Highlights of the June Meeting:

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1 Volume 52 Number 7 July 11, 2011 Highlights of the June Meeting: President Kathie Montgomery called our regular meeting to order at 7:05 PM. There were 31 members and visitors at the meeting. Hospitality was provided by the Adams family. They provided mixed nuts, Chek-Mix, Salsa. Tortilla chips, fruit, chips, and soft drinks. We all tried to make sure there wasn t a crumb left. Thanks guys! Ed Deckert discussed the Club Gem & Mineral Show. By Club agreement, the Show will be the 4th weekend in June (6/29, 6/30. & 7/1 Friday, Saturday, and Sunday). The Coliseum will honor our previous deposit of $ 2,200 (this is good news since they do not do this). There was no report on the upcoming July field trip. Debra was collecting birthday information for the newsletter month only is fine. See page 4: Next Club Meeting July 11, :00 PM New Garden Friends 801 New Garden Road. Greensboro, NC Feature this month: Shaun Shelton Synthetic Titanium August 1, 2011 OPEN Treasurers Report: Debbie Livingston, Treasurer May 1: Balance: $ Deposits: $ Expenditures: $ April 30: Balance: $3, Notable expenditures: Newsletter & supplies; $70.57 Meeting Hospitality: McCreery Scholarship: $ Hospitality Report 2011: Kathie Montgomery, President Jan. 4: Joe Maguire Feb. 7: John Hiller March 7: Debbie Livingston April 4: Yelena Efremova May 2: June 6: The Adams family July 11: Gordon Jones Aug. 1: Gary Parker Sept. 12: Steve & Grace Smith Oct. 3: Mary Barto Nov. 7: Montgomery Family Dec.5, 2010 Holiday Dinner Expenses are reimbursed. Please try to keep cost below $50.00

2 Piedmont Prospector Volume 52 Number 7 page 2 June Visitor: Betty Tucker Greg Lovejoy Pete Glude first meeting July Birthdays: Betty Edwards Grace Smith Olivia Oaks Kenny Gay Robert Wagner Ernest Crawford 2011 Field Trips: by Shawn Shelton Jan. 26 Snow Camp Feb. 29 Raleigh Museum of Natural History March 26: Bowers Farm April: 30: Diamond Hill Quartz Mine May: June: Little Pine Garnet Mine July: Reel Mine? Aug: Sept. Oct Nov Dec 2011 Programs: Jan. 3 Feb. 7 Steve Adams A Surprise Chris Tacker, Toys, Toys, Toys Modern Methods of Mineral study. March 7 Randy Bechtel, Two Billion Years in 60 Minutes April 4: Spring Auction May 2 SHOW & TELL June 6 Tom Kleeburg, Modern Gold Mining July 11. Shaun Shelton, Synthetic Titanium Aug.. 1. Sept. 12 Oct. 3 Nov. 7 Dec. 5 Fall Auction Holiday dinner; Dirty-Rotten-Santa The Silversmithing Guild: Intermediate classes Debbie is ready to go, she needs students. If you are a beginner or intermediate, we need students. Any questions, call Debra at leave a message. ************************************************************************************** Faceting education: Randolph Community College has decided to keep the faceting classes at their Archdale campus. We will keep you posted on the schedule. ************************************************************************************** June Door Prizes: Martin Honeycutt: stilbite, MM Quarry, Hickory, Catawba Co, NC Debra Livingston: staurolite in schist, near Stuart, Patrick Co. VA. Pete Glude: torbernite on feldspar, Pine Mtn Mine, Spruce Pine, NC. ************************************************************************************** July Birthstone: Ruby, color: red Like a perfect red rose, the Ruby's rich color speaks of love and passion. Called the "Rajnapura" or King of Gems by ancient Hindus, July's birthstone is among the most highly prized of gems throughout history. The Ruby was considered to have magical powers, and was worn by royalty as a talisman against evil. It was thought to grow darker when peril was imminent, and to return to its

3 The Piedmont Prospector Volume 52 Number 7 Page 3 original color once danger was past provided it was in the hands of its rightful owner! Rubies were thought to represent heat and power. Ancient tribes used the gem as bullets for blowguns, and it was said that a pot of water would boil instantly if a Ruby was tossed into it. Ground to powder and placed on the tongue, this crystal was used as a cure for indigestion. The word Ruby comes from the Latin "ruber," meaning red. It is a variety of the mineral Corundum, and is found as crystals within metamorphic rock. Corundum is the second hardest mineral, after Diamond. It comes in a variety of colors, and is considered a Sapphire in any color except red, which is designated as a Ruby. Rubies range in hue from an orangey red to a purplish red, but the most prized gems are a true red in color. Large sized Rubies are very rare and valuable. The history of Ruby mining dates back more than 2,500 years ago. The most beautiful crystals are thought to be from Burma, but quality Rubies are also found in India, Sri Lanka, Australia, Kenya, Tanzania, Afghanistan, Pakistan, and the United States. It has been said that the Ruby's red glow comes from an internal flame that cannot be extinguished, making a gift of this stone symbolic of everlasting love. With its hardness and durability, it is a perfect engagement gem. And if worn on the left hand, ancient lore has it that the Ruby will bring good fortune to its wearer, too! ******************************************************************************* Here's a couple BenchTip items for use in your club newsletter, Brad TOOTHPICKS The round, stronger toothpicks have a multitude of uses on the jewelry bench. I use them for mixing epoxy resin, for applying paste solder, with Zam for polishing in tight spots, and with a bit of beeswax for picking up and positioning small stones. They're particularly good for testing the fit of a small faceted stone in a prong or tube set finding. PUMICE WHEELS Pumice wheels are good for touching up a bezel after you've set the stone. The hardness is about 6 on the Moh's scale, less hard than quartz, so it shouldn't scratch any of your jaspers. However, I'd avoid or be real careful of using pumice near the softer stones like turquoise, amber, howelite, etc. If you're unsure that a wheel is pumice, test it with a piece of glass. Glass is about 5 ½ on the Mohs scale. If it doesn't scratch glass, it shouldn't scratch quartz. MAGNETIC PIN FINISHER There is a good article about making your own magnetic tumbler at tumbler.html The person reporting this on the YahooGroups Jewelry Casting list says he's made two units from these plans and they work very well. In addition to the primary job of burnishing and polishing finished pieces, he also uses the units for cleaning investment from castings. The stainless steel pins are available from either Gesswein or Rio Grande. More BenchTips by Brad Smith are at groups.yahoo.com/group/benchtips/

4 The Piedmont Prospector Volume 52 Number 7 Page 4 Presentation: by Tom Kleeburg Our guest for this evening was Tom Kleeburg with Virginia Rock and Mining Corporation. His presentation concerned modern gold mining. As editor, I would like to transfer his presentation to this news letter; I could not. Earlier that day I had a medical issue and an injection of cortisone into my left knee. I think they used a 10 penny nail. I had to leave early I apologize another reason our good folks need to show up for our meetings. Therefore, I will glean from the internet something close to the presentation. GOLD IN NORTH CAROLINA: A summary of Tom s presentation Gold has been an important part of North Carolina s history since 1799, the date of the first authenticated discovery of gold in the United States. North Carolina was the nation s only gold-producing state from 1803 until 1828, and continued as a leading producer until 1848 when gold was discovered in California. By about 1830, the leading mines in North Carolina were hard-rock mines rather than surface placer operations. Output probably peaked in the early 1830s and again in the late 1840s. The most famous mines in the South were at Gold Hill, where one shaft eventually reached a depth of 800 feet. Writer and illustrator Porte Crayon visited Gold Hill in 1857 for Harper s New Monthly Magazine and created the best surviving images of antebellum Carolina mining. The federal government built a branch mint at Charlotte which coined southern gold from 1838 until the start of the Civil War in Production continued sporadically in the late 1800s and early 1900s, but since that time gold output has been minor. The last significant production was from 1954 to 1963 as a byproduct of copper mining in the Blue Ridge. In response to rising gold prices in the mid-1970s, interest was renewed in North Carolina gold. Prices rose to a high of $850 per ounce in 1980, but eventually became stable at around $350 to $400 per ounce from the late 1980s to the early 1990s. These higher gold prices and new methods of extracting gold from low-grade ores encouraged exploration for new deposits. Although no new mines were opened in North Carolina, four gold mines were operated in South Carolina. In the late 1990s, gold prices fell to below $300 per ounce and gold activity once again decreased. Recreational gold panning remains a popular past time in North Carolina. It is difficult to find large amounts of gold, but the possibility of finding even a little "color" in a gold pan is hard to resist. The following information should answer some of the most commonly asked questions about gold. HOW TO IDENTIFY GOLD: If you aren't sure it's gold, it probably isn't! Pyrite and yellow-colored mica are frequently mistaken for gold, but can easily be distinguished. Gold is very soft (2.5-3 on Mohs scale of hardness) and can be hammered into thin sheets without shattering. It is heavy (specific gravity of 19.3 when pure) and is insoluble in all acids except aqua regia (a mixture of hydrochloric and nitric acids). Pyrite is harder than gold (6-6.5 on Mohs scale) and is brittle. When struck with a hammer, it shatters. It is also relatively light (specific gravity of 5.02). Pyrite frequently forms small cubes. Mica, on the other hand, is as soft as gold (hardness 2-2.5), but naturally occurs in thin sheets or flakes that can be split into individual sheets. It is lighter than gold (specific gravity of ) and can be smeared out with a fingernail or a sharp object.

5 The Piedmont Prospector Volume 52 Number 7 Page 5 LANDS OPEN TO PROSPECTING: Most property in North Carolina is privately owned. Individuals interested in non-commercial prospecting should obtain permission from the landowner prior to entering private property. Most landowners are cooperative, but do not tolerate trespassers. For serious mining, a lease agreement or purchase of mineral rights can be negotiated with the landowner. Unless bought separately, mineral rights are normally retained by the landowner. Property deeds are recorded in courthouses in the county seat of each county. These records can be examined to determine land ownership. STATE & FEDERAL LANDS: Most federal lands in North Carolina are in parks and forests. Although prospecting is not permitted in national parks, prospecting or exploration permits are occasionally granted in national forests. The district forest ranger should be contacted for permits and regulations. Prospecting is not allowed in state-owned parks or forests. PERMITS & REGULATIONS: Any mining must be carried out in accordance with the North Carolina Mining Act of Anyone operating a mine that affects more than one acre of surface area must obtain a permit, post a bond, and develop a reclamation program. Further information is available from the Land Quality Section of the Division of Land Resources, 1612 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina , telephone (919) Information on permits may be obtained from the NC DENR Customer Service Center, 1640 Mail Service Center, Raleigh, North Carolina , telephone (877) All mining operations must comply with state and federal laws pertaining to safety and health requirements. Prior to opening a mine, operators should contact the Mine and Quarry Division of the North Carolina Department of Labor, 4 West Edenton Street, Raleigh, NC 27601, telephone (919) or (800) LABORNC ( ). WHERE GOLD WAS MINED: Gold occurs in North Carolina in both lode (veins or mineralized zones) and placer (stream sediment or residual) deposits. Although deposits were mined in both the Piedmont and Mountain regions, most of the early production was in the central Piedmont, particularly in the Carolina slate belt and in Mecklenburg County. The slate belt includes the Gold Hill and Cid Mining districts and such mines as the Reed Mine in Cabarrus County, the Gold Hill Mine in Rowan County, and the Silver Hill Mine in Davidson County. Mecklenburg County contained more mines and prospects than any other county in the state. The most important mines in Mecklenburg County were the Capps, Rudisil and St. Catherine Mines. Other counties in the slate belt where gold was mined include Guilford, Montgomery, Moore, Orange, Randolph, Stanly and Union. In the western Piedmont, mines were located in Caldwell, Catawba, Davie, Gaston, Lincoln, Mecklenburg, McDowell, Polk, Rutherford, Wilkes and Yadkin Counties. In the Mountain region, mines and prospects were located in Ashe, Buncombe, Cherokee, Clay, Henderson, Jackson, Transylvania and Watauga Counties. Copper mines in Ashe and Swain Counties produced byproduct gold.

6 The Piedmont Prospector Volume 52 Number 7 Page 6 WHERE TO FIND GOLD: Most of the gold-exploration companies in North Carolina are looking for invisible gold associated with volcanic rocks. Amateur prospectors are looking for the coarser gold found in streams and quartz veins. Streams flowing through former gold-producing districts offer the best opportunities for panning. Although these streams were prospected many times, much of the fine gold was lost during earlier activities. Because stream action and erosion redistributed the gold, it is still possible to find small amounts of gold in the stream sediments (placers). It is also possible to find gold in quartz veins exposed at the surface of the ground. Although there are many quartz veins, it is rare to find one that contains gold. The best place to find gold in streams is where they begin to widen or change in velocity, such as along the insides of bends or in slow-water areas below rapids. Gold also tends to work its way to the bedrock and often accumulates in crevices, depressions, and potholes in rock underlying the streams. Streams such as Little Buffalo Creek in Rowan and Cabarrus Counties, Dutch Buffalo Creek in Cabarrus County, Cabin Creek in Moore County, the Uwharrie River in Montgomery County and streams in the South Mountain area might be good places to try panning. The Cotton Patch Mine near New London, Stanly County, is open to the public for panning. For a fee, gold seekers can pan from sediments dug from a small creek. Gold can also be panned at the Reed Gold Mine in Cabarrus County. This mine was purchased by the state in 1972, and is now operated as a state historic site. A portion of the underground workings has been restored and a visitor center offers exhibits illustrating the history of the mine. Additional information is available from the Reed Gold Mine, 9621 Reed Mine Road, Stanfield, NC 28163, telephone (704) 721-GOLD(4653). Visit the Reed Gold Mine official Internet site At Gold Hill, 20 miles north of Reed, there is a small historic park and trail that may be of interest. EQUIPMENT TO USE IN PANNING: The two basic tools needed for panning are the miner s pan and a shovel. Other equipment can be added depending upon how seriously intent one is at finding the hard-to-get-at gold. A sturdy hook or spoon for gouging out crevices in bedrock, a magnet for removing magnetite from the heavy mineral concentrates, a magnifying glass, a geologist s pick, and containers in which to keep the gold and concentrates are all helpful. Additional equipment such as rockers, longtoms, sluices, or portable suction dredges can be used when larger volumes of material are worked. Much of the equipment can be purchased from rock and mineral dealers. WHERE TO SELL GOLD: Gold concentrates and nuggets can usually be sold to individual buyers as well as rock and mineral dealers. Nuggets usually have a higher value as specimen samples and jewelry than at world market prices. Gold obtained from lode deposits can also be sold as specimens or, when refining is necessary, the unrefined gold can be sold to a refinery. Large lots are needed for shipping since handling costs often exceed the value of the gold. ****************************************************************************** Life Expectancy, by Jay Leno In the U.S. has risen to a new record of 78.2 years. The bad news is that the average age a person has to work to before they can retire is now 78.3 years.

7 SCHEDULE Jan. 3: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Dues are due. Feb. 7: MEMBERSHIP Snow day. MEETING March 7: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors special meeting 6:00 PM April 4: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Spring Auction May 2: MEMBERSHIP MEETING June 6: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors 6:30 PM July 11: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Board of Directors-6:30 PM Aug. 1: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Sept. 12: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Nomination Committee Oct. 3 MEMBERSHIP MEETING Fall Auction Nov 7: MEMBERSHIP MEETING Ballot in Newsletter Dec 5, 2011 Holiday dinner, Dirty-Rotten-Santa ; Awards; Election results; Hospitality Dec. 6 Holiday dinner; Dirty-Rotten-Santa ; Awards; Election results; Hospitality 2010 possible Show dates: 3, 4, & 5. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month (except holidays ) at 7:00 PM at New Garden Friends Meeting Friendship Hall, 801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC, phone (336) or joe_maguire@prodigy.net. Meetings are held the first Monday of each month (except holidays ) at 7:00 PM at New Garden Friends Meeting Friendship Hall, 801 New Garden Road, Greensboro, NC, phone (336) or joe_maguire@prodigy.net. How to get to the meeting: Get off Interstate 40 ( I-40 ) at Guilford How to College get to the exit, meeting: Go north towards Greensboro. You will cross railroad tracks at Market Get Street; off Interstate Continue 40 ( north I-40 ) at another Guilford College 1.1 miles exit, to Go the north second towards traffic Greensboro. light, You this will is cross Friendly railroad Avenue. tracks at Market The meeting Street; Continue is at north the next another light 1.1 so miles get into the the second left traffic lane. light, Continue this is Friendly north Avenue. one tenth The meeting of a mile is at the to the next next light so traffic get into light the left and lane. driveway Continue north entrance. one tenth of Turn a mile left to the into next the traffic light meeting and driveway property entrance. and park Turn left in into the the back. meeting property and park in the back. The Greensboro Gem and Mineral Club, Inc. Year 2011 Officers: President & Chairperson Vice President Treasurer Secretary Program Chair Debbie Livingston Joe Maguire Chief Executive John Hiller c/o Club address c/o Club address Kathie Montgomery c/o Club address bbbdalivingston@aol.com c/o Club address Jhiller@triad.rr.com hiller1927@gmail.com joe_maguire@prodigy.net kbmonty@triad.rr.com Board of Directors for 2010: 2011: Steve Smith Steve 11 Smith 11 Debbie Livingston Debbie Livingston '12 '12 Gary Parker Gary '13 Parker '13 Dr. Ed Robson Open 11 Joe Maguire Joe Maguire '12 '12 Mary Barto Mary '13 Barto '13 Ed Deckert Ed Deckert John Hiller John '12 Hiller '12 Ernie Crawford Ernie Crawford '13 '13 Honorary Life Members: Dr. Cyril H. Harvey & Judith W. Harvey Joe Meadows Steve and Grace Smith Joe & Pat Maguire Steve Adams Laurie Adams Dr. Jean & Kevin Bonebreak Joyce & Kelly Patton Mac & Marie Anderson-Whitehurst Dr. Tim & Elaine Biggart Russ Holshouser Program Chair: Kathie Montgomery Hospitality: Kathie Montgomery Membership: Joe Maguire Editor: Joe Maguire Historian: Club Secretary Show Chair: Ed Deckert, Steve Smith Librarian: OPEN Web Chair: OPEN Shaun Shelton Faceting education: John Hiller Trip Chair: Shawn Shelton & Laurie Adams Auctioneers: Steve Smith / Steve Adams Publicity: OPEN Special events/geodes: Steve Smith McCreery Fund: Club Treasurer Holiday Dinner coordinator: Elaine Styers & Debbie Livingston Show Hospitality: Joyce Patton & Grace Smith Facebook: Paula Turner

8 The Piedmont Prospector 2002 winner AFMS LARGE BULLITEN The Greensboro Gem and Mineral Club, Inc. The Piedmont Gemcutter's Guild c/o GGMC Editor P.O. Box Greensboro, NC July 11, 2011 Vol. 52, No. 7 July Show Dates: Items of interest: (Something going on? Let us know.) 1-3 FISHERSVILLE, VIRGINIA: 24th annual show, Fishersville/Waynesboro Area Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show ; Treasures Of The Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows; Augusta Expoland, 277 Expo Rd., I64 Exit 91; Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; adults $3 (3-day ticket), children under 16 free; jewelry makers, goldsmiths, silversmiths, gem trees, wire wrap, wire sculpture, pearls, stone beads, stone setting, dealers, amber, opal, minerals, fossils, door prizes, classes; contact Van Wimmer Sr., 5273 Bradshaw Rd., Salem, VA 24153, (540) ; van@toteshows.com; Web site: BOONE, NORTH CAROLINA: 17th annual show, High Country Bead, Gem, Mineral & Jewelry Show ; Treasures Of The Earth Gem & Jewelry Shows; National Guard Armory, 274 Hunting Hills Ln. (near the hospital); Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-5; adults $2 (3-day ticket), children under 16 free; jewelry makers, U.S. goldsmiths and silversmiths, repairs while you wait, gem trees, wire wrap, wire sculpture, pearls, stone beads, stone setting, amber, opal, mineral and fossil dealers, door prizes, grand prize; contact Van Wimmer Sr., 5273 Bradshaw Rd., Salem, VA 24153, (540) ; van@toteshows.com; Web site: FRANKLIN, NORTH CAROLINA: Retail show; Gem & Mineral Society of Franklin; Macon County Community Bldg., 1288 Georgia Rd.; Thu. 10-6, Fri. 10-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 11-4; adults $3, seniors and students $2, children 12 and under free; minerals, beads, handcrafted jewelry, rough and cut stones, lapidary equipment, demonstrations, door prizes, gold and silver jewelry, findings, jewelry repairs and mounting; contact Linda Harbuck, 425 Porter St., Franklin, NC 28734, (800) ; e- mail: lindah@franklin-chamber.com; Web site: