The Cutting Edge In this month s Newsletter: Monthly Newsletter of the Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club President s Message p. 1 OLMC Meeting p. 2 MiG Meeting p. 2 Hematite p. 3 November Birthstones p. 4 Fieldtrips 2017 p. 5 Christmas Party Preparation p. 5 Jewellery / Metalsmithing Workshops p.6 OLMC Classified p. 8 Workshop calendar p. 9 Membership form p. 10 Workshop Address: 1000 Brookfield Road, Ottawa Mailing Address: Room #22, 1000 Brookfield Road Ottawa, ON K1V 6J1 Phone: 613-700-GEMS (4367) Website: http://www.olmc.ca Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ OttawaLapsmithMineralClub In the month of October the club received, out of the blue, a sizable donation from an old Montreal lapidary dealer who had moved to California and was cleaning out his storage locker here in Ottawa. Among the items was a trim saw, lapidary rough, tumbling rough, Quartz pieces of various kinds and books. We are down to one fieldtrip director again (Frank Stoyles), who would welcome trip suggestions. Anyone who wishes to organize collecting trips please contact any member of the executive. One trip a year to somewhere you know is good enough. I will be leading at least one trip a year to places far away. Our Programme director Russ Black resigned last spring. That position is also open. We now have a state of the art club computer. Anyone who has club files on their computer can send them to Kerry Day at: kaygeedeerocks@gmail.com Note that for the month of November, our OLMC meeting is on the 23 rd of November, and we won t have a meeting in December. Kerry Day Newsletter Editor: All members are invited to submit articles, proposals, or any thoughts that could be included in the newsletters. Also, feel free to send your Classified ads by e-mail to: News@OLMC.ca Stéphane Jetté, OLMC Newsletter Editor
Thursday, November 23, 2017, 7:30 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Location: OLMC Workshop 1000 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, ON Philippe Belley, PhD candidate in gem deposit geology, chronicles his gemstone and crystal hunting trips to Ontario, Quebec, Nunavut, B.C., and the United States undertaken since 2006. This lecture will feature: pulling out perfect quartz crystals from rock faces near Whistler, B.C.; a secret crystal-lined cave in the backwoods of Quebec; recovering gem peridot from volcanic flows; visiting sapphire, spinel and lapis lazuli deposits in the Arctic; and finding topaz and sunstone in the deserts of the American South-West. Come see the amazing geologic heritage that lies hidden in North America's vast, breathtaking wilderness. Club Meetings! We all meet to share our knowledge and interest about gems, mineral, and jewellery! For details or comments please contact: pres@olmc.ca The Tourmaline of the Himalayas Monday, November 20, 2017, 7:30 p.m. 9:30 p.m. Location: OLMC Workshop 1000 Brookfield Road, Ottawa, ON Following his presentation in September, Santa Man Rai, retired geology professor and club member, will do his presentation about the tourmalines found in Nepal at the top of the Himalayas. Note that there will be no MiG meeting in December, Christian Rochefort, chrisroche644@gmail.com OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 2
Extracts from: http://minesqc.com Hematite is the most abundant form of iron ore oxide (Fe2O3), one of several iron oxides. Hematite crystallizes in the rhombohedral lattice system, and it has the same crystal structure as ilmenite and corundum. Hematite and ilmenite form a complete solid solution at temperatures above 950 C. It may be black, silver, red or brown in color. Red hematite is the most commonly used industrial type. Its iron content is 69.9%. In the natural state, hematite ores contain iron oxides bound to other minerals. The ore is broken and crushed to free the particles. Since the iron oxide particles are heavier than the other elements, they are separated by a gravity separation process. When the iron oxide concentrate is too fine, it is formed into pellets. Hematite is harder than pure iron, but much more brittle. Hematite is found in a wide range of geological contexts, especially in France, Italy and Brazil. It has even been discovered on the planet Mars! Because of the iron it contains, hematite colours water red, and mine tailings sometimes have a blood-red hue. The name hematite comes from the Latin word for blood, since hematite powder was used as a red pigment. Early humans used powdered hematite as a pigment to decorate the walls of their caves. Pliny the Elder mentioned hematite in his writing in 77 AD. In the Ancient World, hematite pigments were used to produce cosmetics. Today, hematite is used to produce heavy concrete, cast iron, steel and alloys. The mineral can also be used as a pigment and to produce enamels and englobes in ceramics production. In jewellery, hematite is common as beads, rings, pendants, and cabochons. Adherents of crystal healing believe that hematite is an effective remedy for varicose veins and circulatory problems and strengthens the lungs, liver and kidneys. OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 3
Extracts from: American Gem Society http://www.americangemsociety.org/en/birthstones Individuals born in November can choose between two sunny gemstones to brighten up this chilly month. November s birthstones, topaz and citrine, are both known for their calming energies, bringing warmth and fortune to those who wear them. Topaz and Citrine look so similar, in fact, that they ve often been mistaken for one another throughout history. They are actually unrelated minerals, and topaz occurs in a wide spectrum of colors far beyond yellow. Both of November s birthstones are fairly abundant and affordably priced. Through much of history, all yellow gems were considered topaz and all topaz was thought to be yellow. Topaz is actually available in many colors, and it s likely not even related to the stones that first donned its name. Pure topaz is colorless, but it can become tinted by impurities to take on any color of the rainbow. Precious topaz, ranging in color from brownish orange to yellow, is often mistaken for smoky quartz or citrine quartz, respectively although quartz and topaz are unrelated minerals. Measuring 8 on the Mohs scale, topaz is a rather hard and durable gem. Its perfect cleavage can make it prone to chipping or cracking, but when cut correctly, topaz makes very wearable jewelry. November s second birthstone, citrine, is the variety of quartz that ranges from pale yellow to brownish orange in color. It takes its name from the citron fruit because of these lemon-inspired shades. The pale yellow color of citrine closely resembles topaz, which explains why November s two birthstones have been so easily confused throughout history. Citrine s yellow hues are caused by traces of iron in quartz crystals. This occurs rarely in nature, so most citrine on the market is made by heat treating other varieties of quartz usually the more common, less expensive purple amethyst and smoky quartz to produce golden gems. With a hardness of 7 on the Mohs scale, citrine is relatively durable against scratches and everyday wear-and-tear making it a lovely option for large, wearable jewelry. OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 4
There were four organized field trips this season. Besides the great trip to Cabonga for blue corundum, we went to Craigmont for bronze corundum, Perth for fishscale peristerite with a side trip to Rideau Ferry for Perthite and to the Quadeville beryl pit for various treasures. Each of these trips were very well attended and, due partly to the great weather, we had very pleasant hunting! Due to circumstances, another trip this season is uncertain, but if we can work it in, a separate e-mail with details will be sent to all the members. Frank Stoyles, FStoyles@gmail.com Our party will be on: Saturday evening, December 16 th At the Wabano Centre : http://wabano.com The Wabano Centre is located at 299 Montreal Road, Ottawa, Ontario K1L 6B8. We will do a pot luck, as usual. Mark your calendars! Doors will open at 5pm with dinner at 6pm. The raffle ticket are for sale at the workshop! The raffle rocks will in display at the workshop in about a week; meanwhile this is the picture If you would like to help setting the Christmas Party, feel free to share your thoughts with me! John Skelton, sec@olmc.ca OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 5
Hello and Happy Autumn! Thank you for your interest in Jewellery / Metalsmithing Workshops at: FM Silversmithing Studio, in Merrickville. Unless otherwise indicated, all workshops are 3 hours in length and can accomodate 4 people. I am quite flexible for dates and times and willing to offer alternate times to groups of 4 people. Our first couple of classes have been very successful and there are still spaces left for November and December dates: Wax Carving to Metal Creation This is a two part workshop. Part One is a 3-hour workshop to carve your own ring, pendant or earring design into wax using a variety of different tools All material is provided. The wax model you created will be cast off-site in silver. Part Two of this workshop involve returning to the studio for two hours for casting clean-up. At this time you will learn proper filing, sanding and polishing techniques to finish your pieces. Pricing is based on 10 grams of sterling silver : $150 + HST = $169.50 November Part One: Thursday Nov 9 th 5-8 pm, Part Two: Thursday Nov 30 th 5-7 pm December Part One: Saturday Dec 2 nd 10 am-1 pm, Part Two: Saturday Dec 16 th 10 am -12 pm Stacking or Band Ring Making This is a 3-hour workshop where you will learn basic jewellery fabrication, including sawing, forming, soldering, filing, sanding, and finishing. Rings may be stamped with letters or hammered for a textured finish. You will leave, based on your material choice, with a silver band ring or two sterling silver stacking rings. No experience is necessary $95 + HST = $107.35 November, Wednesday 1 st, 1-4 pm December, Saturday 9 th, 10 am-1 pm OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 6
Solder and Spin: Spinner Bands! This class suits those who have already completed a stacking and band ring workshop. Furthering your new knowledge and skills in soldering, sizing and finishing rings, you will create a band ring overlaid with 1-2 inner "spinner" bands. Planished textures or other surface treatments are an option. Great for fidgety people! $110 + HST Saturday, Nov 4 th, 10 am-1 pm Pierce and Planish Make a personalized pendant and matching earrings in this 3 hour workshop. You will design your own shapes to cut out or "pierce" using a jeweller's saw, continuing with filing, sanding. Adding a texture using hammers (called "planishing") will create an eye-catching surface on your silver pieces. A final polish will make them sparkle! $110 + HST. Wednesday Nov 15 th 1-4 pm Thursday Dec 14 th 5-8 pm Cuttlefish Casting Cuttlefish bones have been used for centuries in jewellery casting. The soft interior of the bone can be carved easily using a variety of tools to form a mold. Using a melting torch, silver grains are then melted and poured into the mold resulting in a desirable shape with an interesting texture. Ideal for making pendants, rings or lucky charms! For larger designs you can recycle your own old silver pieces and give them new life! $110 + HST. Saturday, Nov 25 th 10 am - 1 pm Wednesday Dec 6 th 1-4 pm Please contact me to register. Also, if there is another time and date you would like and you have a group of four, I would be happy to work with you. Hourly Workbench rental available for experienced metalsmiths. Private classes available at a rate of $30 per hour. Thank you, Fiona Macintyre 330 Main Street East, Merrickville, ON Tel.: 613-269 3070 Website: www.fionamacintyre.ca Facebook: Fiona Macintyre Design, Instagram: @jewelfee OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 7
Ads need to be sent at News@OLMC.ca SIMPLE CASTING AND METAL CLAY CLASS A combined class of silver metal clay and silver casting is proposed for Thursday evenings in January and February. Sign up at the club or phone Karl at 613 220-8729. PRECIOUS CANTAINERS AND CHASING A combined class of making small silver containers about 2 inches high and 1 inch in diameter with a fancy lid or making a small project in silver using a chasing and repousse technique is planned for Thursday mornings starting at the end of January for 4 weeks. Sign up at the club or phone Karl at 613 220-8729. OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 8
Contact: President Kerry Day pres@olmc.ca Vice-President Arnold Roos vicepres@olmc.ca Secretary John Skelton sec@olmc.ca Treasurer Rita Hudec treasurer@olmc.ca Workshop Chair Jean-Guy Bradette workshop@olmc.ca Membership Chair Nathalie Bourget memberchair@olmc.ca Program Chair Russell Black programchair@olmc.ca Newsletter Editor Stéphane Jetté news@olmc.ca November 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 5 6 Faceting 6:30pm-9pm 12 13 Carving 19 20 MiG meeting 7:30pm-9pm 26 27 Faceting 6:30pm-9pm 7 14 21 28 1 8 15 22 29 2 3 4 9 10 11 16 17 18 23 OLMC General Meeting 7:30pm-9pm 30 Board Meeting 7pm 9pm 24 25 December 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 3 4 Carving 6:30pm-9pm 10 11 MiG No Meeting 17 18 Faceting 6:30pm-9pm 24 / 31 25 Workshop Closed 5 12 19 26 Workshop Closed 6 13 20 27 Workshop Closed 7 OLMC No Meeting 14 No Board Meeting 1 2 8 9 15 16 Christmas Party! 21 22 23 Workshop Closed 28 29 30 Workshop Closed We are on Facebook, join us! http://www.facebook.com/ottawalapsmithmineralclub OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 9
Membership Application for the Year: 2018 New Membership Membership renewal $20 Single (one individual) $30 Family (2 or more persons under the same residence) $60 Annual workshop access fee (optional) Name: Address: City: Province: Postal Code: Tel.: Please specify how you would like to receive OLMC s newsletter: By e-mail: By mail Do you need a receipt? Yes No Administration use only: Card provided: Yes No Supervisor signed: Yes No Payments are payable to Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club. Please mail your membership form and fees to: Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club 1000 Brookfield Road, Room #22 Ottawa, ON, K1V 6J1 OLMC phone: 613-700-4367 Other services: $25 Members Newsletter advertisement half to a quarter pages per calendar year; $55 Businesses Newsletter advertisement (advertising fee plus a business membership). Locker Fee: $25 per year depends on locker availability Mandatory Workshop Course for Making Cabochons: $55 - required for all members who want to use the workshop machinery. Questions? Please contact us by phone or email workshop@olmc.ca for details. OLMC s monthly newsletter November 2017 Page 10