Rocks, fossils and thundereggs
Published 1:32 pm Wednesday, October 8, 2008
Opalized rock, leaf fossils and thundereggs.
The oohs and aahs at Marysville’s Totem Middle School this weekend will come from people attending Marysville Rock &Gem Club’s 34th annual Rocktoberfest, which will display these and other rock specimens on Saturday and Sunday.
There, visitors can observe more than 30 showcases of collections and rare rocks.
Thundereggs, which are Oregon’s state rock, are found where volcanic activity has occurred. Hot lava traps gases and forms hollows or pockets, and after it cools, the lava hardens, becomes buried and allows water to seep into the cavity, Rock and Gem club member Anna Calkins explained. When the water dissipates, it leaves behind designs or pictures, and sometimes crystal formations.
In addition to viewing such wonders, “The entire show gives different hands-on opportunities, and the opportunity to see collections of rock and how they are used,” Calkins said. “Our demonstrators show how to grind a cab, give silver techniques, show how to do beading, intarsia and how to facet a stone. This is a vital learning part of our show.”
Some displays will include faceted stones, which are cut on many planes to give off light; diamond rings being one example. Viewers also will find cut and polished rocks that are used in home furnishings, like bookends and night lights.
Wire wrapping, a method of finishing a piece of jewelry by twisting and shaping gold or silver wire around a stone to enhance its beauty and prepare it for a necklace or other setting, also will be demonstrated.
Calkins noted that often, people bring in a stone to these shows and want to know what it is. As a result, several club members will be available to help with identifications. At least one of the 72 members has a degree in geology, Calkins said.
“Our club offers outdoor family recreation and the study of the earth science … we learn craftsmanship and create things of beauty,” said Ed Lehman, one of the group’s field trip chairmen.
As to the ‘things of beauty,’ young visitors will find their share of those and have some fun too, Calkins said, as the show will offer a spinning wheel, which will yield prizes, including polished rock specimens and other items related to the hobby.
Children also can receive grab bags of polished stones, she said. If a bag contains a gold-colored rock, the child will receive a cut and polished geode — a hollow rock that sometimes has crystal formation inside.
“People enjoy our club because they can feel the excitement we bring to our hobby,” club officer Carol Cimolino said. “Our members are passionate about their collecting, fabrication and experience in diverse areas of the hobby, such as collecting, stone cutting, faceting, jewelry fabrication, pearls and beading.”
