Club Details
PO Box 185, Gladstone QLD. 4680
For further details please contact:-
Mailing: PO Box 185, Gladstone QLD, 4680|
Location: Gladstone Show Grounds Cnr. Scenery & Tank Streets
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GladstoneGemClub
Contact Details:
Club Secretary: Roslyn Vandermark
Phone: 040 349 755
Email: Vandermark@Bigpond.com
Workshop Times:
Wednesday: General Workshop: 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Friday: General Workshop: 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
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 is the art of making jewellery with the use of soldering. Wire wrapping
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.
Cabochons 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).
PO Box 185, Gladstone QLD. 4680
For further details please contact:-
Mailing: PO Box 185, Gladstone QLD, 4680|
Location: Gladstone Show Grounds Cnr. Scenery & Tank Streets
Facebook: www.facebook.com/GladstoneGemClub
Contact Details:
Club Secretary: Roslyn Vandermark
Phone: 040 349 755
Email: Vandermark@Bigpond.com
Workshop Times:
Wednesday: General Workshop: 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
Friday: General Workshop: 7.00 pm - 10.00 pm
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 is the art of making jewellery with the use of soldering. Wire wrapping
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.
Cabochons 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).
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Tips & Safety On Field Trips
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.
Safety In The Workshop
- 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 wear 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! - Wear 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.
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.