Club Objectives: To collect and study minerals and rock. To disseminate a general knowledge of the science of mineralogy and allied subjects. To provide opportunity for the exhibition and exchange of specimens. Annual Membership Dues Adults: $ 20.00 Juniors: $ 10.00 (10-18 yr) Club business meeting : 1st Friday of the month: 7:00 PM Workshop: 2nd, 3rd, & 4th Fridays of the month 6:30 PM Location: 25647 W. Main St Barstow, Ca 92311 MDGMS Officers 2018 President: Danny Watts Vice-President: Scott Stevenson Treasurer: Judy Livingston Secretary: La Vella Tomlinson Board of Directors Bill Johnson Janna Johnson Joe Sumners Tony Pizzo John Printz Past Pres.: Vivian Watts Editors: Wayne Mallon La Vella Tomlinson Lana Heller-Wood Rock of the Month Variscite Variscite- is a rare hydrated aluminum phosphate mineral with a chemical composition of AlPO4 2H2O. It is usually green in color, ranging from yellowish green to bluish green. It does not have any significant industrial use. Variscite specimens of exceptional color and appearance are often cut into gemstones, used to make small sculptures, or used as an ornamental stone in small projects. Geologic Occurrence of Variscite Variscite is rarely found in crystals that are large enough to see without magnification. Instead it usually occurs in cryptocrystalline masses, nodules, veins, or cavity fillings. These usually form as a secondary mineral in near-surface deposits where phosphate-bearing waters interact with minerals that contain aluminum. In the United States, variscite is found in Nevada, Utah, and Wyoming. It is also found in Australia, Brazil, Germany, Poland, and Spain. Variscite is often found in the same geographic areas as turquoise, and this can result in variscite being incorrectly identified as turquoise Variscite as a Gemstone Variscite of exceptional color and appearance is often cut into cabochons and sold as a collector stone. These cabochons are also used in jewelry. If you are interested in variscite jewelry, you will probably have a hard time finding it in a jewelry store. Variscite is a rare material, the jewelry-buying public is not familiar with it, and as a result, it is rarely seen in jewelry stores. You are more likely to find it at a lapidary show, a rock shop or in a shop that specializes in unusual gems and jewelry. You might be pleasantly surprised by the price. Because there is little demand for variscite it is relatively inexpensive. Variscite has a Mohs hardness of only 3.5 to 5, and because of that it is very easily abraded if used in a ring or a bracelet. It is best used as a pendant, in earrings, in pins, or in other items that will not be subjected to impact or abrasion. Variscite can also be scratched or damaged if it is stored or carried in ways that abrasion can occur. Staining can be a problem with variscite in jewelry. Variscite is a porous material that can be discolored by contact with oily skin, cosmetics or other substances. It is best used in designs that minimize skin contact. As a pendant, it can be worn with a piece of clothing between the gem and your body. Cleaning with warm water and a mild soap is recommended.
May Birthdays: Judy Livingston May 2 nd Wayne Mallon May 23 rd Leslie Walker May 28 th General Meeting Minutes April 6 th, 2018 The meeting was called to order at 7:00 pm by Scott Stevenson, vice president, followed by the Pledge of Allegiance to the Flag. Twenty one members were in attendance. Happy Birthday wishes were celebrated for our April birthday members. Delicious refreshments were brought by Chieko Printz, Sandy Wagner, Dale Peabody, & Alan Bigham. Thank you. Business: Dian Hare & Judy Livingston moved to approve the minutes of the April general meeting as read in the newsletter. The members voted to approve the minutes as motioned. Treasurers Report: Judy Livingston gave the treasury report for the past two months. The members voted to approve the Treasurers Report. Judy Livingston also reported that she secured the Cora Harper Center for November 30th, December 1st & 2nd, 2018, for our annual MDGMS Gem & Mineral Show. The fees and renewals are also paid. Program: An interesting video on Russia Gem Trails was shown. Workshop: Leslie Walker shared her trip to the annual Zzyzx Lapidary Workshop. Leslie worked on Quartz faceting. She returned with many pictures and ideas for members. Thank you Leslie and Scott Stevenson for holding the Friday workshops. Denise also returned to our 4th Friday workshop and shared her CFMS expert lapidary polishing tips with our members who attended her class last year. Denise was also on her way to Zzyzx. Even though the Genies are all spinning at workshops ~ no one brought a cab for Cab of the Month?
Lana Heller-Wood & her sister Mara shared a box of rocks that they have decorated this past month for the Wheel of Fortune. Mara donated rocks that she brought from the Kern River. Rock painting has continued at the workshops by La Vella Tomlinson, Lana & Mara, Daniel Wood, Diandra & Seth Perez, & Vivian Watts. Rocks to paint were also donated by John & Chieko Printz & La Vella & Bill Tomlinson. Wonderful prizes are being made for our Show Wheel of Fortune, thank you. Gayle Gilpin donated more fabric to sew grab bags. Joan Bird reported by email that she has completed 100 grab bags and is starting on another 50. Thank you Joan & Gayle. We will have to have a workshop on grab bags also! Ceci Kawasaki also reported by email that in addition to the gem trees she is making for each display case at the show, she has decided to make 25 trees for our $5 Wheel of Fortune. Bill & Janna Johnson collected Lavic Jasper bases for 25 trees. Thank you Ceci, Bill & Janna. Show & Tell: Many beauties were brought for our Rock of the Month Quartz crystals. John Printz brought a huge Amethyst Cathedral. Trisha & Norm Sheppeard brought an equally huge quartz crystal and smaller Citrine crystals. Scott Stevenson brought Alaska Amethyst and his Paul Bunyan agate. Leslie shared her Zzyzx faceted quartz crystals. Christen Berry also attended the classes, she shared her Cocoa Reef she found on their field trip with the class. She also shared some of her silversmithing and precious metal clay pieces.. Judy Livingston brought her Amethyst and Tangerine quartz crystals. Door Prizes: Dian Hare donated Hanksite and Sulfahailite from the Searles Lake area, Trona. There were 12 happy winners. Dian Hare & Trisha Sheppeard motioned to dismiss the meeting, & everyone agreed. The meeting was adjourned by Scott Stevenson at 8:27pm.
Show Dates In May May 4, 5 & 6: YUCAIPA, CA Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Society Yucaipa Music & Arts Festival Yucaipa Blvd and Adams St Hours: Fri 6 pm - 9 pm; Sat 12 noon - 10 pm Sun 12 noon - 7 pm Contact: Lee Peterson, (909) 794-0731 Email: res09ayd@verizon.net Website: www.yvgms.org May 5-6: ANAHEIM, CA Searchers Gem & Mineral Society Brookhurst Community Center 2271 W. Crescent Avenue Hours: Sat 10-5; Sun 10-4:30 Contact: Margaret Hogarth, (909) 815-3045 Email: hogarth.m@gmail.com Website: www.searchersrocks.org May 5-6: JACKSON, CA Amador County Gem & Mineral Society Kennedy Mine 12594 Kennedy Mine Rd (off Hwy 49/88) Hours: 10-4 daily Contact: Cheryl Smith, (209) 296-4061 Website: www.amadorgemandmineral.org ~Don t Forget to Bring Your Favorite Dish to our Summers Here Pot-Luck. ** Plus it s time for our annual ugly rock contest; so bring your ugliest rock to share with the club. ~*~Pot Luck and Contest will be on June 1 st, at 7pm.~*~
Variscite Q B C V L J R S I C P Z M E H T O I A Y A U B Z P A O T H Y K M U I B O R M B A V I C T D T I A B R O Z E L Q C H V C R S I N O L J C U N S B X P A A E R P Q A W M H I I V Q Z N T L H E T T I F R O N M U B Y E U O G E N G A X W N T N I A D D F S U E V C W O G C M G A O O Y M K M Y V C H O L B A V O N J M J A P H O S P H A T E H H P V V N S T I S O P E D E R N H L F R H E J T R Y O G J S H J Q M O I D M L C E Q L S O Z Z Q O E E I E N Z L C E D Z ALUMINUM CABOCHON DEPOSITS HYDRATED MINERAL NODULES ORNAMENTAL PHOSPHATE POROUS VARISCITE ** Always Remember to Have plenty of water with you when going into the desert ** *Don t forget to sign up for refreshments or door prizes for our 1 st of the month meetings *Special Thanks to all those who donate and volunteer their time to our club we appreciate it very much.
Mojave Desert Gem M & Mineral Society P.O. Box 138 Barstow, CA 92312 Stamp First Class Mail Desert Diggins