Federation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies Federasie van Suider - Afrikaanse Siersteen - en Mineralogiese Verenigings ...
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Federation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies
Federasie van Suider - Afrikaanse Siersteen - en Mineralogiese Verenigings
FOSAGAMS - NEWSLETTER 3 of 2020
www.fosagams.com
The past couple of months were both puzzling and confusing.
Initially the pandemic had a destructive effect on our hobby, but fortunately with the easing of the Covid-19
regulations the club workshops became operational again and the normal club activities such as outings could
resume.
GEMBOREE 2021
April 2 – April 5 2021
The Pietermaritzburg Gem and Mineral Club will be
hosting the 2021 Gemboree in Clarens from April 2 to
April 5 2021. The 2020 Gemboree was postponed due to
the Covid- 19 regulations.
May your interest be sparked in joining us for this long
weekend! Spending the days amidst magnificent blue
skies, fields of sunflowers and wheat, surrounded by
Karoo sandstone, shale and mudstone. All this beauty
while searching for minerals and socializing with your
fellow rockhounds.
The Pietermaritzburg Club will send out their Gemboree
Communique soon.
Photo: Zani van Zyl zanivz@gmail.com If you require some information the best will be to contact
the Gemboree committee at gemboree2020@gmail.com
See all of you at Clarens!
NAMIBIA TOUR
Due to the Covid-19 regulations the tour to Southern Namibia and parts of the Northern Cape was
postponed to 2021.
This tour under the able leadership of Malcolm Jackson will surely not disappoint as interesting
minerals, breathtaking landscapes and the pleasurable company of fellow rockhounds will exceed your
expectations!
Keep an eye on the FOSAGAMS newsletters for further arrangements.
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President - Linda Stone Secretary–Petro Oosthuizen Treasurer – Marietjie van ZylFederation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies
Federasie van Suider - Afrikaanse Siersteen - en Mineralogiese Verenigings
THE FOLLOWING REGULATIONS WERE PUBLISHED IN THE SAGM:
Health and Safety Compliance Vol. 51.1
First Aid in our clubs Vol. 51.3
Noise induced hearing loss Vol. 52.1
General Machinery Requirements Vol. 52.2
Covid – 19 Vol. 52.2
The above magazines can be ordered from the FOSAGAMS' treasurer, Marietjie van Zyl, at
treasurer@fosagams.co.za
INFORMATION REGARDING MUSEUMS RELATED TO OUR HOBBY WAS PUBLISHED IN THE
FOLLOWING FOSAGAMS NEWSLETTERS:
5 / 2019
1 – 4 / 2020
Information regarding their addresses as well as their contact information were given.
PRESENTATION ON NAMIBIAN PEGMATITES
Report by Erika Wassenaar
Delivered by Bruce Cairncross
Time and Date: Zoom Session at 19:30 on the 29/09/2020
Arranged by William Black
A very interesting and informative presentation was delivered by Professor Cairncross on a certain
area of Namibia. Bruce shared his slide show with us during the Zoom presentation. The slides were
clear and detailed. It was easy to understand and comprehend the topic. The session was very
interactive, and Bruce allowed for extra time to answer all our questions. It was very encouraging to
see that just over 20 rockhounds joined in the Zoom session.
We are looking forward to many more of these informative sessions. I personally learned a lot and
am very grateful for this opportunity.
We are very grateful to Bruce and William for making this a reality. It is much easier to listen to a
presentation in the comfort of your home than traveling to a specific place to attend.
We are eagerly awaiting the invite for the next presentation, no pressure Bruce!
2Federation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies
Federasie van Suider - Afrikaanse Siersteen - en Mineralogiese Verenigings
GOING TO GROUND: A geologist's adventures in Africa and South America
AUTHOR: Nick Norman
Nick Norman, author of the well renowned book “Geological Journeys” which are loved by rockhounds has
written a new book called “Going to Ground”.
Photo: Supplied by the author
Nick has sent the following information:
PRICE: R320 (VAT included)
PUBLICATION DATE: April 2020
ISBN (printed book and e-book): 978-0-620-86642-2
FORMAT: 152 x 229
HARD/SOFT COVER: Soft cover
NUMBER OF PAGES: 320
DISTRIBUTION: World-wide
Photo: Supplied by the author
BACKGROUND
From his days working as a geology student on the Sperrgebiet coast of Namibia, the author tells how his
experience of the wild parts of the continent developed into a love-affair with Africa that would never leave
him. Once graduated he chose to go exploring for copper in the Kalahari of Botswana, from where he would
return to South West Africa (Namibia) again and again and travel the length and breadth of his native South
Africa.
Nearly four years exploring for base metals in Brazil were enough to convince him that his roots were deep in
the substrate of Africa. He returned home to buy a farm in the Franschhoek valley, supplementing his income
by consulting, mainly in diamonds in the Northern Cape. Even after marrying he still itched to see the world
and returned to South America, this time Chile, where two children were born to him and Sue. In his two
years there he searched for copper and gold from the high Andean foothills to the fiords of the Magellan
region and the islands of Tierra del Fuego.
Back in South Africa he turned his hand to writing books in the field of popular geology. Geological Journeys,
Geology off the beaten track and Box of Rocks have all been best sellers, with sales continuing to tick over,
and The Extraordinary World of Diamonds sold out but was not reprinted.
While not writing, short-term consulting assignments took him deep into the Africa he loves – Mozambique,
Angola, DRC, Ethiopia, Uganda, Mauritania, Gabon and Tanzania – as well as back to South America, where
he spent eight months in Guyana prospecting for gold in the rain forest.
Through a life of travelling, farming and writing, the author realised none of it would have been possible but
for the grace of God. He saw that he had been blessed time and time again, coming ultimately to the deep
faith that continues to sustain him.
Threads of history and geography weave through the narrative and humorous anecdotes abound. The
author's love of God, Africa and his family, though, will leave the most enduring memory.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR:
Nick (75) is a geologist and writer, married to Sue, and father of Sarah (31), a lawyer, and Christopher (29), a
doctor. He is currently engaged in a geological writing assignment in Namibia. He and Sue live in the village
of Franschhoek where Sue plies her trade as a talented landscaper.
READER'S PROFILE:
Those who like to read biographies that have a major travel component.
3Federation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies
Federasie van Suider - Afrikaanse Siersteen - en Mineralogiese Verenigings
FOR SALE
Oscar Wehl, residing in Hartbeesfontein 30km from Klerksdorp and 70km from Ventersdorp has the following to sell:
1. One 30cm diamond blade 2. 3.
saw. Slab thickness adjustable
R8 500,00
See photos 2 and 3
4. One 20cm diamond saw and 5. Horizontal 2- speed grinding 6.1 One rubber drum sander 75mm
trimming saw manufactured by machine 25x150mm grinding wide by 200mm plus 15 to 20
Highland Park Co. R4 500,00 stone. Make: Rock Rasal various sanding belts can go
Model A R3 500,00 from first to last sanding.
R3 500,00
6.2 Polishing machine with a
hard felt wheel 32mmx195mm
plus a softer felt wheel
55mx140mm on one shaft.
R3 000,00
7.1 Diamond wheel grinder width
25mmx150mm R4 500,00
7.2 Ordinary stone grinding
machine width 38mmx210mm
200 grit. R3 000,00
All photos: Oscar Wehr
Oscar can be contacted at 084 250 1309 or oscarmeisie.wehl@gmail.com
4Federation of Southern African Gem and Mineralogical Societies
Federasie van Suider - Afrikaanse Siersteen - en Mineralogiese Verenigings
For Sale
Take an ordinary piece of rock picked up in a field, make a sphere out of it, and discover the beauty and diversity
of Earth's building blocks.
Amazing Stones and Spheres is a lapidary and related product company located in Pretoria, South Africa,
specialising in the production of high quality rock and mineral spheres and related products. We have the ability to
provide end-to-end services to our buyers and sell our products online and directly to the public, offering superior
quality products and customer service at competitive market related pricing.
Our range of products include, but not limited to: Spheres, tumbled stones, polished stones, wall clocks, coffee
tables tops with rock pieces etc. We also provide products to order as specified by clients.
All photos: Amazing Stones and Spheres
For further info contact Heyns: 082 414 0330 or Thinus: 072 444 9046
Email info@amazingstonesandspheres.com Website: https://amazingstonesandspheres.com/
Let us keep our faith and continue to engage in this exciting hobby of ours.
May the magic of the Christmas season fill your home with joy and peace.
Wishing you happiness in the New Year ahead.
Kind regards
Linda Stone
President FOSAGAMS
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