Amber, Ammolite, Coral, Ivory, Jet and Pearls – Part I

Volume 61 Issue 12
DEC 2012
The Organic Gems – Amber, Ammolite, Coral, Ivory,
Jet and Pearls – Part I
www.wgmsks.org
Lawrence H. Skelton
Wichita Gem and Mineral Society
This discussion about the organic gems – those produced by biological means – is
divided into three parts to facilitate printing in Quarry Quips. Humans have used all of them
for decorative and jewelry purposes since ancient times. Three of the six: ammolite, coral
and pearls are of marine origin (most pearls originate in the sea but fresh water pearls occur
and are almost as desirable as their marine counterparts). Amber and jet are of terrestrial
origin and are fossils. It is emphasized that none of the “organics” are minerals. All six are
organic in nature, possessing no definite chemical composition, crystal structure or constant
physical properties.
Quarry Quips
WICHITA GEM & MINERAL SOCIETY
Amber
Amber, a fossilized resin, has been known and coveted by humankind since at least
the Paleolithic period. The oldest human-associated fragments of amber yet found were
excavated in La Garma Cave A in Calabria, Spain. They are a locally derived material
brought into the cave during Gravettian period, the time between 22,000 and 28,000 years
ago. Somewhat younger amber artifacts dating to approximately 17,000 B.C. have been
discovered in a cave in France. A specimen dated at about 10,000 B.C. was recovered
from Gough’s Cave at Cheddar, Somerset, England. On the other side of the Eurasian
continent, amber beads and pendants excavated from a burial pit at Lake Ushki on the
Kamchatka Peninsula in eastern Siberia are dated to 11,000 B.C to 12,000 B.C. In the
northernmost portion of the Jutland Peninsula (Denmark), a 2005 discovery of a subsurface
pit revealed thousands of amber beads dating to around 3500 B.C. The pit is thought to be
of a votive nature. Deposits of beads and other artifacts dating to 4,000 to 5,000 years ago
have been found in many parts of Europe from western Russia and the Ukraine to the
Atlantic shore and are heavily concentrated around the Baltic Sea.
The name “amber” is said to derive from the Arabic
anbar, a valuable, waxy perfume ingredient formed by whales
and washed ashore. The oldest written reference to amber is
inscribed on a stone obelisk now in the British Museum. It
was erected by King Ashurnasirpal II who reigned in Assyria
from 883 to 859 B.C. The inscription relates how the king
“sent his people to the Land of Amber where the seas wash
amber ashore like copper.” About a century later, the Greek
poet Homer (ca. 750 – 650 B.C.) made reference to amber at
least three separate times in The Odyssey (Richmond Lattimore translation). Several Greek legends ascribed amber to
various miraculous acts of their deities but Thales of Miletus
(624 – 546 B.C.) who is considered to have introduced science and mathematics to the Greeks denied the miraculous
origins but didn’t venture a theory as to how it formed. He is
thought to have observed its property of attracting small bits
of matter by static electricity and compared that attraction to
magnetite’s ability to attract iron.
(continued on page 8)
Member of the Rocky
Mountain Federation of
Mineralogical Societies
Multi-colored amber free-forms
beads from Baltic amber.
Photo by Amber Skelton.
Affiliated with the
American Federation of
Mineralogical Societies
2012 - 2013 Officers
Board of Directors
President ........................ Don Atherton...................... 316-685-2725
316-737-4221
[email protected]
Vice-President .............. Peggy Maggard…................. 316-742-3746
[email protected]
Secretary .................Monica Turner-Williams…...…..316-744-1568
[email protected]
Treasurer ....................... Sandy Whiting ..................... 316-744-8848
[email protected]
Membership ..................Susan Bannon ....................... 316-689-8256
Editor ............................ Carolyn White....................... 316-250-6182
[email protected], [email protected]
Field Trip ...................... Lyle Koerper .………….…316-722-7115
Publicity......................... Leo Heidebrecht................... 316-260-4591
[email protected]
Show Chair .................... Gene Maggard...................... 316-742-3746
[email protected]
Finance ............................ Bob Haines……………...316-683-9021
[email protected]
Director 2013…………..Ardis Cruz……....………316-733-8727
Director 2014…………..Tony Giardina…………..316-214-8227
Director 2015…………..Mary Clough……………316-943-1785
Appointed Officers
Cheer .......................…Debby Moore………………316-558-0883
Curator..................... Greg Weisbrod .......................... 316-686-1810
Federation Rep......... Bill & Janet Smith .................... 620-296-4652
[email protected]
Gifts .............................. Paul Radiel ............................ 316-777-4174
Historian ....................... Mary Clough ......................... 316-943-1785
Hospitality .................... Debbie Winton .................... 316-841-9576
[email protected]
Insurance/Property…. Peggy Maggard ..................... 316-742-3746
[email protected]
Junior Leader ................Elizabeth Hixon.....................316-651-0054
[email protected]
Librarian ......................... Jim Yanda …....................... 620-455-2419
[email protected]
Webmaster…………..…Diane DeGood,……...…..316-794-8391
Dues:
Club Year September 1 - August 31
Adult Membership ..................................................................... $10.00
Junior Membership (13-17) ....................................................... $ 5.00
(must have adult sponsor)
Quarry Quips Subscription ONLY ......................................... $ 8.00
Please send dues to: WGMS Treasurer,
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
The Wichita Gem and Mineral Society Inc. is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit,
tax-exempt, educational organization. Our purpose shall be exclusively
educational and scientific; (a) to increase and disseminate knowledge of
the earth sciences pertaining to minerals, gems, rocks, artifacts, and
fossils and similar subjects; (b) to promote and perpetuate knowledge
of the lapidary arts; © to encourage field trips to study the earth sciences, particularly of geology and mineralization in place and (d) to
encourage greater public interest and education in gems, fossils and
minerals, cooperating with established institutions in such matters.
The Wichita Gem and Mineral Society, Inc. meets the fourth Sunday of
each month at 2:00 p.m. in Room 101, Geology Building, Wichita State
University. - Except - January (Anniversary Party); April (Annual
Show); August (Picnic & Auction). (November and December meetings
are subject to University holiday closings.) Times and locations to be
announced/published. WGMS does NOT offer classes or workshops.
Board meetings are held on the Monday preceding the General meeting
at places announced and/or printed in the Quarry Quips, the official
bulletin of the Society. ALL members are urged to contribute material
for publication in the Quarry Quips, the deadline for ALL articles is
the Friday following the General meeting. All articles should be submitted by e-mail to: [email protected] or snail mail to: Carolyn White
2225 N. Fountain Wichita KS 67220
Club mailing address:
Wichita Gem and Mineral Society Inc.
PO Box 1464
Wichita KS 67201-1464
Web Address: www.wgmsks.org
The Quarry Quips is published monthly by the Wichita Gem & Mineral
Society, Inc. Articles printed in this newsletter are the experiences
and/or opinions of the individuals submitting them, they do not
necessarily reflect the views or opinions of the Wichita Gem & Mineral
Society or the editor. We are not responsible for their authenticity,
safety, or reliability. Caution and safety should always be practiced
when trying out any new idea. Articles written without a byline are
written by the editor.
Copyright © 2012 Wichita Gem & Mineral Society, Inc.
Except for items that are specifically copyrighted by their authors, other
societies may use material published in the Quarry Quips provided that
proper credit is given to the Author (if author is a WGMS member it
will be so noted in the byline, please include this “WGMS member” in
the byline) and the Quarry Quips, and the sense or meaning of the
material is not changed. Exchange Bulletins Welcome
Our Annual show will be:
c/o Susan Bannon
11825 E 1st St N, Wichita KS 67206-2732
Page 2
About our Club
April 26, 27, 28, 2013
“Treasures of the Earth”
W I C HI T A G E M & M I N E R A L S O C I E T Y ~ W I C H I T A , K S
D E C 20 1 2
November Program
The Year Ahead
German Agates
By Peggy Maggard
November WGMS Show and Tell
Terrell Ray had material from the Harding Pegmatite
Mine in New Mexico for his Show and Tell. He had
examples of Quartz, Feldspar and Leipolite.
November WGMS Program-Germany Agates
Doug Moore’s presentation on German Agates was a
AFMS winner in 2006. The program was about the 2005
Agate Show and the abundant agates to be found in
Germany. Even though Germany is slightly smaller in
size than Montana there are over 150 varieties of agates
to be found in Germany. At one time agate collecting by
common people was forbidden.
The main types of German Agates are: Thunder Eggs,
Vein Agates, Float Agates, Sedimentary Agates and
Amygdaloidal Agates. Dwellings are concentrated in
which leaves lots of land to hunt for agates throughout
Germany. Amygdaloidal agates make of the largest
amounts of agates. Dredging the Elba River provides
river gravel which contains many agates.
The Gem Trade dates from 1420 in Idar Oberstein. Seventeen different lava flows occurred around Idar Oberstein which deposited many different varieties of agates.
Meeting Location Change
In December we will be meeting
on the 16th at 3 pm at
General Club Meetings
Christ Community Church
2130 S Webb Rd
Jan 27
Community of Christi Church
3500 S Webb Rd
Feb 24
Community of Christ Church
Mar 24
Community of Christ Church
April 26—28
WGMS Show
May 19
Community of Christ Church
Jun 23
Community of Christ Church
Jul 28
Community of Christ Church
Aug 24
Community of Christ Church
SATURDAY - pot luck and auction
Sep 22
Community of Christ Church
Oct 27
Community of Christ Church
Nov 17
Community of Christ Church
Dec 15
Community of Christ Church
Dec 16
Dec 10
Jan 21
Feb 18
Mar 18
Apr 22
May 13
Jun 17
Jul 22
Aug 19
Sep 16
Oct 21
Nov 11
Dec 9
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
2 pm
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
Community of Christ Church
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
7 pm
Work Day
Feb 09
This is not the church we met at last month.
This one is further north on Webb Road.
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
2 pm
Board Meetings
2130 S Webb Road
Christ Community Church
In January we will go back to meeting at
Community of Christ Church
3500 S Webb Road
3 pm
Grab Bag Work Day & potluck lunch
Community of Christ Church
9 am
Field Trip
Jan 12
Workshop Classes and potluck lunch 9 am
Maggards - 8318 SE Hiway 77, Leon, KS
W I C HI T A G E M & M I N E R A L S O C I E T Y ~ W I C H I T A , K S
D E C 20 1 2
Page 3
WGMS Meeting Minutes
By Monica Turner-Williams, Secretary
The November board meeting of
the Wichita Gem & Mineral Society
(WGMS) was called to order by President Don Atherton
on November 12, 2012. Ardis & Joe Cruz, Gene &
Peggy Maggard, Leo Heidebrecht, Tony Giardina, Susan
Bannon, Lyle Koerper, Bob Haines, Carolyn White, Mary
Clough, Don Atherton, Sandy Whiting,and Monica Williams were present.
Vice-President Peggy Maggard announced the program
for this month’s meeting to be a video on German
Agates.
Gene Maggard suggested the finalized budget be
brought to the general membership at the next meeting.
Copies will be made to handout.
Don Atherton made the motion to donate $100.00 to the
Christ Community Church for Nov-Dec general meetings.
Motion passed. It was suggested there be no formal
board meeting in December. The board would meet
briefly following the monthly meeting to approve new
members, vouchers and deal with any urgent matters.
Carolyn White made the motion, Peggy Maggard seconded, and the motion passed.
Editor Carolyn White spoke about the fee structure of the
WGMS website/web domain and explained that it was
resolved and the web site would be up and working in a
few days.
Field Trip Chair Lyle Koerper has a Try-it day scheduled
for January 12th at the Maggards and would like input for
future trips. Discussion was held on the possibility of
fewer field trips and new destination ideas. Everyone
was asked to bring new trip ideas to the January board
meeting.
Show chairman Gene Maggard reported on the Jr rock
pile work day and tentatively scheduled a grab bag work
day and show meeting for February 9th, more information
to follow.
Tony Giardina reported on cost (~ 1.50/ft) and availability
of extension cord covers, discussion followed.
General Meeting
The November general meeting of the Wichita Gem &
Mineral Society (WGMS) was called to order by President
Don Atherton on November 18, 2012 at the Christ Community Church. Don Atherton announced that the December general meeting will be held at the Christ Community Church at 2130 S. Webb Road starting at 3 pm on
December 16th.
Susan Bannon reported 25 members and 2 guests present. Door prizes were awarded as following:
Member– Peggy Maggard – Blue Chalcanthite sample
donated by Alfred White
 Visitor – Ray Terril – Smoky Quartz sample donated by
Alfred White
 Visitor – Janet Patterson – Actinolite sample donated
by Alfred White
 Badge – Joe Cruz – Selenite sample donated by Alfred
White
Calendar donated by Alfred White was awarded to Ann
Radiel
Finance director Bob Haines reported the budget had
been drafted and approved by the board and handouts
would be brought to the December meeting for general
membership approval.
Field trip director Lyle Koerper asked for anyone interested in the Try-it day scheduled for January 12th at the
Maggard’s home to sign up. Future trips might include
hunting for rose rocks in Oklahoma and the National
glass museum in Wellington. While not a formal field trip,
the Elk Falls Outhouse festival was scheduled for Nov 23
-24 for those interested.
Show chair, Gene Maggard reported on the Jr rock pile
work day and announced the Grab bag work day and
show meeting to be held on February 9th at the Community of Christ Church starting at 9am with the show meeting and a potluck lunch to follow.
In old business, Mary Clough reported that the McConnell
AFB event did not occur, but a future date was being
scheduled.
Hospitality chair, Debbie Winton, asked for a volunteer to
set up hospitality for the December meeting and for people to sign up to bring snacks and ice for future meetings.
Don Atherton re-opened discussion on inclement weather
meeting cancelation rules and after further discussion
Lyle Koerper made the motion that if the emergency accident reporting is in effect for the city of Wichita on the day
of a scheduled meeting, the WGMS meeting would automatically be cancelled. Susan Bannon seconded the
motion and the motion passed.
This month’s program was a video presentation on German Agates. Program followed by show and tell by Ray
Terril on samples collected from the Harding pegmatite
collecting site in New Mexico.
Meeting adjourned.
Meeting adjourned.
Page 4
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
W I C HI T A G E M & M I N E R A L S O C I E T Y ~ W I C H I T A , K S
D E C 20 1 2
Show Report
2013 Show Committee
By Gene Maggard, Show Chari
Are you planning your calendar for 2013? If so, I hope
that you have penciled in to help as much as possible at
our Wichita Gem and Mineral Show scheduled on April
25-29. Being Show Chair 2013 makes this a high priority
event for me, as I hope that it is also with you. The only
reason that we are able to have a successful show is because of members like you pitching in to help with the
show.
As in the past, we can use another member or two on the
Show Committee. If you are interested please let me
know. The two most challenging jobs on the Show Committee are Show Chair and Setup Chair. Dealer Chair
also involves a lot of work. I have been Show Chair and
Lyle has been Setup Chair for who knows how many
years. It is probably past time for some other people to
start mentoring in these jobs before you all get sick of
Lyle and I and throw us out. Contact Lyle or myself to
volunteer.
For new members, you might be wondering, “what is all
the fuss about the annual WGMS Gem and Mineral
Show?” Simply put, it is the one event that pretty much
drives the club. We generate revenue to help cover both
operating expenses and the scholarships that WGMS
funds. We are a 501c3 educational entity and the show
provides us with substantial educational accomplishments including educational displays, demonstrations
and special programs. We have about 700 school kids
go through our mineral ID program.
The show is also a wonderful opportunity for WGMS
members to get to know one another better. Also, to
meet new people who attend the show. If you are a new
member and are still feeling kind of alone at the meetings, sign up to work at the show. I guarantee that you
will enjoy the experience.
So how to sign up to work at the show? We will have
signup sheets for every club activity at the January and
February meetings. Pick an area that sounds interesting
and sign up. Also, Thursday of the show is setup day.
We need “all hands on deck” for the setup. It is an all day
activity, ending with a pot luck supper at 6pm. Come and
work as much as you can and then join everyone for the
potluck. See you there.
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
Note: Additional people are needed to
serve on the Show Committee.
If you are interested in any way, please
call Gene Maggard, show chair, at
742-3746. Ideally we’d like to have 2
people in each spot.
Don’t know what you’d enjoy helping
with? That is ok, pick one. Next year try something else!
Some one already assigned to the area you are interested
in? That’s ok too. We like to share!
Current Show Committee Members
Chairman
Gene Maggard
316-742-3746
Admissions
Peggy Maggard
316-742-3746
Announcer
Lisa Scheibmeir
620-727-5590
Dealers
Sherrie Lawhon
316-721-0975
Demonstrators
Debby Moore
316-524-6001
Electrical
Tony Giardina
316-214-8227
Fluorescents
Scott Norton
316-258-7954
Gem Hunt
David Hardin
316-946-0008
Grab Bags
Carolyn White
316-250-6182
Hospitality
Debbie Winton
316-841-9576
Junior Rock Pile
Alan DeGood
316-794-8391
Pat Clough-McCombs
Mary Clough
316-210-7380
316-943-1785
Education Day
Security
OPEN
Set Up
Lyle Koerper
316-722-7115
Silent Auction
Larry Skelton
316-722-1267
Special Exhibits
OPEN
Special Programs
Peggy Maggard
316-742-3746
Volunteer Coord
Ardis Cruz
316-218-0250
Wheel
Marci Fleeker
316-262-8392
President
Don Atherton
316-214-8227
Membership
Susan Bannon
316-689-8256
Publicity
Leo Heidebrecht
316-260-4591
We need volunteers to bring snacks for the
social hour following the meeting. Please
contact Debbie Winton at :
Secretary
Monica Williams
316-708-3488
Treasurer
Sandy Whiting
316-744-1568
316-841-9576 or [email protected]
Editor
Carolyn White
316-250-6182
W I C HI T A G E M & M I N E R A L S O C I E T Y ~ W I C H I T A , K S
D E C 20 1 2
Page 5
“DOP - DANG IT!!!”
By Jim Marburger
If you have ever been in the lapidary hobby
cutting cabochons, I am sure you have said that quote
- and more. The dopped cabochon you are working
on just popped off and frustration sets in. I hope I can
help you to avoid this problem, no matter if you are
new to it or an old hand, so here goes a short course
on Dopping.
The main points in the art of dopping stones are:
 The stone must be clean, dry, free
of oil, dust or dirt.
 The type of dop stick used. From
match sticks, wood dowels to
metal dops.
Dop wax is used to attach a stone to a dop
(handle), to hold the stone for greater control in the
grinding and polishing of gem stones. The wax used
in lapidary arts comes in four softening temperatures
and colors. Red softens at 140°F., brown softens at
145°F., green softens at 150°F., and black softens at
175°F. The type selected depends on the strength
needed; the higher softening temperature is harder
and will hold more with less wax. In general, green is
a good all around and easy to use wax, with black
being used more for the faceting arts where very
small surface areas are used. Dop wax has been
around for a long time. It was originally used as a
sealing wax for envelopes or packages, with the
family crest imprinted in the seal.
 Correct sizing of the dop stick to
the size of stone being dopped.
To properly melt the wax, many things can be
used. Alcohol lamps, candles, 100 watt light bulb, a
tuna fish can on the stove or hot plate, a double
boiler, or an electric dop pot.
 Square up the cabochon to the
dop stick.
 Correct sizing of the dop stick to
the size of your hands.
 Preheating of the stone being dopped. It must be warm-to-hot to the
touch. Caution: If the stone is heat
sensitive, such as opal, other
methods of dopping should be
used.
 Enough wax on the stick to make
the transition to the stone.
 Center the dop stick on the stone.
 After dopping, let the stone and
wax cool to the touch by itself. Do
not rush it.
If you are having consistent problems with the wax
not holding, use fresh wax or add a pinch of “flake shellac”
to the wax. Flake shellac is the same shellac
that is dissolved in alcohol to make the old fashioned wood
shellac finish. To remove the cabochon from the dop stick
(and it isn’t a temperature-sensitive stone), just
put it in the freezer for a short time (approximately
Safety First. Hot dop wax (runny or tacky) is
dangerous and will cause major burns when in contact
with skin. It will stick to the skin and continue to
burn the flesh until it is cool. Have a dish of cool
water near the dop station so the wax can be cooled
fast if it sticks and is burning your fingers. Another
problem is a fire issue. Dop wax is flammable and
will burn intensely. This is caused by the “flake shellac”
used as the binding agent in dop wax. It is important to keep
the wax below the vapor temperature of the shellac. An electric dop pot eliminates the fire problem of over heating, but
skin and flesh burning is still and issue.
Page 6
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
five minutes) and the stone will drop off or pop off the wax
due to the contraction factors of the two different materials.
Or the stone can be soaked in a closed container of alcohol
which will dissolve the wax over time. Caution: Alcohol is
flammable . Also, the color of the wax could transfer to a
soft stone.
Photos courtesy of Jim and Sharon Marburger
via 11/2012 Pick and Shovel
W I C HI T A G E M & M I N E R A L S O C I E T Y ~ W I C H I T A , K S
D E C 20 1 2
January Field Trip to the
Maggard’s
A basic class field day has been scheduled for Saturday, Jan. 12 at the Maggards. Basic classes are being offered in
cabbing, silversmithing, beading, sphere making, basic mineral and fossil identification, and wirewrapping.
A signup sheet will be circulated at the November meeting. If you are interested in some other area you will have a
chance to request the area of your interest on the signup sheet. Call the Maggards to sign up if you are not at the meeting.
We will try to have instructors lined up in all these classes by the December general meeting to confirm that each class
will be held. If you need to bring specific tools we will also announce that at the December meeting. There may be a
small fee charged to cover the cost of materials for some classes. The classes will start at 10am. We will have a pot luck
lunch, so bring your favorite dish. We will end in the afternoon after everyone is tired or the class is completed.
Maps to the Maggards will be available at the December meeting.
Gene and Peggy
8318 SE Hiway 77
Leon, KS
316-742-3746
Nimword Contest
Sleeping a hundred million years has left my vocabulary a
little rusty. My owner and I have decided to have a NIMtest
(a contest for those not fluent in NIMese). The idea is to
provide as many new Nimwords as possible . Whoever can
do that wins some really neat prizes.
What kind of prizes? First
you get a nice figurine of
me, Nim. You also get a
gorgeous cabachon of
polished dinosaur bone !!!
at the list at the end of my story. Jibberish words do not
count, they have to be easily recognizable English words,
that make good sense, but contain my name as well.
There are only a few rules, but they are Nimportant. DiNIMsaurs hate drama, so please behave like good reptiles . No fighting, no dung tossing, no tail pulling, no egg
stealing and absolutely no purple dinosaurs are allowed
to enter. EEEP. The idea is to have some fun, so remember that as you work please.
Included is also a small
specimen of dinosaur bone
and a few other neat
surprises .
Submit your entries to [email protected] by
1/31/2012 to enter. All entries become property of...well
me of course silly . Judges decisions are final. Prizes will
be awarded by mail if necessary, so please provide an
address and name with your entry.
How do you win? You create new Nimwords to add to my
vocabulary. Nimwords are normal words that include my
name of course ! For examples you can look
I am looking forward to your NIMput...err input. Remember, nothing is Nimpossible !!!
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
W I C HI T A G E M & M I N E R A L S O C I E T Y ~ W I C H I T A , K S
D E C 20 1 2
Page 7
Continued from cover: The Organic Gems by Lawrence Skelton
Centuries later, Pliny the Elder (23 – 79 A.D.) was the first to explain the true origin of amber, although he had no idea of
its age and failed to recognize it as fossilized resin and not pine sap. He knew that the Baltic region was the source of
amber brought to Rome. He also somewhat ridiculed the wild theories of Greeks and others concerning its origin.
What Pliny missed is the difference between sap and resin. Amber is fossilized resin – the material that seeps from wounds on trees and hardens in the air.
Think of the rosin used on violin bows. It is new and not fossilized but if buried under
proper conditions for a sufficiently long time, perhaps 30 to 60 million years, it could
transform into amber. Recently, some Pennsylvanian age (320 million years old)
amber has been found in Europe. Counting sub-varieties, there are seven varieties of
amber that are differentiated by their chemical composition. Each variety is unique to
a particular part of the world. The hardness also varies by location. Ranging from 1.0
Multi-colored amber free-forms
to 3.0, Burmese amber is the hardest at 3.0; Baltic amber ranges from 2.0 to 2.5 and
beads from Baltic amber.
Dominican amber from 1.0 to 2.0. As a rule of thumb, hardness increases with
Photo by Amber Skelton.
increasing geologic age. As resin is buried deeper, its volatile components are
expelled and the remaining organic molecules polymerize (link together) to form
amorphous (non-crystalline) lumps. Specific gravity ranges from1.05 to 1.09 and much if not most amber floats or
remains suspended in sea water. Amber melts at 180oC (356oF). It may be transparent to opaque and occurs in a variety
of colors: yellow, orange, cognac (beer-bottle brown), red, green, violet, blue, black, and white. The violet and blackcolored varieties are very rare and not usually commercially available. The blue type is from the Dominican Republic and
is said to owe its color to sunlight-induced fluorescence. At present, the source of most high-quality amber is Poland.
There are several substitutes or imitations of amber. A popular substitute
is “amberoid” a substance created by heating and compressing small pieces of
amber and a little linseed or rapeseed (canola) oil, fusing the separate pieces into
a solid chunk. Amberoid can be detected by its flow marks and flattened or distorted bubbles (that are round in unreconstructed amber. Several plastics are
used to imitate amber and are detectable by their phenolic or chemical odor when
touched with a red hot needle (amber has a resinous odor. Copal, a natural resin
resembling amber and often used as a substitute, is not fossilized or is semiInsect trapped in Dominican Republic
fossilized at its best. Chemically, it contains no succinic acid, a defining characteramber .
istic of true amber. It also is softer and has a lower melting point. A drop of ether
Photo by Amber Skelton
on copal leaves a sticky residue whereas amber is only dulled. Care must be
exercised while cutting or polishing amber. When rubbed, it builds up a negative
electrical charge so any polishing procedure lacking cooling water can cause it to “overcharge” and fracture into
pieces. Amber has declined in popularity over time but still is an attractive gem. Pieces containing insects or other
organic remains are of scientific value.
Ammolite
Unprocessed sample of ammolite, a
"dragon skin" pattern is apparent
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammolite
Ammolite is a fossil material that is relatively new in the gemstone world,
having been given official designation as a gemstone in 1981 by the World Jewelry
Confederation. Ammolite seems to be a fossil analogue of mother-of-pearl and occurs
in two species of long-extinct ammonites of the genus Placenticeras. A third ammonite of the genus Baculites also forms ammolite. Ammonites are mollusks that became
extinct at the end of Cretaceous time, some 65 to 70 million years ago. Their closest
living relative is the chambered nautilus. Although ammolite material is found in several locations around the world, commercial deposits have been found only on the
eastern slope of the Rocky Mountains in the upper Cretaceous Bearpaw Shale of
southern Alberta, Canada and in another upper Cretaceous formation in central Utah.
The ammonite fossils are usually coated with pryrite or siderite in this deposit.
Ammolite is composed of thin (0.5 to 0.8 mm or 0.02 to 0.03 in.) layers of
aragonite plates containing trace amounts of copper, titanium, vanadium, manganese,
and about one percent iron oxide. Aragonite, a polymorph of calcite, is a normal
constituent of mollusk shells. The layered nature of the plates is responsible for interference of light waves which rebound from the layers of aragonite crystals that are
oriented with their C axes vertical to the shell’s surface.
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Continued from page 8: The Organic Gems by Lawrence Skelton
Varying thickness of the plates causes various colors displayed in iridescence: thickest plates cause red and orange; medium-ply plates reflect green; and the thinnest plates reflect blue and violet hues. The name ammolite was coined by a
Canadian rock-shop operator in 1967.Ammolite has a hardness ranging from 3.5 to 4.0 and specific gravity averaging
around 2.7, both differing some from pure aragonite.
Fresh samples exhibit vitreous to resinous luster and need to be polished to obtain the pronounced iridescence.
Polishing is accomplished with chalk dust or tin oxide applied by hand using a soft cloth or chamois. Because of its thin,
platy nature, nearly all ammolite marketed has be injected with an epoxy compound to stabilize it. It may be coated with a
durable lacquer to protect the surface. If the shale base is too thin or is weak, it may be ground off and replaced with a
piece of a harder dark-colored rock. In its natural state, ammolite is very fragile. Many, if not most, cabachons cut from it
are covered with a piece of quartz or synthetic spinel thus forming a doublet. If the base of the stone is replaced as well,
the result is a triplet.
Ammolite is not a cheap material. It requires excavating to depths around 41 meters (140 feet) and less than a
tenth of recovered material is deemed to be gem-grade. A random check of three ammolite dealers on the internet found
costs of $1.00 per square millemeter; $50.00 per carat; and $30.00 to $65.00 per carat. Ammolite is marketed under that
name as well as calcentine, aapoak (a Kainah or Blackfoot Indian name), and Korite®. The gem is highly favored by
Feng Shui adherents and followers of New Age philosophies.
References
Amber
Aber, Susan W., 2008. Welcome to the World of Amber: Emporia State University.
http:// academic.emporia.edu/abersusa/amber.htm. [An excellent all-inclusive website on the topic of amber.]
Downloaded 6 Sept. 2012.
Bray, P. Sargent & Anderson, Ken B., 2009. “Carboniferous (320 Million Years Old) Class 1c Amber: Science,” v.326, no.
5949, pp 132 – 134.
Budrys, Romauldus, 2001, Review of the Literature on Amber in Baltic Amber (Adomas Butrimas, ed.): Vilnius, Lithuania,
Publication Office of the Vilnius Academy of Fine Arts, pp. 261 – 272. http://www.pgm.lt/Gintara/
Budrio_lirweatura.en.htm. Downloaded 22 August 2012.
Crowe, Judith, 2006. The Jeweler’s Directory of Gemstones: Buffalo, N. Y., Firefly Books, 176 p.
Day, Phillip, 2009. What Is Amber? : University of Manchester [Eng], Mellor Archaeological Trust, Friends update
Evening, 14 March 2009. http://mellorarchaeology.org.uk/pdfs/otherreports/
JPD_what_is_amber_notes_pages.pdf. Downloaded 22 August 2012.
Desautels, Paul E., 1971. The Gem Kingdom: New York, Grosset & Dunlap, 252 p.
Lattimore, Richmond (transl.) 1999. The Odyssey of Homer: New York, Perennial Classics, HarperCollins Publishers.
Peñalver, E., Álvarez-Fernández, A., Arias, P., etal., 2007. “Local Amber in a Paleolithic Context in Cantabrian Spain:
the Case of La Garma A:” Elsevier, Journal of Archaeological Science, v. 34, pp 843 – 849.
http://usal.academia.edu/EstabanAlvarezFernandez/Papers/951675/Local_Amber_in_a-Paleolithic_Context_inCantabrian_Spain_the_case_of_LaGarma_A. Downloaded 31 August 2012.
Rundkvist, Martin, 2008. “Early Neolithic Amber Hoard CT Scanned:” Aardvarchaeolgy.
http://scienceblogs.com/aardvarchaelogy/2008/02/25/early_neolithic_amber_hoard_ct.
Downloaded 2 Sept. 2012.
Ammolite
O’Donoghue, Michael, 1988. Gemstones: New York, Chapman & Hall, 372 p.
http://ammolitemine.com/ammolite_mine.htm. Downloaded 5 Sept. 2012.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ammolite. Downloaded 6 Sept. 2012.
http://www.gemresources.com/index.php?info=informationddetails&id+152. Downloaded 6 Sept. 2012.
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
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Page 9
HEAT TREATING ROCKS
You have just removed a slab from an agate rough, and you are disappointed with the color. The overall color is
washed out white. At this point, most rockhounds would toss both the slab and the rough into their rock garden and
write off the investment in the piece. Well, there may be life yet in that nondescriptive piece of rough. Try heat
treating agate, jasper, petrified wood and many other types of rocks. Almost any sedimentary rock can benefit from
the process. A recent example was a piece of dull brown agate. After heat-treating, it became a deep red.
How, you ask, does one go about heat treating a piece of rock? The process is relatively simple, but is a trial and
error process. The slab should be immersed in a small pan of sand and placed in a range oven.
Turn the oven temperature to warm - about 200 degrees, for about one hour to expel any moisture trapped in the
stone, then raise the temperature 25 degrees every half hour until the temperature is up to 350 degrees. Leave it at
this setting for two hours, then turn off the oven and allow the rock to come to room temperature without opening
the door.
Now you can check the results. If you are satisfied, you can slab the rough and heattreat the lot. If not, turn the
slab over and repeat the process. You can skip the time at 200 degrees since all the moisture has already been
baked out by now. Raise the temperature to 400 degrees at this time. Continue raising the final temperature by 50
degrees until the results you want are reached. Most ovens will go up to 500 degrees. If you need to go higher,
some special oven will be required.
Via The Petrified Digest, Ginko Mineral Socieity, 12/12, via Stonecutter, Chief Joseph Gem and Mineral Club 10/09, via Fr. Texas Facetors Guild
News Letter 11/04
Rules for Inclement Weather During Winter Months
If the Emergency Accident report is issued by the City of Wichita Police Department the
WGMS meeting will be cancelled
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Member Birthdays
Show Calendar
For a more complete list of all shows go to:
http://www.rockngem.com/showdates.asp
or refer to a copy of Rock & Gem Magazine.
December:
11
Carly Brewer
13
Tim Biven
14
Margaret Gantt
15
Arley Ballenger
17
Wanda Hearing
21
Claude Matney
22
Vaughn Sweet
23
Jerry Calvert, Jim Berends
24
Robert Biven
28
May Springer
29
Beverly Elliott
29
Aisha Allen
31
Janet Garner
December 7-9, 2012 Boulder, CO
Flatirons Mineral Club, Boulder County Fairgrounds, main
exhibits hall, Longmont, CO; contact Ray Gilbert, 303-7748468, [email protected]
January, 2013 Miami, AZ
Gila County Gem & Mineral Society annual show.
February, 2013 Tucson, AZ
Tucson Gem & Mineral Society annual show.
February, 2013 Denver, CO
Denver Gem & Mineral Guild annual show.
Member Bulletin Board
A spot where members can post announcements, items wanted or for
sale. First come, first serve, priority to new items. (text only)
Contact Carolyn at [email protected] or 2225 N. Fountain,
Duard Whitney Collection
Landscaping items, petrified wood from 12 states,
polished slabs, jewelry. Available for purchase
between now and Christmas
Contact Jerry Simmonds
620-862-5275
510 N Lawrence St, Haviland Kansas
2 Bit Ranch
Rock and Fossil Shop
10 am - 4 pm
Open Dates for 2013:
Feb 09
Mar 09
Apr 13
May 11
Jun 08
Jul 13
Aug 10
Sep 14
Oct 12
January 23-27, 2013 Quartzsite, AZ
46th Annual Q.I.A. Gem & Mineral POW.
Nov 9
Dec 14
Also open by appointment: Call Joe or Ardis Cruz
316-733-8727
712 W. Harry St., Andover
March, 2013 Albuquerque, NM
Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club annual show.
March, 2013 Fort Collins, CO
Fort Collins Rockhounds annual show.
March, 2013 Ada, OK
Ada Gem, Mineral & Fossil Club Guild annual show.
April, 2013 Arvada, CO
North Jeffco Gem & Mineral Club annual show.
April 26-28, Wichita, KS
Wichita Gem and Mineral Society’s annual show,
“Treasures of the Earth”, Cessna Activity Center, 2744 S
George Washington Blvd; contact Gene Maggard 316-7423746; [email protected]
May 3-5, 2013 McPherson, KS
McPherson Gem & Mineral Club 21st Annual Sale & Swap,
4-H Fairgrounds, 710 W. Woodside; mcphersongemmineral@
hotmail.com, Kim Vasper 620-241-7732 or Brett Whitenack
620-241-7600
May 17-19, 2013 South Jordan, UT
RMFMS Convention and Show hosted by the Wasatch Gem
Society, Salt Lake County Equestrian Park and Events Center, 2100 W 11400 South; contact Kim Blanton, 801-6041265, [email protected]
(no appointment needed on open dates)
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
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Page 11
W I C H I T A G E M & MI N E R A L
SOCIETY, INC
Q U A R R Y QU I P S
TIME VALUE
Carolyn White, Editor
2225 N. Fountain
Wichita, KS 67220
[email protected]
«Addressee»
Next Meeting:
Sunday, December 16th, 3 pm
«Address»
Christ Community Church
2130 S Webb Rd
«City»«State» «ZIP»
Status: «Status»
Next Field Trip:
Jan 12
Workshop Classes and potluck lunch
Maggards - Leon, KS
Details on page 5
Page
Club Business
9 am
Page
Special Interest
2
About Our Club
3
Calendar - WGMS Events
7
Field Trips
4
Meeting Minutes
6
Dop-Dang It!
11
Member Birthdays
7
NIMword Contest
n/a
Membership
10
Heat Treating Rocks
2
Officers
9
Rock Candy
3
Programs
11
Member Bulletin Board
5
Show Report
5
2013 Show Committee
cover
The Organic Gems
Quarry Quips Article Deadline: Friday, December 28th
Send articles to Carolyn White. Contact information at top of page.