Crystal's Rock - Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club
Crystal's Rock - Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club
Crystal's Rock - Pretoria Gem and Mineral Club
You also want an ePaper? Increase the reach of your titles
YUMPU automatically turns print PDFs into web optimized ePapers that Google loves.
<strong>Pretoria</strong> <strong>Gem</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Mineral</strong> <strong>Club</strong>Affiliated to the Federation of Southern African<strong>Gem</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Mineral</strong>ogical SocietiesJune 2010<strong>Pretoria</strong> <strong>Rock</strong>hound Digest<strong>Pretoria</strong> <strong>Gem</strong> <strong>and</strong> <strong>Mineral</strong> <strong>Club</strong><strong>Club</strong>house:P.O. Box 36 888No. 29, 26 th Street, Menlo Park, <strong>Pretoria</strong>Menlo Park 0102 Tel. 012 – 460 1494 (only Sat. 11:00 – 15:00)South Africawebsite: www.fosagams.co.za/pgmcChairman: Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812 Treasurer: Dave de Villierskrabben@mweb.co.za Secretary: Di de Villiers 082 562 8983Vice-Chairman: Dieter Heinichen 012-991 5839pgmc2@fosagams.co.zadhein@absamail.co.za Editor: Heidi Naudé 072 923 2180heidi.naude@za.bosch.comProgramme Highlights for June 2010*** <strong>Mineral</strong> Meeting: Best self-collected Specimen 5 June*** Swop & Sell <strong>and</strong> Social 5 June*** Monthly Programme: Pilanesberg Complex 12 June*** <strong>Club</strong> Outing: Limpopo (Vivo) 16 – 20 June*** Silversmithing Course: Earrings with faceted Stone 19 JuneA very warm welcome to all the new members who joined recently:Annita, Eloise <strong>and</strong> Daniel Viljoen.May your association with the <strong>Club</strong> be enjoyable, long <strong>and</strong> productive.This is an opportunity not to be missed by any mineral enthusiasts in our country. We have attached thefirst information at the end of this newsletter (pg. 7 & 8) <strong>and</strong> urge you to complete <strong>and</strong> return the preregistrationform as soon as possible.Pre-registration is important for us to determine the interest of the people <strong>and</strong> the viability of such an event.No costs are involved or available at this stage, it is merely an indication for the organizers if they shouldgo ahead with it.
Page 2PGMC Programme for June 2010: (as 26.05.2010)Date Event Time Contact Details3 June Silversmithing Workshop open 19:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 32675 June <strong>Mineral</strong> Meeting: Best self-collected SpecimenSwop & Sell <strong>and</strong> Social at the <strong>Club</strong>houseLapidary <strong>and</strong> Silversmithing Workshops open12:00 – 13:0013:00 – 15:00Piet Reitz, 012 – 998 5452Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 681210 June Silversmithing Workshop open 19:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 326712 June Monthly Programme: Pilanesberg by Jos Lurie<strong>Club</strong> MeetingCommittee MeetingLapidary / Silversmithing Workshops open14:0015:0015.3011:00 – 13:30Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 6812Note shorter shift!16 June <strong>Club</strong> Maintenance / Cleaning Day – all welcome ! 08:30 – 15:00 Lex Krabbendam, 083 449 681217 June Silversmithing Workshop open 19:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 326716 – 20June<strong>Club</strong> Outing: Limpopo (Vivo)Lapidary <strong>and</strong> Silversmithing Workshops openSee NL’sMarch & Aprilfor details <strong>and</strong>directionsLinda Stone, 082 598 9117after 14:00 pm24 June Silversmithing Workshop open 19:00 – 21:00 Bernard Strydom, 078 187 326726 June Lapidary <strong>and</strong> Silversmithing Workshops open 11:00 – 15:00Cabochon classes on Saturdays – by appointment only Linda Stone, 082 598 9117 (after 14:00)What are you doing with all those beautifulrocks collected at the outings? Why not slabsome <strong>and</strong> make a cabochon or two? Don’tknow how? Phone our specialist Linda <strong>and</strong>you will soon grind <strong>and</strong> polish like a “pro”.Faceting classes on Saturdays – by appointment only Philip Alp, 014-574 3488 / 014-571 2159Interested to learn more about this fascinatingaspect of our hobby? Don’t hesitate anylonger - phone our highly experiencedmaster faceter Philip now to arrange yourfaceting class with him.Silversmithing classes on Saturdays Bernard Strydom, 078 187 3267Besides the “official” silversmithing classesadvertised in the NL, members are verywelcome to arrange with Bernard somespecial assistance with their individualprojects on Saturdays at the clubhouse.
Page 31. Duty Roster – June & July 2010June 5 12 19 24 29Open – 11:00 am Heidi …… Piet WillDuty Team Felix / Heidi Helmut / ….. Piet / Elize Will / AnnyClose – 15:00 pm Heidi Committee Piet WillJuly 3 10 17 24 31Open – 11:00 am Karin Dieter Nick ……. PietDuty Team Wolf / Karin Dieter / Linda Nick / Tish S.Marie / Jean Piet / ElizeClose – 15:00 pm Karin Committee Nick ……. PietTea/Coffee will be served once; this is also applicable on course days. Fridge sales <strong>and</strong> workshopmaterial sales will stop at 14:30 pm to allow for sufficient time to reconcile/close the cash box.2. Special <strong>Club</strong> Maintenance / Cleaning DayOur reliable Maintenance Team is workingovertime to finish all the new projects, such asthe flat lap station, the faceting corner <strong>and</strong> theupgrade of the silversmithing workstations. Toease their workload we have decided to call onall our members for help.A Special Maintenance / Cleaning Day isplanned for Wed., 16 June from 08.30 amonwards until 15:00 pm, to tackle tasks such as:additional lighting for the silversmithers, install<strong>and</strong> set-up the faceting machines, finish the flatlap station, clean the saws <strong>and</strong> replace the oil,clean the kitchen, reception area, store room<strong>and</strong> windows, cut-back shrubs <strong>and</strong> trees in thegarden, etc., etc. The list seems to be endless<strong>and</strong> the tasks are multiple enough to keep quitea number of people (men <strong>and</strong> women alike)busy for a couple of hours. All the helpers willbe spoiled with boerewors rolls <strong>and</strong> cool drinksfor lunch. Everybody is very welcome !!!!Crystal’s <strong>Rock</strong>GPS: 26° 9'40.38"S / 28°10'11.01"EWe are happy to announce ouropening at Meadowdale Mall –Edenvale.Cabinet Specimens, Thumbnails <strong>and</strong>affordable Collector’s Pieces.Crystal Jewelry available <strong>and</strong> alsomade to order.Please visit us or call Roarke Lessingat 083 324 1143 for furtherinformation.CRYSTAL’S ROCK’S ROCKS ROCK!(Look again - grammatically correct … really!)Please bring your own basic toolboxes, garden shears, saws, buckets, cleaning cloth, step ladderetc. that we can all work simultaneously <strong>and</strong> get the work done as efficiently as possible.
Page 43. PersonalsA big Thank You goes to Will van den Berg whotook the urn home <strong>and</strong> repaired it for us.Get Well Wishes go to Karien Grobler who hadto endure a kidney stone operation; what a painfullesson to learn – not all “stones” are worthcollecting! Karien we are thinking of you <strong>and</strong> wishyou a speedy recovery.Get Well Wishes go also to Horst Windisch whohad another nasty fall whilst on a mineral outing.His shoulder <strong>and</strong> collar bone had to be operatedon. The procedure went well but post-operativecomplications kept him in the hospital much longerthan planned. Horst our thoughts are with you <strong>and</strong>we wish you also a speedy <strong>and</strong> full recovery. Hopeto see you at the club soon again.In this regard we also wish to extend our thanks toPiet Reitz <strong>and</strong> Lex Krabbendam who stepped in<strong>and</strong> temporary took-over some of Horst’sresponsibilities (monthly mineral meeting <strong>and</strong>monthly programme) until Horst is “up <strong>and</strong>running” again.4. Special Acknowledgement <strong>and</strong> Thank You’sgo toFay PieridesHelmut Schönberger <strong>and</strong>Neels van den Berg,who ensured that the recently completed lapidarytraining sessions for the ten students of theUniversity of Johannesburg, held on two separateWednesdays, where successful.Apparently all students where able to completebeautiful cabochons under the supervision of thehighly experienced “PGMC Training Team”.Who knows, some of them might even join our club.Thank you very much Fay, Helmut <strong>and</strong> Neels forpassing on your experience <strong>and</strong> knowledge <strong>and</strong> thuspromoting our hobby <strong>and</strong> the club to the public in thebest way possible.
Page 51. Monthly <strong>Mineral</strong> Meeting, 05.06.2010Piet Reitz will chair the monthly mineral meeting scheduled for Saturday, 05.06.2010 at 12:00 at theclubhouse. The subject for this month is: “Best Self-collected <strong>Mineral</strong>”; please bring your bestspecimens collected (not bought) <strong>and</strong> share their story with us. Looking forward to seeing you there.This will be followed by the Swop & Sell.2. Monthly Programme, 12.06.2010 – Pilanesberg ComplexGeologically, the area is world famous. Its structure, termed the "Pilanesberg National Park AlkalineRing Complex" was formed by volcanic eruptions some 1 200 million years ago. Ancient, even bygeological time scales this extinct volcano is the most perfect example of an alkaline ring complex.There are only two other alkaline volcanoes in the world, in Russia <strong>and</strong> in Greenl<strong>and</strong>. Neither are asclearly defined as Pilanesberg National Park. A number of rare (but not necessarily economicallyimportant) minerals occur in Pilanesberg National Park. Pilanesberg National Park clearly rates highamongst the world's outst<strong>and</strong>ing geological phenomena.Want to know more…? Please join us on Saturday, 12.06.2010 at 14.00 for a talk/presentation onthis interesting subject by Prof. Jos Lurie of the University of Johannesburg. See you all there!3. Silversmithing Course, 19.06.2010Date/Time: Saturday, 19.06.2010 (10h00 – 16h00)Project:Stud Earrings with a faceted stoneInstructors: Bernard StrydomComments: We will make plain stud earrings, each set with a cubic zircon faceted stone. For thisI will supply the tubing <strong>and</strong> show you how to prepare the tube for setting <strong>and</strong> then toset it yourself. This is an excellent opportunity to perfect your stone setting skills.Cost:Registration:± R 100 / person, excl. prepared material <strong>and</strong> stones, which will be on sale.Please book in advance by signing-up <strong>and</strong> paying your non-refundable deposit ofR 50 to Bernard Strydom (078 187 3267).4. <strong>Club</strong> Outing to Limpopo (Vivo), 16. – 20.06.2010This collecting outing is a definitive highlight on our “outing calendar” <strong>and</strong> for details/directions pleaserefer to the April <strong>and</strong> May newsletters. Late bookings are still welcome, contact our outing leader –Linda Stone at 082 598 9117 (after 14.00 pm).We wish all lucky participants a save trip <strong>and</strong> successful collection expedition.
Page 61. Report on the <strong>Mineral</strong> Sale at Koster (by Linda Stone)The club was invited by Charlie Reader to buy crystals, minerals <strong>and</strong> polish rough from the collection ofhis father, the late Sony Reader.Sonny Reader had claims at Miami (district Karoi) where he mined Mica, Beryl, Chrysoberyl <strong>and</strong> Cat’sEye. He also had claims at Mica, Bulawayo <strong>and</strong> Bwana Makuba mining Emeralds, Diamonds <strong>and</strong> Goldrespectively.The following was offered for sale: Ajoite, Quartz crystals from the Jan Coetzee mine (one 35 cm long<strong>and</strong> weighing 6.5 kg), Malachite, Native Copper (weighing 30 kg <strong>and</strong> measuring 30 cm in diameter),Jasper, Mugglestone, Amazonite, Beryl, Hematite crystals, Unakite, Buddstone, Aventurine, blueChalcedony, Okoruso Fluorite <strong>and</strong> smoky Quartz. While walking around on the farm we picked-upTremolite needle crystals.Members interested in buying the remaining polish rough <strong>and</strong>/or crystals are still very welcome tocontact Charlie at 082 715 5817 <strong>and</strong> arrange a suitable date/time. He also offers affordable selfcateringaccommodation high up in the beautiful mountains on his well-stocked game farm.We extend a special word of thanks to Charlie <strong>and</strong> his charming wife Hilda (an artist in her own right) fortheir hospitality.1. Southern African <strong>Gem</strong> Cutting ChallengeThe Southern African <strong>Gem</strong> Cutting Challenge is back on track this year. The competition includescabochons <strong>and</strong> faceted stones <strong>and</strong> closes at the end of November. Any natural untreated material maybe entered for the two sections. The design for the faceted section will follow soon. The aim of this competition is to encourage members from all clubs in S.A. to compete with each other- so we work towards raising the general st<strong>and</strong>ard. There is a lot of talent out there <strong>and</strong> we have seensome amazing cutting skills on previous entries. We urge all club members in S.A. to prepare an entryfor this year <strong>and</strong> help to build a truly worthwhile <strong>and</strong> representative competition.For queries/suggestions please contact me at: pierides@mweb.co.zaFay Pierides – PGMCMachines for SaleProf. D.G. Steyn senior, has the following machines for sale:Graves Faceting Machine, Graves Cabmate Cabochon Machine, Steel Table,Laps, Dop Sticks, Polishing Powders <strong>and</strong> other accessories for a total price ofR 14 500 ono. Interested people may contact him at 012-361 2308.Jacques Hugo has a second-h<strong>and</strong> trim saw in perfect condition for sale. Itmay be viewed at the PGMC clubhouse on Saturdays. His asking price is R 1500. Contact Lex Krabbendam (083 449 6812) if you are interested.
NATIONAL MINERALSYMPOSIUM 2010FIRST CIRCULARA one-day symposium highlighting the minerals <strong>and</strong> mineral / gemstone deposits of southern Africawill be held.Important InformationDate: Saturday 20 th November 2010Venue: Council for Geoscience, Silverton, <strong>Pretoria</strong>Cost: To be determined. Will be announced in the Second CircularDeadline: Reply to this announcement by 30 th June 2010Enquiries: Contact the Symposium Chairman - Allan Fraser: mineralman@telkomsa.netCall for papers: Topics will cover minerals, mineral collectors & collections, aspects of mineralogy,micromounts, travelogues to interesting mineral localities, <strong>and</strong> related topics. Anyone applying topresent a talk or poster must submit the title <strong>and</strong> brief description (one paragraph) to the SymposiumChairman before 30 th June 2010. If the oral presentations are oversubscribed, speakers may have toconvert to the poster session. Speakers will be required to write up to a 2-page summary of theirpresentation which will be bound together <strong>and</strong> provided to delegates on the day of the symposium.Details of the write-up will follow in the Second Circular. Oral <strong>and</strong> poster presentations will bepresented. All delegates attending the Symposium are required to pay the registration fee. Allproposed presentations will be screened by the organising committee regarding their suitability for thesymposium theme.Dealers: <strong>Mineral</strong> dealers are welcome to register to sell mineral specimens during the symposium.There will be opportunites for delegates to make purchases during the tea breaks, lunchtime <strong>and</strong> thecocktail function in the evening. Details for Dealers will follow in the Second Circular.Sponsorship: The organising committee would welcome sponsors to assist in defraying the costs ofthe organisation of the symposium <strong>and</strong> thereby keep the delegates fee to a minimum.Delegates are responsible for their own travel <strong>and</strong> accommodation arrangements if coming fromoutside of <strong>Pretoria</strong>.Further details will be provided in the SECOND CIRCULAR to be sent out in July 2010.See overleafOrganising Committee: Allan Fraser; Graham Reeks; Maria Atanasova; Bruce Cairncross; Lynette Dreyer.
Pre-Registration FormPLEASE PRINT CLEARLYI am interested in attending the National <strong>Mineral</strong> Symposium 2010 in <strong>Pretoria</strong> in November.Surname........................................................................................................................First Name(s)..................................................................................................................Postal Address................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................... Post code .........................Email address................................................................................................................Telephone: L<strong>and</strong> line.............................................. Cell...............................................I will* / will not be submitting a talk / poster for presentation (circle whichever is applicable)Title of Presentation..........................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................................*Summary paragraph of proposed talk / poster attachedEmail this form to the Symposium Chairman mineralman@telkomsa.net or post a copy to:National <strong>Mineral</strong> Symposium 2010P.O. Box 369Fourways2055GautengTHIS FORM IS AVAILABLE ELECTRONICALLY.PLEASE EMAIL mineralman@telkomsa.net FOR AN MsWORD VERSIONoooooOOOOOooooo
Change language