Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club

7. Outing to WITFONTEIN, February 20
Despite the inclement rainy weather on 21st February, all
members who had intimated that they would be coming
(plus some others) attended this outing to collect some
“dolomitised serpentine” at Witfontein. 13 cars (19 adults
and five children) took part. Through the sterling efforts of
Dave, Keith, Klaus, Martin and Theo, “”mincemeat” was
made of the large boulders in no time, by them lustily
swinging the 14 lb hammers; “smaller” rocks were made
from “bigger” rocks and after an hour, most members
departed, satisfied with what they had managed to collect.
(The majority of the members attending were from our
Club).
8. Silversmithing Project – Beginners’ Course – 26
February – feedback by Tish Pettit and Rienie
Venter.
9 People attended this course. Bernard was super as
always – his students can’t stop mentioning his patients,
helpfulness and maticulous way of teaching. His
perfectionism also definitely rubs off on his students …
just when we think our projects is “good enough” he
encourages us to do better. We made two beautiful
domed rings. It was like Christmas afterwards …
everybody was SO excited about the rings in the end.
All and all it was a very enjoyable day. Lex also
assisted us in the afternoon. Thank you to Bernard
and Lex for investing their time in us.
9. Monthly meeting held on February 28 –
PEARLS
The main programme for the evening was a talk on
PEARLS (natural, artifical, cultured, etc), by an expert
who wrote a book on this subject - Marge Dawson. –
the difference between artificial and genuine pearls.
We want to thank Fay Pierides who arranged this very
interesting talk for us.
FOSAGAMS NEWS:
1. Gemboree 2005, Port Shepstone
If you have not yet registered for the Gemboree, time is
running out! The cut-off date for Registration was 31
January, but late registrations will be accepted
The forms can be obtained from Douw or Esté Steyn (012)
345 3939 or email pgmc@fosagams.co.za.
There are still some caravan- /campsites available, but huts
and parkhome-accommodation is getting scarce. A list of
B&B’s and Guest Lodges in the area, is also available.
A very full programme for the weekend shows that this is
going to be a very interesting Gemboree and we urge you to
make an all-out effort to be there.
2. Lapidary Magazine, Vol Vol. 37 No. 1
This issue has just come off the press and contains a few
articles which should be a “must-read” for every member.
There are two articles on the Pilanesberg Nature Reserve
(with some excellent photos) where there is an annual outing
to collect the “herring-bone” fluorite. In view of the fact that
this outing is always limited to 15 persons (because it is a
game reserve which boasts a few of the “Big Five”), it is
suggested that for this year’s outing (scheduled for
August 21) a chance should be given to those members who
have not been there before.
Another article entitled “F.O.S.A.G.A.M.S.” gives an insight
into the objectives and achievements of our Federation.
(A few members will be receiving their copy late, as we have
run out of copies at the moment, but the problem is in the
process of being resolved)
3. WITS Gem and Mineral Club - Change of
Chairmanship
Allan Fraser, after four years at the helm of the Wits
Club, had decided to step down from the position of
Chairman at the Wits AGM, which was held in February.
We wish to congratulate Linda Ristow, who volunteered
to take on this post, after a long discussion took place in
order to find a member willing to take on this onerous
task. We wish Linda everything of the best in her term of
office and assure her of our help and support as far as
possible.
From the press – Dieter Heinichen
The heading “Nujoma (75) set to rock the campus as
a geology student” (Pretoria News, 17 Feb. 2005)
caught the attention of many a rockhound, including
me. Sourced by the Independent Foreign service, the
news is that the Namibian President, after retiring next
month, “has enrolled with the faculty of science at the
University of Namibia (Unam) where he intends to
study geology.” He believes “that the mountains of his
vast and arid country were laden with mineral wealth
which had yet to be tapped.” The paper further notes
that: “by studying geology at the age of 75, it might be
a little too late for Nujoma to assist the country’s
mineral exploration efforts – by the time he eventually
graduates he will be 80.” Who knows, if he remains fit
and healthy he may succeed and even join a club and
turn into a rockhound to get that hands-on experience.
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