OFFICERS Presidential Ramblings

VOL 27 NO 1 • January 2005

Newsletter of

The Middle Tennessee Gem
and Mineral Society, Inc.

P.0. Box 1256
Murfreesboro,TN 37133-1256

OFFICERS Presidential Ramblings The MTG&MS, Inc. is a
President non-profit educational
Bob King This marks the beginning of my presidency. Keep in society dedicated to the
615-754-0095 mind that being a math major, you won't see the literary study and enjoyment of
1st VP & prose that you have seen in the past. Speaking of the the earth sciences. We
Program Chair past, we all need to thank Steve Henegar for the wonder- are open to the public for
John Martin ful job he did as president. the education of all who
615-884-8128 wish to attend. Society
2nd VP & We have a new vice-president, John Martin. John membership is open to
Newsletter Editor has some great ideas about programs and field trips. He persons interested in the
Ingrid Regen is looking for people to help with field trips. He will earth sciences. Applica-
[email protected] need everyone's help to make this successful. Ingrid also tions are available on re-
615-463-2163 continues to need help with articles for the newsletter. quest.
Secretary We appreciate her taking on this job again. You might
Paula Vance also ask her the reason that she couldn't stop smiling at Meeting Dates 2005:
931-393-2491 the show. January 20th
Treasurer February 17th
Will Smith I want to congratulate everyone on a job well done March 17th
615-366-1022 with the annual rock show. All of the dealers that I spoke April 21st
Past President with said it was a very successful show for them. I May 19th
Steve Henegar visited with some of the attendees, and they were very June 16th
615-896-1472 impressed and planned to come back next year. Tina had July 21st
several students attend the rock show. They had a great August 18th
DI RECTORS time and received extra credit in the process. I was proud
Ken Swann of all of our members. It's always nice to see what can Dues are Due!!!
931-857-3435 be accomplished when everyone pitches in and helps
Lewis Elrod each other. It was a great sight to see! I am also happy Dues are $12.00 for the
615-893-8270 to announce that Mary Clyde Sparks has agreed to be the first person of each house-
chairperson again next year. She did a great job this year! hold and $2.00 for each
Inside this issue: additional family member.
On to this year's plans-We need someone's expertise Dues are payable January
Presidents Letter in making membership cards. If you have the ability, 1st and are prorated in
please contact me at home or at the next meeting, so this April, July and October.
Donelson and Tul- can be done as soon as possible. This would be espe- Check the upper right hand
lahoma notes cially helpful for the new MTSU museum. Lewis said corner of your address la-
there would be no museum entrance fee for MTG&MS bel for the year you are
GA Field Trip members. paid through.

Thank you’s This September we are scheduled to be the host of the Send dues to:
DMC field trip. More information on this and other field Will H. Smith
Ocean Jasper trips will be forthcoming.
5304 Bellcrest Dr
Swap & Shop Finally, you don't have to run from me anymore now Antioch, TN 37013
that I am not in charge of the programs. Although, I will
and more... need everyone's help in making this year a success. I
wish everyone a great New Year!

~ cont’d on page 2

January 2005 Mid-Tenn Gem’ers - Newsletter of the Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society page 2

Thought for the Month: Each behind understanding the beliefs clean the shop was after a crew
man can interpret another's experi- and observations concerning the cleaned it up last Thursday.
ence only by his own. magnetic vibrations and properties
that have been attributed to the vast Angela Arnold did “man on the
Bob King variety of stones that cover our rock” telling how she got Paula
planet. interested in lapidary. Next month
Donelson Club Meeting will be Heloise Kendrick “on the
December 2004 Stones have long played a ma- rock”.
jor role in the healing and treatment
The year has managed to seem- of various maladies throughout his- The question was asked, Could
ingly fly by and we have already tory and Allen touched on this we get membership cards or name
had our yearly gem and mineral briefly during his presentations. tags? Ken will check on prices etc.
show and all of us can see the New We probably all know that rose
Year right around the corner. The quartz is called the “love stone” but On the subject of money mak-
December meeting for the Donel- I doubt many of us know why it is ers: shows at fairs, and at the Ultra-
son group was held on December referred to as such. Allen tweaked light at the airport on Memorial Day
19th at the Donelson Senior Citizen our interest and curiosity and was weekend were some of the possibil-
Center. Attendance for the Donel- soon looking up different stones for ities. Also a yard sale to be held at
son chapter is slowly growing and club members and relaying their Ken’s place when the weather is
an update from Joe and Will con- meanings and attributes to all of us. warmer. Maybe set up at the
firms that the classes in silver For further reading, Allen has sug- “News” yard sale. We are looking
smithing and lapidary at the center gested the following book: for more possibilities to be brought
are filling up very quickly. up at later meetings.
The Crystal Bible by Judy Hall
Reviews from the show have ISBN-1-58297-240-0 Joseph mentioned a good maga-
been great. The Silent Auction did zine “Rock and Gem”. Said it had
very well this year, there were new Crystal User’s Handbook by Judy many good items in it.
vendors and overall, the feedback Hall ISBN-1-4027-0028-8
has been very positive from both We made $7.00 on ticket sales
vendors (old and new) and the gen- Michael’s Gemstone Dictionary by for our shop.
eral public on the quality and pro- Judithann H. David
fessionalism of the show. A round Dick Gross had a very interest-
of applause to all who volunteered A big “thank you” goes out to Al- ing program on Geodes. He told of
their time and energy toward the len (and Barbara) for a great topic where to find them and what to look
success of this years show. for our monthly club meeting. Our for. Everyone got to “open” one and
next meeting will be January 23rd. he cracked a new one open.
Our outgoing president, Steve
H., has decided that in order to ac- Tullahoma Club Meeting Next meeting will be Feb.14 .
quire a finished cabochon from club January 2005 Same time, same place.
members requires a bit of bribery.
So he has decided to offer slabs for The Tullahoma MTG&MS met Respectfully, Patty Gadeken
cabs as an enticement in hopes of on Jan.10th at Faith Lutheran
seeing his collection grow. Help Church. Joseph Maierbacker called 2004 Show a Success!
poor Steve out and add to his col- the meeting to order at 7:10pm.
lection First on the agenda was upcoming I hate to try to thank everyone for
rock hunts with more on dates and all the work done on the gem and
Our Monthly Program was places. mineral show, as so many do so
Metaphysical Properties of Stone much I am sure to miss someone.
and was presented to us by Allen Ken talked about the budget From organizing dealers, mailouts,
Garrett. Allen gave us an excellent and passed out copies. The fees are facilities, to tickets and sales, stay-
condensed version of the insight $12.00 plus $2.00 for each addi- ing overnight, and providing food.
tional member of the family, and The show went well, and the deal-
are due now. Ken mentioned how ers I heard from all were pleased.
Attendance was up, with approxi-

January 2005 Mid-Tenn Gem’ers - Newsletter of the Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society page 3

mately totaling 1475 in attendance teachers and students in Tennessee The complete SFMS 2005 Work-
on the two days. through this effort. This year, we shop schedule is as follows:
collated 150 rock boxes with the
Those in the club who shall remain focus being on the "Economics of Session 1, Wildacres -- April 18-24
nameless (Bob King) started asking Natural Resources in Tennessee".
me on Friday to be show chair The Tennessee Earth Science Session 2, William Holland -- June
again..."we wanted to catch you Teachers hosted two all-day work- 12-18
before you got tired and thought shops taught by Dr. Don Byerly
twice". Of course, I hope everyone (K-5 teachers) and Dr. Michael Session 3, Wildacres -- Aug. 22-28
knows though I love to complain Gibson (6-12th grade teachers), and
that I was caught in a vulnerable one hour long workshop, which en- Session 4, Wildacres -- Sep. 19-25
moment, I enjoy working with the abled teachers the opportunity to
show. having great helpers who do participate in hands-on activities Session 5, William Holland --
so much make it seem easy. We related to the rock boxes. A CD Oct. 9-15
will soon have a meeting to recap with activities, web links, and infor-
and begin to plan for the 2005 mation accompanied the rock boxes Please note that all Wildacres ses-
show. Thanks to all involved!!! on the rocks and minerals in the sions start on Monday and end on
box. Sunday while both William Hol-
Mary Clyde Sparks land sessions start on Sunday and
This CD may be found on-line end on Saturday.
Show Chair at the Tennessee Earth Science
Teachers web site: DMC Program of the SFMS Field
Letter of Thanks Trip Committee
http://www.tnearthscience.org.
Tina King An Official Field Trip of the Mid-
West Elementary (Click on "TN Minerals". Instruc- GA Gem and Mineral Society
9315 Lebanon Road tions for making a CD is also listed
Mt. Juliet, TN 37122 on this page.) Our goal is to update (Host)
the information on this CD as
December 16, 2004 needed in order to keep it current. An Official Field Trip of
the Middle Tennessee Gem and
A Special Thanks to the Middle Thank you for believing in
Tennessee Gem & Mineral Society teachers and educational outreach. Mineral Society
I know first-hand that I have grown
On behalf of the Tennessee tremendously as a teacher and a 9:30 AM, Saturday,
Earth Science Teachers, I would person from my association with February 12, 2005
like to thank you once again for the Middle Tennessee Gem & Min- Jackson’s Crossroads
helping to fund our "Tennessee eral Society. I feel that the rock
Rock Boxes". Your generous do- club and my participation with the Amethyst Site
nation has provided the plastic sec- Tennessee Earth Science Teachers
tional containers that house the have made a huge impact on my life Jackson’s Crossroads, Georgia
rocks, fossils, and mineral speci- and learning.. The Tennessee Earth Wilkes County
mens. For the past few years, the Science Teachers would like to
Tennessee Earth Science Teachers thank you for your support. It (A FEE Dig)
Association has collected, collated, means a great deal! Thank you for
and pulled together a rock box with reaching out to make a difference in Children: OK, Children allowed
correlated activities to be handed education. only under close adult supervision.
out to teachers each fall at the Ten- Please be careful of holes.
nessee Science Teachers Associa- Sincerely,
tion Conference. Thank you for Pets: OK, if they are well man-
helping bring Earth Science to Tina King, President of the Tennes- nered. Pets allowed at this site on a
see Earth Science Teachers leash.
Fee: This is a fee dig; There will be
a $15.00 charge per adult and this
allows you one 5-gallon bucket full
of goodies to take home with you.
Children under 18 are free.

Contact information: Jay Bat-
cha

January 2005 Mid-Tenn Gem’ers - Newsletter of the Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society page 4

Phone: 478-784-1965 (Day of dig have a deep purple color that is SPECIAL CONDITIONS: Al-
if needed cell# 478-319-2859) quite unique. lowed one 5 gallon bucket full a
material for each person.
E-mail address: [email protected] By: Rodney Moore (Rodney will
have specimens, and faceted stones BRING: Sledgehammer, safety
Mail address: 4220 Cyndy Jo as well as faceting rough for sale.") glasses, rock hammers, chisels,
Circle shovel, pick, scratching tools, and
A Special Note: A Note from bucket with something to protect
Macon, Ga. 31216 Rodney Moore (operator of dig your finds such as newspaper, bub-
site): I have had folks from all over ble wrap, or, etc. We will have
TRIP: The new Wilkes Co. pay to the United States visit the site. Ev- food and drinks to buy. Dress for
dig amethyst site is located in eryone has been delighted with his the weather can be cold this time of
Northwest Wilkes county, Georgia, or her visit except for one group that year! If you would like to bring
between the communities of Rayle visited, which was the Georgia stuff to trade, that would be great
and Tignall in an area known as Mineral Society. This group was addition to this field trip!
Jackson's Crossroads (abbreviated under the impression that there was
to " JXR"). In 1920 Tiffany Jewel- going to be a lot of boulders on the Where we will meet: Dollar Gen-
ers mined for amethyst near the site surface and this was not the case on eral Store in Tignall, Ga. (Tignall,
and around 1970 some guys dig- their arrival. These digs are planned Ga. is between Washington, Ga.
ging a hole to hide moonshine also months in advance and I can't guar- and Elberton, Ga. on Hwy 17)
made a discovery of amethyst near antee what the surface of the place
the area. In approx. 1988 the area will be like in February, so hope for When: 9:30 am to 3:30pm, Satur-
was clear cut logged and a fellow the best (that there will be boulders day, February 12, 2005
by the name of Plemmons rambled on the surface), but prepare for the
across the Clearing and discovered worst (that you may actually have to Directions to our meeting place:
excellent gemmy deep purple ame- work and dig for them). There is Coming from the South: on I-20
thyst. As the pine thicket grew up, plenty of amethyst on the property, take exit 172 which is Highway 78
deep in the woods along a winding as crystals in boulders and as free and head north to Washington, Ga.
path, people dug for the incredible crystals in the soil, however they In Washington take Highway 17
specimens. Some had permission are NOT like apples just hanging north to Tignall, Ga. The Dollar
but most did not. As is typical with from a tree, and NOT like snakes General Store is on the left in Tig-
hand dug sites, those that dug that will leap up and bite you. I will nall.
reached a depth of 9 feet. A mere try to schedule a machine to dig the Coming from the North: on I-85
scraping of the surface, but consid- area up prior to the DMC visit but I take exit 173 which is Highway 17
ering it was hand dug it was an can't guarantee that this will and head south to Elberton, Ga.
amazing feat of human strength, happen. The absolute cheapest that Continue on Highway 17 on Elber-
determination, and perseverance. I can get a machine in is $550 and ton to Tignall, Ga. The Dollar Gen-
In the year 2000, I was granted obviously I can't do this just for the eral Store is on the right in
permission to bring a small ma- dig, but I will try to schedule some Tignall.
chine to dig a test hole. As time work to be done prior to the field
went on and the property changed trip. Everyone is invited to visit Note: There are many other routes
hands I was able to bring progres- www.dixieeuhedrals.net for infor- to this meeting site. Depending on
sively larger and powerful equip- mation about the place." where you are coming from. But
ment to bear prospecting the area. this location is near the Graves
Although most times after digging COLLECTING: Amethyst Crys- Mountain Location
I would grade the area flat, boulders tals, facet grade Amethyst, and
remain near the surface and just Clear Quartz crystals. Some of the Drive Time: Depends on where
under it. These boulders contain finest Amethyst in Georgia and the you are coming from!
vugs that are drusy lined and some Southeast.
have gemmy deep purple amethyst. Accommodations:
The quality of these are sometimes
of incredible water clear clarity and Days Inn Elberton, 302 Elbert St.
Elberton, Ga. 706-283-2300

January 2005 Mid-Tenn Gem’ers - Newsletter of the Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society page 5

Shoney’s Inn, 14227 Jones, St. magma, forming little spherical claims owned by Madagascar Min-
Lavonia, Ga. 706-356-3300 balls. This type of formation is eas- erals.
Jameson Inn, 115 Ann Denard Dr. ily recognizable in the aforemen-
Washington, Ga. 706-678-7925 tioned jaspers. If these balls or The word "Ocean" comes mainly
Howard Johnson, 1847 Washington "globs" of silica-rich magma are from the location at the edge of the
Rd. Thomson, Ga. 706-597-9097 allowed to grow larger before the sea, along the northwest coast of
Holiday Inn Express, 1893 Wash- whole mass becomes solid, they can Madagascar where the deposit was
ington Rd. Thomson, Ga. 706-595- crack and shrink forming what later found. The forms in the rock itself
6500 may become Thundereggs. are also suggestive of the bubbling
surf of the sea.
From http://www.thegemshop.com Ocean Jasper has a typical rhyo-
lite formation except that the entire "This new rock has been found
Ocean Jasper mass has somehow been converted along the northwest coast of Mada-
to pure silica (agate, jasper, quartz). gascar after years of unsuccessful
Every year new rock and gem finds The descriptions "silicated rhyo- searching. The deposit formed as a
are brought to the Tucson Gem & lite", petrified rhyolite, or agatized rhyolite flow but has been com-
Mineral Show in Arizona. The year rhyolite are non-sensical but take on pletely silicified. The rhyolitic eyes
2000 was no exception. I was in a generally understandable meaning or orbs come in an astonishing ar-
Tucson early, packing my truck to when viewing this rock. To my ray of colors and color combina-
go to Quartzsite when Paul Oben- knowledge, there has never been a tions. The background can be
ich of Madagascar Minerals came material like this available before. white, pink, green, red, or yellow.
by and said, "Gene, look at this new Botryoidal formations as well as
rock." The Name -- Ocean Jasper® white and deep green druzy are
also common.
My friend Owen was with me and Paul Obenich and I discussed at
he saw the samples also. On the length the name of this rock. The Small pieces of this jasper have
way to Quartzsite I could not get material is characterized as an or- been brought to market over the
the image of those two rocks out of bicular jasper. That is because years but no one could identify the
my mind. I recognized the pattern whenever a rhyolite has been found source until Paul Obenich orga-
as similar to that found in a rhyolite with enough silica in it to be pol- nized a systematic search of the
flow. Other rocks of this type have ished, it has been sold as a jasper. northwest coast of Madagascar.
been in the market before, most Thus the rhyolite pat-
notably Rainforest Jasper from terns have been associ- The deposit has
Australia, Leopard Skin Jasper ated with the word been discovered at
from Mexico and the famous Poppy "jasper". the edge of the
Jasper from California. But my ocean. It can only
brief encounter with this rock led Ocean Jasper is an be seen and col-
me to believe that it far surpassed agate by the standard lected at low tide.
the quality of the others. So much definition (agate being The area has no
so that I kept asking Owen..."Were translucent and jasper road so the material
those 2 rocks we saw coated with being opaque). Ocean must be transported
something or were they polished?" Jasper is rarely opaque. to civilization by
It was decided to call
New discoveries brought to mar- the material a jasper
ket are usually new deposits of an because rhyolitic pat-
already known material. It is rare terns have been associ-
indeed that a really new material is ated with the jasper
found. Ocean Jasper fits the de- category in the past and
scription of a truly new jasper. because "jasper" is
listed as the mineral re-
Rhyolite is an igneous rock, rich source in the mining
in silica. As it cools, sometimes the
silica starts to precipitate out of the

First Class Next Murf Meeting:
Postage
Jan 20th
Forwarding and Address Correction Requested 7:30 pm
To:
Lewis Elrod
Prep and display

of minerals

Next Don Meeting:
Jan 23rd, 3 pm

Next Tull Meeting:
Feb 14th, 7 pm

Middle Tennessee Gem and Mineral Society, Inc.
c/o 2510 Essex Pl

Nashville, Tennessee 37212

boat. This wonderful Swap and Shop -
new lapidary material
is available from The PLEASE NOTE: All ads must be submitted to the
Gem Shop, Inc. editor each month that you want an ad to run, even
through Madagascar if it’s the same ad!
Minerals."
Eugene Mueller, pres. For Sale: Shop Clean-Out - Used equipment. Will
The Gem Shop, Inc. Smith 366-1022.

From John Martin: For Sale: Now available for sale! Large garage stuffed
Murfreesboro meeting is January 20th and the full of 35 yrs of rock collecting. Large selection of yard
Donelson meeting is January 23rd. At the Donelson rocks still available priced by the pound. Petrified
meeting on January 23rd, French Gothard will be wood and quartz $1/lb, other rocks $.50/lb. Call Fran-
telling about and showing us pictures of one of his cis Mangrum to setup a time to visit: 228-8577.
many trips out west.
For Sale: Rough Rock $1.00/lb - 100 lbs. for $85.00.
In late February, we are hoping to make the trip to Your pick, Jasper, Agates, Tampa Bay Coral, etc. June
the new Geology (Rock, Mineral, Fossil) Museum Miller 931-598-9740.
at Middle Tennessee State University. There will
be more information on this trip in the February For Sale: Bargains Galore! Equipment & supplies at
newsletter. close-out prices. Come or call George Jones, 5025
Franklin Rd., Nashville, TN; 333-3781 email:
[email protected]

Swap and Shop is for members and friends to ad-
vertise goods and services for sale or swap & want
ads.