WITWATERSRAND
GEM and MINERAL CLUB
Newsletter for NOVEMBER 2016
P O Box 3708 Cresta 2118 South Africa
C1 Lab Room 215, 2nd floor Department of Geology, University of Johannesburg Auckland Park
JUST A WORD FROM THE EDITOR
It is November - the end of the year is in sight. Welcome to the last
newsletter for 2016. As the Editor, I would like to thank each club
member who assisted and took part in our club’s theme evenings, as
well as those members who presented talks during this year.
Don’t forget the ROCK CRYSTAL MINERAL TRADE FAIR to be held on
Sunday the 27th November 2016 at the Riversands Village Farm from
9h00 to 16h00. Directions on Page 2.
Cathedral Rock, Keurboomstrand
EVENT CALENDAR
THEMED EVENING : 9th November 2016 (details on page 4 -6)
(1) Everything in blue (bring specimens)
(2) Natural & faceted paired examples of crystals (bring specimens)
WGMC YEAR END EVENING : 30th November 2016 (RSVP to invitation on page 6)
 ROCK CRYSTAL MINERAL TRADE FAIR – 27th November 2016 at Riversands Village Farm from 9h00-16h00
 GEMBOREE 2017: The 50th Gemboree will be held over the Easter Weekend, 14-17 April 2017 (hosted by WGMC)
CLUB NEWS
Wishing the following club members, a HAPPY BIRTHDAY this month:
Abbas Patel
Michelle Cay
Keith Ballie
1 November
9 November
16 November
SOCIAL MEDIA
WGMC is on Facebook. Please join our group to receive the latest news on our meetings and speakers.
https://www.facebook.com/Witwatersrand-Gem-and-Mineral-Club. Thanks to Stephan Gomersall.
ROCK CRYSTAL MINERAL TRADE FAIR
27th November 2016
There is a longstanding tradition of an annual Open Day, hosted by Southern African Minerals and Gems. Rob Smith
recently relocated to Cape Town, leaving a huge gap in the Gauteng market. The event was also known by fond terms,
including the annual swop and sell. Many serious collectors would only socialise at this gathering, just as many deals
were made on this day, in the form of a handshake and a smile, as is the tradition of most rock folk.
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Mineral clubs from across the country, as well as neighbouring countries would convene annually, on the lawns of
Rob's Germiston premises; attracting dealers, business owners, jewellers, hobbyists, artists, renown authors, expats,
collectors and international traders.
An auction was always held in support of FOSAGAMS, The Federation of Southern African Gems and Minerals, in
support of their wide volunteer-based network. Many fun activities were conducted without fail. The Rush was a
great stampede to the tables of bargains laid out, as Rob took the opportunity of doing an annual spring clean. Every
manner of goodies was available, from antique brass mine lamps, trays of rocks to other related equipment. This was
always great fun to watch and often dangerous to participate in.
Historically (traditionally), the gathering was held during the Highveld winter months, firstly as this did not clash with
any of the major international mineral shows, and the rather unlikely chance of rain. The fraternity often gathered in
great coats in wee temperatures, as this was always the most important day of the local rock calendar.
Last year launched the first independent 'open day', Rockscience, hosted by Graeme and Lesley Hoffman on their
beautiful property. Although it was a roaring success, there has been a unanimous vote not to host the event on a
private property again. Hence, we have joined hands with the team at Riversands, who have a well-oiled machine,
with an array of on-site catering and all the facilities necessary for a comfortable and professional show.
We have an exclusive covered area allocated to us, while other regular traders of good upmarket wares, are sprinkled
about the property, providing an easy uncluttered meander. As the premises are on an inner section of a large private
estate, parking and other activities are safe and secure.
Visitors will be able to browse the various permanent food stalls, then relax under a variety of covers and shades,
while overlooking the gently sloping lawns and the private lake, while enjoying their culinary delights. Every
imaginable beverage is available, ranging from a speciality coffee house, ice creams and custom offering, to a wellstocked pub just pulsing with excited energy.
There is no need to bring a thing except your sunglasses.
So, mark your diary and we will see you at Riversands Farm on Sunday the 27th November 2016 from 09h00 to 16h00.
Directions
- From N1 take the William Nicol off-ramp
- Travel north towards Fourways for 6.7km
- Turn right onto Erling Road
- Follow the map (right) for 2.8km to the village
Your queries and comments are welcomed.
Please direct to Sharon Flax Waddington (082
923 4794).
Some stands are still available - bookings are
open via [email protected]. Thandi
Rhode-Taylor is handling all bookings, while
social media and getting the word out, is being
handled by Sharon Flax Waddington. Please
visit the Facebook page ROCK CRYSTAL
MINERAL TRADE FAIR.
Cost for a stand is R200.00 - Gates will open for all “traders” at 8h00 to start set-up before 9h00. The venue provides
cover exhibition area. Please bring your own table/s and chairs.
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MEMBERSHIP
Club membership includes a monthly newsletter and news on the latest happenings, workshops and outings of
other clubs across the country. Further, you will be an automatic member of the Federation of Southern Africa
Mineral Society (FOSAGAMS) and receive the South African Gem Magazine three (3) times a year free of charge.
As a member you are exclusively invited to the yearly Gemboree held over the Easter Weekend, at cost
(accommodation, meals, t-shirt, admin) determine by the hosting mineral club - all rocks and minerals collected
during this weekend are free of charge.
Annual membership fees until 28 February 2017, are as follows:
 Full/Family Member
R250 per year (Note: the family member has no voting right)
 Pensioner Member
R150 per year
 Students
R90 per year
Kindly pay your club fees and forward the proof of payment to [email protected] . This will enable you to
continue to participate and enjoy the club’s benefits. Should you have a friend or colleague who wishes to join the
club, kindly contact the club secretary for an application form. Fees are payable to the Treasurer, Jono Hotz. The
WGMC Banking details are as follows:
Standard Bank
Cheque account
Account number:
200551744
Branch code:
006305
COMMITTEE MEMBERS
The following club members, by overall support of the members attending the meeting, have accepted to stand on
the 2016 committee on the 24th February 2016:
Chairman
Massimo Leone
082 372 0328
[email protected]
Vice Chairman
Kevin Hean
083 267 5342
[email protected]
Treasurer
Jono Hotz
082 444 9628
[email protected]
Editor & Secretary
Claudette Denner
072 591 6202
[email protected]
Other Club Contacts (non-committee members)
 Raffle Master
Keith Bailie
 Mineral Section
Damian Kislig
 Librarian
Murray Skikna
 Facebook Page
Stephan Gomersal
082 928 9515
072 203 1351
076 447 7327
082 774 0746
CLUB MEETINGS
The club meets every second and last Wednesday of each month at 19h00 for 19h30, excluding December, at the
University of Johannesburg, Auckland Park, Department of Geology, Second Floor, Lab C1 Room 215. Please use the
guard entrance off Ditton Road; the building is directly opposite the mentioned entrance and parking is available to
the left (limited) or around the turning circle to the right (plenty available). We welcome all visitors. Tea, coffee and
biscuits are available at a donation of R5.00.
LIBRARY
Murray Skikna was elected on the 24th February 2016 to take over the Library from Massimo Leone. Please contact
Murray on [email protected] or 076 447 7327 to assist you to borrow books and/or magazines. Murray will
update the current library and will give assistance to members wishing to borrow books. Should you have any books
(old or new) on minerals, geology or lapidary that you wish to donate to the library, please contact our new
Librarian.
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RAFFLE
The monthly raffle takes place on the last Wednesday of every month. Raffle tickets are on sale in the meeting room
on the night at R10.00 each. Proceeds of the raffle goes into the kitty to host a fabulous year end function.
Those selling minerals at the club, please donate a nice rock to the raffle. Contact Keith Bailey at the club meetings
in this regard. We are requesting all mineral and gem dealers to please donate a specimen or two for the raffle. Keith
would be happy to assist.
LINKED SOCIETIES
We exchange newsletters with the following societies. Should you be interested in reading any of them please
contact [email protected] and I will email them on to you. If you wish to join any of the clubs, or attend
their lectures and outings, please contact the person listed below:
 FOSAGAMS
Linda Stone
[email protected]
 South African Micro-Mount Society
Alison Rose
[email protected]
 Natal Mineral & Gem Society
Frank Farquharson [email protected]
 Pietermaritzburg Gem & Mineral Club Craig A’Bear
[email protected]
 Nelspruit Gem & Mineral Club
Paul Vermaak
[email protected]
 Pretoria Gem & Mineral Club
Willem Vorster
[email protected]
 Cape Town Gem & Mineral Club
Malcolm Jackson [email protected]
 Kimberly Lapidary Club
Ludi von Bezing [email protected]
9th November 2016
THEMED EVENING
1.
Everything in Blue
According to Andrew Alden, a Geology Expert (May 10, 2016) the blue, violet and
purple end of the visible spectrum is not one where rocks and minerals are
commonly found. In the field, you are unlikely to see minerals in this color range
unless you are in one of four settings (in order of abundance):
Chalcanthite
1.
2.
3.
4.
Pegmatites
Certain metamorphic rocks
Oxidized zones of ore bodies
Low-silica (feldspathoidal bearing) igneous rocks
This list is for minerals that are typically or most characteristically blue, violet,
purple or related shades. While many of these minerals are easily found in rock
shops, they are not as common in the field. A
good geologist may see only half of these
during their career in the field.
To properly identify your blue, purple or
violet mineral, you need to first inspect it in
good light. Decide the best name for its
colour—the colours of the minerals in
this list include blue-green, sky-blue,
Connellite
lilac, indigo, violet and purple. In
translucent minerals, blue colour is less
reliable than in opaque minerals. At the same time, note the mineral's
hardness and its luster on a fresh surface. If possible, determine the rock
class—igneous, sedimentary or metamorphic—and the more specific rock
type as well as you can.
(http://geology.about.com/od/mineral_ident/tp/Blue-Purple-Minerals.htm)
Azurite
Lazurite
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A few examples of BLUE minerals:
 Azurite
 Beryl
 Blue Apatite
 Blue Calcite
 Blue Lace Agate
 Blue Kyanite
 Celestite
 Chalcanthite
 Connellite
 Labradorite
 Lapus Lazuli
 Lazurite
 Shattuckite
 Sodalite
Shattuckite
Celestite
READ MORE
 http://gem5.com/tag/blue/ (list of blue gemstone)
 http://kamayojewelry.com/gemstone-colors/blue-gemstones-names/
 https://gemresources.com/info/index.php?page=gemstoneinfo&id=16 (azurite)
 http://www.mindat.org/min-2357.html (lazurite)
 http://nevada-outback-gems.com/mineral_information/Celestite_mineral_info.htm
 http://geology.com/minerals/turquoise.shtml
 http://geology.com/gemstones/labradorite/
 http://www.mindat.org/min-1120.html (connellite)
2.
Natural & faceted paired examples of crystals
Natural blue tanzanite: The pair of crystals shown on the left is the same pair
of crystals shown on the right. They have different apparent colors because
tanzanite is pleochroic - it appears to be different colors when viewed from
different directions.
If we cut a faceted stone from the crystal pair on the right and oriented the
cutting so that, in this view, we were looking down onto the top of the table, the
stone would have a blue face-up color. If we did the same with the crystal pair
on the left, the stone would have a purple face-up color. If the table of the stone
were tilted slightly in any direction, an intermediate face-up color would be
produced. (http://geology.com/gemstones/tanzanite/)
READ MORE
 http://www.marinmineral.com/roughcut1.html?cur=pound
 https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/19719100
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YEAR END FUNCTION
30 November 2016
YOU ARE INVITED
WGMC YEAR END FUNCTION
Please join us for a social evening
Swop-&-Sell
Food and wine will be served
All club members welcome
WHEN
WHERE
RSVP
30th November 2016
19h00 for 19h30
Room 215 G - 2nd floor Department of Geology
University of Johannesburg Auckland Park
Before 12h00 on the 26rd November 2015
Claudette Denner 072 591 6202
[email protected]
SPEAKERS FOR 2017
Whilst 2016 is moving at a steady pace, 2017 is just around the corner. You as a club member are hereby invited to
present a talk on any gem or mineral related subject. Should you be willing to present a talk, kindly advise the
secretary accordingly on your topic and preferred date to do so. The dates for 2017 speaker evenings are 25 January,
22 February, 29 March, 26 April, 31 May, 28 June, 30 August, 27 September or 25 October.
Alternatively, should you know of a person in this field that would be interesting to listen to, and willing to present a
talk, kindly forward their details through (name, topic, and contact
information).
ADVERTS
If you are a club member and you wish to advertise your mineral or related
type business, please email the editor your details/advert layout in order
to publish it in the monthly newsletter.
DISCLAIMER
If you have received this email in error, or wish to be added/removed from
our mineral related mailing list, please REPLY to [email protected]
with subscribe or unsubscribe in the subject line.
A selection of hand and head sized
specimens available for sale. Please contact
Sharon on 082 923 4794
www.stores.ebay.com/sahotrocks
AT THE END
You made it this far. Thank you for taking the time to read through the November 2016 WGMC newsletter.
Remember that if you have something to add or share with other club members please feel free to email the details
to [email protected].
Ciao,
Claudette Denner, Wits Gem & Mineral Club, Newsletter Editor
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