Spring 2008 Message from the President Walt Pinder Catherine O'Hare Schubert 1835-1918 True story of an Irish immigrant who was the first woman to enter BC from the east, as an Overlander. Turning lead into gold - is alchemy real? Anne Marie Helmenstine PhD Modern physics (not chemistry) can transmute lead into gold, but at a huge price. Million dollar chess set - auction An auction in Dubai offers large carat gems & a unique diamond-encrusted backgammon set, in May 2008. Amygdules Short description of how these volcanic inclusions form, and why they are so named. New horizons in prospecting 2007 Jim Laird Report by professional prospector-geologist on his summer field work at various BC locations. Precious opal in volcanic sequences S.Paradis, G.J.Simandl & A.Sabina Science paper on the properties and prospects of this "Queen of Gems".

Dominoes recrafted into a bracelet.
Ryan McFarland
Simple workbench project delivers an unusual but attractive piece of jewelry.

How tiny crystals decorate iris agates
Electron microscope reveals the secrets in the light diffracting nature of agate.

Emerald treatments.
Mark Liccini
Practical and detailed advice on how to minimize the natural flaws in emerald.

Zultanite - a Turkish delight
Recently discovered gem version of a diaspore mineral exhibits multi-colored properties under different light conditions.

Christie's to auction off record diamond
Laura Malesich
A 101-carat colorless diamond is expected to fetch $6 million. (In fact, it went for $6.2M)

Record price set for platinum
Power shortages in South Africa (where much of the world's supply comes from) are causing a platinum shortage.

Honourary Lifetime Membership for Trudy Martin
Calgary club member recognized for over 30 years of service to the Gem & Mineral Federation of Canada.

Notes on gemstone fluorescence.
Charles Lewton-Brain
Technical guide to using short-wave (UV) light to analyze gems for authenticity.

A mineral to call my own
Micromounter suggests whimsical names to "new" minerals that turn up under his microscope.

The Monster
Dave Abel
Hunting in the Quesnel area turned up a a vein of chert and a problem of loading the goodies into the truck.

Introductory Gemmology
Charles Lewton-Brain
Definitions concerning physical properties of gemstones.

Around the Clubs
Club news and reports

The cutting of the Lesotho Promise
Diedre Wollard
This 602 carat diamond from southern Africa was cut into 26 smaller stones from 0.5 - 76 carats.