JIM MARQUIS:  ARTIST WHO ASPIRES TO INSPIRE
Linda Shanahan

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LOST WAX? What’s that all about?
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Jimmy can tell you without a doubt
Can’t use a cell phone or even a fax
But this man can tell you all about wax
This man’s a genius he really does know
How to form wax and then make it flow                         
First out of wax you form what you choose
Sprue up that artwork, be sure not to snooze
Invest that wax pattern to form a nice mold
Now melt out the wax, it’s hot please don’t hold
Force in hot metal this is called casting
Clean glitches and sprue, your piece will be lasting
You’ll finish and polish your friends they will say
“You did it yourself?”  No way! Oh no way.
 
JIM MARQUIS was born in Flagstaff and spent most of his childhood and teenage years around that area graduating from Flagstaff High in 1965.  He enlisted in the army in 1966 where he attended airborne school making a total of ten jumps, one in the providence of Kom Tum. He served in Viet Nam with the 101st Airborne then on to Ft. Bragg to finish his 3 years. Jim moved to Page AZ for an apprenticeship with the Bureau of Reclamation as a Power Plant Mechanic.  His position involved maintenance and repair of mechanical equipment (turbines, pumps, air handlers, rotors, cranes etc.) and all other mechanical equipment associated with the installation and repair at Glen Canton Dam.  Later he was promoted to the Mechanical Supervisor position.  After retiring in 2008 he moved to Sun Lakes where he became involved with the Sun Lakes Rock Gem and Silver Club. He has served as a valuable member of the club teaching Lost Wax which he truly enjoys.  This art form which starts with wax and ends with a metal jewelry piece involves a few steps but Jim says “If I can learn them then I am certain anyone can. Being a member of this club has been a positive experience for me and I look forward to teaching more classes and creating more projects at our three shops in Sun Lakes. My lovely wife Patty (the clubs raffle coordinator) and I hope to continue doing our part to promote the club. We have met some very artistic people involved in this group and encourage anyone who is interested to join and discover their inner artist.” Our meetings are the third Monday of the month (starting in October) at the Sun Lakes Najavo room at 10am.  For more information visit our website at www.slrgs.com.  A big thank you to Jim for his commitment and dedication to the club.

LOST WAX...WHAT’S THAT ALL ABOUT?
WAX + METAL = AN ORIGINAL HANDMADE GIFT
Linda Shanahan ​

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Casting – Lost Wax Process
 
The lost wax casting process is widely used as it offers asymmetrical casting with very fine details to be manufactured relatively inexpensively. The process involves producing a metal casting using a refractory mold made from a wax replica pattern.

Steps involved in the process of lost wax casting are:
 
•Create a wax pattern of your piece.  Premade wax patterns are available in our shops.
•Sprue the wax pattern
•Mix Investment material, add to can with the wax pattern. Set to harden. 
•Eliminate the wax pattern by melting it (inside the furnace or in hot water). This will create a new mold  (a negative impression of your wax pattern).
•Using the acetylene/oxygen torch, heat the metal in a crucible and spin to allow the liquid metal to flow into the negative impression.
•Clean the cast of investment debris.
•Remove sprue from the cast
•Finish and polish the casting on the die.
 
CHRISTMAS GIFTS?  YOU CAN DO IT.
JOIN SUN LAKES ROCK, GEM AND SILVER CLUB
www.slrgs.com

September 2020 Splash Article

​​Meet “THE FACETING FANATIC”

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Think you can facet? Of course you can.
Be you a woman or be you a man
Tony can teach you, yes he is the king
The “facet fanatic” it has a nice ring
Five seven facets go on the gemstone                                        
He’ll help you out. You won’t be alone
Cut and then polish the facets and girdle
At first you’ll be slow so much like a turtle
You’ll finish your work and he’ll tell you “well done”
Then you’ll share with your friends “that was such fun”
   
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​Tony Thompson    The Artist who “Aspires to Inspire”
 
After 36 years in banking in Northern Nevada, Tony Thompson made the move to Sun Lakes, Arizona.   He became a member and a student at the Sun Lakes Rock, Gem and Silver Club in 2014 and contributes regularly as a volunteer instructor and helper in the various shops.  He and his wife Judy enjoy much of what Arizona has to offer: the arts, theater, sports and the great weather.  They also enjoy traveling and discovering the history of the area. While traveling they always find rock shops to browse through finding material to bring back and work up in the various   Sun Lakes lapidary shops. Tony enjoys the shop forming stones into cabochons that can later be used in the silver shops.  His summer hiatus in Nevada allows him plenty of opportunities to rockhound and rub shoulders with the local ranchers.  His first love is faceting learned in a class provided by SLRGS club.  He now gives back by teaching the craft. Tony also enjoys the art of stained glass which he teaches in the summer out of his home studio.  He also works with lapidary, lost wax, silversmithing and fused glass.   He is the father of two sons and one daughter and grandfather of four (soon to be five) college graduates.
Interested in becoming a “faceting fanatic”?  If so visit our website at www.slrgs.com.  It’s never to late to learn or to discover your inner artist.
 
Linda Shanahan

Welcome to Stephanie Reisenbuchler who will be writing the club articles for the Splash. Any news you have for publication should be directed to Stephanie.
WELCOME!

​Summer Fun- Rock Collecting By Stephanie Reisenbuchler

​Although the Sun Lakes Rock, Gem and Silver Club is not having regular meetings during the summer, there are ongoing open shops for members that have participated during the year and purchased the necessary shop stamps and passed the club safety requirements.  Summer is a great time for adventures and many members whether they are snowbirds or live here year-round enjoy rock collecting (hounding).

Arizona designated turquoise as the official state gemstone in 1974.  Turquoise is an opaque mineral, a hydrated phosphate of copper and aluminum. In Arizona (as well as other locations around the globe), turquoise often is found near copper deposits. 

Arizona designated petrified wood as the official state fossil in 1988.  This petrified wood is what remains of large conifers that grew in the warm, wet, and seasonally dry climate of Arizona during the Triassic (about 250 – 210 million years ago). The most famous petrified wood deposits can be found at Petrified Forest National Park located north of Interstate 40 east of Holbrook, Arizona.
Rock collecting is prohibited at the national park. Several reviews from the web have reported that Dobell ranch just 3 miles from the national park has plenty of petrified wood to be dug or just picked up. There are pieces ranging from a few ounces to several tons. Pictures taken show small pebbles to large stumps with lots of variety in size, colors (rainbow and reds). Some have crystal formations imbedded in the rock. Reported prices are $28 a 5-gallon bucket. Contact Rhonda Dobell phone numbers 928-524-2628 or 928-245-9010. They are open 7 days a week. The ranch is down an unpaved but accessible road. It is reported rock samples are lying everywhere. Samples can be purchased which have already been collected.

In Arizona, there are over twelve million surface acres of federal public lands managed by the Bureau of Land Management.  The BLM has several districts in the state.  Subject to federal restrictions, recreational rock hounding is allowed on much of the public lands managed by the BLM.

Accordingly, rock- hounders should check - in advance - with the applicable BLM district. In addition, certain lands may be subject to mining claims that may preclude certain rock hounding activities. Website: www.blm.gov/basic/rockhounding

Specially Designated Rock hounding Sites

In addition to other rock hounding opportunities on BLM-managed public lands, the BLM has certain specially designated rock hounding areas. 

​These areas include:
  • Arizona:  Round Mountain Rockhound Area (Safford District)
  • Arizona:  Black Hills Rockhound Area (Safford District)

A big thanks goes to Doug Williams for writing our Splash articles for the past year. Your articles were professional, insightful and full of great information and you are a pleasure to work with.
​THANKS!

​​​April 2019 SPLASH by Doug Williams


BEST JOB IN THE ROCK & GEM CLUB = “FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR”

BEING:   A field trip coordinator is very rewarding experience for the individual and it is also one of our club’s most important volunteer positions.  The person who serves as field trip coordinator gets to lead a ‘day trip’ which takes people to interesting AZ locations they might have never seen before. The individual who steps up to the challenge of field trip coordinator gets to fulfill their ambition to be the ‘boss’.  You would be in charge of a small ‘rock hounding’ group (8 to 12 people) and their day’s activities and itinerary.  YES, just like a tour guide, you would first research interesting places for rock and mineral collecting, obtain the permit, collect the minimal club charge for field trips and then assist the group in their day’s search for rocks and minerals.  Specifically, those rocks which a lapidary artist would enjoy cutting and polishing! 

BECOMING:  A field trip coordinator insures that you will meet lots of interesting people and make many new friends.  How? Just by taking a positive attitude and enjoying the camaraderie of your fellow ‘rock hounds’.   The really cool part is that YOU get to plan the destination, the locations, the itinerary timing, where we meet and the car pools, plus you choose where we get to stop for lunch!  Imagine a lovely drive to FLAGSTAFF, KINGSTON, SEDONA, BISBEE, GLOBE (you name it) where you’ll be the director for the entire FIELD TRIP.  Actually it’s quite easy, first you’ll want to think about which specific rocks and minerals your group will be going after.  And the best part is that YOU get to choose WHERE the group goes.  And that’s wherever you like since YOU are in charge!  Have fun, and be a true leader. 

YOU MAY HAVE GUESSED:   Currently we are in a bit of a ‘dry spell’ in terms of field trips.  That’s because no one has stepped up to be the club’s field trip coordinator.  What about YOU?  Wouldn’t you find it fun and exciting to be the person who determines the trip’s destination?  Don’t be afraid, the field trip groups are a joy to experience.  Think about the satisfaction of “giving back”.   Maybe you’ve been waiting for that special opportunity to help your neighborhood rock club. 
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REQUIREMENTS:  You must have a PHD is GEOLOGY (Naaaah, just kidding!!!)  All you really need to do is join the SUN LAKES ROCK GEM and SILVER CLUB and want to have FUN and meet new FRIENDS.  Our 200 club members are a wonderful source of information on local collecting spots.  In fact, as an incentive to any new member who signs up and then volunteers as FIELD TRIP COORDINATOR we will waive your first year’s membership fee of $25.  We’ll see you at 10 a.m. on April 15th at the monthly meeting in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club.    

March 2019 Splash Article by Doug Williams

How’s Your ROCK COLLECTION Coming Along?  

So, you went to Tucson and visited The 65th Annual Tucson Rock & Gem Show and now you’re ready to become a ‘rock hound’ and start your own rock collection.  Well, here’s the information you’ve been waiting for . . .

HOW TO START:  A ‘rock hound’ is an amateur collector of rocks and minerals.  It’s not too difficult to become one, (just pick up a rock!) 

WHICH ROCKS TO COLLECT:  Most rock hounds spend their spare time looking for unusual rocks.  Arizona is actually one of the best places in the world to find interesting rocks. And then later these ‘rock hounds’ end up collecting all the related rocks from the area where they live.  The stuff is actually laying all over the ground and you don’t even have to dig holes to find them.   

WHERE TO FIND ROCKS:   While you can start your collection in your own back yard, the best results are usually found in dry stream beds or areas where erosion has revealed unusual rocks.  Attractive stones, rocks and gems can be found anywhere cuts have been made in the earth i.e.; construction sites, quarries and ditches.  We have a wealth of a rock hound’s paradise right here in our Arizona desert and mountain spaces.  
   
REALIZE IT’S A UNIQUE COLLECTIBLE:  Rocks are earth’s ‘one of a kind’ natural sculptures and treasures formed in the rough over thousands of years in a combination of fluid, heat and pressure.  The best part is that YOU get to choose which ones to pick up and put in your personal collection.   

ROCK COLLECTING TOOLS:   A geologist’s hammer, a pair of gloves, a plastic bucket and a magnifying glass are the basic tools needed.  The hammer has two sides, a blunt end and a pick end.  It can be used to break off rock specimens and trim them to display size.  It’s best to wear safety glasses when hammering rocks to protect your eyes.

COLLECTING AND DISPLAYING ROCKS:  When you have your favorites sorted out, it’s a good idea to keep a record of when and where you found them.  Rocks don’t require any special treatment.  You can wash them in cold water and clean them with an old toothbrush.  Even an egg carton can be used to display your collection. 
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HOW TO FIND MORE INFORMATION:  Sun Lakes has one of the oldest and largest clubs (nearly 200 members) it’s called the ROCK, GEM & SILVER CLUB.  We started 47 years ago, back in 1972, meeting at 10am every third Monday of each month in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club (October through May).  And since we are always seeking new members, your first meeting is FREE!  Then it’s only $25 for the whole years’ membership. Lots of pictures and details are available at our web site http://wwwslrgs.com
C U @ our next ROCK CLUB meeting at 10 a.m. on March 18th.

February 2019 Splash Article by Doug Williams

​We’re LUCKY to be close to TUCSON!

Why?  Because the world’s largest gathering of ROCK SHOWS happens this month!

What’s it called?  Collectively, it’s known as the “TUCSON GEM SHOW”

How long does it last?  Two Weeks: February 1 - 17  

It's More Than One Show!  Actually it’s a massive accumulation of 43 different ‘satellite shows’ at dozens of locations around Tucson.  Most of these ‘Early’ Shows are open to the public with free admission!  All are precursors to the “Main Show” which is the last show and held at the Convention Center February 14 – 17, 2019.  Don’t miss this one, it’s the granddaddy of them all; the 65th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show® presented proudly by the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society.

History:  Tucson’s “Gem Show” evolved from humble beginnings in 1955.  A small group of brilliant ‘Rock Hounds’ interested in mineral knowledge and appreciation decided to have a ‘gem show’.  Committed to geology, mineralogy, lapidary, and allied earth sciences they believed it was the first show of its kind to assemble hobby enthusiasts, curators, professionals, and the public for discovery and discussion of rocks, gems & minerals.  It was held at a local elementary school with a 25 cent admission.  The show eventually settled at Tucson Convention Center where it remains today (65 years later) and is still hosted by Tucson Gem & Mineral Society volunteers. In short, the Tucson Gem and Mineral Show®  is the largest, oldest and most prestigious gem and mineral show in the world!  Visit their website: http://www.tgms.org/show/   

​Perspective:  All of the 43 ‘Satellite shows’ (which precede the “MAIN SHOW”) are vying for the attention of the 55,000 visitors who show up in Tucson during the first two weeks of February and spend over $120 million dollars!  Unquestionably, it’s the biggest ‘show’ of its kind anywhere on Earth.  Part trade-show, retail extravaganza, museum exhibition, cultural festival, it’s a ‘World Class’ premier experience unmatched by any other. 
 
Summary:  It’s also a wonderful opportunity for YOU to drive down the I-10 and enjoy exploring multiple shows featuring gems, minerals, crystals, beads and fossils, finished jewelry, lapidary supplies and equipment, and books for rock-hounds and hobbyists. 
 
Chronological List:  See all show names, addresses, websites, & maps here http://www.tucsongemshows.net/ 
 
Of the 43 shows listed, here’s just 3 to consider visiting . . .
 
1.   JOGS Tucson Gem & Jewelry Show:  This 800 booth gem show draws buyers from all over the world.  International wholesalers, manufacturers and designers of jewelry, gem dealers, and stone cutters, showcasing new designs and new ideas. 

2.   22 Second Street Mineral, Fossil and Gem Show:  350+ dealers offering an appealing balance of minerals, gems, fossils, dinosaurs, meteorites, jewelry, beads, and art. 

3.     Miner’s CO-OP Rock Show: Buy direct from 50 dealers with old timer knowledge!  More than a show, a community of rock hounds in Marana, AZ at the Mike Jacobs Sports Park.

The Sun Lakes Rock, Gem, & Silver Club  Invites you to our February 18, meeting at 10am in the Navajo Room of the Sun Lakes Country Club.