Vol 51 # 8 August 2012 STONE OF THE MONTH (modern) Peridot

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1 The Crystal Gazette Vol 51 # 8 August 2012 STONE OF THE MONTH (modern) Peridot Doubling of Lily pad Inclusions Peridot in volcanic rock from Kilauea Volcano, Hawaii Notices and Phone Nos Management Committee Meeting: Thu 13th Sept 2012, Room 428, 38 Gawler Place, 6 pm. President: Sue Arthur, FGAA,Dip DT,Cert IV T&A, M Secretary: Sandra Pimlott, FGAA, Dip DT Ph Treasurer: Don Bennett B.E. FGAA Ph Education: Tanya Cerny FGAA M Lise Jensen FGAA M

2 The Crystal Gazette Is Going Online!! From July, the Crystal Gazette will be on the GAA website in printable PDF format. You can also have your Crystal Gazette ed to you in PDF format, rather than mailed to you in hard copy. If you would prefer a paper hard copy sent out to you, rather than in format, please your preference to Tanya Cerny at tanya@australianpublications.com The SA Div of the JAA invites members of the GAA to the JAA Christmas Party. The party will be held at the Saracen's Head Hotel, 82 Carrington St, Adelaide When: Wed 21 st Nov, 2012 The cost will be $15 for JAA members, $20 for non JAA members. Apprentices are Free Food and 1 raffle ticket is included. Drinks are not included. Lots of Prizes!!!! Raffle Tickets on Sale $2 ea or 3 for $5.00 GAA Quiz Night and Christmas Party Please note, this years Quiz night will be done in conjunction with the end of year Christmas Party. What this space for more details.

3 Notes & Reminders TO REGISTER for any GAA course PLEASE CONTACT: Education: Tanya Cerny FGAA,. M or Lise Jensen FGAA M or Secretary Sandra Pimlott , sandrapimlott676@hotmail.com 2012 Courses Commencing dates Pearl & Bead Threading $200 members, $225 non members 25 th August Intro to Gemmology- 8 th and 15 th Sept, November-$275 Gemmology Update- $2750* *Course offered depending on numbers enrolling Note :- Prices given are members prices- Non-members please contact Secretary for prices. ROOMS ATTENDANCE AND VOLUNTEERS Please note that attendance at the rooms on Fridays for cataloguing, testing of stones, qualified members use of instruments and students extra study/practical opportunities has commenced. Extra volunteers to assist are welcomed. Second Hand Books for students If you want to sell your gemmology study books please contact the Secretary. Typical are Gems Webster, Gemstones of the World Schumann, also Read, Bruton, Nassau, Liddicoat any edition A big thank you to Ian Strout from Ottaways Jewellers for conducting the Introduction to Antique Jewellery Course in July. The collection on display once again was amazing!!! A big thank you to Lee Chapman, who spoke at the July Monthly meeting. His talk on gold, investing in Gold and XRD testing was enjoyed by all who attended. MONTHLY MEETINGS: There will be no August monthly Meeting. It is being replaced this month with a visit to the Mineral Collection at the SA Museum. Please note positions are full. 3

4 COURSES: COMING SOON!!! PEARL AND BEAD THREADING Presented by Jacky Hutchens from Tiaras Jewellery Learn the art of beading Pearls and beads. 25 th August, 9am-4pm $200 for members, $225 for non-members INTRODUCTION TO GEMS AND GEMMOLOGY This basic course is designed for jewellers, hobbyists or for people traveling overseas. Gems and Gemmology provides students with an opportunity to assess whether they wish to proceed with a range of more advanced short courses or the intensive two year Diploma in Gemmology. 8 th & 15 th Sept, 9am-5pm $275 Flat Rate Spend A Minute With Your Council Members... Edward Vabolis Edward has completed the Diploma in Gemmology, Practical Diamond Grading, Advanced Diamond Grading and is currently the Gem 1 lecturer and Committee member. He is also a Pawnbroker and jewellery dealer, father of 4 children that I know of, Catholic (lapsed). Tall. Grey hair ( what's left of it ). Sorbent is my favourite toilet paper. 1, What is it about gemmology that you love and what first attracted you to gemmology? Part business but mainly I like to learn new things and keep the old brain box working. 2, What is your favourite gemstone or mineral? Why? Rutile in Quartz (Venus hair)...eye candy at its best. 3, How long have you been a member of the GAA? 4 years 4, What is the best advice you have ever been given? You learn more about people by the questions they ask than by the answers they give. 5, What is your favourite book/song? Book. The Cyberiad by Stanislaw Lem 6, Where was you favourite holiday, or where would you love to visit? Barcelona and Barcelona 7, What is your earliest memory? The 1954 Adelaide earthquake. Being picked up by my Gran and running out the house. 8, If you could invite 3 people over for dinner, who would they be? Leonardo Di Vinci, Hitler, Audrey Hepburn 4

5 Gem Of The Month Peridot Chemistry The chemical composition of peridot is (Mg, Fe)2SiO4, with Mg in greater quantities than Fe. Etymology The origin of the name "peridot" is uncertain. The Oxford English Dictionary suggests an alteration of Anglo Norman pedoretés (classical Latin pæderot-), a kind of opal, rather than the Arabic word faridat, meaning "gem". Appearance Peridot is one of the few gemstones that occur in only one color, an olive green. The intensity and tint of the green, however, depends on how much iron is contained in the crystal structure, so the color of individual peridot gems can vary from yellow- to olive- to brownish-green. The most valued color is a dark olive-green. In culture Peridot olivine is the birthstone for the month of August. Confusion with other gems It is sometimes mistaken for emeralds and other green gems. In fact notable gemologist George Frederick Kuniz discussed the confusion between emeralds and peridots in many church treasures, notably the "Three Magi" treasure in the Dom of Cologne, Germany. Occurrence Geologically Olivine, of which peridot is a type, is a common mineral in mafic and ultramafic rocks, and it is often found in lavas and in peridotitexenoliths of the mantle, which lavas carry to the surface; but gem quality peridot only occurs in a fraction of these settings. Peridot can be also found in meteorites. Abundance Olivine in general is a very abundant mineral, but gem quality peridot is rather rare. This mineral is precious. Locations of occurrence Peridot olivine is mined in Egypt North Carolina, Arizona on the San Carlos Reservation, Hawaii, Nevada, and New Mexico at Kilbourne Hole, in the US; and in Australia, Brazil, China, Kenya, Mexico, Myanmar (Burma), Norway, Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, and Tanzania. High quality peridot was also recovered from anthills and in lamproite in the Leucite Hills of Wyoming. While searching for diamonds in the Leucite Hills, Dan Hausel recovered 13,000 carats of peridot from two anthills located near the Black Rock lamproite. In meteorites Peridot crystals have been collected from some Pallasite meteorites. A famous Pallasite was offered for auction in April 2008 with a requested price of close to $3 million at Bonhams, but remained unsold. Records The largest cut peridot olivine is a 310 carat (62 g) specimen in the Smithsonian Museum in Washington, D.C. 5

6 To access the GAA WebPage, please visit On home page on right hand side go to Member tab and enter in user name which is your own address and password which is gaa2012. If you have trouble accessing, then we may not have your current address. Please provide to your State Division. Once you have access, go to Update your details and add/correct any information displayed. If you are an FGAA then you are eligible to tick the Directory Opt In box if you wish to be part of the Find a Gemmologist service. You can also log a job opportunity through the Employment section. You also need to change your password to secure your details. IMPORTANT. Then SAVE at the bottom of the page. Short courses now up and running click on ONLINE COURSES tab The GAA e-learning suite The Gemmological Association of Australia (GAA) and the JAA bring you online learning. Written by Australians for the Australian Jewellery Industry and interested consumers. See brief descriptions of the courses under Educationonline. The e-learning suite 1.Introduction to Diamonds 2.Introduction to Coloured Gemstones 3.Introduction to Daily Jewellery Retail Business 4.Introduction to Jewellery 5.Introduction to Retail Jewellery Sales brought to you by the GAA 6.Introduction to Opals and Pearls - brought to you by the GAA Go to and follow the links The Adelaide Gem & Mineral Club Annual Exhibition 6 th October 10 am- 5pm 7 th October 10am- 4pm Payneham CommuntityCentre Adjacent to Library Turner St off OG RD, Payneham ` 'The Quartz Page' If you have a special interest in quartz, check this website 6

7 Pearl, one of Nature's finest creations, now synthesised in the labs by Cambridge University Pearls are one of the most treasured things in Nature - but now they may also become one of the most treasured man-made objects. For scientists have for the first time synthesised the strong, iridescent coating found on the inside of molluscs, making an artificial version. Nacre, also called mother of pearl, is the iridescent coating that is found on the inside of some molluscs and on the outer coating of pearls. By recreating the biological steps that form nacre in molluscs, the scientists were able to manufacture a material which has a similar structure, mechanical behaviour, and optical appearance of that found in nature. In order to create the artificial nacre, the scientists followed three steps. First, they had to take preventative measure to ensure the calcium carbonate, which is the primary component of nacre, does not crystallise when precipitating from the solution. This is done by using a mixture of ions and organic components in the solution that mimics how molluscs control this. The first 'artificial 'pearl': The strong, iridescent coating found on the inside of molluscs has been synthesised The precipitate can then be adsorbed to surfaces, forming layers of well-defined thickness. Next, the precipitate layer is covered by an organic layer that has 10-nm wide pores, which is done in a synthetic procedure invented by co-author Alex Finnemore. Finally, crystallisation is induced, and all steps are repeated to create a stack of alternating crystalline and organic layers. Professor Ulli Steiner, of the Department of Physics Cavendish Laboratory at the University of Cambridge, said: 'Crystals have a characteristic shape that reflects their atomic structure, and it is very difficult to modify this shape. The real thing: For the moment, Nature still provides the easiest way to get hold of pearls 'Nature is, however, able to do this, and through our research we were able to gain insight into how it grows these materials. Essentially, we have created a new recipe for mother of pearl using nature s cookbook.' Alex Finnemore, also of the Department of Physics Cavendish Laboratory, said: 'While many composite engineering materials outperform nacre, its synthesis entirely at ambient temperatures in an aqueous environment, as well as its cheap ingredients, may make it interesting for coating applications. 'Once optimised, the process is simple and can easily be automated.' 7

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9 Rio Tinto donate world record pink diamond to museum Rio Tinto is donating its massive pink diamond, found earlier this year at the Argyle mine, to a Melbourne museum. The diamond, which was previously carats, has cut and polished down to a 'disappointing' eight carats. While it was estimated to be worth around $12 million, the cutting process has highlighted a number of internal flaws throughout the diamond, which have dramatically dropped its value. The stone is believed to have had a single major internal fault line that put the stone at risk if cutting continued, so Rio decided instead to donate the partially finished stone to Museum Victoria. Museum Victoria's Robin Hirst explained that Rio Tinto has a tradition of donating diamonds to the museum. Rio initially found the rough pink diamond at its Argyle diamond mine in February this year. It was cut and polished as a single stone by Richard How Kim Kam, who has worked for the miner for more than twenty years. Kam began work on the diamond yesterday, after spending the past two months planning the cut, and will take nearly a fortnight to carry out the task. "This rare diamond is generating incredible excitement. A diamond of this calibre is unprecedented it has taken 26 years of Argyle production to unearth this stone and we may never see one like this again. The individual who gets to wear this remarkable pink diamond will be incredibly lucky indeed," Argyle pink diamonds manager Josephine Johnson stated, according to Diamond News. She went on to say that it is unprecedented in the company's history. "It has taken 26 years of Argyle production to unearth this stone and we may never see one like this again." While a price has not been set on the diamond, according to Johnson pink diamonds typically outperform white diamond prices and have been known to cost up to $1 million per carat. One of the miner's previous high quality pink diamonds, the Argyle Mystra, was only 2.02 carats. Museum Victoria's Robin Hirst explained that Rio Tinto has a tradition of donating diamonds to the museum. 9

10 Milenyum Mining no Longer Promotes "Zultanite Trademark" for its Turkish Diaspore Milenyum Mining Ltd (MML) the world s only supplier of the Turkish gemstone, color change diaspore, announces the termination of its relationship and support of the Zultanite Trademark. Mr. Murat Akgun, President of MML and the person who dedicated decades of his life to bringing the spectacular Turkish diaspore to its so well deserved worldwide fame and acclamation as Zultanite, decided that the promotion of this rare and unique gem will be better served under its genuine mineralogical name, rather than constriction by the bounds of a trademark. Mr. Akgun feels that branding will never actually permit to entirely set free the whole beauty and magic of this national treasure. Turkish diaspore is mined directly from its host rock at the world s only known gem quality diaspore deposit, high in Turkey s Anatolian Mountains and is internationally acclaimed by connoisseurs. From now on MML will provide only unbranded Turkish diaspore, under its original mineralogical true name. The mining company is famous for ethical mining techniques with environmentally safe procedures that protect water sources from chemicals, debris, rubbish, silt and biological pollutants; minimize the destruction of flora and fauna; restore mined land as close as possible to its original condition and furthermore, strongly oppose unfair labor practices and believe all employers should provide safe working environments. With the latest massive increase of European and US interest in this beautiful and extraordinary rare gemstone, MML believes that the only true and effective marketing and distribution is not thru a proprietary brand but by the gem s own beauty and magic Turkish diaspore speaks for itself, indoors or outdoors, by day or night, and radiates a subtle, sophisticated appeal. The gem s beguiling color palette, combined with an exotic pedigree, will continue to bewitch jewelry connoisseurs around the globe. MML is the world s sole supplier of Turkish Diaspore. Responsible for all cutting and marketing of this phenomenal gemstone, our mission is to introduce jewelry connoisseurs around the globe to Turkish diaspore s unique beauty and rarity. MML is a member of The International Colored Gemstone Association. 10

11 TERACAST Diamond Merchants T F Suite 403, 38 Gawler Place Adelaide SA louise@teracast.com.au Contact Louise We encourge our members to use the services of the advertisers in the Crystal Gazette. They are great supporters of the GAA. Check out the reflection in this foilbacked diamond from an Indian ornament, circa 1800 Photo courtesy of Jack Ogden, Gem-A

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