Kids and adults, learn more about rocks, minerals and fossils in the "Mini Miner Monthly."  Read special Junior Rockhound articles in the newsletter each month and then look for fun activities on the website.  Click on "Kids" on the menu bar for information designed just for you.

The Southeastern Federation of Mineralogical Societies (SFMS) is making Diamond Dan's "Mini Miner Monthly" available to all SFMS clubs for the next two years.  Enjoy!

Copper jewelry is currently the rage.  Copper tarnishes faster than silver but is easy to clean.  Warning:  This procedure is for bare copper.  Do not use this technique with copper that has been lacquered or protected by an enamel coating.

Apply ketchup with a soft toothbrush to remove tarnish on raw copper.  If the copper contains delicate gemstones/pearls avoid the stones/pearls by using the toothbrush to clean around the stones.  Rinse.  Use a soft polishing cloth to buff the piece.  Using a polishing cloth after wearing the jewelry can extend wear time between cleanings.

By Ruth Rainey.  Reprinted with permission from the June 2011 issue of the Cobb-L-Stones.

When using the flat lap, remember that you cut on high speed and polish on low.  One exception is when doing the backs of your cabs...use a lower speed for cutting or the cab will hydroplane over the lap.  If you are using the 14,000 diamond grit lap for the final polish, do not use any water.

By Anne Bair

Reprinted with permission from the June 2011 Cobb-L-Stones Newsletter.

Every jewelry designer who teaches a class or writes a tutorial is open to his or her designs being mass reproduced and sold as some one else's work.  Jim McIntosh, editor of Wire Art Magazine provides useful ideas on how to learn techniques from a designer/instructor and apply those techniques to your own work.

Read more...

Many copper findings are now copper plated and don't carry a marking. Carry a magnet with you.  Copper is not magnetic whereas a copper-plated base metal piece finding is attracted by the magnet. 

By Ruth Rainey.  Reprinted with permission from the May 2011 Cobb-L-Stones Newsletter.

If you do your job on the 600 grit wheel and the scratches are all removed from the previous grind, the following grinds will be easy.  If not, you will never get a good polish.

By Anne Bair.  Reprinted with permission from the May 2011 Cobb-L-Stones Newsletter.