The Rockytier - LGMS: Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society
Transcription
The Rockytier - LGMS: Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society
The Rockytier Volume 20 Newsletter for the Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society of Lubbock, Texas MONTHLY MEETINGS: Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society Meeting: Tuesday - December 2, 2008 7:00 p.m. @ Forrest Heights United Methodist Church 3007 33rd St. Lubbock, Texas LGMS Board Meeting: NO BOARD MEETING - Due to all the Christmas parties, get togethers, etc…... Shows Coming Up December 5-7 El Paso Mineral & Gem Society El Maida Auditorium, 6331 Alabama El Paso, TX Contact Info: Jeannette Carrillo, (915) 533-7153 e-mail: [email protected] 2008 DECEMBER M E R R Y Number 12 JALAF Canceled for this month. JALAF for January: Your Oddest Piece C H R I S T M A S January - February 31 - 14 Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show Tucson, Arizona Contact Info: e-mail: [email protected]; Web site: www.mzexpos.com Happy Birthday 12…………..…...….Archie Scott February 20 - 22 Albuquerque Gem & Mineral Club "Treasures of the Earth Show" Albuquerque, New Mexico 41st annual show Contact Info: Paul Hlava, (505) 255-5478; e-mail: [email protected] 21 - 22 Hi Plains Gem & Mineral Society Plainview, Texas: 47th annual show Contact Info: Happy Anniversary DECEMBER 21……..…Orval & Mary Gryder 30…...Leland & Rhonda Taylor Mildred Matlock, (806) 293-3476, (806) 293-3476 e-mail: [email protected] May 16 - 17 Lubbock Gem & Mineral Show Lubbock, Texas: 51st annual show Contact Info: Archie Scott, (806) 894-1584 Each month I have published the anniversaries and birthdays for each member. If you have not seen your name on one of the lists and it should have been, please let me know. I can’t fix it if I don’t know about it. ~Rhonda, your editor 1 DECEMBER Volume 20 Rockytier 2008 Number 12 MINUTES OF THE OCTOBER MEETING BIRTHSTONE FOR DECEMBER – TURQUOISE I missed this meeting because it was held on November the 4th, I was working the election in Sundown. I had a great time, but it sure was a long day (13 hours long). Anyway the whole point is that I have no idea what went on and I have not received any minutes from this meeting. So there you go. There's something special about this sky-blue gem. The American Indians mined thin turquoise veins and believed the stone brought together the spirits of sea and sky to bless warriors and hunters. A turquoise arrowhead assured accurate aim. The Navajo considered turquoise sacred, giving it as a special gift for some happy occasion, and always wearing at least one bit of turquoise, even if it was only a bead tied in the hair. Turquoise was used for beads by the Egyptians also, as well as for inlay in gold, as early as 5500 B.C. The oldest dated piece of jewelry is said to be an Egyptian bracelet set with turquoise from the oldest source of turquoise, the Maghara Wadi mines in the Sinai Peninsula. ~Rhonda, your editor MINUTES OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS MEETING: I did attend this meeting, we discussed a few things, like the field trip in January, the Christmas Dinner on December 2nd. I haven’t received these minutes either. Jim-you ok, this is not like you. :) ~Rhonda, your editor A W Or D From Our President: The word never came, and I told him he could not skip out on it this month. Just wait till I see him!! ~Rhonda, your editor The highest grade of turquoise has for centuries come from the Persian mines near Nishapur, in the Iranian province of Khorosan. The Persians have regarded turquoise as their national gem. The stone occurs in irregular patches and narrow seams in a brecciated trachyte porphry associated with limonite. “White Buffalo” Turquoise: When discovered in the Dry Creek Mine on the Shosone Indian Reservation near Battle Mountain, Nevada, in 1993, they were not sure what it was. Because of its hardness, it was decided to send it to have it assayed and their suspicions proved correct; it was in fact white turquoise. It was not until 1996, however, that it was finally made into jewelry. Turquoise gets its color from the heavy metals in the ground where it forms. Blue turquoise forms where there is copper present, which is the case with most Arizona turquoises. Green turquoise forms where iron is present; the case with most Nevada turquoises. White turquoise forms where there are no heavy metals present, which turns out to be a very rare occurrence. To date, no other vein of white turquoise has been discovered anywhere else and when this current vein runs out, that will be the last of it. Because white turquoise is as rare as a white buffalo, the Indians call it "White Buffalo" turquoise. Odontolite Tooth Stone or Bone Turquoise is actually the bones and teeth of animals, fossilized and colored blue or green by iron phosphate. Its organic texture reveals its origin.” ~from The Voice, 12/08; via Golden Spike News, 12/06; via Rock Chips, 12/07 FOR FUTURE INFORMATION If possible could everyone have all the information I need to put into the bulletin to me by the 20th of the month. That would be great. If you can’t let me know, I would like to have the bulletin completed and in the mail on the Tuesday before the LGMS regular meeting. Ok, thank-you so much! ~Rhonda Note From The Voice’s Editor: There is another source for White Buffalo – Tonapah NV. The Otteson’s have a large turquoise mine there and have discovered several small veins of White Buffalo. But it is still a rare find. For more info see website: http://www.tonopahturquoise.com/6.html. ~from The Voice, 12/08; I Believe... Two people can look at the exact same thing and see something totally different 2 DECEMBER Volume 20 Rockytier 2008 CRYSTAL ROCK GARDEN MATERIALS NEEDED: Water Alum (found in the spice section of supermarkets) Clear glass bowl Clean rocks and pebbles Number 12 OUR PROGRAM There will not be a program for the December meeting. We will discuss a few important business matters then we are going to join in and enjoy our Christmas Dinner. Everyone Please Come! ~Rhonda, your editor Time needed: Under 1 Hour 1. Bring 1/2 cup of water to a boil. Add 2 ounces of alum, stirring until the alum is dissolved. 2. Pour the solution into a clear glass bowl half filled with assorted clean rocks and pebbles. Within hours you should be able to see alum crystals forming as glasslike squares. Within several days you should have a number of crystals to look at. I haven’t tried this but I am, as soon as I can get to town and get the Alum. MEMBER NEWS Have had no news about anyone. So I hope this means everyone is happy, healthy and full of energy! If not let me know. ~Rhonda, your editor Ne Welc w M om e Loy Kern e m 2831 67th St. b er Lubbock, TX. 79413 s 7974427 Sorrow looks back, Worry looks around, Faith looks up. 3 Ben Lesser, has been a member in the past. We didn’t get his information, will update this later. I will be sending out a updated Roster in January DECEMBER 2008 e pa g R a y’s MAY 25, 2005 ~by Ray Tyler Number 12 OCTOBER BIRTHSTONE: OPAL (yes I know it is not October) MARRIAGE CLASS: 101 AND 102 Dug out of my waste basket Nary a word is hearsay…everyone my very own Sooner or later, a journey most folks will travel So how can one know without a try Dating was heaven and not meant to unravel I guess the reason for the dating bliss Yet to show reality that must come along Hey: never knew cooking and cleaning was awaiting for most Not to worry as my help mate is awfully strong. Kinda wonder what's happening the very first year The romance began to tarnish a bit He insisted on going with the boys on boys night out And thought for her a night out to be rather unfit. Then out of the blue the situation turned about When she told her honey a daddy soon he is about to be one At first he marveled and swaggered at what he had done He insisted and bragged she will soon give him a son. He told all who would listen about the name A junior was all as good as done As the great day came to pass one late at night A stork came down with a delivery by name of Joan. He took on the notion and said so as much Two’s company but three is a crowd Never knew about a feeding at two in the morn It’s his missed opportunity to be proud. October's birthstone treats the eye to an explosion of shimmering colors, not unlike those of a magnificent rainbow following a summer rain. The Opal derives its name from the Latin word "opalus," meaning precious jewel. Prized for its unique ability to refract and reflect specific wavelengths of light, the Opal was called "Cupid Paederos" by the Romans, meaning a child beautiful as love. One legendary explanation for this gemstone's origin is that it fell from heaven in a flash of fiery lightning. Ancient monarchs treasured Opals, both for their beauty and for their presumed protective powers. They were set into crowns and worn in necklaces to ward off evil and to protect the eyesight. These gemstones were also ground and ingested for their healing properties and to ward off nightmares. The Opal dates back to prehistoric times. It is a non-crystallized silica, which is a mineral found near the earth's surface in areas where ancient geothermal hot springs once existed. As the hot springs dried up, layers of the silica, combined with water, were deposited into the cracks and cavities of the bedrock, forming Opal. This gemstone actually contains up to 30% water, so it must be protected from heat or harsh chemicals, both of which will cause drying and may lead to cracking and loss of iridescence. Opal must also be guarded from blows, since it is relatively soft and breaks easily. As time went on he began to stay out late Thought the redhead at the bar kinda cute Thought the wife at home had let herself go And his wifey now seemed so boring and mute. Most of the world's Opal deposits are found in Southern Australia. Other sources of this gemstone are Brazil, Mexico, Czechoslovakia and Nevada. Quality Opal is very expensive, made more so by the caution that must be exercised in cutting, polishing and setting it into jewelry. Time marched on and he traded her in On a newer model he thought was really cool Soon the redhead tired and was looking around Too late he discovered he was only a fool. A gift of Opal is symbolic of faithfulness and confidence. And the powerful energy radiating from this fiery gemstone will surely illuminate any occasion! As Joany grew up and a raving beauty to behold Her Mom now had more time for to preen One day at the market as she turned around Prince Charming was watching as both felt the zing. I guess by now you can guess the rest Her Prince Charming she knew would never flee Along came the same stork to add to the nest A more happy lady you would never, ever see. As life goes on and it seems to be so If its meant to be then be it will be There’s a man for every woman and woman for every man Seems like its been that way for eternity. End 4 Volume 20 Rockytier ~from Rockhound Special, 10/08; http://www.about-birthstones.com/octoberbirthstone.html MUSICAL STONES ~by Bonnie Wood In some sculpting, an artist taps a stone lightly with a hammer to see if it’s “true”. If it emits a dull tone, it has faults running through it that will crack it apart when you work on it. A clear ring, one that hangs in the air a moment, means it’s true, has integrity, and, most importantly, will hold up under repeated blows. ~from Rockhound Special, 10/08; via Golden Spike News, 8/01; via Chips, 6/01; via Jasper’s Jargon, 3/01 DECEMBER Volume 20 Rockytier 2008 Number 12 UPCOMING EVENTS "Creating Metal Jewelry Without a Torch" Lyn Stoll, Instructor Create unique jewelry while learning chain making, piercing, fold forming, rivets and patinas. February 2009 Garden & Arts Center 4215 University Avenue Lubbock, Texas For more information: (806) 795-1761 www.LynStoll.com FIELD TRIP UPDATE Archie had questions and Howie answered them: • Temperature - Range from the upper thirties to the seventies. Be prepared for that range. Usually it is in the upper 60’s to lower 70’s. • Reserve your rooms in Alamogordo, N.M. as soon as you can. There is Airbase in Alamogordo and you never can tell about what they might have scheduled. • The area is bot rocky and dirt. Bring all kinds of tools: picks, shovels, rock hammers, etc…. I might also suggest a water spray bottle to help spot the blue. • Bring food and water for lunch and snacks for the afternoon. • I intend to leave Roswell that morning around 7:30 am, gas up in Alamogordo and arrive at the gas station in Oregrande around 10:30 am. • We will meet Virgil there and proceed to the mine. It will get dark about 4:00 pm so we ought to leave about 3:30 to get back to the highway by dark ten go into Alamogordo for the night. • It appears we will have about 15 from here (Roswell), a couple from Carlsbad and several from Midland. Should be quite a group. Cheers, Howie ATTENTION: I have put 2 recipes in this newsletter on page 7. I have never tried them, or heard if they work or are even good. I just liked the names - ‘Christmas Rocks’ So my point is - USE AT YOUR OWN RISK! ~your editor, OMG - IT’S TIME FOR DUES (OMG - oh my goodness) $ Yeah, I just bet you thought we would forget it this year. Ha, Ha, never. There are some great benefits with paying your dues. Just take a look at these goodies: 1. On the first Tuesday of each month, you get to attend the general meeting of the LGMS. 2. The next week following the LGMS meeting, there is a Board of Directors meeting. We meet at Home Plate Diner, some of us eat, then we meet and discuss very important issues. 3. We have a yearly Ice Cream Social. Yummy good time. 4. Our editor (that’s me) puts out a monthly bulletin, that is very interesting. ; ) And you get it free with paid dues, 12 times a year. 5. Yearly Christmas dinner. 6. Our LGMS show, it is so FUN, and a busy time. Lots of hard work and you get to meet some wonderful people. 7. You are part of a group of people with the same interests as you, and some interests that are different. Great learning opportunities! 8. There is so much more - our President, (the new ones and past ones) programs, field trips, the MEW, I could go on and on, but I wont. Adults…………………….16 & up………………….…$22.50 Students…………………..6 - 16……………….………$5.00 Children………………....6 & under………………….….Free What a Bargain! 5 When you are down to nothing ... God is up to something. See ya at the next meeting, ~Rhonda, your editor DECEMBER Volume 20 Rockytier 2008 AROUND ME THE DINOSAURS Hey, have you ever just looked at a rock. I mean just look, stop every thing and just look. Sometimes you can see your reflection or just dirt. I always think that rocks are like humans. They are all different. Sizes, shapes and forms. Some are dirty, some clean. Some have gems, others don’t. There are ones that have different rocks in them that make up one kind, like a family, some of the same rocks mixed with other ones make up another family. Rocks can be your friend. But when it comes down to it, a rock is just a rock. I just learn to appreciate all the world has to offer. ~Kari Taylor by - Professor A.E. Seaman The dinosaurs are mighty beasts, Renowned for bulk and strength. Their necks are measured by the yard, Their tails had greater lengths. Their heads were very small, and All in all they were not wise, But what they lacked in intellect They made up for in size. But while their head held one small brain, And none too finely wrought, Their sacrum held a larger one, And was their seat of thought. There were ganglia knots along their spine, Scattered from stem to stem: While these were only scatter brains, It gave them a chance to learn. DIET ROCK I am a little diet rock, as cute as I can be. Although I’m sweet to look at, I’m both fat and sugar free. When you get up each morning, lift me high into the air, then set me on the floor 10 times, before sitting on the chair. Please place me on the table, at the place YOU plan to eat. And remember I am watching what YOU do and what YOU eat. When you are serving up your plate, please leave my section free. I’ll reduce the calories, by the space you saved for me. After you have eaten, although I’m just a rock, please slip me in your pocket, and take me for a walk. If YOU do this faithfully, then in a month or two, although I’ll still be just the same, YOU’LL be a slimmer you! ~by Gail Trigg Merry Christmas Number 12 Such brains were fine for retrospect For looking o’er the past For since their forethought was so slight The poor beasts could not last. They failed to see the “rocks ahead” That round them they might steer. And so they met the fate of all Whose brains are in the rear. ~from The Stone Chipper, 7/08; via B.C. Rockhounder, Spring 2007; via The Calgary Lapidary Journal, 11/07 DINOSAUR TRACKS Primo Rivera played on a rocky hill near his home, in Bolivia, when he was a kid. He had always wondered about some dents in the rock. Well now 20 years later the mystery has been solved - fossilized dinosaur footprints. They are the oldest ever found in Bolivia, possibly 140 million years old. The paleontologist thinks the footprints may be from three different kinds of dinosaurs. One of them may have been Ankylosaurus, an hrmored herbivore. The size of the imprints suggest that they were medium size dinosaurs, so about 30 feet in length. There are some smaller ones thought to be baby tracks. When Rivera was visiting a dinosaur park near the regional capital of Sucre, Chuquisaca, he noticed that what he was looking at looked like the dents in the rock near his home where he grew up. When he ran across members of a paleontologist team that were doing research near his village he told them about the dents. If Primo Rivera had not been so curious about the holes in the rock, the tracks may have never been discovered. 6 ~written by Eduardo Garcia, additional reporting by Damian Wroclavsky in Buenos Aires, 2008 DECEMBER 2008 CHRISTMAS ROCKS 1st version: RECIPE INGREDIENTS: 1. Preheat oven to 350 degrees. 2. In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugar. Add eggs. Stir in remaining ingredients in order. Mix well. 3. Drop by small teaspoonfuls onto greased baking sheets. Bake for about 10 minutes until lightly brown. ~from the kitchen of Randall S., Katy, Texas 2nd version: INGREDIENTS (Nutrition) 1 1/2 cups white sugar 1 cup butter 3 eggs 3 cups all-purpose flour 1 tablespoon unsweetened cocoa powder 1/2 teaspoon ground ginger 1/2 teaspoon ground allspice 3/4 teaspoon baking soda 1 teaspoon ground cinnamon 1 teaspoon ground mace 1 teaspoon ground nutmeg 1 tablespoon strong brewed coffee 1/2 cup currants 1 cup raisins 1 pound pecan halves 1/4 cup candied cherries 1/4 pound candied pineapple, coarsely chopped 1/4 pound chopped candied citron 1/4 pound pitted dates 1/4 pound chopped candied orange peel Cream butter & sugar until light & fluffy. Beat eggs until foamy, add to mixture. Sift flour with spices, cocoa & soda. Save out 1/2 cup of flour mixture. Add the rest of flour mixture to butter mixture. Stir in coffee. Cut fruits into small slivers & dredge fruit & chopped pecans lightly in flour saved out for this. Add to fruit & the rest of flour to batter, mixing thoroughly. Preheat oven to 325° F (170° C). Grease cookie sheets. Drop by teaspoon onto cookie sheet. Do not place too close together. Bake for 12 to 15 minutes. Do Not over brown. Store cookies in jars. 7 Number 12 QUESTION OF THE MONTH WHAT IS MALACHITE? ~by Don Shurtz, Pleasant Oaks G&MC 3 sticks (1 1/2 cups) butter or margarine, softened 2 cups sugar 3 eggs 1 tsp. allspice 1 tsp. cinnamon 1 tsp. baking soda 1 8-oz. pkg. chopped dates 1 1/2 cups chopped pecans 1 cup red and green candied cherries halfs, chopped in small pieces 3 1/2 cups all-purpose flour • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • Volume 20 Rockytier ~submitted by Lilli Cheatham What is Malachite? Malachite is a type of butterfly, a real estate development group, a type of ceramic wear, and a beautiful green to blue-green stone. Of course, it is the stone variety of malachite that we are interested in. Chemically, malachite is Copper Carbonate Hydroxide with a chemical composition of Cu2C03(OH)2. Malachite is sometimes found in its crystalline form, but generally found in massive, botryoidal (meaning shaped like grapes), fibrous, and stalagmitic forms. Malachite is often found with azurite, and both are ores for the production of copper. Malachite is relatively soft rating a 3.5 to 4 on Mohs hardness scale. Still, malachite is often formed into broaches, pendants, and other pieces of jewelry. Botryoidal forms of malachite ore often just tumbled and displayed as specimens, the wavy lines of light and dark material forming interesting patterns as they warp around the curved surface. Because it is relatively soft, malachite can also be easily carved. Some of the most impressive pieces of art made from malachite can be found at the Hermitage Museum, St. Petersburg, Russia which was founded in 1764 by Catherine the Great. A large malachite vase (Malachite Coupe) and the Malachite Room are part of the collection. A virtual tour of the malachite room (and others) can be found on the Internet, and would be well worth the time spent. The columns in the room appear to be solid malachite, but in fact are a malachite veneer fabricated from smaller pieces that are perfectly fitted. Malachite has been mined for thousands of years. Archeological evidence indicates it has been mined in Egypt for over 4,000 years. In Israel, malachite has been mined and smelted at the King Solomon’s Mines for over 3,000 years. Large quantities of malachite are also found in the Ural Mountains. Closer to home, malachite can be found near Bisbee and Morenci, Arizona. If you want to look even closer to home, malachite is mined at the Marble Canyon mine (also know as the Texas Agricultural Aggregates) near Apache Peak, Culberson County, Texas. ~from Chips and Chatter,9/07; via Dictionary.com, http://dictionary.reference.com/ Malachite, The Mineral and Gemstone Kingdom, http://www.minerals.net/carbonat/malachit/malachit.htm Malachite, mindat.org, http://www.mindat.org/locentry-198320.html Marble Canyon Mine, http://www.mindat.org/loc-3251.html The State Hermitage Museum, http://www.hermitage.ru/html_En/index.html Wikimedia Commons, http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/ Image:Malachite_Zaire.jpg Wikipedia, http://en.wikipedia.org DECEMBER Volume 20 Rockytier 2008 VOTE--GIRL SCOUTS!!!!! Number 12 CHRISTMAS DINNER - What Are You Bringing? A local bank here in Lubbock is having a Community Rewards drawing, and Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc. - Lubbock Region - needs your vote!!!!! At the LGMS meeting on the 4th of November there was a sign up sheet for everyone to put there name down and list which dish they were fixing and bringing to the December Christmas dinner. I guarantee your vote will be worth a "Million Dollars" to all the girls and adults of our organization if we are one of the winners. There will be 5 community winners, and we want to be one of them. Anyone that is not signed up, and you plan on coming, you need to bring either a vegetable, a salad or a dessert. It needs to be enough for your family and four more servings. That way there should be enough to go around. Girl Scouts is preparing our leaders of tomorrow! "Girl Scouts, Where Girls Grow Strong"............. Thanking you in advance............and So let’s get cooking and we well see you next week. ~Rhonda, your editor VOTE -- GIRL SCOUTS!!!!! The Girl Scouts of Texas - Oklahoma - Plains, Inc. has been presented with an INCREDIBLE opportunity to earn $10,000.00 by simply clicking a button and participating in City Bank’s (located in the Lubbock Region) Community Rewards program!!! What is Community Rewards? Community Rewards is a new program sponsored by City Bank designed to assist nonprofit agencies and school support groups by awarding a total of $50,000.00 to qualifying local organizations that register to participate. You might be asking are we registered for this great opportunity? ABSOLUTELY!!! The actual competition for those “rewards” will be done through online voting at www.citybankonline.com . How does Community Rewards work? There will be five $10,000.00 “rewards” given during the week of Christmas. (Let’s make our first Holiday Season as Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc. a very HAPPY one!!) the five victorious recipients will be those that receive the most online votes between Sunday, October 26th (that means THIS SUNDAY is when it starts) and Sunday, December 21st. To accomplish this, we are encouraging everyone staff, board members, donors, volunteers, friends, and family to vote and vote often. Area residents 18 years old and up can vote daily through December 21st for the Girl Scouts of Texas Oklahoma Plains, Inc. Votes will be tabulated automatically and updated daily. Please pass this along to everyone you have an email address for and share this exciting opportunity with them. LESSONS IN LIFE 1. As each bird flaps its wings, it creates an 'uplift' for the bird following. By flying in a V formation, the whole flock gains 71% flying range over each bird's flying alone. Lesson: People who share a common direction and sense of community can get where they are going more quickly and easily because they are traveling on the thrust of one another. 2. Whenever a goose falls out of formation, it suddenly feels the drag and resistance of trying to fly alone and quickly gets back into formation to take advantage of the 'lifting power' of the bird immediately in front. Lesson: If we have as much sense as the goose, we will stay in formation with those who are headed where we want to go. 3. When the lead goose gets tired, it rotates back into the formation and another goose flies at the point position. Lesson: It pays to take turns doing the hard tasks, sharing leadership, interdependent with each other. 4. The geese in formation honk from behind to encourage those up front to keep up their speed. Let’s Show Us the MONEY!!!! ~Janet Gentry Lesson: We need to make sure our honking from behind is encouraging, not something less helpful! ~from Rockhound Rambling, 02/03; ref Bell Notes, Drywashers Gazette; via Petrograph 11/01, NAPA GEMS 03/02. INTERSTING FACTS • • 8 There are 92 naturally occurring elements on earth but only eight elements make over 98% of the minerals on the Earth's crust. There are over 2000 minerals on Earth, but only 100 are commonly found. 30 minerals make up the majority of the rocks on Earth. ~I apologize, I don’t remember where I found these facts. Rhonda, your editor DECEMBER 2008 ‘KRYPTONITE’ DISCOVERED IN MINE As reported from BBC News Kryptonite is no longer just the stuff of fiction feared by caped superheroes. A new mineral matching its unique chemistry – as described in the film Superman Returns – has been identified in a mine in Serbia. According to movie and comic-book storylines, kryptonite is supposed to sap Superman’s powers whenever he is exposed to its large green crystals. The real mineral is white and harmless, says Dr. Chris Stanley, a mineralogist at London’s Natural History Museum. “I’m afraid it’s not green and it doesn’t glow either – although it will react to ultraviolet light by Fluorescing a pinkish-orange,” he told BBC News. ROCKHEIST Researchers from mining group Rio Tinto discovered the unusual mineral and enlisted the help of Dr. Stanley when they could not match it with anything known previously to science. Once the London expert had unraveled the mineral’s chemical make-up, he was shocked to discover this formula was already referenced in literature – albeit fictional literature. “Towards the end of my research I searched the web using the mineral’s chemical formula – sodium lithium boron silicate hydroxide – and was amazed to discover that same scientific name, written on a case of rock containing kryptonite stolen by Lex Luther from a museum in the film Superman Returns. “The new mineral does not contain fluorine (which it does in the film) and is white rather than green but, in all other respects, the chemistry matches that for the rock containing kryptonite.” The mineral is relatively hard but is very small grained. Each individual crystal is less than five microns (millionths of a metre) across. ELEMENTARY CLASH Identifying its atomic structure required sophisticated analytical facilities at Canada’s National Research Council and the assistance and expertise of its researchers, Dr. Pamela Whitfield and Dr. Yvone Le Page. “Knowing a material’s crystal structure means scientists can calculate other physical properties of the material, such as its elasticity or thermo-chemical properties,” explained Dr. Le Page. “Being able to analyze all the properties of a mineral, both chemical and physical, brings us closer to confirming that it is indeed unique.” Finding out that the chemical composition of a material was an exact match to an invented formula for the fictitious kryptonite “was the coincidence of a lifetime,” he added. The mineral cannot be called kryptonite under international nomenclature rules because it has nothing to do with krypton – a real element in the Periodic Table that takes the form of a gas. POWER POSSIBILITIES Instead, it will be formally named Jadarite when it is described in the European Journal of Mineralogy later this year. Jadar is the name of the place where the Serbia mine is located. Dr. Stanley said that if deposits 9 Volume 20 Rockytier CONTUNIED>>> Number 12 occurred in sufficient quantity it could have some commercial value. It contains boron and lithium – two valuable elements with many applications, he explained. “Borosilicate glasses are used to encapsulate processed radioactive waste, and lithium is used in batteries and in the pharmaceutical industries.” Source: http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/science/nature/6584229.stm ~from Rok Tok, 08/08; via Chips and Chatter, 04/07, - Submitted by Scott Wingo As reported from BBC News THINGS I'VE LEARNED LIVING IN TEXAS 1. You don't have to wear a watch because it doesn't matter what time it is. You work until you're done or it's too dark to see. 2. You don't PUSH buttons, you MASH them. now-YOU KNOW YOU ARE FROM TEXAS IF: 1. You measure distance in minutes. 2. You’ve ever had to switch from ’heat’ to ’A/C’ and back to ’heat’ in a 24 hour period. 3. You use ’fix’ as a verb. Example: “I’m fixin to go to the store.” 4. All the festivals across the state are named afte a fruit, vegetable, grain, insect or animal. 5. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. 6. You know what a ’DAWG’ is. 7. You carry jumper cables in your car...for your OWN car. 8. You only own four spices: salt, pepper, Tabasco and ketchup. 9. The local papers cover national and international news on one page, but requires 6 pages for local gossip and sports. 10. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday. 11. You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit ’a little warm.’ 12. You know all four seasons: Almost Summer, Summer, still Summer and Christmas. 13. Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite past time known as’goin Wal-Martin’ or off to Wally World. 14. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good pinto-bean weather. 15. A carbonated soft drink isn’t a soda, cola or pop….it’s a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example: “What kinda coke you want?” 16. Fried catfish is the other white meat. 17. We don’t need no stinking driver’s ed...if our mama says we can drive, we can drive! Not EVERYONE can be a Texan, it’s an art form and a gift from God! ~from my Aunt Sher in Houston, TX DECEMBER 2008 SAFETY - COLORFUL AND DEADLY Colorful and deadly - is that what you want in your fireplace? Dr. Jeff Freeman is a PhD chemist from the Osage Hills Gem and Mineral Society. Recently, he ran across several articles about making colorful flames in your fireplace. He immediately sounded an alarm. There is a BIG SAFETY HAZARD in some of the chemicals listed in these articles. Part of Jeff's article is: "Attention - Safety Alert on "Colorful Flames" Article! By Jeff Freeman I have seen this article in exchange bulletins about making colorful flames. I needed to point out two potential hazards associated with the article that were not mentioned. The original article is given below: "Colorful Flames - Prepare for a colorful holiday fireplace by soaking pine cones or small sticks in one of the follow solutions. Using a plastic bucket, mix one gallon of water to one pound of chemical. Soak overnight. Put in as many items as the solution will cover. Listed are some suggested chemicals to use and the color they will produce when burned. Most can be purchased at the drug store; at least three can be has at the supermarket." Table salt - yellow; Borax - vivid green; copper sulfate blue green; potassium nitrate - violet; strontium nitrate red; copper nitrate - emerald green; barium nitrate - apple green; potassium chloride - purple; calcium chloride orange; copper chloride - blue; lithium chloride - purple" THE DANGERS The main hazards are with the nitrates. Nitrates supply oxygen to organic materials; they are used to make gunpowder and explosives. A Material Safety Data Sheet (MSDS) for nitrates contains the following warnings: 1. strong oxidizer; 2. may explode when heated; and 3. mixtures of nitrates and organic materials are potentially dangerous. For safety's sake, do not use nitrates to make colored flames! (Editor's note: one MSDS even says "contact with clothing or other organic material may cause fire") The second hazard deals with the use of barium. Water-soluble compounds of barium are poisonous (see the Merck Index, volume I 1, pgs 153-156). Any barium solution left over from making colorful flames would be poisonous, even the ashes left over from the fire could be poisonous. Please do not use barium for green flames; use boric acid instead! SAFE FLAME MATERIALS If you want to make colorful flames, please use the revised list below. They will work! Note: lithium gives a crimson flame, not purple.; table salt - yellow; borax or boric acid - light green; copper sulfate - green; strontium chloride - red; potassium chloride - violet; calcium chloride orange; copper chloride - blue; lithium chloride - crimson" HEY EDITORS Go through that pack-rat file of things to use and throw away every list for making colorful flames and put Jeff's list above in your files. 10 Volume 20 Rockytier ~from AFMS, 05/1998 Number 12 FYI (for your information) SOME IDEAS TO PROTECT OUR PRIVICY Google has a feature which enables you to type a telephone number into the search bar and hit enter and you will be given the person's name and address. If you then hit MapQuest, you will get a map to the person's house. Everyone should be aware of this! It's a nationwide reverse telephone book. If a child gives out his/her phone number, someone can now look it up to find out where he/she lives. The safety issues are obvious, and alarming. Note that you can have your phone number removed or blocked. (I tried my number and it came up along with the map-quest and directions straight to our house. I did fill out the removal form for myself, and encourage all of you to do the same. Quite scary.) Please look up your own number. In order to test whether your phone number is mapped, go to: google ( http://www.google.com) Type your phone number in the search bar (i.e. 555-5551212) and hit enter. If you want to BLOCK Google from divulging your private information, simply click on your telephone number and then click on the Removal Form. Removal takes 48hours. This may not apply to you if you have an unlisted number or cell phone as primary contact. Just think how many places you write your phone numbers down - work, Wal-Mart, school, almost any type information asks you for it. ~Rhonda, your editor CELL PHONES Did you know our cell phones are no longer private? As of this week all cell phone numbers have been turned over to telemarketers. WHY, I want to know. Now they can call your cell and it will cost you minutes. I am not happy about this. Between me, Leland and the girls we have 1000 anytime minutes. I want to use them for friends and family, not someone who is going to tick me off or drive me crazy. My son has a different plan and has only 200 anytime minutes. My kids are always very careful about using their minutes, now some stranger could cause them to go over. Now off my soap box, you can call the following “Do Not Call” number and list your numbers and they should be on the list for 5 years. I have done this for my cell and home phone, and have made my kids list their phones. (888)382-1222 ~Rhonda, your editor DECEMBER Volume 20 Rockytier 2008 Number 12 December Sunday 7 El Paso G & M Show 14 21 Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Gryder 28 Monday Tuesday 1 2 8 LGMS Christmas Party Wed. Thursday 3 4 9 10 11 15 16 17 18 22 23 24 25 29 30 Anniversary Mr. & Mrs. Taylor Business Meeting CANCELLED Christmas Friday Saturday 5 El Paso G&M Show 6 12 Archie b-day 13 19 20 26 27 El Paso G & M Show 31 January Sunday Monday Tuesday LGMS Meeting 7:00 pm Wed. Thursday Friday 1 2 3 7 8 9 10 17 4 5 6 11 12 13 14 15 LGMS Board Meeting 7:00 pm 16 18 19 20 21 22 Leland b-day 23 25 Orogrande Field Trip Head for home. 26 27 Sharon b-day 28 29 Sherry b-day Orogrande Field Trip Leave for RoswellSpend nite 30 I Believe... That even when you think you have no more to give, when a friend cries out to you - you will find the strength to help. 11 Saturday 24 Orogrande Field Trip Spend nite in Alamogordo 31 Arizona Mineral & Fossil Show31-Feb 14 Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society is a non-profit organization recognized under section 501( C ) ( 3 ) of the Internal Revenue Code as an educational entity. Donations in any form are tax deductible as outlined by the IRS. Member of South Central Federation of Mineral Societies Member of American Federation of Mineralogical Societies Lubbock Gem & Mineral Society Rhonda Taylor, Editor P.O. Box 429 Sundown, TX. 79372 Email - [email protected] THE ROCKYTIER THE ROCKYTIER is the official Bulletin of the Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society, Box 6371, Lubbock, TX. 79493. Meetings are held the first Tuesday of each month @ Forrest Heights United Methodist Church - 3007 33rd St. Lubbock, TX. at 7:00 p.m. unless announced otherwise. Annual dues are: $22.50 for adults, $5.00 for students 6-16 and free for children under 6. Exchange editors are free to copy anything of interest from THE ROCKYTIER provided credit is given to the author of the article and THE ROCKYTIER. The purpose of the Lubbock Gem and Mineral Society shall be (1) to bring about a closer association of those persons interested in the Earth Sciences and Lapidary Arts; (2) to increase and disseminated knowledge about rocks, minerals, fossils and other geological materials; (3) to encourage the study of rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts, collecting and lapidary work and (4) to conduct meetings, lectures, displays and field trips. ELECTED OFFICERS & DIRECTORS WHO ARE VOTING MEMBERS OF THE BOARD OF DIRECTORS President…………...…………..………..…………...…..Ed Ries (806)799-2722 Past President………………….……………...…..Sharon Scott (806)894-1584 VP and Program Chair………….…...……………………...……………..…open Secretary………………………….…..…….…......James Harris (806)797-6377 Treasurer………………………….....…………….......Jann Hon (806)745-4888 Director (first year)…………………..........Robbie Christopher (806) 863-2692 Director (first year)………………..…...…….….....Bob Gingery (806) 790-7931 Director (second year)…………..……...…….....Joann Stewart (806)795-0366 Director (second year)………………………...Emerson Tucker (806)795-6754 APPOINTED VOTING BOARD MEMBER POSITIONS Editor………………………………………….…..Rhonda Taylor (806)229-4029 Education Chairperson………….……...……..Bobby Housour (806) 746-5969 Show Chairperson……………………………..…...Archie Scott (806)894-1584 Field Trip Chairperson……………..…………...Henry Housour (806)744-8579 NON-VOTING APPOINTED POSITIONS Greeter………………………...……………..……..Dave Swartz (806)793-8045 Benevolence……………………..……….………..Sharon Scott (806)894-1584 Web Master…….…………..…………………………..…………..not at this time Club Vests……………….……………...…….....Gwen Housour (806)744-8579