jr. (Junior) (his business) or (his home) THESE DIGS ARE OPEN TO ALL. NO NEED TO SIGN-UP, JUST SHOW UP FOR ALL "ROCK SWAP AND DIGS"! Mark your calendar and tell all your friends about these great events!

6 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page 6 Mystery Mineral What mineral am I? --I am usually colorless or white, but can also be gray. --Though I am pretty soft (only 3 to 3 1/2 on the hardness scale) I am surprisingly heavy. --I am formed when the mineral galena weathers and breaks down; as a result, there is lead in my chemical formula. When I form large enough masses, I can be a lead ore. --I crystallize in the orthorhombic crystal system. --Here I am pictured with green malachite. --I often form as intergrown crystals like the ones you see here. They look like a criss-cross pattern. Mineralogists call this formation reticulated. Answer hidden in this Newsletter **************************************************************************************** William Holland Retreat and Wildacres Retreat These are schools presenting a wide array of interests in week-long segments during the months of April thru October. HGMS will be holding a drawing for Scholarships to these retreats at the March meeting. Wildacres Eastern Federation of Mineralogical and Lapidary Societies April 10-15, September 3-9 Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies August 20-26, September Wildacres Road P.O. Box 280 Little Switzerland, NC Phone wildacres@wildacres.org for map, directions, and complete listing of all class offerings through this year, which includes MANY topics besides lapidary. HGMS is a member of both Federations above. William Holland Retreat Many more of these classes are oriented toward lapidary, beading, faceting, and mineral identification than are those at Wildacres. From the West1-75 to Cleveland, TN, take exit 25 onto Hwy 60 to 64/74 east, turn south on 19/129 (west of Murphy) to Blairsville. Turn left on 76 to Young Harris. From the South 1-75 thru Atlanta, exit #268 on (Marietta), this becomes Appalachian Hwy 515 to Ellijay, and continues as 76/515, continue past Blue Ridge to Young Harris

7 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page HUNTSVILLE GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY OFFICERS President: Charlie Willhoite, (256) cdwillhoite@yahoo.com Vice President: Dianna O Dell (256) swamp_rat_2@yahoo.com Recording Secretary: Leslie Malakowsky af71@mchsi.com Treasurer: Floyd Mims, (256) fmims1@bellsouth.net Newsletter Editor: Bill Friday, (256) bill.friday@earthlink.net Directors at Large: Mike Soroczak (256) mjsoroczak49@yahoo.com Wayne Hall (256) novacar65@aol.com Ben Carroll (256) bensadspec@knology.net 2012 COMMITTEE CHAIRS Membership: Lori Willhoite (256) Property: Jim Treadway, (256) lewillhoite@hotmail.com jtreadway51@mchsi.com 2705 Jarvis Street S. W. Decatur AL Scrapbook: Dianna O Dell, (256) Curator: Bob Neuschaefer, (256) Librarian: Susan Burch, (256) Show Chair: Tony Smith, (256) Club Publicity: Jeff Neely (256) Show Volunteer Chair Lori Willhoite (256) Education & Craftsmanship: 2012 Show Vendor Chair: Marcia Stone, (256) Bill Sweetman,(256) Show Publicity Chair: Tony Smith, (256) Hospitality: Bonnie & Jim Treadway 2012 Show Treasurer: Floyd Mims, (256) (256) Field Trips: Bill (trying hard) Friday, (256) cell Mineral ID: Vacant (William Holland offers a class for this) Constitution & Bylaws: Peggy Sweetman, (256) 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

8 March 2012 ROCKET CITY ROCKS AND GEMS Page CALENDAR 26 Mar 12 - Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 23 Apr 12 Annual Rock Auction Fund Raiser, Madison County Senior Center 21 May 12- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 23 Jun 12 - Saturday Annual HG&MS Picnic, place & time to be determined 23 Jul 12- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 27 Aug 12- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 24 Sep 12- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, Oct 12 Rock Gem & Mineral Show, Von Braun Civic Center 24 Oct 12- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 24 Nov 12- Regular HG&MS Meeting, Madison County Senior Center, 4 Dec 12 Annual Christmas Dinner - TUESDAY 4 Dec in the cafeteria Answer to the Mystery Mineral Quiz on Page 6 - Cerrusite Deadline for the next Newsletter will be 11 April 2012 Rocket City Rocks & Gems Bill Friday, Editor 2508 Excalibur Dr. Huntsville, AL HGMS March 2012

Catawba Valley Gem and Mineral Club, Inc.

Tar heel Rockhound December 2010 Catawba Valley Gem and Mineral Club, Inc. 2010 Officers and Committees President: Tom Winslow Editor: Velda McLean Show Chairmen: George Max 800-589-4619 828-750-4213 828-328-9107