Euro-Mineral, Euro-Gem on Standby

Last summer, the organizers Euro-Mineral and Euro-Gem announced a move from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines to nearby Colmar. In November, however, Sainte-Marie officials announced that they would mount their own show in the little Alsatian commune. Because the shows were scheduled for the same time in June 2012, exhibitors were placed in a predicament.

No more quandary now: Euro-Mineral and Euro-Gem are cancelled for 2012. A full-time staff of four has been laid off as the show’s producers “go into a sort of stand-by mode.” Read the announcement here.

As we reported earlier, the competing show, in Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines, is scheduled for June 21–24. Visit the website here. [back to top]

Fine Mineral Trade Association

New organization open to trade, collectors, and more

A new organization for the mineral trade has been organized as a result of meetings over the past few years at the Tucson show. The Fine Mineral Trade Association (FMTA) will be incorporated this year as a non-profit education and trade organization “devoted to the promotion of collecting fine mineral specimens as a hobby, a business and as a scientific and educational endeavor,” according to a welcome letter sent to prospective members on March 13. While the organization will not deal with specimen pricing, it will address quality and integrity issues. (For instance, see FMTA Specimen Quality Standards, on the association website.)

Gene Meieran sets up for the meeting of then-unnamed mineral organization in 2011, in Tucson. Meieran, who began collecting in his father’s Norway in 1949, is the acting CEO of FMTA. (Photo: Bill Larson)

FMTA is patterning itself after the Antique Tribal Arts Dealers Association, due to the similarity of issues involved in both trade areas. While primarily dealer-driven, FMTA is open to anyone involved or interested in the trade, including collectors, museum curators, academics, appraisers, photographers, clubs and organizations, authors, publishers, and more. Four classes of membership are offered: Full Member (dealers and board members), Associate Member, Museum Curator and Academic, and Junior Member (under age 13).

See the welcome letter and application. For more information, contact Will Larson, Membership Chairman. [back to top]

The Sickler Family: Historic San Diego
County Gemstone Miners

Part I of IV by Peter Bancroft

With Pala Presents, we offer selections from the library of Pala International’s Bill Larson, who will share with us some of the wealth of information in the realm of minerals and mineralogy.

In his profile of the Sickler Family of San Diego County, Peter Bancroft recalls, as a boy, reading about the discovery of gem crystals that later would be dubbed kunzite. But, of course, the discovery was not made by George Frederick Kunz, the famous mineralogist of Tiffany & Co. fame. It was made by two Southern California boys, Fred and Allan Sickler, who were about the same age as Bancroft when he first read the story.

Fred Sr. and Allan Sickler. The two brothers, Fred Sr., and Allan, at Pala Mission, 1894. Courtesy George Ashley.

Attribution regarding the discovery of kunzite was contentious, as chronicled in Lawrence H. Conklin’s “On Kunz & Kunzite,” and makes for compelling reading. The story Bancroft read as a child certainly captured his imagination, and he couldn’t believe his good fortune at being put in touch with Fred Sickler, Jr., and his wife Vera, when Bancroft paid his respects to another San Diego County icon, the late miner and lapidary artist George Ashley, in October 1991. Through his interviews with the Sicklers, Bancroft was able to give a detailed portrait of a family that Ashley, a friend of Bancroft’s, himself had lost track of, even though Ashley had bought “the old Sickler house.”

Read Part I of “The Sickler Family: Historic San Diego County Gemstone Miners” by Peter Bancroft.

George Ashley Bowls, Kunzite on Display in “All That Glitters…” Thru Sunday

The San Diego Natural History Museum exhibition, “All That Glitters: The Splendor and Science of Gems and Minerals,” includes kunzite specimens and faceted stones, including The Big Kahuna, one of the top kunzite specimens known. From the museum’s own collection are displayed a series of bowls carved by George Ashley, who is mentioned in Peter Bancroft’s article on the Sickler family.

You’ll need to catch the show this week; it ends Sunday.

Glitterati. Carl Larson and a poster of his own tourmaline specimen, from the Stewart Lithia Mine in San Diego County.

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The Igneous Rocks of the Mogok Stone Tract

Chapter IV of a PhD Dissertation by Kyaw Thu

In this installment, we present Chapter IV of Kyaw Thu’s 2007 PhD dissertation, which surveys the petrography of the Mogok Stone Tract’s igneous rocks. He discusses this in seven sections.

• Analytical Data
• Presentation of the Analytical Data
• Petrogenetic Interpretations, in two sections:
  • Nature and Chemical Changes in Igneous Differentiation
  • Conditions of the Crystallization of the Igneous Rocks

Our next installment will feature Chapter V Petrogenesis.

From Figure 4.19. Temperature-differentiation index diagram for the igneous rocks of the area, at 2 kb water pressure (after Piwinskii and Wyllie, 1970).

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Tucson Time: January 31 – February 12, 2012

We’re looking forward to the world’s greatest gem and mineral show in February. One-stop general information about individual shows can be obtained from the Tucson EZ-Guide.

Pala International will be represented in Tucson as follows. We look forward to seeing our many friends there. Visit the Pala International Show Schedule for future events.

Tucson Tasting

The Westward Look Show this year begins with a bang—or, rather, the pop of a cork—as the wines of Coghlan Vineyard & Jewelers will be breathing in the showrooms of Pala International and Wayne A. Thompson Fine Minerals.

During the Denver show last fall, we had the pleasure of sampling the 2009 “Diopside” Pinot Noir, which impressed some judges at last year’s Pinot Noir Summit and Pinot Shootout.

Click the invitation at right for details.

For more on Coghlan, see our write-up from August 2011.

And a Sneak Peek at a Rare Find

At Tucson you’ll likely get a peek at a project dear to the heart of Richard Hughes: The Book of Ruby & Sapphire, From an Unpublished Manuscript by J. F. Halford-Watkins. Such a manuscript, from the pen of Halford-Watkins (?–1937), who died before it could be printed, is remarkable because the writing springs from his more than twenty years of residence in Mogok. The scope is what you’d hope for: history, chemistry and crystallography, physical properties, “enclosures,” sources (Burma and elsewhere), mining—and that’s but half of the book’s pages.

The present volume is the result of more than a decade’s effort by Hughes and his confederates (including Pala’s Bill Larson), and the presentation is a reflection of the singular scholarship exhibited in Halford-Watkins’s text. The book is handsomely augmented by the inclusion of dozens of photographs and illustrations from an array of sources, contemporary, current and in-between. A sweet surprise is the addition of “The Streeter Diaries,” by way of Patrick Streeter, grandson and biographer of George Skelton Streeter, who traveled in 1887 with the first British expedition to Mogok. It was in Patrick’s book that Richard Hughes first learned of Halford-Watkins’s manuscript.

Dr. John Emmett, who urged Hughes to take on the project, apparently found his confidence well-placed, saying that the book “is a rare find—as exquisite as any fine ruby” and that every lover of fine gems will want a copy. It is scheduled for a February 6 release, at Blurb.com.

And Speaking of Books...

GIA (Gemological Institute of America) presents “Tablet to Tablet: Treasured Pages from Past to Present,” an exhibition of more than 26,000 pages from rare books dealing with gems, minerals and natural science. The oldest book included in the show is a 1496 edition of Pliny the Elder’s (23–79 CE) Natural History; the “books” from this encyclopedia on mining and mineralogy, XXXIII–XXXVII, contain some of the most important classical writing on mineralogy and gemology. The exhibit will be open to the public until early this summer.

Displayed is the first edition (1511) of Liber de lapidibus by Marbode (1030s–1123), Bishop of Rennes. Marbode composed primarily in verse, this lapidary being no exception; it originally contained 742 lines describing 60 gemstones—some mythical. A Mineralogical Record biography of the poet states that the book actually falls into the area of medical writing, since most of it touts the healing properties of the stones. (Image © GIA)

AGTA GemFair

Pala joins nearly 100 exhibitors for this annual extravaganza.

Event: AGTA GemFair
When: January 31 – February 5, 2012
Where: Tucson Convention Center
Booth: 1016

The event website now features an interactive floorplan allowing you to see who is exhibiting by area of the convention center.

More than forty free seminars are offered by notables in the world of gemstones and pearls.

Day one. Pala’s Gabrièl Mattice and The Journal of Gemmology editor Elise Skalwold, at Pala’s AGTA GemFair booth yesterday, with an advance copy of Halford-Watkins’s The Book of Ruby & Sapphire. (Photo courtesy Elise Skalwold)

11th Annual Westward Look Mineral Show

Pala International and two dozen other world-class mineral dealers shack up at a Sonoran Desert resort.

• Collector Day (Sat) features Ron Gladnick and selections from his private collection
• Edward Swoboda: “A Life of Gems & Minerals” (Sun) is a rare opportunity to take in a presentation by this 94-year-old legend of the mineral-collecting world. Also on hand will be special guests Wendell Wilson, Bill Larson and Gene Meieran

Event: 11th Annual Westward Look Mineral Show
When: February 3–6, 2012
Where: Westward Look Resort
Suite: 224

See Pala International’s page on the Westward Look Show site.

58th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show

TGMS is the largest gem and mineral show in the country. This year’s theme is “Minerals of Arizona.”

The symposium and guest speaker schedule is now available here. Jeff Scovil offers a mineral photography seminar on the 9th and the Arthur Roe Memorial Micromount Symposium on the 10th kicks off with Ray Grant’s presentation on collapsed breccia pipes in copper followed by Bob Meyer’s focus on the micro-minerals of Tiger, the ghost town in Arizona’s Pinal County. Harvey Jong will present Bill Hunt’s Arizona micromount treasures. Jong also will talk on 3-D mineral photography, one of his studio’s specialties. John Cesar and Gene Schlepp will look at the Old Yuma Mine, in Saguaro National Monument. Ben Williams’s Bisbee collection—in storage with books and photos for 60 years—will be covered by Evan Jones. Bisbee mines and minerals also will be the subject of Bisbee native Dick Graeme. Les Presmyk will look at Arizona mineral collecting in general and the Globe-Miami district in particular.

The 33rd Annual FM-TGMS-MSA Mineralogical Symposium on the 11th will look at many aspects of the theme “Minerals of Arizona,” chaired by Julian Gray and Raymond Grant. Marcus Origlieri and Raymond Grant will present an overview of the subject—past, present and future, followed by Jim McGlasson’s look at mining before Arizona’s statehood in 1912. The role of Bisbee minerals in gaining that statehood will be presented by Richard Graeme. Wolfgang Mueller will look at Arizona gemstones and Anna Monitor will focus on the Amole District in the Tucson Mountains. The lore of Tombstone will be covered by Peter Megaw. Les Presmyk will talk on “150 years of mining, 100 years of Statehood, 50 years collecting.” The symposium will end with Erik Melchiorre’s talk on Arizona gold.

Event: 58th Annual Tucson Gem and Mineral Show
When: February 9–12, 2012
Where: Tucson Convention Center
Booth: Aisle 5 East

Azurite on malachite. This specimen, from Bisbee, Arizona, will be displayed at TGMS. Bill Larson Collection. Photo: Robert Weldon

Tucson Transit Tips

Many shows will offer their own shuttles. View your transit and parking options here. [back to top]

Gamini Ratnavira—On the Road and Closer to Home

Painting pairings in Tucson, Carlsbad

Pala International neighbor Gamini Ratnavira was profiled by GIA Insider last month. He discusses his life, inspiration, technique and how he came to live in Southern California. He also can be seen in three streaming videos in which he discusses his family’s relationship with gems and jewelry, and more.

Snazzy. Gamini’s father, Sardha Ratnavira (fourth from right), graduated in 1940 as a member of GIA’s first residence class. (Photo: Bill Larson collection)

The artist will display his mineral paintings, paired with the specimens they depict, at GIA’s Carlsbad campus in late February (see above link for info). The specimens are from the collection of Ron Gladnick.

Gladnick’s collection—and Ratnavira’s renderings—also will be featured on Collector’s Day at the Westward Look Show, Saturday, February 4, from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.

Knappenwand epidote. Gamini’s painting accentuates the character of all the individual crystals of our December 2009 featured specimen, capturing every little face and striation. A little masterpiece to accompany earth’s complex symmetry. (Illustration: Gamini Ratnavira)

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Pala’s Featured Specimen: Azurite from Arizona

To honor the theme of this year’s TGMS, we exhibit an exquisite azurite crystal from the Bisbee Mine in Arizona. Since we are all halfway out the door, headed to Tucson, not much time to embellish on the specimen. This beauty pretty much speaks for itself. Enjoy, and we’ll see you all at the TGMS and Westward Look Show.

Arizona azurite. Azurite blade with some malachite replacement. Bill Larson Collection. Price: $3,000 net. Photo: Jeff Scovil, who will conduct a mineral photography seminar at TGMS on February 9 (details here).

Interested? Call (telephone numbers below) or email us to inquire. [back to top]

And on the blog...

On our mining blog we have posted some pages from John Sinkankas’s scrapbook from 1962: a page on the Esmeralda Mine, which Pala currently is operating, and pages and photos of Sinkankas’s visit to the home of California’s state gemstone, benitoite. You’ll want to see a 1930s shot of Mr. Dallas at his cabin in the creek bed just below the San Benito mine.

Visit blog.Palaminerals.com.

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George Bosshart 1943–2012

We received word last month from Anne Bosshart that her husband George passed away January 14. “Over many years he was fighting cancer and lost in the end. Throughout all his days, his work kept him going and he loved to be with people, all the precious stones and their sources.” Our hearts go out to Anne, whose devoted care of George made it possible for him to remain out of hospital until just a few days before his death. It was such care that allowed George to prepare a study on color stability in spodumene, which he presented at last July’s International Gemmological Conference in Interlaken, Switzerland. He also presented a poster session on “emeraqua.”

George Bosshart had been chief gemologist, Research and Development, at the Gübelin Gem Lab in Lucerne. He made many contributions to gemological science and literature. After his university education in Switzerland, he did some geological fieldwork in Canada. His career in gemology followed, and he became director of SSEF (Swiss Gemmological Institute) for many years, when the lab was located in Zurich. During this time he worked closely with Prof. H. A. Hänni.

George was a close friend of Dr. Karl Schmetzer for nearly forty years. “To his last days he was interested in gems and gemmology,” Dr. Schmetzer told us, “and continued his major research project about green diamonds and the origins of colour, working with his own collection and samples from museums.” He conducted irradiation experiments and compared spectroscopic properties of natural samples with irradiated stones.

Palling around. George Bosshart, right, with Edward Boehm, at the entrance to Ruby Land. (Photo: Dr. Eduard Gübelin and Edward Boehm)

Richard W. Hughes shared with George “a love for travel to remote localities, particularly in Burma, and we often found ourselves exploring the same places, albeit at different times.” Anne Bosshart was George’s constant traveling companion, and they loved the jade mines of Upper Burma. “But it wasn't just the jade,” Hughes said. “I think, like myself, that was just a convenient excuse to travel, meet new people and explore new cultures. While certainly a Swiss at heart, he was simultaneously a citizen of the world.” George Bosshart contributed to “Burmese Jade: The Inscrutable Gem” by Hughes and others, archived on Palagems.com.

Pala’s Bill Larson recalled getting to know George personally on their first trip to Mogok, Burma, in 1993 with Dr. Eduard Gübelin. They rode together in the “pain-mobile,” named not after the famous mineralogist and gem dealer, but “so named because we all hit our heads on the metal roof (as we rode in the back of the four wheel drive vehicle—sans shock absorbers—the Burmese assigned us to) on every bump on the eight hour journey from Mandalay.” Out of all in that party, George got the worst gashes, but never complained even though they required medical attention. “He was just so excited to see the Valley of Rubies! He made the trip even more special; we all had the best time with him.”

Pain-mobile. Hold onto your hat, if you’re lucky enough to have one. Otherwise your pate will be at the mercy of jeep’s metal roof. (Photo: Dr. Eduard Gübelin and Edward Boehm)

Friends and family said goodbye on January 24 at the Protestant Church of Wädenswil. Consider donating to a charity in George Bosshart’s name: Schweizer Berghilfe (Swiss mountain assistance) or Schweizerischer Verein für das Blindenwesen (Swiss National Association of and for the Blind).

In situ. George Bosshart is in his element here, in Lin Yuang Chi Primary Ruby Mine, Mogok, Burma. (Photo: Dr. Eduard Gübelin and Edward Boehm)

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George Bosshart on Bi-colored Beryl—“Emeraqua”

In November of 2010 Pala International’s Bill Larson was notified by the late George Bosshart of some intriguing crystals.

I have a topic for you, the connoisseur of the Afghanistan-Pakistan and other beryl-producing areas: You cannot be aware of our totally unexpected find of cm-size emerald crystals in the Binntal (the famous mineral paradise in the southwestern Swiss Alps) because we have published the find in a Swiss mineral magazine only (Krzemnicki M. S., Bosshart G.[2003]: Der Binntal-Smaragd als Juwel. Schweizer Strahler, 13, 4, 31-33. ISSN 0370-9213).

The topic has not been published in English.

Certainly it is not the size of the emeralds which is noteworthy but the optical and chemical properties which strongly resemble those of Colombian emeralds and even more so a phenomenon which truly is rare. A few of the longer double-ender crystals are bi-coloured, chromium-green on one and aquamarine-blue on the opposite end. This catapults our tiny babies into a world of their own, the emerald-aquamarines or “emeraquas.”

A blue to blue-green Habachtal crystal chip. Another, more convincing “emeraqua” chip was sold at the Munich Mineral show 2010 (both pieces not available for analysis).

Bill Larson replied, “I have seen some of these new Austrian emeralds; some with aquamarine. They are quite unique.” We immediately followed up with Bosshart, asking whether we might publish his remarks. He replied:

Palagems people have never been asleep, just like their big boss. This time, however, I have to pull the brakes. I do not see the urgency for publication or pre-publication of the subject, especially since I have no decent specimens and analytical data. … I will consider sending you a write-up as soon as I have made substantial progress on the topic.

Before George Bosshart’s death, we received an elaboration of his poster session on the subject, which he presented to the 32nd International Gemmological Conference, July 2011, in Interlaken, Switzerland. While we feel the loss of the man, his work endures. In celebration of the life and loves of George Bosshart we are pleased to publish “Do bi-coloured, green and blue beryls exist, which are composed of emerald and aquamarine zones?” [back to top]

The Igneous Rocks of the Mogok Stone Tract

Chapter III, Parts 1 & 2, of a PhD Dissertation by Kyaw Thu

With Pala Presents, we offer selections from the library of Pala International’s Bill Larson, who will share with us some of the wealth of information in the realm of minerals and mineralogy.

In this installment, we present Chapter III of Kyaw Thu’s 2007 PhD dissertation, which surveys the petrography of the Mogok Stone Tract’s igneous rocks. He discusses this in seven sections.

• Ultramafic and Mafic Rocks
• Augite-biotite Granite
• Leucogranite
• Syenitic Rocks
• Urtite Series
• Kabaing Granite
• Pegmatites and Aplites

Our next installment will feature Chapter IV Petrochemistry.

From Figure 3.57. Small corundum grains in ijolite, Thurein Taung, PPL, 25 X. (Photomicrograph: Kyaw Thu)

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— End February Newsletter • Published 2/1/12 —