Author: Alan Molineux

The
bulletin
Newsletter of the
victor valley
Gem and
mineral club
Ph. (760) 243-2330
may 2009

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Your officers for 2009
2009 Executive Committee
President……………………...Gil Gilbert……………………..868-6900
1st V.P (Membership)..Gaylan Graves………………..902-3249
2nd V.P (Education)…….Val Costello…………………...963-3974
3rd V.P (Gem & Mineral Show chairman)
Virgil Melton……………………………………………948-2849
Recording Secretary….Alan Molineux……………….951-7064
Treasurer…………………….Carole Mc Michael .……..961-7659
Board Members
Don Pomerenke………………868-5264
Lloyd Guilliam..……………….962-6844
John Printz………….………….957-7414
Charles Toles………………….951-0372
Past President……………..Tom Laszlo…………………..…247-5369
CFMS Representative...Pat Estes ……………..……….948-7324
Standing Committee Chairmen
Wagon Master…………..(Vacant)
Historian…………………….Joe Kosik…………………………..241-0894
Maintenance……………...Charles Toles.…………………..951-0372
Librarian………………….…Dwayna Barron………………...963-3974
Newsletter…………...…..Alan Molineux…….…………....951-7064
Sunshine Lady…………..Marie Gramata…………………245-3775
Displays………….………….Andrew Turner………………...962-0095
Raffles……………………...Charles Toles…...……………....951-0372
Scholarships……………..Andrew Turner….…………....962-0095
Photography………….....Alan Molineux…………………...951-7064
Hospitality……………..…John Prinz…………………………..957-7414
Tailgate……….…………….Brett Ward…………………………948-1232
Virgil Melton………………………948-2849
Training Coordinator..Lloyd Guilliam……………………962-6844
Instructors
Ben Weiden, Jim Fosse, Gil Gilbert, Tom Laszlo, Virgil Melton, Joe Kosik, Pat Estes, Gaylan Graves, Charles Toles and Lloyd Guilliam
Club Website—www.vvgmc.org

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The victor valley gem and mineral Club
was organized in 1947 and has been the focal point of High Desert rock hounds for the past 61 years. The club takes active roles in various civic activities. Membership is open to all persons interested in the gem and mineral hobby and lapidary arts. Meetings are held at the clubhouse located at 15056-B, 7th Street (behind Kaman Bearing) in the center of Victorville. Visitors are always welcome. For further information, call (760) 243-2330.
Meeting dates
The April meeting was held on Tuesday, April 28th at 7:30p.m. and the May meeting and pot luck will be held at the clubhouse on Tuesday, May 26th at 6:30p.m.
Sunshine lady
Ben Weiden, a regular at the club workshop and and instructor was recently involved in a serious motor accident. He is in our thoughts and prayers. Marie Gramata is our Sunshine Lady. If you know of any member who would like a card from Marie then please contact her on (760) 245—3775.

Member’s phone book
A phone directory of all our members, their addresses and phone numbers will be available from the club. We are not sending them out by mail. You must come in and pick one up. You cannot pick up one for a friend or for anyone else. Each person must pick up their own.
The last time we did a directory of member’s names, addresses and phone numbers was back in 2006. Time has passed and members have come and gone. It’s time for a new one. This directory represents a lot of work by many members. As newsletter editor, I am chiefly responsible for the content and the final compilation. It’s been my experience that no matter how I try, mistakes are made. Please understand that every effort has been made to make the directory as error free as possible—but just in case mistakes were made, a partial page has been put aside for additions and corrections.
Welcome
new members
Ron & Dottie Kauffman, Robert & Bonnie Hemphill, Bill & Becky Lockner, Vaughn Fosmo, Sheryl and Rheiane Grennell and David & June Bennett. We welcome all you new members and look forward to see you at the club.

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May
The flower of the month is the Lily of the Valley and this month’s birthstone is the emerald.
Education
Howard Brown of the Omya Mining Company was our Speaker for April. We also had a field trip to the mine where we learned about the operation of the mine, we also learned about some of the rock and minerals that exist locally in our desert area. Some of the rock samples collected were white knob calcite marble and fluorescent minerals.
We had six contestants that displayed their work, five of those contestants displayed their first cabochon and one cabochon was from an intermediate. The two winners was a new member Dwayna Barron the intermediate went to Chieko Printz. Congratulations ladies.
Kerry Molineux will be our speaker for the month of May. Her topic will be on wire wrapping.
For those that signed up for silver smithing classes. Classes have begun, the instructor is Pat Estes she will notify you as soon as she is able to schedule another group.

(Education—continued)
Wednesday April 22nd is the first class 7 to 9 P..M. for approximately 3 to 4 weeks. Kits will cost $ 11.00 each.
Erratum
I’ve been writing up newsletters each month since 2002—that’s quite a while. I’m a teacher and so you’d think that I wouldn’t make mistakes. However, not an issue goes by that I don’t have at least one error—try as I might. I thank you for your patience and if I misspell your name or put a wrong phone number in an issue, then let me know and I’ll correct it as soon as I can…..Ed
On the Front cover
The youth are the life blood of any organization and ours is certainly no exception. The front cover features Andrea Skidmore working in Kerry Molineux’s wire wrapping class.
Change of plans
You know what they say about the best laid plans…… well, Howard Brown was taken ill at the last moment and so A DVD on earthquakes was shown at Education Night instead.
Thanks to Jim fosse for letting me know…...Ed

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Upcoming
Lapidary events
May 1st, 2nd & 3rd.
Bishop, CA
Lone Pine Gem & Mineral Society.
Tri County Fairgrounds, Bishop
Cnr. Of Sierra St. & Fair Drive
Hours—Fri. 6– 1-p.m.Sat. 9:30—4p.m. Sun.—10—3p.m.
Call Jeff Lines
(760) 872-6597
franceem@qnet.com
May 2nd & 3rd
Anaheim, CA
Searchers Gem & Mineral Society
Brookhurst Community Center
2271 West Crescent Avenue
Hours—Sat. 10—5p.m. Sun.—10—4:30p.m. Call Jim Williamson on
(714) 995-9080
showchair@searchersrocks.org
http://www.searchersrocks.org
May 9th & 10th
Reno, NV
Reno Gem & Mineral Society
Livestock Events Center Exhibit Hall
1350 Wells Ave., Reno NV.
Hours: Sat—10—5p.m.
Sun 10—4p.m.
Ann Johnson (775) 544-4937
ann.johnson.e@gmail.com
www.renorockclub.com
May 16th & 17th.
Newbury Park, CA
Conejo Gem & Mineral Club

Borchard Park, 190 Reino Road
Hours: Sat 9—5p.m.
Sun 10—4p.m.
Robert Sankovich (805) 494-7734
rmsorca@adelphia.net
www.cgamc.org
May 16th & 17th
Yucaipa, CA
Yucaipa Valley Gem & Mineral Soc.
Yucaipa Community Center
34900 Oak Glen Road
Hours: Sat 9—5p.m.
Sun 10—4p.m.
Bill Jochimsen (909) 795-2540
webmaster@yvgms.org
http://www.yvgms.org
May 30th & 31st
Glendora, CA
Glendora GEMS
859 E. Sierra Madre Ave.,
Glendora.
Hours: Sat 10—5p.m.
Sun 10—4p.m.
Bonnie Bidwell (626) 963-4638
ybidwell2@aol.com
June 5th, 6th & 7th
Woodland Hills
Rockatomics Gem & Mineral Soc.
Pierce College
Victory & Mason (enter via Mason)
Hours: 10—5p.m.
Gary Levitt (818) 993-3802
Show@Rockatomics.org
www.Rockatomicsorg
These show dates were taken from the April edition of the CFMS Newsletter.

May 2009

Sun	Mon	Tue	Wed	Thu	Fri	Sat
National / Physical / Fitness & Sports / Month	National / Youth Traffic / Safety Month.				1 / May Day	2 / Space Day
3 / Workshop / 12noon—5p.m.	4	5 / Instructor’s / Meeting 6p.m. & / Board Meeting 7p.m.	6 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	7 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	8	9 / International / Migratory Bird Day
10 Workshop / 12noon—5p.m. / Mother’s Day	11 / Children’s Book / Week	12 / Start of California / Gold Rush—1848	13 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	14 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	15 / Largest Prime number / discovered.	16
17 / Workshop / 12noon—5p.m.	18 / Mt. St. Helen’s / Erupts in 1980.	19 / Education Night / 7p.m.	20 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	21 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	22 / Jerusalem Day	23 / World Turtle Day
24 / Workshop / 12noon—5p.m.	25 / Memorial Day	26 Pot Luck / 6:30p.m. & General / Meeting 7:30p.m.	27 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	28 / Workshop 1—9p.m.	29 / JFK’s birthday / in1917.	30 First Daily / U.S Newspaper / published in 1783.
31 / Workshop / 12noon—5p.m.

Deadline for the June issue of the Bulletin is Monday, May 18th. Ph. (760) 951-7064 or email amolineux@gmail.com

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From the March general meeting.
Howard Brown of the Onya mine will be the speaker for the April Education night,
Virgil Melton said that our recent Tailgate did very well.
Charles Toles said that all members—new and old are welcome on the 1st & 2nd Wednesday evenings (5—9p.m.)of the month for instruction in the saw room use.
saws are down at present—
should be back up in a week.
Sunshine club—sympathy card sent to Faith Harper for Bob’s passing. Francis Gramata broke his hip. James Mc Guire hospitalized with sickness.
Cyndy Mandell has a sign up sheet for San Bernardino County Fair volunteers.
Volunteers are needed May 9th through the 17th.
Weekdays, 4– 10p.m. and weekends, noon—9p.m.
Susan Foreman won the prize to attend the Zyzyx jewelry camp.
We need examples of member’s work for the upcoming CFMS show.
Clubhouse floors look great due to the new cleaning crew.
Silver classes should start in
2—3 weeks on Wednesday evenings 7– 9p.m.

From the april
Board Meeting.
Alan Molineux will donate a box of photocopy paper to the club office.
The 2009 member’s phone book was accepted and would be made ready for the next general meeting.
We will give a club t-shirt or hat to visiting speakers for the education nights.
A showcase will be provided for the upcoming CFMS show at San Jose. Virgil Melton and Pat Estes will fill it.
We need a merchandise person.
Thank you to all who helped with the recent tailgate—in particular, Virgil Melton and Brett Ward.
John Printz motioned to buy and fit a new faucet for the clubhouse sink.
The club will purchase a new dop pot.
Pat Estes needs financing to buy kits for the upcoming silver smithing class.
Virgil Melton motioned we accept the duties in the instructor’s memo.
We need a local person to do in house purchases.
The new finance committee would be made up of Cyndy Mandell, Lois Papner, and Gayland Graves.
We will be having a field trip to the Onya mine on Saturday, April 25th.
Francis Gramata will be doing temporary duty helping out with the phone committee.

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Around the shop

Kerry Molineux teaches Chieko Judy Witte is working on one of Printz, wire wrapping her cabs. her pieces.

Chieko Printz grinds one of her Dave and Bobbie Kaufman, Kerry pieces. Molineux, Chieko Printz and Lloyd
Guilliam.

Andrea Skidmore holds up a wire Virgil speaks to John Printz and wrapped piece she has been working David Foreman at an Education on while Sandra and Ed Skidmore Night. look on. Thank you to Pat Estes for supplying
the photographs.

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Rock of the Month
Obsidian
By Gayland Graves.
Jade has been cherished for millennia, and by many cultures across the world, from China to New Zealand and Central America to British Columbia.
This lustrous green stone is stronger than steel has been used for tools and ornaments, and is believed to bring luck, health and spiritual well-being upon those who own it.
To day we know that there are two actually two separate gemstones known as jade. Jadeite and Nephrite but this discovery was not made until 1863. The two stones are similar, with both having aluminum silicates and both have intertwined crystals that where compressed under high pressure and are often found side by side.
Jade comes in many colors, green, lavender, red, yellow, brown, white and pink, where Nephrite has an oily look to it.
Jadeite is formed at high pressures as a result the crystals are densely packed which gives it its strength. Jade has been used for many things, such as weapons, amulets and for paying taxes.

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(Rock of the month continued.)
It wasn't until 18th century B.C. china that it became popular, the two most popular colors of jade are the Imperial Green and the Lavender.
specific gravity 3.25 to 3.36
hardness 6.5 to 7.0
crystal group monoclinic
Fossil preservation act
On March 25, 2009 the House of Representatives passed a Public Lands Bill that contained the Paleontological Resources Preservation Act (PRPA) by a vote of 285 – 140. The bill has been signed by the president and is now public law.
Over the years there has been an abundance of misinformation regarding the PRPA.
Please note that the PRPA DOES NOT:
1. Affect Private lands or Indian lands in any way.
2. Prosecute anyone for misidentifying a fossil unless that
misidentification is made in association with a knowing criminal violation of the PRPA.
3. Interfere with rock collecting.
4. Restrict access to those who do not have a Ph.D.
5. Interfere with mining on federal land.
6. Create restrictions for public lands access.

Wanted—Rocks, Lapidary, Materials & Equipment.
Call Charles Toles.
Home (760) 951-0372 Cell (760) 220-6748.

Rocks, Rocks, Rocks,
Buy slabs, cabs & rough from Joe!
Brazilian, Moss Agate, Wood, Jasper,
and Obsidian.
There is a sale on Bolo cords.
Club members (any club) 20% off at my house
or 10% off at gem shows.
I sell crushed Agate, Wood & Jasper for tumbling
at $1.00 per pound. Call Joe Kosik (760) 241-0894.

ROCK SALE
Ralph ___________ , a vendor at our recent tailgate, had a sale of rocks and slabs at his house in Victorville recently. The sale was held on Saturday, April 18th. This was a way for members to buy many items they would otherwise have trouble getting. I haven’t had any feedback as to how well this event was received by our members—but hopefully many took advantage of the sale.

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Snail
Mail
Stamp

Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Club
15056-B Seventh Street
Victorville, CA 92395-3811.
bulletin is the official monthly newsletter published by victor valley gem & mineral club and is distributed free of charge to both members and non members.
Views expressed by authors in the articles which appear in the bulletin do not necessarily reflect those of victor valley gem & mineral club. Responsibility is taken by the editor alone.
Articles from this publication may be reproduced in whole or in part in other lapidary news-letters if proper credit is given to the author and the bulletin.

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