Volume 4, Issue 6 November 2009

Time change: ‘Fall Back’ from

Daylight Saving Time at
P.O. Box 234
Needles, CA 92363 2 AM on Sunday November 1, 2009
That means California and Nevada
Editor:
Sally Hayward will be on different times2again!
rockhound.ngmc@gmail.com

Please let the nominating committee know if you can actively take part in the
Club’s responsibilities this year. The positions open on the Board are
President, Vice President, Treasurer, Secretary and Auditor. Volunteer
Committees are: Field Trip, Refreshments, Sunshine, Facilities, Meeting
Greeter, Membership, Newsletter, Vender Booth (Christmas time), Blue
Agate Mine and many more. Please, please volunteer! Contact Corinne
More, Barb Ballard or Kathy Sporre to help us!!!!!

The Program for the next NGMC Club meeting is sharing talent – bring
something you have made or know about, using rocks, minerals or anything
you think would be of interest to the group and plan to share.

INSIDE THIS ISSUE

NEXT CLUB MEETING
November 16 at 6:00 PM, PST 2 Club Information
3 Refreshment Schedule/Upcoming Shows
Usually 3rd Monday of each 4 Turquoise in our blood - Colbaughs
month, Oct-May 5 Colbaughs page 2
6 Tumbling Tips
7 Hints ‘n Such
First Baptist Church 8 Upcoming Field Trips & Events – Other information
1421 Commercial St. 9 More other information and Blue Agate Mine information
Mohave Valley, AZ 10 Address label

BOARD MEETING
Usually
30 minutes before Club
meeting each month
Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club November 2009

NGMC INFORMATION YOU NEED TO KNOW

THE OBJECTIVES OF NGMC Membership per person: $15.00 year
Name Badge: $ 3.75
To promote public interest in collecting and Field Trip Fee: $ 1.00
studying rocks and minerals. “No Badge” fine: 25¢
To preserve and perpetuate the lapidary arts.
To provide field trips to obtain lapidary FIELD TRIP GUIDELINES - NGMC
material and minerals for preservation and
display. • Leader will state approximately how far,
To provide an opportunity for the purchase, road conditions, and if 4WD is required when
exchange and exhibition of specimens and each field tripper signs in.
materials. • Each car is to keep the car behind in sight
and STOP if the car is not in sight (unless
The NGMC meets the third Monday of each otherwise stated by the leader).
month from October through May at 6:00 • Field trippers will notify the leader if they
p.m. Pacific Time unless otherwise notified. are hiking or driving to another site and their
approximate return time.
NGMC - 2009 • Field trippers will notify the leader if they
President: Ann Ferguson 928-768-7150
are leaving the group and sign out (with time).
Vice President: Allan Reed 928-763-3511 • Members wear name badges.
Treasurer: Lori Clary 928-234-3391 • Handheld radios: stay on Channel 6
Secretary: Sally Hayward 928-768-7437
Past President: Corinne More 760-326-5005 The Blue Agate News is published monthly
Past President: Barb Ballard 928-768-6335 except June, July, August and September.
Auditor: Ramona Peterson 928-854-1853 Articles are requested to be to the editor by
Facilities Chair: Faith Reed 928-763-3511
Field Trip Chair: Bob Ferguson 928-768-7150
the 15th of each month, preferably by email
Membership Chair: Gisela New 928-768-5640 at Rockhound.ngmc@gmail.com. The Blue
Refreshments Chair: Faith Reed 928-763-3511 Agate News is published via email - if you
Sgt at Arms: Pat New 928-768-5640 have internet, please share your address with
Sunshine Chair: Barb Ballard 928-768-6335 the Secretary. This saves the Club money
Newsletter Editor: Sally Hayward
and you will have the newsletter immediately.
HONORARY LIFETIME MEMBERS The Newsletter is in PDF format, so it will be
necessary to download Adobe Reader (free
George Truitt program) in order to view the newsletter.
Norma Truitt Newsletters are available at the meeting. You
Myrna Givens can also view the newsletter on line at
Corinne More http://needlesgemmineralclub.blog spot.com/.
Membership dues are payable at the The Blog (Web Log) – Blue Agate News
November meeting and delinquent after Online is free and can be updated frequently
January 1. Please send dues to the official October through May. If you have information
Club address on the first page of this you want posted, please email it to Sally at
Newsletter, attention: Treasurer. rockhound.ngmc@gmail.com or sign up to
contribute directly to the Blog. You can
This Club is a member of the California access the Blog at: http://needlesgem
Federation of Mineralogical Societies (CFMS) mineralclub.blogspot.com/
http://www.cfmsinc.org/.

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Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club November 2009

NOVEMBER 7 & 8: RIDGECREST, CA

Refreshment Schedule
November 2009 -- Paula A. & Gisela N.
December – Christmas Party Pot Luck
Indian Wells Gem & Mineral Society, Inc.
Desert Empire Fairgrounds
520 S. Richmond Rd., Ridgecrest
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily
John DeRosa (760) 375-7905
schiller@ridgecrest.ca.us

November 14 & 15 LAKE HAVASU

Lake Havasu Gem & Mineral Society
UPCOMING SHOWS The 40th Annual Gem & Mineral Roundup
November 14th & 15th
Saturday 9:00am-5:00pm
Nov 1: SCOTTSDALE (PHOENIX), AZ: Wholesale Sunday 9:00am-4:00pm
show; Rings & Things; Chaparral Suites Resort City Community (Aquatic) Center
Scottsdale (Conference Center), 5001 N. Scottsdale
Rd.; Sun. 1-5; contact Dave Robertson, (800) 366-
NOVEMBER 14 & 15: YUBA CITY, CA
2156; Web site: www.rings-things.com/Show/
Sutter Buttes Gem & Mineral Society
Franklin Hall, Yuba/Sutter Fairgrounds
Nov 3: SAN DIEGO, CA: Wholesale show; Rings &
442 Franklin Avenue
Things; Mission Valley Resort Hotel (Ballroom), 875
Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 9-4
Hotel Circle S; Tue. 1-5; contact Dave Robertson,
Bruce Roberts (530) 675-2864
(800) 366-2156; Web site: www.rings-
things.com/Show/
NOVEMBER 14 & 15: VICTORVILLE, CA
Victor Valley Gem & Mineral Society
Nov 4: BUENA PARK, CA: Wholesale show; Rings &
San Bernardino Co. Fairgrounds
Things; Knott's Berry Farm Resort Hotel, 7675
17800 - 7th Street
Crescent Ave.; Wed. 1-5; contact Dave Robertson,
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm daily
(800) 366-2156; Web site: www.rings-
Virgil Melton (760) 900-0507
things.com/Show/
VVGMC.org
NOVEMBER 6, 7 & 8: EUREKA, CA
NOVEMBER 21 & 22: OXNARD, CA
Humboldt Gem & Mineral Society
Oxnard Gem & Mineral Society
Redwood Acres Fairgrounds
Oxnard Performing Arts Center
3750 Harris Street
800 Hobson Way
Hours: Fri. 9-6, Sat. 10-6, Sun. 10-5
Hours: Sat. 9-5; Sun. 10-4
Toni Tyson (707) 502-9574
Norb Kinsler (805) 644-6450
bluiis911@msn.com
Show_info@oxnardgem.com
www.oxnardgem.com
NOVEMBER 7 & 8: CONCORD, CA
Contra Costa Mineral & Gem Society
NOVEMBER 21 & 22: LIVERMORE, CA
Centre Concord
Livermore Vallet Lithophiles
5298 Clayton Road (Ygnacio & Cla)
At The Barn
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm daily
Pacific Ave. at So. Livermore Ave.
Harry Nichandros
Hours: Sat. 10-5; Sun. 10-4
show2009@ccmgs.org
info@lithophiles.com
http://ccmgs.org
www.lithophiles.com
NOVEMBER 7 & 8: LANCASTER, CA
DECEMBER 5 & 6: BARSTOW, CA
Palmdale Gem & Mineral Club
Mojave Gem & Mineral Society
Antelope Valley Fairgrounds
Community Center
2551 West Ave. H & Hwy 14, Lancaster
841 Barstow Road
Hours: 9:00 am – 5:00 pm Daily
Hours: 10 am – 5 pm Daily
Susan Chaisson-Walblom(661)943-1861
Gene Haines (760) 256-0595
slchaisson@yahoo.com
janetwentz@earthlink.net
www.palmdalegems.com
mdgms.org

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Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club
TURQUOISE 'IN OUR BLOOD'
Only 2 Ariz. operations
mine for gem year-
round
Use in jewelry keeps state third in
nation in 'sky stone' production
KINGMAN — Since 1962, members of
Marty Colbaugh's family and their
employees have been digging turquoise
from a copper mine northwest of town,
hauling it around in 5-gallon buckets,
sorting through the rubble by hand and
processing it into sky-blue and green
gems.
Most of it becomes centerpieces in
jewelry. Some goes into tile that a side
business sells for $500 a square foot.
His business dates to a time when
Kingman adopted the nickname
"Turquoise Capital of the World." And
even though many of the shops that
sold "sky stone" to travelers are now
gone, the mining operation Colbaugh's
grandfather started in Mineral Park
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November 2009
continues producing turquoise for a
global market. "It's in our blood,"
Colbaugh said.
Arizona is the nation's third-largest
producer of gemstones thanks to
turquoise, according to the U.S.
Geological Survey. Yet there are only
two commercial operations that mine
the stone year-round: Colbaugh
Processing Inc. in Kingman and
Sleeping Beauty Turquoise in Globe.
"We're keeping an entire industry alive
that is pretty widespread," Colbaugh
said.
Turquoise mining in the Southwest
started with Indians who prized the
gem for decoration and for religious
ceremonies.
Because turquoise is part copper,
Bisbee and Morenci once had
operations. Each fall in Bisbee,
hobbyists are allowed into a rock dump
for a chance at recovering a chunk of
prized Bisbee Blue.
Arizona's soil has a higher silica content
that makes the color and hardness of its
turquoise sought after by collectors and
jewelers, Colbaugh said.
Because the mineral composition of the
soil varies by mine, stones from each
are known for specific characteristics.
Turquoise from Bisbee's Lavender Pit is
renowned for its deep blue color and
small black veins, while turquoise from
Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club November 2009

Morenci is prized for including iron Colbaugh Processing, which also has a
pyrite, also known as "fool's gold." manufacturing facility in Hong Kong,
distributes its turquoise to customers in
Sleeping Beauty turquoise from Globe is Africa, Asia and South America as well
known for its uniform blue, while the as through the Home Shopping Network
turquoise Colbaugh produces has a and QVC.
spectrum ranging from blue to green.
The value of turquoise depends on its Joe P. Lowry, who runs a turquoise
density, color and rarity and the veins museum in Albuquerque and co-
running through the stone. Lower– authored "Turquoise Unearthed," a book
grade stones are common and porous, about the gem, said the labor required
absorbing creams and body oils that to produce turquoise and a low number
may alter their color over time. of
"You could have two pieces of operating
turquoise, one could be worth $5 and copper
the other could be worth $5,000," mines limit
Colbaugh said. the number
of
Most turquoise is fairly soft and must be commercial
stabilized, usually with a clear epoxy operations.
resin that also darkens the color. On
Stabilized turquoise is still considered a average, a
gem. Only 3 percent of turquoise from miner has
Colbaugh's mine is hard enough that it to move a
doesn't require processing. With a ton and a
deeper and more consistent color, these half of dirt to find a usable amount of
are the most valuable stones. turquoise, Lowry said. Some turquoise
miners invest $500,000 to $1 million
China is the world's largest turquoise and never recover costs, he said. "You
producer, and its turquoise is more just never know. It's a gamble and it's a
affordable because of abundant supply, romance," Lowry said.
lower labor costs and fewer
environmental restrictions. But Indian By Christine Rogel
jewelry is much more valuable when CRONKITE NEWS SERVICE
made with turquoise from the Tucson, Arizona
Southwest because it's considered more
authentic.

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Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club
Tumbling Tips
Bill Myers of Myers Rapid Polish wanted to
share extra tips on tumbling you may not
know. “We cannot over stress the importance
of proper separating media in all tumbling
stages including polish. For separating media
for crystals, woods, or sweetwaters, or that
type of material, we use the India garnets, as
they are nearer to the correct specific gravity,
plus with those you can polish out after using
the separating media and sell them. We use
approximately 35% garnets per barrel load.
When tumbling cabs, we use a mixture of
large and small ceramic bits, and glass
marbles." "Experiments we have done
indicate that it will give you a better stone
finish if there is enough fine separating media
to prevent any possible battering of the stone
against the others. This is usually
approximately 35%, and should be as small
as 1/4" or less. This ratio works excellently for
us when doing woods, amethyst crystals,
Lake Superior agates and also broken flint
pieces. For Apache tears, we use a mixture of
approximately 25% large ceramic bits (media)
and 25% small ceramic bits, and 50% glass
marbles, (yes, the kind your kids love to play
with). 75-80% media to stone is a good
mixture for this. Separating media is important
in both rotary or vibrator machines, and in all
stages from day one to the last day of polish
stage. Always add a bit of soap to the tumbler
in all stages as this will help with washout. For
the vibrator pre-polish and polish stages,
adding a bit of R.V. antifreeze will help
abrasives to work more efficiently.(R.V.
antifreeze has glycerin in it which is a water
thickener.) For the rotary, on the first grind, do
not add soda, add table salt and this will tend
to reduce tendency for internal gas pressure.
Rotary-first grind, minimum 21 days, for other
grit stages, 7 days is fine. Vibrator for pre-
contoured stones (preferably done in a rotary
tumbler since the rough grinds tend to wear
out the vibratory tumbler liners): 2 days in 400
silicon carbide, 2 days in 600 silicon carbide,
3 days at aluminum oxide 800 grit pre-polish,
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November 2009
1 day at TXP polish." ("We find that the
aluminum oxide, 800 grit is superior to S.C.
(silicon carbide) for pre-polish") "When
washing out roller barrel from first grind, save
all slurry, include what is rinsed from barrel.
After allowing to settle 15 minutes or so, pour
off and dilute with water and pour off until you
can see residual remains. Presence of this
will tell you if you are grinding long enough to
break grit down. Also might indicate using too
much grit. We find that approximately 1 oz
(grit) per pound of stone is ok for us. For
vibrators, add 1 tablespoon per 5 pounds. For
cabs, we hand finish to 320 dry on 8" disc,
then to vibrator tumbler 2 days @ 600 grit, 3
days @800 grit, then 1 day TXP. This gives a
good finish." Bill Myers tumbler mesh bag: "A
mesh bag is excellent for washout, as it
allows one to both agitate and screen at the
same time. These can easily be made using
fiberglass screening cut into strips folded over
and sewn up the sides with quilting tape to
make a bag approx. 20" X 15". Approximately
5 pound loads can be placed in a bag in 1/2
bucket of water and by grasping bag by top
and bottom, seesaw to wash. Hose off and do
again in bucket 2. Hose off and after bucket
3, and it will be clean. MORE NOTES FROM
BILL: Remember: cushioning your material is
the KEY to better, faster tumbled stones! The
softer the material, the greater the need for
cushioning. For agates, jaspers, etc.
cushioning of 35% ratio is recommended. For
tumbling flats 75% cushioning is
recommended. A cheap cushioning material
is broken windshields (tempered glass). Most
of the shops just throw these away. Bill
tumbles this glass one day to clean it up
before using with his stones.
Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club
Hints ‘n Such
These hints were gathered primarily from the
bulletins of other clubs. They have not been
evaluated for safety or reliability and could be
unsafe or could cause damage to your project.
Please use caution and safety when trying out
any new idea.
SO...How does one become a "Rock
Hound" you may ask....
When I was small I asked the same question of a very old
rock hound. He gave me a small pouch containing seven
marbles. He told me to look for "special" rocks and
whenever I found one, pick it up and leave one marble in
its place. Keep repeating this same procedure until all the
marbles are gone. Then he told me how it works...
"When you have lost all your marbles, you are officially a
true Rock Hound!"
`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°
Interesting facts
* Molten rocks are responsible for the formation of
topaz, emeralds, diamonds, and rubies.
* Ground water evaporation is what forms opal,
amethyst, quartz and turquoise
* Metamorphic re-crystallization makes garnets and
staurolite.
* Of all gemstones jade is the most durable.
* Wear opals, pearls, amber and turquoise carefully as
they scratch easily.
These are just a few tips and hints on polishing and
cleaning of rocks and minerals. Read up all you can
before you commence with the cleaning and polishing
for best results.
`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°`°º¤ø¤º°`°º¤ø,¸¸,ø¤º°
* Jade and other soft stones like aventurine and tiger
eye, can be effectively polished using a wet 600 sanding
cloth. Once done, apply the No. 1200 metal lapping
compound, available at any auto supply store, to one
inch of a leather lap and work the stone, you will find
that the stone gets a dull polish which can then be given
a good shine using cerium oxide or tin.
* Peridot is best worked on using a 260 to grind, 1,200
for pre-polishing and then with Linde A on a type metal
lap or a tin lap.
* Malachite can be cut using a saw. This is soft stone so
7
November 2009
it's best to keep away from the direct parallel of the
grain by about ten degrees. By doing this you will get the
bull's-eye effect when you dome the stone. Wear a mask
while grinding as the flying dust is toxic and grind on a
well worn out 600. Give it a final polish with "ZAM on
hard felt" the more you polish the better the stone
becomes.
* Fire Agate is really a chalcedony which has a layer of
iridescent limonite that is trapped in-between the
chalcedony layers. You need to be careful when working
with fire agate. Start your grinding slowly suing a 100
grit wheel. The "fire" is the dense spot inside where the
iridescent limonite is. Once done, grind on a finer wheel
so you "fire" is seen more clearly and closer to the
surface. Be careful you don't sand away the "fire". Finish
off with a leather buff using tin oxide.
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Did You Know?
* Cleaning Stones is an art by itself. Eyeglass silicon
treated tissue removes fingerprints from stones.
* Flush the dirt to the surface using toothpaste that has
fluorite. It can penetrate brick, terracotta, ceramics and
stone easily. The dirt can then be rinsed off with water.
* Desert roses are best cleaned using a solution of Axion
Dishwashing Cleaner and water. Soak overnight, brush
gently and rinse in clean water. This is an easy and safe
method.
* Ultrasonic cleansers are used by some professionals but
there are some stones that must not be cleaned in this
manner. They are stones like pearls, lapis, opal, coral,
tourmaline, mother-of-pearl, emerald and turquoise,
agate, topaz and malachite.
* Fluorite should never be cleaned in warm or hot water
because it will wash off the luster and it will never come
back. A better idea is to put in 'muriatic acid' which will
remove the calcite and then rinse in cold water.
* Pyrite, quartz and other silica’s are best cleaned with
radiator cleaner DuPont No.7. Use one tablespoon for
one quart of water then rinse with dilute ammonia and a
final rinse in clean water.
* A good soak in water and ammonia will clean out lichen
and algae from your rock samples.
* If you want to see what's inside your stone before you
commence faceting, drop them in some oil of cassia or
cinnamon. All flaws and inclusions will be visible as the
refractive index of these oils is very similar to that of
most gemstones. The surface irregularities disappear,
making them easy to see.
Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club
UPCOMING FIELD TRIPS & EVENTS
11/07/2009 - Peddlers Fair located at the
Episcopal Church, 2020 J Street in Needles.
Fair opens at 8 AM so we need to be there at
6:30 AM or 7:00 AM to set up. Call Jim R to
see what you can do to help.
11/13-15/2009 - Burro Creek – Meet
Saturday 9 AM Burro Creek Road and Hwy
93. Camping at BLM Camp Ground. Call
Bob for details.
12/05/2009 - The Olde Fashioned Christmas
Party and Lighted Parade will be held on
Saturday, Dec. 5, this year. NGMC will have
a booth!!!!!
12/12/2009 - Golden Shores Area led by
Mike Spicer Details available at November
16th meeting.
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A message from your Editor:
Due to the cost of postage and printing, the
Blue Agate Newsletter will only be sent by
email starting December 1, 2009. If you do
not have internet or access to email, please
get a friend to accept the newsletter for you.
Call Sally at 928-768-7437 to update all email
addresses. There will be a few hard copies at
the regular Business meeting and you can
view the Newsletter on our Blog.
Articles by NGMC members wanted for our
Blue Agate Newsletter!!! Please!!!
8
November 2009
Prevent Swine Flu - Good Advice
The following message is given by Dr. Vinay
Goyal is an MBBS,DRM,DNB (Intensivist and
Thyroid specialist) having clinical experience of
over 20 years. He has worked in institutions like
Hinduja Hospital, Bombay Hospital, Saifee
Hospital, and Tata Memorial etc... Presently, he is
heading our Nuclear Medicine Department and
Thyroid clinic at Riddhivinayak Cardiac and
Critical Centre, Malad (W).
The only portals of entry are the nostrils and
mouth/throat. In a global epidemic of this nature,
it's almost impossible to avoid coming into contact
with H1N1 in spite of all precautions. Contact with
H1N1 is not so much of a problem as proliferation
is.
While you are still healthy and not showing any
symptoms of H1N1 infection, in order to prevent
proliferation, aggravation of symptoms and
development of secondary infections, some very
simple steps, not fully highlighted in most official
communications, can be practiced (instead of
focusing on how to stock N95 or Tamiflu):
1. Frequent hand-washing (well highlighted in
all official communications).
2. Hands-off-the-face approach. Resist all
temptations to touch any part of face unless you
want to eat, bathe or slap.
3. Gargle twice a day with warm salt water
(use Listerine if you don't trust salt). H1N1
takes 2-3 days after initial infection in the throat/
nasal cavity to proliferate and show characteristic
symptoms. Simple gargling prevents proliferation.
In a way, gargling with salt water has the same
effect on a healthy individual that Tamiflu has on
an infected one. Don't underestimate this simple,
inexpensive and powerful preventative method.
4. Similar to 3 above, clean your nostrils at
least once every day with warm salt water with
a Neti Pot. (Not everybody may be good at Neti
Pot, but blowing the nose hard once a day and
swabbing both nostrils with cotton buds dipped in
warm salt water is very effective in bringing down
viral the population.
Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club November 2009

5. Boost your natural immunity with foods that

are rich in Vitamin C (Amla and other citrus fruits).
*If you have to supplement with Vitamin C tablets,
make sure that it also has Zinc to boost
absorption.

6. Drink as much of warm liquids (tea, coffee,

etc) as you can. Drinking warm liquids has the
same effect as gargling, but in the reverse
direction. They wash off proliferating viruses from
the throat into the stomach where they cannot
survive, proliferate or do any harm.

Blue Danube Mine aka Blue Agate Mine

The Blue Agate Mine committee report was

given at last our business meeting by Ann
Ferguson. The committee, co-chaired by
Tony Ballard and Jim Root, met with several
other members early in the summer to
investigate the need for Small Miners
Exemption for the Club’s Blue Agate Mine.
The committee states the need for centralized
information on the mine. They are doing new
GPS coordinates and staking and general
maintenance such as a new marker, new
gate, signs and fence. The Tobin’s are
donating fence and gate panels.

We have to show the mine is productive. This

means investigating and determining the
value of Needles Blue Agate and show the
Club members are maintaining and working
the mine and selling material from the mine.

All information will be updated, maintenance

made current and proof the work has been
done and document this.

There will be a “work” day at the mine on

Saturday October 24th. Hopefully there will be
picturesWand there is!!!!! There were seven
NGMC Club members and two rock hound
dogs who ventured to the Blue Agate today!
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Blue Agate News Needles Gem & Mineral Club November 2009

BLUE AGATE NEWS

NEEDLES GEM & MINERAL CLUB
PO BOX 234
NEEDLES, CA 92363-0234

Exchange Bulletins Welcome!

Please send Exchange Bulletins to the address above
Or email to rockhound.ngmc@gmail.com

WYOAQHA photo ‘07

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