NEWSLETTER OF THE
JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019 Member of: American Federation of Mineral Societies
Of Mineral Societies
YEARS
Celebrating...
INSIDE THIS ISSUE
1. Front Cover
2. South Central Federation Information
3. A Word From The AFMS President / 75
Years
4. Editor’s Corner / Welcome To The
Neighborhood
5. Personal Limits / Bench Tips
6. Bench Tips Continued
7. AFMS Code Of Ethics And Land Use
Policy
8. Regional Shows / Thank You / Deadline
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 02 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
2019 SCFMS OFFICERS
President: Roger Burford
Executive V-P: Jerrold Simpson
Secretary: Elizabeth Burford
Treasurer/Web Master:
Don Shurtz
Exec. Secretary:
Kimberly Brannon
AFMS Endowment Fund Raffle
And Nominating Committee:
Joyce Speed
SCFMS Endowment Fund Com.
Treasurer: Shiara Trumble
Past President: Walter Beneze
For more information or to send
information to the SCFMS or an
officer, please email:
PLEASE KEEP YOUR EMAIL
ADDRESS UP TO DATE -
CONTACT SUSAN BURCH,
EDITOR, WITH ANY
CHANGES.
NEWSLETTER EDITOR/BEAC:
Susan Burch
SOUTH CENTRAL FEDERATION OF MINERAL SOCIETIES, INC.
PURPOSE
*To promote popular interest and
education in the various earth sci-
ences, in particular those hobbies
dealing with the art of lapidaries
and the science of minerals, fossils,
as well as their associated fields.
*To cooperate with educational and
scientific institutions or other
groups engaged in increasing
knowledge in the earth sciences.
*To cooperate with or become
members of similar Federations in
the United States and elsewhere.
*To assist in the formation of earth
sciences societies in localities
where public interest justifies their
formation.
E-MAIL ADDRESS
CORRECTION AND CHANGES
It is each members responsibility to
send your email address corrections
to the SCFMS Editor:
Susan Burch,
NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED
BIMONTHLY
DUPLICATION
In most instances material in this
newsletter may be duplicated for
noncommercial purposes providing
full credit is given. There are ex-
ceptions, please do not assume per-
missions. For Commercial use, the
individual author(s) must be con-
tacted for their approval.
A NOTE FROM
—THE EDITOR—
THE FINAL
DEADLINE, ETC.
For each newsletter the deadline is
the 20th of the prior month. Febru-
ary-April-June-August-October-
December all provide the deadline
for the following bi-monthly issue.
Although, the Editor may chose to
adjust the deadline due to circum-
stances.
As a reminder! Shop hints and tips
that are used in this newsletter have
not been evaluated for safety or reli-
ability by myself. Please use caution
and safety when trying out any new
idea. Please, if you have something
urgent give me a call, but send news-
letter content via email.
ANNUAL SHOW 2020
TBA
ANNUAL MEETING
TBA
ANNUAL SILENT AUCTION
SCFMS WEB-SITE:
WWW.SCFMS.NET
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 03 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
Welcome from Montana. By
now summer is waning, fall
is here and winter is show-
ing her ugly head in some
places around the country.
We are now getting ready to
make our way down to
Quartzsite, Arizona for the
winter months. You should
visit some time, as thou-
sands of collectors come to
see the beautiful things that
are found on this great land
of ours, Quartzsite grows from 3000 to well over
150,000 in January every year., Gems, Minerals, Fos-
sils, Jewelry and many other unrelated items are for
sale. Come take a field trip into the desert, see the
uniqueness of the Southwest. When New Years gets
here and it is time to make that new years resolution,
why not reach out and ask someone to attend your
next gem club meeting. Statistics show that for every
member in the US there are at least 20 others out
there who collect rocks, minerals, fossils, artifacts,
items related to the earth sciences. That means we
have a lot of work to do. Also I would like to ask eve-
ryone to look at what they have made or collected,
purchased or traded and enter it into your next local
or federation show. Happy Holidays
Doug
DID YOU KNOW THAT SCFMS
TURNED 75 IN DECEMBER, 2018?
The SCFMS has a long history dating back to
1943 and has experienced a number of name
changes. For an interesting read, check out
o u r H i s t o r y . h t t p : / /w w w . s cf ms . n et /
about_scfms.htm
Thank you, to Virginia Adian and Liz Burford
for passing this info along.
Via December 2018-January
2019 AFMS newsletter.
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 04 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
Editor’s Corner
Susan Burch, SCFMS Newsletter Editor/BEAC
At the last minute (well, 24 hrs, lol) before the 2018 South Central Federation of Min-
eral Societies’ annual convention I became the surrogate Bulletin Editor’s Advisory
Chair for our federation. After the convention, with encouragement from the previous
BEAC I took over the office fully.
The six months since is just not enough time to really get your feet under you, lol. So,
over the last several months I’ve been concentrating on contest details. Getting out
announcements in the newsletter, making calls to as many editors as I could find con-
tact information for, to encourage entries into this year’s SCFMS annual Author and
Editor’s contest. Going through the process of receiving entries, sorting and sending
them off to regional and national judges. The last several days were spent putting the
certificates and entries all together, just hoping I did not miss any details.
Yesterday morning I left Houston headed to Fredericksburg, Texas to attend the Fredericksburg Rockhounds’ 50th
annual show which is in conjunction with the SCFMS annual convention. Later this morning, I’ll be presenting
awards and certificates to those who entered the contest. During last year’s presentation I was fumbling and
breathless, it’s my ambition to do better this year. Believe it or not, I’ve always
had an innate shyness and must push myself into situations like this. It will be ok,
I’ve already fallen on my face more than once...it’s old hat, lol.
My trip to the convention last year would not have happened without Roger and
Liz Burford, our president and secretary, swinging by Houston on their way to
Lubbock to pick me up. We had a blast along the way. This year they have galli-
vanted off to Quartzsite, AZ to work the show. Is it really work if your enjoying
yourself? You will both be missed!
To everyone else, if you’re not on your way, jump in the car, I’d love to see you
in Fredericksburg. Be on the lookout for the next newsletter, it will have our con-
test results!
A warm welcome to the Gem & Mineral Society of Louisiana.
They are the newest member club of the SCFMS. Their annual show is held in October near New Orleans, LA.
BENCH TIPS BY BRAD SMITH
TAKE A BETTER PHOTO
Most digital cameras these days have the ability to
take a good picture of your small jewelry items, but
set-up is important. There are four major items to con-
trol - background, lighting, camera motion, and focus
control.
Lightly colored papers from an art store make reason-
able starter backgrounds. Try experimenting with
other products later like glass or colored plastics.
Avoid fabrics because the weave can often be
distracting at high magnification.
Outside lighting is the easiest. In fact for close-ups,
flash never works well. Turn off your camera's flash.
Choose a bright but overcast day or a lightly shaded
area when the sun is full. For inside use, two goose-
neck desk lamps can be used with 75 watt bulbs.
Whatever you use, be sure to set the camera to match
the type of lighting you use or else the colors will be
off.
You'll be shooting up close, so turn on the Macro
mode. Now at this range, if the camera moves even a
little bit during the shot, the picture will be blurry, so
it's essential to use a tripod. Used ones are available
inexpensively from eBay, yard sales or some camera
shops. And even with a tripod, I put the camera on the
self-timer mode so that any
vibration from when you click the button settles down
before the camera takes a picture.
In order to get the largest part of your jewelry in focus,
you have to close the lens down to the minimum aper-
ture (highest F-Stop number). This is done by taking
the camera off of "Auto" mode and selecting Aperture
Priority, usually denoted by "Av" and then setting the
aperture to the largest number, which is F-8 on my
camera. You'll probably have to get out the book or go
back to the store to ask how to do this, but it's really
worth it.
That's it. In recap, here are the camera settings I use:
- Set the lens to Macro for a close-up shot.
- Turn the camera’s flash off.
- Move the camera in close enough for the item to
cover at least ¾ of the frame.
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 05 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
No doubt all safety-aware
persons are mindful of vari-
ous rules, regulations, guide-
lines and limits imposed
upon us by all manner of
property owners, equipment
manufacturers, various state
and federal agencies. Those
rules, regulations, guidelines
and limits have been thor-
oughly researched, reviewed,
relevancy tested, and released for all of our collective
safety concerns. Where however, do ones own per-
sonal limits come into play? Our various medications,
concerns about our less then satisfactory balance, our
less then sharp eyesight, and our less than optimal
motor skills all suggest limitations to which we
should also pay attention as we engage in our rock-
hounding activities. Is that a slope we could easily
climb or is it something we could no long ascend? Is
a large lapidary project something we should no
longer attempt, considering the weakness in our
hands? Should we cut back on certain faceting de-
signs because of eyesight issues? While rules, regula-
tions, guidelines and limits imposed upon us are
thoughtful and well intentioned, we would be well
advised to be aware of our personal limits and mind
them as well. Our personal limits are, well, personal.
We are the ones most suited to judging and minding
our own personal limits. How are we can walk to a
quarry, how heavy a pack we can carry, how far we
can carry that pack, should all be a part of our
thought process in being safe. Some limitations have
work-arounds. One can add wheels to their collecting
bags, or support jigs and fixtures to support heavy
lapidary work, or use a longer trail instead of the
steep slope. Those are all work-arounds. Ones own
personal limits are important to mind. One might in-
jure themselves by disregarding equipment manufac-
turers recommendations, but one might also injure
themselves when disregarding a personal limitation
such as when taking too steep a trail. Please be safe –
your safety matters, no matter the source of a limita-
tion.
Via December 2018-January 2019 AFMS newsletter.
- Look for adverse reflections from the jewelry sur-
face.
- Try to minimize reflections with changes of light
position, camera angle, or white background paper.
- Carefully check for any fingerprints or dust that
might be on the piece.
- Make any final tweaks with light and arrangement.
- Select "Av" for aperture priority mode.
- Set the lens opening to the highest number to get the
maximum depth of field.
- Set the lighting to match what you're using
(daylight, overcast, light bulb, fluorescent, etc).
- Set the timer for delayed shooting, either 2 seconds
or 10 seconds, to avoid camera movement. The de-
lay also gives you time to hold up a piece of white pa-
per to adjust lighting or reduce any final reflections.
- Set the image size to the maximum resolution.
You can size it down later, but you can never increase
it.
- Take the shot.
PICKLE PRECAUTIONS
A hot pickle pot gives off fumes that bother me in my
home workshop. I get around that by using my pickle
cold. I mix it a little stronger than for a hot pot so that
it works almost as quickly. I keep it in a
large-mouth plastic bottle and cap it off whenever I'm
done using it.
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 06 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
PROTECTING FINISHED SURFACES
I figure that any accidental scratch I make on a piece
means about 15 minutes of extra sanding and polish-
ing. So after finishing major surfaces I typically cover
them with some masking tape to avoid any scratches
when doing final work like cleanups and setting of
stones.
The blue masking tape used by painters works particu-
larly well because it doesn't leave a sticky residue.
Discover New Jewelry Skills With Brad's "How To Do It" Books
http://amazon.com/author/bradfordsmith
Here's a few to look at:
Bench Tips for Jewelry
http://amzn.to/1Z6hQ06
More Bench Tips
http://amzn.to/2KCygh4
Broom Casting
http://amzn.to/1Z6hYws
Making Design Stamps
http://amzn.to/2fvf58T
Accessories for Foredom
http://amzn.to/2fwxuaT
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 07 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
AFMS CODE OF ETHICS
I will respect both private and public property and will
do no collecting on privately owned land without the
owner’s permission. I will keep informed on all laws,
regulations of rules governing collecting on public
lands and will observe them. I will to the best of my
ability, ascertain the boundary lines of property on
which I plan to collect. I will use no firearms or blast-
ing material in collecting areas. I will cause no willful
damage to property of any kind - fences, signs, build-
ings. I will leave all gates as found. I will build fires in
designated or safe places only and will be certain they
are completely extinguished before leaving the area. I
will discard no burning material - matches, cigarettes,
etc. I will fill all excavation holes which may be dan-
gerous to livestock. I will not contaminate wells,
creeks or other water supply. I will cause no willful
damage to collecting material and will take home only
what I can reasonably use. I will practice conservation
and undertake to utilize fully and well the materials I
have collected and will recycle my surplus for the
pleasure and benefit of others. I will support the rock-
hound project H.E.L.P. (Help Eliminate Litter Please)
and Will leave all collecting areas devoid of litter, re-
gardless of how found. I will cooperate with field trip
leaders and those in designated authority in all collect-
ing areas. I will report to my club or Federation offi-
cers, Bureau of Land management or other authorities,
any deposit of petrified wood or other materials on
public lands which should be protected for the enjoy-
ment of future generations for public educational and
scientific purposes. I will appreciate and protect our
heritage of natural resources. I will observe the
“Golden Rule”, will use “Good Outdoor Manners” and
will at all times conduct myself in a manner which
will add to the stature and Public “image” of rock-
hounds everywhere.
amfed.org
AFMS LAND USE POLICY
1. Adherence to the AFMS Code of Ethics assures
compliance with most statutes and regulations govern-
ing collecting on public lands and encourages respect
for private property rights and the environment. Clubs
are urged to read the AFMS Code of Ethics in at least
one meeting every year, to publish the Code frequently
in the club newsletter, and to compel compliance on
club field trips. 2. Individuals and clubs are urged to
write their elected representatives and land use man-
agement agency supervisors regarding issues of rule
making, legislation and enforcement affecting field
collecting of minerals and fossils. 3. Individuals and
clubs are urged to join and support activities of the
American Lands Access Association (ALAA), a sister
organization with responsibility for advancing the in-
terests of earth science amateurs with legislatures and
land use management agencies. 4. The AFMS will re-
ceive a report from ALAA at its annual meeting. 5.
The AFMS endorses the principle of multiple use of
public lands as a guarantee of continuing recreational
opportunities. 6. Wilderness and monument designa-
tions are inconsistent with the principle of multiple
use. In view of the vast amount of public land already
designated as wilderness and monuments, future such
designations should be minimal, taking into account
the increased demand for recreational opportunities,
including rockhounding, created by a growing popula-
tion. 7. In furtherance of the principle of multiple use,
the AFMS believes that laws, regulations and rules
established by relevant governmental authorities
should be designed to allow freest possible access to
all public lands, coupled with minimal restrictions on
the recreational collection of minerals, fossils, gem-
stone materials and other naturally occurring materials.
8. A right to collect minerals and fossils on public
lands should be protected by statute. 9. The AFMS
urges its members to work with any or all government
authorities to achieve a good working relationship in
order to improve the “Public Image” of recreational
collectors.
SCFMS NEWSLETTER PAGE 08 JANUARY-FEBRUARY, 2019
Jan 19 - 20, Fredericksburg, TX, Fredericksburg Rock-hounds and SCFMS Conven-
tion, Lady Bird Johnson Park
J a n . 2 5 - 2 7 , T Y L E R , TEXAS: Annual show; 23rd Annual East Texas Gem and Mineral Show; Tyler Rose Gar-
den Center, 420 Rose Park Dr;
Feb. 16-17—GEORGETOWN, TEXAS: Annual show; William-son County Gem & Mineral Society; Georgetown Commu-nity Center @ San Gabriel
Park, 445 East Morrow Street
Feb. 23-23—PLAINVIEW, TEXAS: Annual show; Hi-Plains Gem and Mineral Soci-ety; Ollie Liner Center, Busi-
ness I-27 South
For helping make this issue possible…
Doug True
Virginia Adian
Liz Burford
Ellery Borow
Brad Smith
2019 SCFMS REGIONAL SHOWS
DEADLINE FOR THE
MARCH-APRIL ISSUE
WILL BE
FEBRUARY 20, 2019.
Let the editor know if you
don’t see your show listed.