The Cutting Edge In this month s Newsletter: Monthly Newsletter of the Ottawa Lapsmith and Mineral Club President s Message p. 1 OLMC General Meeting p. 2 MiG Meeting p. 2 All is quiet as we head into summer. The workshop is fully operational, fieldtrips have started and there are no outstanding issues. Field Trips p. 3 Gem Show Crew p. 4 June Birthstone p. 6 OLMC Classified p. 8 Workshop calendar p. 9 Membership form p. 10 Show preparations are going well. Thanks go out to Eric Clara and his entire team. A motorized, green 8 inch saw has appeared in the saw room. If anyone knows where this saw came from or who owns it please contact Jean-Guy or myself. Workshop Address: 1000 Brookfield Road, Ottawa Mailing Address: Room #22, 1000 Brookfield Road Ottawa, ON K1V 6J1 The club has put a small display in the Ottawa Public Library, Barrhaven branch. Hopefully, we will get some new members out of it. Kerry Day Phone: 613-700-GEMS (4367) Website: http://www.olmc.ca Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/ OttawaLapsmithMineralClub 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
Summer auction We have lots of rocks and some equipment to sell. Donations and Consignment items are always welcome for the auction. Russell Black, Program Chair, programchair@olmc.ca OLMC Meeting Date: Thursday, June 8 th, 2017 Time: 7h30pm-9pm Location: OLMC Workshop 1000 Brookfield Road, Ottawa ON The Grenville Orogen in Ontario, its Geology and Metallogeny: What s Old is New Again Monday, June 19, 2017, 7:30pm - 9:30pm The June meeting speaker is courtesy of John Biczok, semi-retired Exploration Geologist and member of the club. Thank you John for organizing this. Our speaker will be Dr. R. Michael Easton, Senior Geoscience Leader, Proterozoic, Earth Resources and Geoscience Mapping Section, Ontario Geological Survey, Sudbury, Ont. Dr. Easton will present a talk titled The Grenville Orogen in Ontario, its Geology and Metallogeny: What s Old is New Again. This presentation will be a primer on Grenville geology and its mineral potential and is focused on the Ontario portion of the Grenville. The Grenville geological province is the assemblage of highly metamorphosed rocks (gneisses, marbles, metavolcanics, granitoids, etc.) that comprise the basement rocks for much of southeastern Ontario (as well as southern Quebec). These high-grade rocks not only provide mineral collectors with the wonderful apatite, titanite, calcite, quartz, and numerous other well crystallised minerals that the Grenville is known for, but it also contains past-producing ore deposits with the potential for more mineral discoveries! Dr. Easton has spent decades mapping the Grenville and is currently mapping an area just west of Ottawa. His talk will be an opportunity for us to learn about this unusual geological province from an expert and to ask questions about the mineral occurrences found within it. Dr. Easton has a BSc from Western University, MSc from the University of Hawaii, and a PhD from Memorial University. He was recognized in 2008 with the Ontario Provincial Geologists Medal for 25 years of exemplary service. He is known for his expertise and cutting edge research contributions to Precambrian geology, metamorphic and igneous petrology and Ontario s Grenville Subprovince. Mike is a mentor to numerous undergraduate and graduate level students and is a leader in contributing to a new generation of geoscientists with expertise in field mapping techniques. Mike is very active in the geological community and gives tirelessly to the national geoscience community as well as actively promoting Canadian geoscience for the benefit of all. Christian Rochefort, chrisroche644@gmail.com OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 2
Central Canadian Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CCFMS) http://www.ccfms.ca As member of the OLMC, we are also member of the CCFMS, and we are therefore allowed to their field trips. Contact: Ashley Pollock, 905-687-6503, npgstrips@gmail.com Ridgemount Quarry, Ridgeway, ON Any Friday that s convenient for you - you must call to make a reservation (905) 680-3755. Beryl Pit & Rose Quartz Mine, Quadeville, ON Can be visited on any day that s convenient for you - both sites are payto-collect - kid-friendly Rose Quartz Mine is by appointment only - you must email the site owners, please. Fieldtrip season is just beginning! Both the lapidary group and the MiG group are planning trips this year. More details for other field trips will be sent to club members by email as soon as possible! Frank Stoyles, FStoyles@gmail.com CABONGA FIELDTRIP Cabonga Reservoir Labour Day weekend September 1-3, 2017 Minerals to collect include pale-blue Corundum, Feldspar, Biotite crystals and yellow Diopside. Two cabins, with beds for 12, have been rented in Le Domaine that weekend. The cost is $75/person for 2 nights. The Cabonga fieldtrip is now open to everyone. There are 8 open spots as of June 1. Fees are to be forwarded to Kerry Day, Kaygeedeerocks@gmail.com OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 3
The Gem Show organisation team 2017 is already in action to produce a great Gem Show. Nevertheless, the Gem Show organisation Team cannot do everything on their own, especially during the show on September 16 and 17. Each Gem Show groups will need volunteers to fulfil all the required tasks. All the help time you can offer will be greatly appreciated! Gem Show Setup Floor Logistics: Calvin Jones Club sale corner Friday, September 15, is the day to set the Curling Ring for the show before the sellers get in. Sunday, September 17, after 5 PM we need to wrap-up everything out. This year, the Curling Ring requires that we vacate the area sooner; hence, we will need all the help we can get! All Club Members can sale their creation at the Gem Show. Interested members most complete the seller inventories form to describe what they will offer. The form will be available on the OLMC web site at: http://www.olmc.ca We would ask you the signal your sale intention by August 15, 2017. The final inventory form needs to be completed and submit by September 8, 2017. All this information is required to plan the sale display setup. All the Gem Show Crew Dealer Chair: Jo Stinson Door prizes: Jean-Guy Bradette Children's Activities: Darcy Paquet Demonstrations table: Judy Courteau OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 4
Admission: Rita Hudec Ushering: Don Fougère Membership and general information: Nathalie Bourget Creation Club Corner: Vicki Jasperes Display Cabinets: Karl Schutt You want to offer time? Please let us know by e-mail at showchair@olmc.ca Specify which activity you would like to cover, and for how long. You can make yourself available to fill-in help position as required. Don t forget that we will need set-up / wrap-up help for both Friday and Sunday evening. For those who like to share basic craft skills with children will be greatly appreciated at the children table activities! Thanks to you! We will all contribute together to a great Gem Show!! OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 5
Extracts from: American Gem Society http://www.americangemsociety.org/en/birthstones June is one of only two months that has three birthstones associated with it, giving the lucky people born in June a choice of gemstones between pearl, alexandrite, and moonstone. June s birthstones range from creamy-colored opalescent pearl and moonstone to the rare color-changing alexandrite one of the most valuable gems on earth Pearls are the only gemstones made by living creatures. Mollusks produce pearls by depositing layers of calcium carbonate around microscopic irritants that get lodged in their shells usually not a grain of sand, as commonly believed. While any shelled mollusk can technically make a pearl, only two groups of bivalve mollusks (or clams) use mother-of-pearl to create the iridescent nacreous pearls that are valued in jewelry. These rare gems don t require any polishing to reveal their natural luster. Pearls have been used as adornment for centuries at least as far back as ancient Greece, where they believed pearls were tears of the gods. The oldest known pearl jewelry was discovered in the sarcophagus of a Persian Princess who died in 520 B.C. Ancient Japanese folktales told that pearls were created from the tears of mythical creatures like mermaids and nymphs. Early Chinese civilizations believed that dragons carried pearls between their teeth, and the dragon must be slain to claim the pearls which symbolized wisdom. Other cultures associated pearls with the moon, calling them teardrops of the moon. Hindu folklore explained that dewdrops fell from the moon into the sea, and Krishna picked one for his daughter on her wedding day. Because natural pearls were so rare throughout history, only the richest echelon could afford them. Pearls became more accessible in the early 1900s when the first commercial culturing of saltwater pearls began in Asia. Since the 1920s, cultured pearls have almost completely replaced natural pearls in the market making this classic affordable gemstone. OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 6
Alexandrite was discovered in Russian emerald mines located in the Ural Mountains. Legends claim that it was discovered in 1834 on the same day that future Russian Czar Alexander II came of age, hence the name honoring him. Because this unique gemstone changed colors from green to red the national colors of Russia alexandrite became Imperial Russia s official gemstone. Often described as emerald by day, ruby by night, alexandrite is a rare variety of the mineral chrysoberyl that changes color from bluish green in daylight to purplish red under incandescent light. This chameleonlike behavior is the result of its uncommon chemical composition which includes traces of chromium, the same coloring agent found in emerald. The unlikelihood of these elements combining under the right conditions makes alexandrite one of the rarest, costliest gems. With a hardness of 8.5 on the Mohs scale, alexandrite is softer than sapphire and harder than garnet the other gemstones that can change color. However, due to its scarcity, alexandrite is more valuable than most gems, even rubies and diamonds. June s third birthstone, moonstone, was named by the Roman natural historian Pliny, who wrote that moonstone s shimmery appearance shifted with the phases of the moon. Moonstone is composed of microscopic layers of feldspar that scatter light to cause this billowy effect of adularescence. Thinner layers produce a bluish sheen and thicker layers look white. Moonstone comes in a range of colors spanning yellow, gray, green, blue, peach and pink sometimes displaying a star or cat s eye. This beautiful gemstone s weakness is its relatively low hardness of 6 on the Mohs scale, making it prone to stress cracking and cleaving. Care is required with moonstone jewelry like rings or bracelets; brooches and pendants are preferred.. OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 7
Ads need to be sent at News@OLMC.ca I am selling just under 11.9 carats of calibrated 2-4 mm round peridot (locality: Cherryville and Lumby, B.C.), about 85 well cut stones, at my cutting cost for $250, and 92 carats of lapis lazuli cabochons from Soper River, Nunavut at cutting cost for $400. For pictures and questions, please email phil.belley@gmail.com Looking for someone to sphere a round rock, approximately 3". Will pay of course. Please email Kenna at kennajmccall@gmail.com Looking for someone to come to Merrickville to help me set up saw, grinding and polishing equipment. I think I have all the parts just need help putting it all together into a system that works. Will pay for time and mileage. Please email Kenna at kennajmccall@gmail.com OLMC s monthly newsletter June 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 June 2017 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 10am - 4pm Workshop 4 5 Carving 6:30pm-9pm 11 12 Faceting 6:30pm - 9pm 18 19 MiG meeting 7:30pm-9pm 25 26 Carving 6:30pm-9pm 6 9am - 2pm Silver Smiths 6:30pm - 9pm 13 9am - 2pm Silver Smiths 6h30pm - 9pm 20 9am - 2pm Silver Smiths 6:30pm - 9pm 27 9am - 2pm Silver Smiths 6:30pm - 9pm 7 12pm - 9pm 14 12pm - 9pm 21 12pm - 9pm 28 12pm - 9pm 8 OLMC General Meeting 7:30pm-9pm 15 Board Meeting 7pm - 9pm meeting 10am 9 10 10am - 4pm 16 17 10am - 4pm 22 23 24 10am - 4pm 29 30 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 We are on Facebook, join us! http://www.facebook.com/ottawalapsmithmineralclub OLMC s monthly newsletter June 2017 Page 9
Membership Application for the Year: 2017 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 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 June 2017 Page 10