Official Publication of the Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society AFFILIATED WITH • MIDWEST FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL AND GEOLOGICAL SOCIETIES• AMERICAN FEDERATION OF MINERALOGICAL SOCIETIES

June,2016

Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society

2016 OFFICERS President: Diane Kuzara (734) 675-5237 Vice President: Dan Gumina (313) 766-8944 Recording Secretary: Julie Knechtges (734) 444-9151 Treasurer: Doris Snyder (313) 291-2133 Corresponding Secretary: Julie Knechtges (734) 444-9151 Liaison Officer: Peter Kuzara (734) 675-5237

COMMITIEE CHAIRPERSONS Club Services: Ana Ferguson Door Prizes: Mike Bomba AFMS Scholarship: Pat Rutkowski Local Field Trips - Bill Barr Summer Field Trips - Bill Barr Education: Dave Hendershot Insurance: Historian: Tom Morris Michigan Material: Tom Morris Club Publicity: Membership: Ana Ferguson MMLS Scholarship: Leonard Swisher Program Coordinator. Mike Bomba Property - Storage: Leonard Swisher Property - Meetings: Leonard Swisher I Ken Slack Sunshine Reporter: Velma Bradley Refreshments: Janet Slominski I Kim Osborne Web Site: Stacey Harper

ACTIVITIES 2016 Banquet: 2016 Swap: Lou and Cindy Talley 2016 Super Swap: Bill Barr /Tom Morris 2016 Auction: Dan Gumina

The Rockpile Staff : Editor Peter Kuzara, email: Kuzara1126@gmail.com 734-675-5237

MMLS website - www.mmls.us Email - rockhounds@mmls.us

General Club meetings are held at 7:30 p.m. on every third Tuesday of the month ( except July and August) at the Democratic Club of Taylor, 23400 Wick Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME

STUDY GROUPS Advance Lapidary: Basic Lapidary: Bead Study: Diane Kuzara Faceting: Mineralogy: Dave Esch Paleontology: Wire Study: John Lindsay Silversmithing: Don Brown

PAST PRESIDENTS Robert Ellison (interim) 1956 Louis Cox 1957 Robert Heldenbrand 1958-59 Ralph Gamble 1959-60 Fred Miller 1960-61 Bert Smart 1961-62 Leo Nieman 1963 Nicholas Rothenthaler 1964-65 Robert Fedoruk 1966-67 John Good 1968-69 Cecilia Duluk 1970 Stanley Francz.ak 1971-72 E. Donald Stinnett 1973-74 Ralph Goniea 1975-76 Norman Hanschu 1977-78 Thomas Gibbs 1979-80 Harry Nagy 1981-82 Elspeth Gibbs 1983-84 Loretta Franczak 1985-86 Roland Snyder 1987-88 Jay Ross 1989-90 Tom Morris Jr. 1991-92 Diane Kuzara 1993-94 Bill Orban 1995-96 Glenn Swain 1997-98 Bill Peach 1999-2000 Diane Kuzara 2001-02 Cecilia Duluk 2003-04 Russ Ranker 2005-06 Dick DePodesta 2007-08 Rich Williams 2009- I 0 Leonard Swisher 2011-12 MikeBomba2013-14

June12016 THE ROCKPILE

The President's Corner Volume LX Issue 6

Spring is in the air, the birds are singing and Pete and I have just returned from demonstrating at the Kalamazoo Gem and Mineral Show as we have done for the last several years. We have watched the that show grow from a small show in a little room at the Kalamazoo Fairgrounds to the large room in the Expo Center that was built alongside that small room they were in years ago. They had a large crowd in attendance for all three days of their show. Makes me wonder what ~ have done wrong. I know that they do a lot of advertising but I felt the biggest difference is that they gear their show to not only the kids but to families.

It looks like there isn't enough interest in bring back our picnic like I wanted to. I sent out an email to just our board members inquiring if they would be interested in attending a picnic and I only received five responses back (they were positive responses though). That's not enough to go head with the plans to rent the park I found for us to hold the picnic at in Taylor, so I will not continue with trying to do so. Have a good Summer-see everyone in September.

Diane

The Nominating Committee for the 2017 club officers are: Mike Bomba and Dan Gumina Please volunteer if you are asked!!!!

Notice to members, if you would rather get your rockpile by way of Email let the editor know.

Board Meeting Summary April 15,2016 Meeting called to order at 7:42PM. A motion was made to accept the March 11, 2016 meeting minutes as reported by Secretary Julie Knechtges, carried. A motion was made to accept the Treasurer's Report as reported by Treasurer Doris Snyder. Program Director/Door Prizes, Mike Bomba advised May and June program is "Gemstones of America" narrated by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. A motion was made and carried to use $46 from the general funds to cover the scholarship shortage. Diane will get approval from the membership at the general meeting to do this.

Scholarships will awarded during June General Meeting. Next Board Meeting May 13, 2016 being held at Kuzara's house. Meeting adjourned 8:15 PM. Submitted by Julie Knechtges Secretary

General Meeting Summary April 19, 2016 Minutes of the March 15, 2016 meeting was approved as reported. The Treasurer's report for March 1 to 31 was approved. Program Director/Door Prizes, Mike Bomba advised May and June program is "Gemstones of America" narrated by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. Stacey Harper made known that Stacey Stump is looking for someone to cut and polish stones for her out around Garden City area Ana Ferguson made a motion to reinstate Jackie Presson and Stephen Stuart as members, carried. Possibly two scholarships will be awarded at the June General Meeting. A motion was made and carried to use $46 from the general funds to cover the scholarship shortage. Need someone to replace Bill Barr as local field trip chairman. Next SuperSwap committee meeting will be held May 22 at the fairgrounds. Please advise Diane Kuzara if you would be interested in attending a MMLS picnic and or banquet. We need to know if there is enough interest in setting either up. Summarized by Julie Knechtges, Secretary

June Progam: Will be the second half of the video entitled Gem Stones of America narrated by Efrem Zimbalist Jr. This is a Smithstonian video.

Address update: Dan Gumina 13615 Michigan Ave Apt. Al03 Dearborn, Mi. 48126-3545

Email and Telephone Update GusPovirk Email: bapovirk@gmail.com Tel.: 248-497-3565

Gold is the only metal that doesn't rust, even if it's buried in the ground for thousand of years From the internet

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June12016 THE ROCKPILE

VolumeLX Issue 6 Dates to Remember Contacts for study groups Bead study, Diane Kuzara, 734-675-5237 Mineral study, David Esch, 734-665-5574 Wirewrap, John Lindsay, 734-604-8561 Lapidary work shop, Frank Konieczki 734-323-2218

June 1 Wire Wrap Class, Call John Lindsay for details

June 2 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown at 7pm

June 6 Lapidary work shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 10pm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening.

June 15 Lapidary work shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 10pm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening.

June 16 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara' s, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, at 7pm

June 16 NO MINERAL STUDY GROUP

June 17 Board Meeting at the Kuzara's 20281 Thomas, Brownstown at 7:30pm.

June 20 Lapidary work shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 10pm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening.

June 21 General meeting will be held at the DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF TAYLOR, 23400 WICK RD., TAYLOR at 7:30pm.

July 6 Wire Wrap Class, Call John Lindsay for details

July 7 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, Mi at 7pm

July 21 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, Mi at 7pm

August 3 Wire Wrap Class, Call John Lindsay for details

August 4 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, Mi at 7pm

August 18 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, Mi at 7pm

AUGUST 19 THE ROCKPILE DEADLINE

IN JULY AND AUGUST THERE WILL BE NO MINERAL STUDY GROUP OR LAPIDARY WORKSHOP!!

September 1 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, Mi at 7pm

September 7 Wire Wrap Class, Call John Lindsay for details

September 12 Lapidary work shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 10pm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening.

September 15 Bead study group will meet at the Kuzara's, 20281 Thomas, Brownstown, Mi at 7pm

September 15 Mineral study group will meet at Dave Esch's house, 227 Barton Shore Dr., Ann Arbor, Mi., at 7:30pm.

September 16 Board Meeting, The Rockpile deadline at the Kuzara' s 2028 l Thomas, Brownstown at 7:30pm.

September 19 Lapidary work shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 10pm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening.

September 20 General meeting will be held at the DEMOCRATIC CLUB OF TAYLOR, 23400 WICK RD., TAYLOR at 7:30pm.

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June22016 THE ROCKPILE

Volume LX Issue 6

September 21 Lapidary work shop 2009 W. Michigan Ave., Ypsilanti, Mi., 7pm to 1 Opm. Fee is $2.50 for each evening.

October 1st and 2nd 2016 Southeastern, Mi. Gem, Mineral & Rock SuperSwap. See flyer on last page.

Other Club Events

June 3rd & 4tb State Line Gem & Mineral Society show, Fulton County Fairgrounds, Wauseon, Ohio

June 4th & 5th Richland Lithnic and Lapidary Society, Richland County Fairgrounds, 75 N. Home Rd., Mansfield, Ohio, Inf. 419-562-1152 themineralhouse@netzero.net

June 11th Indian Mounds Rock & Mineral Club, tailgate sale, Wesley Park U.M. Church, 1150 32nd ST., Wyoming, Michigan, Inf. 616-249-0513, gnspalenka@sbcglobal.net, www.indianmoundsrockclub.com

June 24th thru 26th Lawrence County Rock Club, Lawrence County Fairgrounds,US Hwy. Bedford, Indiana, Inf. 812-295-3463, Djt5766jkft@msn.com lawrencecountyrockclub.org Info. sakardatzke@mcom.com, 517-673-5487

August 6th Ishpeming Rock and Mineral Club, Elk' s Club Hall, 597 Lake Shore Dr., Ishpeming, Mi., for more inf. 906-228-9422 or email ejohnson@nmu.edu or ishpemingrocks.org

August 9th thru 12th Copper Country Rock and Mineral Club (Keweenaw Week) Keweenaw Peninsular, more inf 906-337-2599 or kweek20 l 6@up.net or www.ccrmc.info

August 12th thru 14th Copper Country rock and Mineral Club Show, Houghton Elementary, Houhton, Mi for inf: 906-228-6764 pres@ccrmc.info

August 13th Flint Rock and Gem Club Rock Craft and Rummage Sale. 810-638-5796 or flintrockandgem.org

September 9th thru 11th Toledo Gem and Rockhound Show, Stranahan Theatre Complex, 4645 Heatherdowns, Toledo, Ohio, for info 419-882-1733 or jscapuano@yahoo.com

September 16th thru 18th Tulip City Gem & Mineral Club, The Soccer Stop, 5 River Hills Dr., Holland, Mi, for info Sonbeams2000@yahoo.com or w.w.w.tulipcity.org

September 1']tll & 18th Livingston Gem and Mineral Society Show, Hartland Consolidated School, 9525 Highland Rd., Howell, Mi., for info 810-241-8801

September 24th & 25t1t Grand Traverse Area Rock and Mineral Club, for info 231-276-6150 or maple2b@aol.com or w. w. w.tcrockhounds.com

From the Editor: My two cents. First things first. I'd like to apologize for the many blunders in the last couple of Rockpiles. I would like to blame it on my new computer and windows IO but I must take full credit. Diane and I attended and demonstrated at the Kalamazoo show. I was really impressed with the amount of people that attended the show, some times the aisles where jammed. The next program for the September general meeting is our customary "Brag Night". We would like members to bring in and show what hobby related items they bought, crafted or rockhounded. This will be your last Rockpile until September, so you all have a safe and fun summer Pete

Soldiers do not march in step when going across bridges because they could set up a vibration which could be sufficient to knock the bridge down.

The Earth get 100 tons heavier every day due to falling space dust.

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June12016 THE ROCKPILE

Volume LX Issue 6 Polishing Your Soapstone Carving By Pat Rutkowski

Carving Soapstone- after the carving is finished first sand very thoroughly with a 220 grit sandpaper or emery cloth. After all scratches are removed, sand again with 400 grit wet or dry emery cloth. Then give a final polish with 600 grit wet or dry emery cloth. You can get better results if 400 and 600 grit sanding is done under running water.

After carving is dry, rub with boiled linseed oil (any kind of oil will bring out the color), or immerse it in oil for one or two days. Immersing gives a darker color and last much longer. When carving is taken out of the oil, dry with paper towels thoroughly and next day rub and polish with paper towels or cloth. Continue polishing for better effect.

. ANCIENT FOSSIL FOREST UNEARTHED IN ARTIC NORWAY Source: Cardiff University Date: November 19,2015

United Kingdom researchers have unearthed ancient fossil forests, thought to be partly responsible for one of the most dramatic shifts in Earth's climate in the past 400 million years.

The fossil forests, with tree stumps preserved in place, were found in Svalbard, a Norwegian archipelago situated in the Arctic Ocean. They were identified and described by Dr. Chris Berry of Cardiff University's School of Earth and Ocean Science.

Professor John Marshall, of Southampton University, has accurately dated the forests to 380 million years.

The forests grew near the equator during the late During the Devonian Period, and could provide an insight into the cause of a 15-fold reduction in levels of carbon dioxide (CO2) in the atmosphere around that time.

Current theories suggest that during the Devonian period (420-360 million years ago) there was a huge drop in the level of CO2 in the atmosphere, thought to be largely caused by a change in vegetation from diminutive plants to the first large forest trees.

Forests pulled CO2 out of the air through

photosynthesis -- the process by which plants create food and tissues -- and the formation of soils.

Although initially the appearance of large trees absorbed more of the· sun's radiation, eventually temperatures on Earth also dropped dramatically to levels very similar to those experienced today because of the reduction in atmospheric CO2.

Because of the high temperatures and large amount of rainfall on the equator, it is likely that equatorial forests contributed most to the drawdown of CO2. Svalbard was located on the equator around this time, before the tectonic plate drifted north by around 80° to its current position in the Arctic Ocean.

"These fossil forests shows us what the vegetation were like on the equator 380 million years ago, as the first trees were beginning to appear on Earth," said Dr. Berry .

The team found that the forests in Svalbard were formed mainly of lycopod trees, better known for growing millions of years later in coal swamps that eventually turned into coal deposits---such as those in South Wales. They also found that the forests were extremely dense, with very small gaps--around 20cm--between each of the trees, which probably reached about 4m high.

Dr. Berry had previously with American colleagues to describe another slightly older forest, at Gilboa in upstate New York. The Gilboa forest was located at least 30 degrees south of the equator at that time, and the tree stumps in place belonged to different types of plants.

"This demonstrates that there was already geographical diversity of forest plant types and ecology just as soon as they had evolved," Dr. Berry continued.

During the Devonian Period, it is widely believed that there was a huge drop in the level of carbon dioxide in the atmosphere, from 15 times the present amount to something approaching current levels.

The evolution of tree-sized vegetation is most likely cause of this dramatic drop in carbon dioxide because the plants were absorbing carbon dioxide through photosynthesis to build their tissues, and also the process of forming soils.

Svalbard is currently one of the most northernmost inhabited areas in the world with a

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June12016 THE ROCKPILE

VolumeLX Issue 6 population of around 2500.

Svalbard now plays host to "Global Seed Vault" a secure, underground frozen seed bank in which a large variety of plant seeds are preserved. The vault functions to provide a safety net against a loss of diversity in a global crisis.

"It's amazing that we've uncovered one of the very first forest in the very place that is now being used to preserve the Earth's plant diversity," continued Dr. Berry.

Story Source: The above post is reprinted from materials

provided by Cardiff University. Note : Materials may be edited for content and length.

Cardiff University. "Ancient fossil forest unearthed in Artie Norway." Science Daily, 19 November 2015. Via MWF News 4/2016

SOME NEWS

MASSIVE DIAMOND MAY FETCH $70M

Seth Wenig/ IJ> A 3-billion-year-old diamond that's the size of a tennis ball will be auctioned in London by Sotheby's on June 29.

BY JILL LAWLESS Associated Press

London - It's a rock for the ages. A 3-billion-year-old diamond the size of a tennis ball - the largest dis­ covered in over a century - could sell for more than $70 million, auctioneer Sotheby's said Wednesday.

The auction house plans to offer the Lesedi la Rona diamond in Lon- don on June 29. The diamond was unearthed in November in Botswana at a mine owned by Canada's Lucara Diamond Corporation. It measured 1, 109 carats, the second-largest gem-quality rough diamond ever discovered.

Its name means "our light" in the Tswana language of southern Africa. The auctioneer said the rough gemstone "of exceptional transparency" could yield the largest top-quality diamond ever cut and polished. David Bennett, chairman of Sothe by's jewelry division, called the dis covery "the find of a lifetime" and the auction unprecedented, because no rough diamond of this size has ever been auctioned. "We put an estimate on it in excess of $70 million, so that is the sort of area we are expecting to go for, but frankly it is difficult to tell what is the largest diamond in the world worth?" he said. The Royal Collection Trust, which oversees British royal treasures, says the largest gem-quality diamond ever found was the 3,106-carat Cullinan diamond, unearthed in South Africa in 1905. It was cut into nine pieces that form part of the U.K. Crown Jewels. The Lesedi la Rona could smash the record price for a diamond of $48.5 million, paid at a Geneva sale last year for the 12.03-carat polished "Blue Moon" diamond. Hong Kong billionaire Joseph Lau picked it up as a gift for his 7-year-old daughter. The Lesedi la Rona diamond will be on public display at Sotheby's in New York on Saturday, and at the auctioneer's London showrooms June 18- 28. From the Detroit News 5/5/2016

Hint For Slab Saw Vice When replacing the wooden jaws of your slab saw, use second growth hickory instead of hard maple. It will grip the stone just as tight and will last longer. From the Breccia 2/99 via Rock Roller 8/00

Flourescent Rocks have to be viewed in the dark. To make labels, mix quinine and water to use for ink. It glows a bright bluish white under the black light. From the Breccia 3/99 via Rock Roller 8/00

See you all in Septem her!!!!! - 5 -

~~' ~ ~"'l'o16 SOUTHEASTERN MICHIGAN 11? GEMt MINERAL & ROCK

SUPERSWAP! Hosted by the Midwest Mineralogical & Lapidary Society

Saturday, Oct. 1 • 10 a.m. - 5 p.rn. Sunday, Oct. 2 • 10 a.m. - 4 p.m.

Wayne County Fairgrounds 10871 Quirk Rd., Belleville Ml

(1-94 to Exit 190, Won N. Service Drive, Non Quirk to Fairgrounds on right)

SWAP! SELL! JUY! Minerals • FossHs • &ett1s • Jewelry • Lapidary Materials

Seads • Equip111ettt • Supplies • Jooks • and ttaorel PUBLIC INVITED!

FREE Admission! FREE Parking!

Many restaurants nearby!

INDOOR EVENT - Rain or Shine! Camping available - contact

Fairgrounds Office at 734-697-7002

ACTIVITIES including:

Mineral Kits for Kids Demonstrations

Mineral ID Others TBA

Tables $35/2 days, $20/day (if available). For info about reservations, etc., call 313-278-5063 or email wbarr@umich.edu

THE MIDWEST MINERALOGICAL AND LAPIDARY SOCIETY (MMLS) is an educational non-profit organization founded in 1956. The Society now has more than 100 members and is affiliated with the Midwest Federation of Mineralogical Societies and the American Federation of Mineralogical Societies. Significantly, MMLS has been recognized numerous times by the Midwest and American Federations with first place (gold level) awards in the annual AU American Club Awards Program.

PURPOSE: The purpose of The MMLS shall be (1) to promote interest in and increase knowledge in the fields of mineralogy, geology, and paleontology, including lapidary and related arts; (2) to publish articles and information pertaining to these fields; (3) to encourage collections and to display specimens in these fields; and (4) to arrange field trips in support of the interests and activities specified.

GENERAL MEETINGS: the third Tuesday of each month, September through June, 7:30 p.m. at the Democratic Club of Taylor, 23400 Wick Rd., Taylor, MI 48180 GUESTS ARE ALWAYS WELCOME.

MEMBERSIDP: Applications for membership can be obtained at any general meeting or from any MMLS member. DUES: Entrance fee - $3.00; annual dues - $15.00 (adult), $1.00 (junior) on a year basis. Membership expires each Dec. 31.

ANNUAL EVENTS: March - Rock Swap and Sale November - Auction Coming is October 2016 our second Rock Swap and Sale!!

STUDY GROUPS: Special-interest study groups meet monthly, September though June. No additional fees are involved. Currently the following groups are active: Basic Lapidary Advanced Lapidary Wire Study Bead Study Mineralogy Silversmithing ( Silversmithing is now on hold until further notice.)

FIELD TRIPS: Several one day field trips and one longer (one to two weeks) field trips are conducted each year. Mostly, these field trips focus on the collection of mineral and fossil specimens at quarries, mines, and other known collecting sites in the United States and Canada. Field trips are restricted to MMLS members.

SCHOLARSHIP FUND: MMLS has established a scholarship Endowment Fund which provides scholarships to qualified students enrolled in an accredited college or university in southeastern Michigan who have completed at least their junior year and have a major in geology, mineralogy, paleontology or lapidary and related arts.

SEAMAN MINERAL MUSEUM: MMLS has designated the A.E. SEAMAN Mineral Musewn at Michigan Technological University, Houghton, Michigan, as it's "adoptive" museum, pledging to support it with gifts to the museum's endowment fund and the donation of mineral specimens and services.

INTERNET WEB SITES OF INTEREST: Midwest Federation: www.amfed.org/mwf/index.html American Lands Access Association: http: //amlands.org

American Federation: www.amfed.org

The Rockhound's IO Commandments: 1. Thou shall not touch thy neighbor's minerals unless he places them in thy hands. 2. Thou shall not test the strength of crystals by pushing, squeezing or biting. 3. Thou shall not drop thy neighbor's fossils, for many do not bounce properly. 4. Thou shall not place thy neighbor's specimens in thine own pocket. 5. Thou shall not collect at a neighbor's land unless unless thy neighbor knowst he's there. 6. Thou shall not argue names of minerals too violently; for sometimes thou couldst be wrong. 7. Thou shall not climb above thy neighbor's head when on a field trip, lest thou art willing to spend the rest of the day digging him out. 8. Thou shall protect thine eyes, hands & feet, so that they mayst enjoy many future field trips. 9. Thou shall not encroach upon thy neighbor's diggin's, lest thy neighbor's hammer be dropped upon thee. 10. Thou shall not break uncollectable specimens.

Midwest Mineralogical and Lapidary Society of Michigan

EDITOR 202s1 moMAS BROWNSTOWN, MI

48183

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Bulletin Editor Contest Awards

• 1993 - 1st Place (Large Bu lie tin) AFMS 1991 -1st Place (Large Bulletin) MWF 1990 -1st Place (New Editor) AFMS 1990-1st Place (New Editor) MWF

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