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Volume XXXVI Number 6 June 2008 Founded 1969

PRESIDENT RAMBLINGS

By Marty Kersey

BIRTHSTONE OF THE MONTH

By Will Postell - “Rock Reporter”

“A Sand Presentation” by Whit McMillan - I don’t want to give it way so come and find out what Whit’s presentation will involve

We meet Thursday, June 12, at the American Legion Hall on Howe Hall Road in Goose Creek. Fellow-ship and refreshment begins at 6:30 P.M. followed by a short business meeting at 7:00 P.M. The Sand Presentation program follows the business meeting. See you there!!

2008 WILLIAM HOLLAND WORKSHOP DATES October 12- 18

2008 WILDACRES WORKSHOP DATES August 18- 24; September 15- 21

J une affords you an excellent opportunity to claim three fantastic birthstones with that being pearl,

moonstone, or alexandrite. We will focus on alexandrite for this month. Alexandrite (Al2BeO4) as a variety of chrysoberyl is an aluminum beryllium oxide. The most famous and highly prized variety of chrysoberyl was first discovered in the Ural Mountains of Russia only as recently as 1830 on the 21st birthday of Czar Nicholas Alexander II. Natural alexandrite is a classic example of what the gem world calls the best-known color-change phenomenon, or "chameleon" among gems. Alex-andrite can be a vivid green emerald color by daylight when viewed in sunlight, a lovely reddish purple in night-light, or a bright red in incandescent light. Only occa-sionally will it display a chatoyance effect (cat’s eye). Consider how "rare and costly" the high quality natural alexandrite is and you will find it has a "professional athletes only" price range as it is now considered one of the most valuable gemstones. Alexandrite, often containing small, needle-like paral-lel inclusions, is colored by chromium occurring in combi-nation with iron. Alexandrite is rated an 8.5 on the Mohs Scale of Hardness and 3¾ times as heavy as water. Alexandrite grows as tabular or prismatic crystals in granite pegmatites, metamorphic gneiss, mica schists, and is also found in alluvial deposits. The largest stone ever found, 1,876 carats, came from Sri Lanka. Large

see Birthstone (Continued on page 2)

F irst, I would like to say thank you to everyone who volunteered his or her time, talents, and display

pieces to make the show as nice as it was. We received many positive comments from the vendors and atten-dees. Special thanks to our show chairperson, Karen H., for the fantastic job she does. I have learned a lot this year about what it takes to put the show on and Karen greatly deserves our recognition and thanks. I also want to thank Mark H. and Yvonne G. for doing their TV segment spotlighting the show. I thought they did a great job. The shark tooth display was very impressive and I heard good comments about it, even at the back of the room. My latest endeavor is reading about opal and fossil shark teeth, and making sifter boxes. CJ, Alan, and I have been sifting the ditches in Summerville and doing pretty well finding small shark teeth and other misc. fossils. Now I have to sort them and get them in dis-play cases. Demonstrating at the show has gotten my enthusiasm up for doing more cabbing, also. There’s just not enough time in the day. The April Lodestar has some very good information in it and highlights the upcoming SFMS Workshops. The summer wholesale shows are coming up too. The club had an excellent turnout last year at the Grassy Creek show in Spruce Pine. I hope to see everyone there this year too. That trip was one of the Gems of our rocking adventures last year. Thanks again and I’ll see you at the next meeting!

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LOWCOUNTRY DIGGINGS JUNE 2008

SOUTHEAST FEDERATION NEWS Edited By Mark Easterbrook

Here are some highlights of the lat-est news of the American Federation (AFMS) from the June-July 2008 AFMS Newsletter…AFMS President Shirley Leeson discusses the emails she has re-

ceived regarding the BLM Resource Advi-sory Council Blue Ribbon Coalition open-ings in many west ern states… There is a good article on why the AFMS needs the American Lands Association or ALAA… President-Elect Joy Bourne has an article that addresses progress on some of the AFMS commit-tees… The Junior Activities report discusses the demo-graphic portrait of the AFMS Future Rockhounds of America… The AFMS judging seminar at Wildacres was a huge success… The last of a three-part series on stop-ping the bleeding treatments by Bob Livingston was in-cluded… There is an article describing more new prizes for the 2008 Endowment Fund Drawing… More club members are nominated for the AFMS Club Rockhound of the Year award… There is an article by AFMS Chair John Washburn discussing the All American Yearbook for 2008... AFMS Safety Chairman Don Monroe has a safety article on railroad track walking… The 2008 AFMS Annual Convent ion is Sept ember 25-28, 2008 in Humble, Texas… Read the AFMS Newsletter on their website at www.amfed.org…

AMERICAN FEDERATION NEWS Edited By Mark Easterbrook

REGIONAL CLUB SHOW information

August 23- 24, 2008 - Ocean Springs, MS - Harrison County (Mississippi) Gem and Mineral Society Annual Show. Location: St. Martin Community Center. No contact information provided.

September 5- 7, 2008 - Winston- Salem, NC - Forsyth Gem and Mineral Club 37th Annual Gem and Mineral Show. Location: Education Building, Dixie Classic Fairgrounds, Gate #9 from 27th Street. Contact: W.A. Marion at MarionA1@yadtel.net.

September 27 & 28, 2008 - Hiddenite, NC – Western Piedmont Mineral & Gem Society. 20th Annual Hiddenite Gem & Mineral Show. Location: Hiddenite Center at Sul-phur Springs. Contacts: Patty Arnold at 828.465.2769, Roger Grinnell at 828.284.1521, or 828.675.9281.

9 Jan Kneisley; 10 Larry Moss; 12 Jim Meeks; 17 Frances Muckenfuss; 17 Cynthia Nutt; 26 Bill Sutton; 28 Ulmer Eaddy

MISSED 2008 BIRTHDAYS TO DATE: February: 2 Scott Monnier; 4 Jeannine Monnier; 8 Dan Warner; 22 Larry Hammons April: 16 Cathie Thorpe; 23 Trish Graf No Date: Bill Gillitzer

Birthstone (Continued from page 1)

alexandrite stones are found these days only in museums or exclusive private collections. Natural alexandrite being so rare and expensive has a much less costly alternative - a synthetic gem known as corundum alexandrite. The synthetic has been scientifi-cally developed in the laboratory to duplicate a gem that occur s nat ur ally. I t s physical and chemical pr oper t ies are virtually identical to the stone it appears to be. Since its introduction in the 1970s, corundum alexan-drite has now become a favorite in the market place. Stones are faceted mainly in the step, Ceylon, round, brilliant cuts, and occasionally as an oval. Today, alexandrite is mined in Sri Lanka, Zimbabwe, and since the end of the 1980’s especially in Minas Gerais in Brazil. Deposits are also found in Myanmar, Madagascar, and Tanzania. The future supply of alexan-drite is at best uncertain. No important new sources have been found and current deposits are mostly spo-radic… Will Postell

Sources: Gemstones of The World by Schumann; Rocks & Min-er als by Jones; Gems by Dennis; Rocks & Minerals by Chester-man

The May-June 2008 SFMS Lodestar has information that is highlighted here… SFMS President Steve Henegar discusses the SFMS workshops and the summer board meeting… There have been schedule

changes to the SFMS workshops as shown in the current Lodestar… The SFMS summer Board Meeting will be July 26, 2008 near Franklin, NC in Dillard, GA… SFMS Safety Chairman Don Monroe has a safety article about railroad track walking to search for metal objects that fell from trains… Fred Sias will be teaching a special Lost Was Casting course at Wildacres starting June 29, 2008… The Spring SFMS Board Meeting Minutes are presented… More legislation is making its way through Congress that could severely restrict access to public-owned lands… The annual 2008 Asheville Gem Fest is again being held at the Colburn Earth Science Museum on June 13-15… Please see the SFMS website for more in-formation at http://www.amfed.org/sfms/index.html...

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PREVIOUS MEETING REVIEW By Mark Easterbrook

MAY MEETING MINUTES By Secretary Whit McMillan

President Marty called the meeting to or-

der at 7:07 PM on May 8, 2008. Tonight’s guests include Robert Campbell, Zack, Ben and Glen Zuber. Welcome all. Whit McMillan

volunteered to be Secretary for the rest of the year. The Treasurer’s Report was accepted as read. The min-utes from the April meeting were approved as printed in the bulletin.

Sunshine Report: J an and Roger Kneisley ar e doing well and getting better. Will Postell has had trouble with his feet, but is getting better.

Committee Reports

Hostess Report: Anne Turner thanked everyone for support at the show. Many of the new dealers ex-pressed their appreciation. Barbara Brenneman, Jeanne Beard and Anne Turner brought refreshments. Sarah McNay will serve as hostess while Anne travels for the next few months. Program: Tonight will be silent auction. Next month will be a presentation on sand by Whit McMillan. Walt thanks everyone that worked the demonstration table at the show. Anyone interested in the Faceting Guild should call Walt. Field Trip: Refer to Lowcountry Diggings for details. Show Report: 248 grab bags were sold and the fossil dig and geode cracking went very well where Larry, Mark, and especially C.J. were thanked for their hard work… Shark’s tooth display was a well received and seemed to attract people… There were problems get-ting people to sign up for the drawings… We had great publicity and next year should start even earlier.

Old business: If name badges are needed talk to Bar-bara Brenneman. New Business: Deposit for the Christmas party to the American Legion Hall is needed now. The date will be December 11th. A motion was approved by the member-ship. Donation for the American Legion was approved for July… Dina is in the process of updating the web-site.

Meeting was adjourned at 7:52.

Gemstone Term of the Month: “Fire”

Submitted by Barbara Brenneman

The special effect called ‘fire’ by diamond cutters is due to dispersion, the ability of the stone to draw light apart into its constituent colors. This works just like the glass prism that unfolds sunlight into the rainbow by re-fraction. The fire of a diamond refers to the coloration of its bright highlights. Of the major gemstone miner-als, only diamond and zircon have strong enough refrac-t ive pr oper t ies t o pr oduce dist inct f ir e, but ot her st ones such as benitoite and sphalerite show it too.

Source: Courtesy of Andrew Alden from About.com: Geology

Last month we had another of our silent auctions. Ever yone got int o t he spir it of t he auct ion wit h t he an-nual show now over. There were rock slabs, faceted stones, mineral specimens, a pepper plant, and even some edibles to be had.

Hint of the Month

Get more out of your tumbling by adding specially shaped stones to your regular stones. Hearts, crosses, and elongated triangles made by cutting a rectangular slab acr oss t he diagonal ar e some of t he possibilit ies.

Source: SCRIBE 2008 CD via Canaveral Moonstone, 6/2008

John Huck “inside” a ju-venile extinct carcharocles megladont white shark jaw on display at the show. The jaw is a life-size plaster cast, but every tooth is real and pro-portioned cor-rectly..

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LOWCOUNTRY DIGGINGS JUNE 2008

DMC June 2008 Field Trip

An official field trip of The Augusta Gem & Min-eral Society (HOST) and of the LG&MS. WHEN: 9:00 A.M., Saturday, June 28, 2008 WHERE: Thermal City Gold Mine in Union Mills, NC FEE: $5 to pan all day; $30 for front-end load CONTACT NUMBERS: phone: 828-286-3016, e-mail ad-dress: info@thermalcitygoldmine.com; Website: http://www.thermalcitygoldmine.com/

- Mailing address: 5240 US Rt. 221, Union Mills, NC 28167 TRIP: This is an unsalted site and we have had success finding gold here. The mine’s aim is to provide an au-thentic experience. This mine is located on the actual site of the earliest placers of Rutherford County. It opened in 1830 and has produced gold ever since then. COLLECTING: Thermal City Gold Mine consists of a one-half mile section of the Second Broad River and about 30 acres of Placer Gravel Deposits having one of the seven veins from the mountain supplying it. Panning material is brought from the river by backhoe for you to pan. The gravel is not “enhanced or enriched.” The gold found here is in it’s natural state- right where nature depos-ited it. Gold is found as small nuggets. Ample shade, parking, and instruction in panning are always available when needed. SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Camping facilities with full hook-ups to primitive are available on a first come basis. Call 828-286-3016 for rates. No drugs, alcohol, or fire-arms are allowed. The grounds are almost level and a short distance from panning to camping and restrooms. Children : Welcome with Adult Supervision Pets: Pets are allowed on a leash. BRING: Shovels and pans are furnished or you can bring your own. Other equipment is for rent/purchase. DIRECTIONS AND WHERE TO MEET: At the mine. From Spartanburg, SC and I-85 take US Rt 221 north through the town of Rutherfordton, NC to the northern edge of Thermal City, NC. The mine is located on the right side of Rt. 221 about 12 miles north of Rutherford-ton near the Rutherford/McDowell county line. Drive Time: From I-85 in Spar t anbur g, SC it is appr oxi-mately 25 miles and will take about 30 minutes drive time.

These f ield t r ips are only open t o t he member clubs of t he DMC/ FI ELD TRI P COMMI TTEE. Members of associat ed clubs may not invite non- associated clubs, their members, or members of the general public on these or any other DMC field trips.

DMC July 2008 Field Trip

An official field trip of the Southern Appala-chian Mineral Society (Asheville, NC) and of the LG&MS.

WHEN: 8:30 A.M. EST, Saturday, July 19, 2008 WHERE: Diamond Hill Mine, Antreville, Abbeville County, S.C. - FEE AREA WHAT: Skeletal amethyst and smoky quartz crystals as well as quartz scepters and an assortment of pegmatite minerals. WHERE TO MEET: Diamond Hill Mine DIRECTIONS: The Diamond Hill Mine is located near the small town of Ant r eville in nor t heast er n Sout h Car olina. From the south: Exit I-20 at US 221 (exit # 183) just east of Augusta, Georgia. Drive north on US 221 to McCormick, SC. In McCormick turn north onto SR 28. Continue north on SR 28 toward Antreville (approx. 50 miles). About 2 miles south of Antreville, SR 184 enters SR 28 from the left (west). When you pass SR 184 start watching carefully on the left for Emanuel Baptist Church. Turn left at the church onto SR 284. Drive west on SR 284 for 2.3 miles watching carefully on the right for Suber Road (S-0 1 -508). Turn right onto Suber Road and follow it approx. 0.7 mile to Diamond Hill Road ( on right, gravel, S-l-538). Turn right onto Dia-mond Hill Road and f ollow it about 0.5 miles. The mine entrance will be on the right. FEES: Adults = $15/day and children under 16 = $5/day. Also upon arrival, each participant will be required to sign a waiver of liability. BRING: Pick and shovel, rock hammer, chisels, and scratching tools. There is ample water on site for screening and washing specimens. Bring a lunch, plenty of fluids, hat, sunscreen, gloves, and sturdy shoes. Bring rubber boots and a change of cloths if it is going to be a rainy or wet day. Please be prepared for hot and humid conditions at the mine during this time of year. CONTACTS: Trip Chairman: Tim Barton, (828) 885-8248 or Hal Mahan (SAMS Pr esident ) phone 828-285-9470

Tip of the Month

Renovat e br it t le dop wax by adding a piece of bees wax t he size of a pea t o 1/ 4 pound of dop wax.

Source: SCRIBE 2008 CD via Canaveral Moonstone, 6/2008

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The Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society of Charleston, South Carolina is a non-profit organization. The society was chartered in South Carolina on April 8, 1969. The purpose of the society is “to foster the interest in and to facilitate the study of gems, miner-als, fossils, and other related fields of geology and earth sciences.”

The society is a founding member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical Societies, Inc. and affiliate of the American Federa-tion of Mineralogical Societies, Inc.

Meetings are held the second Thursday of each month. Refresh-ments and fellowship start at 6:30 pm followed by the meeting at 7 pm.

2008 OFFICERS & COMMITTEE MEMBERS

President Marty Kersey……….……………..……..Vice-President John Fee…….……………...….. Secretary Cindy Rumph.………...………………… Treasurer Carol Pierce..…………..………………... Program Chairperson Walt McNay……..………... Budget Chairperson Carol Pierce..………..……... Public Relations Chair Rick Day………..………... Field Trip Chairperson Larry Moss…………….... By-Laws Chairperson Whit McMillan..……...…... Membership Chairperson Barb Brenneman…….Newsletter Editor Mark Easterbrook…….....……. Chaplain Marty Kersey………………...…………… Nominating Chairperson Ken Brenneman.…….. Host/Hostess Anne Turner…………………..……. Club Show Chairperson Karen Havenstein..….. Dealer Chairperson Karen Havenstein…………. State Director Liaison Mark Easterbrook….……. Stamp Chairperson Kathy Robinson….………....

For submissions to Lowcountry D iggings, you can either e-mail the editor (Mark Easterbrook) or send them by the twenty-first of the month to the following snail mail address:

Lowcountry Diggings c/o Mark Easterbrook P.O. Box 80275 Charleston, SC 29416-0275

Email submissions should be put into the body of your email and submitted by the 21st of every month.

Home telephone: (843) 552-1049 or (843) 276-4016 (cell) Daytime work: (843) 416-1219 E-Mail: asgardsgc@earthlink.net

Webmaster: Skiles Montague URL Web Pages: http://www.geocities.com/lowcountrygem http://www.lowcountrygemandmineralsociety.org

Club Meeting Dates and Reminders

Club Meeting Dates in 2008:

January 10 February 14 March 13 April 10 May 8 June 12

SC Aquarium “Geology Day” month - March 2008 SC Aquarium “Fossil Day” month - October 2008 Club Show - May 3 & 4, 2008

Reminders: The bulletin submission deadline is the 21st of each month and the publication date is the 6th of each month. If you would like to volunteer to provide refreshments at an upcoming meeting, please sign up with Host/Hostess Chair Anne Turner

The Lowcountry Diggings is a monthly publication of the Lowcountry Gem & Mineral Society. We are a founding member of the Southeast Federation of Mineralogical So-cieties, Inc.; affiliate of the American Federation of Minera-logical Societies. Membership dues: Individual - $12, Family - $25, Junior - $5 (payable by December)

Except for items specifically copyrighted by authors, other non-profit organizations have permission to re-print any-thing else that is used in this newsletter.

July 10 August 14 September 11 October 9 November 13 December 11

571-7765 571-0422 553-5807 747-7483 554-7213 747-7483 571-3188 225-69310 763-9545 556-3127 552-1049 571-7765 556-3127 899-0467 795-2956 795-2956 552-1049 899-2554

BULLETIN AWARDS

2004 SFMS - 1st Place (Mini) 2003 SFMS - 2nd Place (Small) 2002 SFMS - 3rd Place (Small) 2001 SFMS - 1st Place (Small) 1998 SFMS - 3rd Place (New - Small)

2004 AFMS - 1st Place 2003 AFMS - 7th Place 2002 AFMS - 7th Place 1998 AFMS - 6th Place

©2007 - Diamond Dan Publications. Cartoons and line drawings copyrighted for purchase only from Darryl Powell at diamonddan@rochester.rr.com - used by permission

Dues: Individual - $12.00 Family - $25.00 Junior - $5.00

LOWCOUNTRY DIGGINGS c/o Mark Easterbrook, Editor P.O. Box 80275 Charleston, SC 29416-0275

FIRST CLASS MAIL Address Correction Requested ____________________________________________

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Please remember to submit your articles by the 21st of each month

Monthly publication date is the 6th of each month