Gladstone District Gem, Rock & Mineral Club Inc

Gladstone District Gem, Rock
& Mineral Club Inc

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Club Details

PO Box 185, Gladstone QLD. 4680

For further details please contact:-

Club Secretary:- Cynthia Davies
Phone:- (07) 4972 3119
Email:- teaandsea@bigpond.com

Membership Details:-

Family Yearly $25.00
Insurance $3.00 per adult.
Single Yearly $20.00
Insurance $3.00 per adult.
New Members - pay $5.00 joining fee
as well as the membership and insurance.
* Adults - are between 16 & 80 years of age.

Workshop Times:-

Wednesday:- General Workshop:- 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Friday:- General Workshop:- 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Saturday:- Silversmithing Workshop:- 9.00 am - 12.00 noon
Location:- Gladstone Show Grounds Cnr. Scenery & Tank Streets.

About:-

The Gladstone club has a friendly social atmosphere with extensive facilities at the
meeting hall, for members to turn their newly acquired stones into jewellery that
they can wear or show with pride. New members and juniors (from 9 to 16 years)
are always welcome.

Come along and meet the Gladstone Rock Hounds and enjoy the pleasures of
collecting, cutting and polishing your own stones.
For a small fee you can become a member of this club and be introduced to a
hobby that has been around for a great many years. There will also be
opportunities to meet members of the other four Gem Clubs in Central Queensland.

Field Trips:-

These are organized with the club and members suggesting different localities.
Many areas are on private property that can only be visited by club-organized
outings. Our trips are sometimes for a day but quite often a weekend or
occasionally a week. With the hope of finding something and the social
atmosphere, these trips have always been a success.

Diamond Saws:-

The club has several diamonds saws ranging from 1500 - 600 mm.
These are used for the cutting of rough materials to make them into workable
pieces and slabs.

Faceting:-

We have several faceting machines. These are used for the cutting and polishing
of gemstones for those extra rings and earrings that you have always wanted.
Tuition is available to members on a basis of two nights a week for two months.

Silversmithing & Wire Wrapping:-

Silversmithing and wire wrapping are taught on a Saturday morning.
Silversmithing is the art of making jewellery with the use of soldering.
Wirewrapping does not require soldering. It is the art of twisting silver and gold wire
to make intricate patterns around a cabochon or crystal.

Casting:-

A centrifugal casting machine is available casting silver and gold using the "lost
wax" process. Wax patterns of charms, rings or pendants are available at the club
for a small cost. Designs are also available through suppliers to the club.

Cabachon Cutting:-

Cutting, shaping and polishing a stone entirely by hand, into a round, oval, square,
heart, tear-drop or free form-shape. Enjoy this art of turning a rock into a shaped
and polished stone that can be set and worn.

Other Interests:-

Collecting of fossils, crystals, mineral specimens and petrified wood.

Flat lapping:- using the flat lap to smooth and polish larger flat slabs of stone to
make ornaments, clock faces, book ends etc.

Social evenings:- held throughout the year with members and families.

Workshop weekends:- periodically conducted with visiting instructors.

Affiliations with Australian Federation of Lapidary and Allied Crafts Association
(AFLACA), Qld Gem Clubs of Australia (QGCA) and the Australian Facetors
Guild. Australian Gem Club Directory (AGCD).

Safety In The Workshop

Don't have loose clothing around any moving machine parts and keep
guards on equipment at all times.
Wear safety glasses while grinding and using any pickle or acid
compounds.
Wear a filter face mask if required.
Don't spill water on any electric motors. Electricity and water don't mix.
Keep fingers and hands clear of sharp moving parts.
Wear rubber gloves if handling any acids or pickling solutions.
Use tweezers when handling hot soldered jewelry.
Have a first aid kit near by at all times.

Take every precaution while on field trips like making sure you have the
right gear like gloves, boots, drinking water and basic supplies.
Fill in your holes after digging and beware of overhanging rocks and ledges
that could collapse while digging below.
Don't go into old mine shafts as most are unstable and air quality can never
be guaranteed.
Always where safety glasses when breaking or chiselling on rocks.
Watch out for snakes and spiders because as a rock hound you're more
prone to finding these critters than others.
Always close gates after you and always take your rubbish home with you if
there isn't a proper place to leave it.
Always tell someone where you are before you leave in case something
goes wrong!
Always have a first aid kit close by.
If you haven't been to an area before draw yourself a map or have a map
with you so you don't get lost. Mobile phones don't work everywhere!
Where a good hat and sunscreen so you don't get sunburnt.
Never forget: FOOD, SNACKS, DRINKS & MEDICATION.

Disclaimer: It is your responsibility to ask permission from any private property
owner at any location when searching for gemstones before you enter any such
property. You may also be required to possess a fossicking license as per state
laws.