The Cowtown Cutter, Fort Worth Gem and Mineral Club September 2016 Page 1

Newsletter of the Sepember 2016 Fort Worth Gem and Mineral Club

Fort Worth, Texas

President: Carl Silvey 940.206.5580; txrootbeer@yahoo.com 1st VP of Field Trips: Felice Moreno FeliceMoreno@yahoo.com 2nd VP of Programs: Irene Stemple nstemple@att.net Secretary: Dora Hale Campmaeent@aol.com Treasurer: Schuyler Bullock- 682.365.0517 sbbr@cirranet.net 657 Deer Valley Rd Weatherford, TX 76085 Membership Chair: Kathy Silvey diversewoman@hotmail.com Sunshine Chair: Fran Loyd 817.822.6954 Fran.loyd@att.net Show Chair: Mary Hilliard Vendor Chair: Steve Hilliard 817.995.8351 samehill@embargmail.com Website Manager: Stephanie Moran 817.449.8414 Fwgmc.webmaster@gmail.com

Special Announcements: Annual Picnic: Sunday, October 23rd in Weatherford, Tx.

Meeting, September --- Diane Brownlee, a geophysical engineer currently with the Heard Museum, will present A New Look at Geology and the Evolution of Minerals. Her ambitious and very interesting career included working with earthquakes and exploration for major oil companies. Now she specializes in offering geo-science outreach education to teachers K thru 12, informal education, as well as sponsoring career days for students. We are very privileged to be hosting Diane Brownlee as our speaker. 7:00pm Potluck/Social time 7:30 Meeting/Program

This newsletter is distributed the 3rd week of each month. Send articles, announcements, & editorial corrections by the 2nd Tuesday of the month. Permission is granted to reprint material from other sources provided credit is properly cited. Janice Craddock fwgmc.editor@gmail.com Newsletter Editor/Shop Foreman

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Sept 17 – Feb 19th: Heard Museum, 1 Nature Place McKinney, Texas 75069 --- Life-Size Animatronic Dinosaurs. http://www.heardmuseum.org/dinosaurslive Oct 1 – Rusk, TX: Keith Harmon Back Yard Rock and Equipment Sale. 9116 US Hwy 84 West. 9 am, no early sales. Over 50 tons of rock and various types – including but not limited to agates, jaspers, obsidians, jade, palm wood, Arizona wood, tumbling rough, large rock, Cutting material. Used Equipment: Saws, grinders, polishing units, vibrating laps, flat laps, sphere machine, & tumblers.

Oct 7-8 — Mount Ida, AR: Quartz Crystal Digging Contest. www.mountidachamer.com Oct 8-9 – Temple, TX: Tri-Cities Gem and Mineral Society Annual Show; 3303 North 3rd; Sat. 9-5, Sun. 10-5; Adults $5, Children $2; Treasure wheel, silent auction, grab bags, and demonstrations Oct 21-23 – Austin, TX: Austin G&MS Annual show; Palmer Event Center; 900 Barton Springs Rd; Fri. 9-6, Sat. 9-6, Sun. 10-5; Adults $8, Seniors $7, Children ages 13-18 $2 / 12 and under free; www.gemcapers.com Nov. 11, 2017 – The Houston Gem and Mineral So-ciety, Houston, TX will host the South Central Federation of Min-eral Society’s Annual Show in con-junction with their Annual Gem, Mineral, Fossil, Bead & Jewelry Show and Sale. AFMS annual meeting. 1pm. Annual Club Picnic Sunday, October 23rd 11:00 - ? 657 Deer Valley Rd, Weatherford TX 76085 More details next month.

Oliver Creek Field Trip with Dallas Paleo… On Saturday, August 27th, Pam and I took the new truck out for an off-road spin. Having a dual membership in both clubs doubles the fun opportunities for field trips. We took off early to meet in Justin on Saturday morning. There must have been over 50 cars and trucks in convey out to the creek. The water was higher than normal, but we had fun trudging along looking for goodies. We didn’t find any large whole ammonites, but there were plenty of echinoids and other cretaceous finds.

Field Trip to Llano Area September 24th

Purpose: To collect Serpentine from a mine site and Llanite from a public outcrop.

Date & Time: Saturday September 24th, Llano, Texas exact location and time still to be determined. Will most likely be around 9 am.

Cost: $30 per person to collect serpentine, collecting llanite is free

Location: Llano, Texas and surrounding area

Meeting Place: Llano, TX. Exact location coming soon

Upcoming Events

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Background: The location where we’ll be hunting Serpentine is in a quarry near Llano called the Coal Creek serpentine prospect. We will be collecting Llanite from the public outcrop near Baby’s Head Cemetery.

Other Notes: If you are interested in collecting Llanite, but not Serpentine, let me know and I will arrange a time and location where we can meet. We will be doing this after collecting the serpentine, so it will likely be in the afternoon.

Preparations: Participants should supply all rockhounding and essential gear. For the serpentine, a rock hammer should suffice. For the llanite, it is a granite, so bring rock hammers, pry bars and chisels. The area we’ll be collecting the serpentine from is a quarry, so durable clothing such as jeans and hiking boots are suggested. Insect repellent is also recommended.

Bring a hat for sun/rain protection and also a raincoat or poncho just in case.

Be sure to bring buckets or boxes to carry your treasures home. Always bring plenty of water.

Additional Info: Serpentine: A soft to medium primarily green stone. Here is some more information about the store and location: http://www.baringerhill.com/coal_creek

Also these are not mine but additional pictures here: http://andy321.proboards.com/thread/63576/serpentine-swap-sell-feedback-wanted?page=1

Llanite: A granite with flecks of blue quartz.

A couple of pictures: http://www.cityofllano.com/162/Llano-Uplift

http://www.digforcrystals.com/images/llannite5182011b.jpg

Directions: Suggested route: Take Hwy 377 west out of Fort Worth. Turn south on Hwy 16 at Commanche. Turn west on Hwy 29 in to Llano. Driving time from Fort Worth is about 3 ½ hours.

Important Note: Be sure to let me know if you are attending. Email cera.fieldtrips@gmail.com. If you have any questions, you can also call me at 817-800-1367

Felice

At this month’s meeting, we will be discussing plans for our upcoming club’s annual picnic, which will be in October. May need a volunteer to cook hotdogs and hamburgers for the picnic. Schuyler has a grille so no need to haul one out this year.

We are having good attendance at the meetings, good programs, and lots of "rock talk" in between. I look forward to this month’s meeting and hope to see lots of you there. In the meantime good luck rock or fossil hunting. Potluck supper at 7 pm so bring a dish or dessert to share. The regular meeting is at 7:30 followed by the program. Carl Silvery, President Susan Hardt’s Memorial Service September 23rd @ 1 pm Parker County Cowboy Church 5050 FM 5 Annetta South, Tx 76008 Sending a fond farewell to our friend Susan Hardt. Although a member for a short time, she touched many of our hearts. May she rest in peace.

President’s Note from Carl

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Meeting called to order by President, Carl Silvey at 7:30 p. m.

Guests: Neal Teague, Kenny Schulbach

New Members: Catherine Cleveland, Maudie Morris, James-Aldric Morris, Joseph Morris, Cheryl Mitchell.

Treasurer’s report made.

Sunshine Report: nothing to report.

Announcement: Sky’s daughter had twins.

Field trips: September 24th – trip to Llano, Texas area. First stop is a quarry to find serpentine, cost $30; second stop outside Llano for llanite.

Arlington is planning a trip to Deming, NM. Thursday, Sept. 15 to Tuesday, Sept. 20.

Trip in planning stages for TXI.

Shop News: Janice reports that 15 members came out to the shop workday on Saturday.

Pam is teaching a wire-wrapping class on Saturday. The shop is open on most Thursday nights. Call Janice to confirm before you come.

Drawings: White ticket-Felice.

Red tickets-Sky, Cheryl, Frank twice

Old Business: none

New Business: none

Program: Professor Arthur Busby from TCU presented a program called: “The Abyss of Time”. The talk centered on the two types of geologic time. Relative time, which is based on when things happened relative to another

event. Absolute time, which is based on rock layers and fossils within them. Started to use this method around 1910. Different people (geologists and others) contributed to the different approaches to the time determinations.

Minutes: Janice moved to approve, David seconded, approved as printed in newsletter

Meeting adjourned 8:30 p. m.

Respectfully submitted, Dora M. Hale

PROFESSIONAL STONES

A Stone for every use!

For laundresses: the soapstone

For Architects: the cornerstone

For cooks: the puddingstone

For politicians: the blarneystone

For borrowers: the touchstone

For policemen: the clubstone

For burglars: the keystone

For tourists: the Yellowstone

For her beauty: the peachstone

For motorist: the milestone

For bosses: the grindstone

For seamstresses: the ironstone

Can you come up with more "uses" for stones and professions?

Source: The Southwest Gem, 05-1995, provided by Jim Marler via SCFMS newsletter, Sept-Oct 2016

Minutes from Aug 23rd

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The shop has been quiet lately. Members have been busy with their projects. Summer is a great time to cab because you are working in water all the time. I have been working on glass; getting ready to do a few art festivals and holiday craft fairs this fall. It is a great way to make a little money to support my habit, buy more glass, and go on more field trips. Everyone is welcome to join us on Thursday evenings. We have fun working on wire, glass, cabs, and other projects. Thanks to Lonnie for spending his Thursday s on a ladder working on the ballast for the fluorescent lights in the main room. We will have a new lapidary class in October. Joyce, Pam and I discussed a new format for class. Sign up by September 27 with fwgmc.editor@gmail.com or at the September meeting.

Wire Wrapping Class with Pam Nolen was held August 20th

Despite the pouring rain, seven students made it to my first wire wrapping class. We discussed wire properties and sources, then proceeded to wrap a cab. I am not sure who learned more, them or me. I learned a lot about teaching and they all did a great job wrapping their cabs. Everyone finished in under 3 hours. We had a lot of fun and thanks to all who made my first class a success.

Shop Talk from Janice

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September: October: 11-Joyce Griffith 01-Tony Huddleston 11-Belinda Woodruf 11-Nathan Johnson 13-Cerena Fain 15-Kristy Johnson 14-Niki Swindall 18-Janis Weisner 18-Gail Spann 20-Maudi Morris 20-Darius Carquillat 27-Hope Porter 29-Susan Hardt A ROCK PICK’S VIEW By Mary Owens I’m just a lonely rock pick, Used only once in a while. I see many grimaces. Rarely do I see a smile. I’m stuck in a dark drawer Or pushed up on a high shelf, When no one wants to use me. But, I come back to myself When my owner needs a pick To dig around in some rocks. Then, he dumps me in a bag Or in a car trunk that locks. When we get to a good site With the hidden rocks galore, I feel the scrapes, bangs, and dirt As o’er the spot he does pore. Only when I uncover A precious crystal or gem Does my owner now Via Rose-N-Rock, Aug 2016

CREAM OF TARTAR In my little world, items like cream of tartar (potassium bitartrate) are not simply a super way to stabilize egg whites but also scandalously inexpensive cleaning secrets. This long-forgotten gem of a cleaning agent may be used with a little water or vinegar to lift even the most stub-born stains. Unattractive grout driving you batty? Mold and mildew stains got you reaching for the Prozac? Burner pans and casserole dishes giving you fits? Cream of Tartar is your new best friend. Cream of tartar is one of nature’s best bleaching agents. Cream of tartar, a.k.a “crusted wine,” is mixed with baking soda to create baking powder (bet you didn't know that.. okay, some of you probably did, you smartypants). While it is an acid, it’s not harmful. It’s an acidic salt which comes from grapes. Use a few tablespoons of cream of tartar with hot water or hydrogen peroxide and clean any aluminum pans which have discoloration or any rusty drains, pans, or stains. Do you have copper kettles? Mix some cream of tarter with lemon juice and rub the copper with it. Rinse and be amazed! How about a porcelain sink, tub, commode? Rub the porcelain surfaces with cream of tartar and watch the stains disappear. Fabric stains? No prob. Mix a few teaspoons of cream of tartar with some glycerin and use like spray-and-wash. The results? Well, I’m here to tell you that this stuff cured the ring around Joshua’s shirt collars. Just need a great nonabrasive cleaner? Mix 2 teaspoons of vinegar and 2 teaspoon of cream of tartar in a small dish (use 3 or 4 teaspoons of vinegar and 3 or 4 teaspoons of cream of tartar if you have more items to clean). Apply with your cleaning rag or scrub brush and let it sit for 5-10 minutes. Scrub. Wash with hot soapy water. Huntin’ and Diggin’, August 2016 newsletter via Rose-N-Rock, Aug 2016

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The Cowtown Cutter Fort Worth Gem and Mineral Club P. O Box 123975 Fort Worth, TX 76121 To:

The Fort Worth Gem and Mineral Club was founded in 1950. It is a member of the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the South Central Federation of Mineralogical Societies.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this club is to promote the study of geology, mineralogy, and the lapidary arts. We also strive to stimulate the interest in the searching, and collecting, of minerals and fossils.

MEETINGS: Every 4th Tuesday @ 3545 Bryan Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76110 3545 Bryan Avenue, Fort Worth, TX 76110. Visitors Welcome MEMBERSHIP: Membership shall be open to anyone interested in the purpose described above. $15.00 per person, per year. $20.00 per family, per year.

MAILING ADDRESS: Schuyler Bullock, Treasurer, 657 Deer Valley Rd, Weatherford, TX 76085

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