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LOOKING FOR OPAL PEOPLE...AND HELP ON A NEW OPAL DISCOVERY!
This month, opal took center stage in The Eclectic Lapidary, but we did little more than shine a spotlight on it. The range of topics on opal could fill volumes, and do, but we'll have to take them a bit at a time here. One of the best sources of opal
information is the American Opal Society. Certainly not limited to Americans, the AOS produces an informative, easy-to-read, and award-winning newsletter called The Opal Express. Russ Madsen is the editor, and does an outstanding job.
An interesting "thread" (series of exchanges) about a possible new
discovery of a clear, blue fluorescing opal developed on the Rockhounds Mailing List recently. The noted geologist involved has given his permission to have the following story reprinted here in The Opal Express and The Eclectic Lapidary. If anyone
reading this article has seen or collected any opal material in Iowa or Indiana, please contact Dr. Cordua at the address given below.
UNKNOWN "OPAL" FOUND IN GEODE IN INDIANA
from an internet communication with Dr. William S. Cordua (by permission)
Here's the story. The unknown "opal" was found in a geode I collected
near Harrodsburg, Indiana. The geode was loose in a stream bed, but
likely hadn't come far from the outcrop. I broke the geode open
by hammer (no sawing involved*). It had a nice display of quartz, so I
wrapped the pieces in newspaper and took them back. I did not notice
the unknown material until later when I happened to scan the specimens with short wave U.V. light and noticed a pale blue to blue-white fluorescence. I noticed no phosphorescence or response to long wave U.V.
I found upon examination that the fluorescing substance was clear micro-globules growing on top of clear quartz. They were hard to see without the UV light, blending in with the quartz. I took a few small bits off (there wasn't much of it), and tested
them under my polarized light microscope using standard oil immersion techniques. The material was isotropic, with no cleavage, and had a refractive index of about 1.450. This is consistent with opal, which also seemed reasonable giving its occurrence in
a high-silica sedimentary environment.
I had collected geodes off and on in the region for 25 years, am a
professional geologist and am familiar with common geode materials. I
had never before seen this, or read of a similar material being reported before. I thought this might be an interesting additon to the species list for Indiana geodes. I contacted the Indiana Geological Survey, sent the samples down to them for
examination and am waiting for a reply. I have been waiting a long time, and suspect the samples were lost. I'd like to get back to that site eventually and look for more, using a U.V. light in the field this time!
So that's the story. If people who read The Opal Express or The Eclectic Lapidary have some good suggestions, please pass them along to me. Thanks!
Dr. William S. Cordua
Professor of Geology/Mineralogy
315 Ag Science
University of Wisconsin - River Falls
River Falls, WI 54022
715-425-3139
william.s.cordua@uwrf.edu
"Speak to the Earth and it shall teach thee" - Job
* Note: Dr. Cordua mentions the fact that no sawing was involved in opening the geode because saw oils themselves can fluoresce.
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
Print and mail to:
AMERICAN OPAL SOCIETY, INC
P.O. BOX 382
ANAHEIM, CA 92815-0382
The American Opal Society is a non-profit organization, educational in nature,
whose primary purpose is promoting interest in and knowledge of this precious
gem. Our program is principally one of self-help, plus assistance in developing
knowledge related to opal by conducting meetings and programs; providing a
monthly newsletter of Society and Chapter activities and information about opal;
seminars; and an annual Opal and Gem Show & Sale.
Our members include artisans, craftspeople, designers, educators and laymen
whose vocation and/or avocation is opal. One-time initiation fee and annual dues
are used to pay for the operations of the Society and its Chapters.
DUES
Annual Dues are not prorated
Note special reduced dues amount for persons over age 65. Also, if you are
joining on or after July 1 your initial dues payment is a reduced rate---(1/2
annual dues amount plus full initiation fee).
All new members pay a one time $10.00 initiation fee.
All members over age 65 receive a $5 discount on rates listed below
| MEMBERSHIP TYPE |
TOTAL DUES AMOUNT |
| Chapter Members |
$26.00 Annual Dues + $10.00 initiation fee |
$36.00 |
| (after July 1) |
$13.00 Annual Dues + $10.00 initiation fee |
$23.00 |
| Members-at-Large |
$20.00 Annual Dues + $10.00 initiation fee |
$30.00 |
| (after July 1) |
$10.00 Annual Dues + $10.00 initiation fee |
$20.00 |
| Foreign Members** |
$25.00 Annual Dues + $10.00 initiation fee |
$35.00 |
| (after July 1) |
$12.50 Annual Dues + $10.00 initiation fee |
$22.50 |
** US FUNDS ONLY PLEASE
Chapter members are those who live close enough to a chapter to attend meetings
and pay dues to a certain Chapter to enjoy the benefits of such.
Members-at-Large are those who live a great distance away from an established
Chapter or who do not wish to belong to a Chapter.
Foreign members are those who live outside the continental United States or
Canada.
If you expect to attend regular monthly meetings, you are a Chapter Member and
your higher dues cover the associated costs of meetings (refreshments, speaker
fees, room rental etc).
The American Opal Society, Inc. welcomes you. We believe that our present
membership and you will gain both pleasure and knowledge in furthering the
Society's goals.
The next lines request your approval to provide your name and address
information as noted. If you want to be listed you must indicate this, otherwise
your personal information will be treated as confidential and will be
unavailable to the general membership or opal dealers.
PLEASE NOTE: 1) I am interested in receiving information and mailings from
dealers who were selling at the most recent annual Opal Society Opal Show and
would like my mailing address provided to these dealers solely for this
purpose.
(if yes, please sign
or initial here)__________________________date______
PLEASE NOTE: 2) I would like my name/address/phone information to be included in
a membership directory available to the general membership of the Opal Society.
(note---you may specify: name only/address only/phone only---or any combination
you wish for this listing)
(if yes please sign
or initial here)_________________________date_______
MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION-AMERICAN OPAL SOCIETY, INC.
NAME: _______________________________DATE:______
ADDRESS: _______________________________________
APT # or P.O. BOX: ________________
CITY: _________________ STATE: ___ ZIP:____________
COUNTRY (IF OUTSIDE U.S.)________________________
TELEPHONE: Home ( _____ ) __________________
Business ( _____ ) __________________
FAX ( _____ ) __________________
EMAIL_________________________
OVER AGE 65 YES [ ] NO [ ] (reduced dues apply if over age 65)
AMOUNT ENCLOSED: $________ CHECK NUMBER: __________
OCCUPATION (OPTIONAL): _______________________________
SPECIAL INTERESTS(OPTIONAL): _________________________
** NAME BADGES (OPTIONAL - 5.00 EACH) PLEASE PRINT YOUR NAME BELOW AS IT IS TO APPEAR ON YOUR BADGE **
** PLEASE ALSO INCLUDE $5.00 FOR EACH BADGE YOU ARE ORDERING **
_______________________________________________________
PLEASE FILL OUT COMPLETELY AND RETURN THIS FORM WITH YOUR CHECK OR MONEY ORDER IN THE PROPER AMOUNT TO THE ABOVE ADDRESS AND P.O. BOX.
THANK YOU FOR SUPPORTING YOUR AMERICAN OPAL SOCIETY
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Copyright, 1997
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