~ MinSocWA General Meeting & Talk | 14 July 2021 ~

Mark your diaries! MinSocWA โ€œGeneral Meeting and Talkโ€ is scheduled for Wednesday, 14 July 2021. My talk “๐—š๐—ฅ๐—˜๐—˜๐—ก ‘๐—ป’ ๐—š๐—ข๐—Ÿ๐——” will focus on chrysoprase from the Marshall Pool area and gold from Beta Hunt Gold Mine. Come along and learn about the rich geological landscape of Western Australia.

About MinSocWA

The State Mineralogical Societies of Australia (also known as MinSocs) foster the appreciation and study of minerals and mineralogy by amateurs and professionals. Their members range from geologists, mineralogists, lapidaries to mineral collectors and enthusiasts.

Desert Fire Designs is proud to be a member of the Mineralogical Society of WA, Inc. (or MinSocWA). In addition to organising regular meetings, the Society also facilitates activities such as mineral talks, field trips, mineral markets, auctions, microscope sessions and more.

My profile as a Gemmologist & Geologist

I have been working in gemmology for over 48 years. My career started with a city-based jeweller in Adelaide (South Australia), where I also studied gemmology, valuing and store management. I then progressed to faceting Australian emeralds in Kalgoorlie and prospecting for gold in Western Australia.

Upon returning to Adelaide, I decided to open a gem-cutting business. In 1987, I was honoured to win a Churchill Fellowship for international gem fashioning and display. It gave me the opportunity to visit gem-cutters, jewellery stores, museums and gemmological studios across the world.

After more than a decade of gem-cutting, I made the move to Perth (Western Australia). I studied geology at Curtin University and the Kalgoorlie School of Mines. With these courses under my belt, I started working as a geologist.

I first earned my stripes as a pit geologist at the Tarmoola gold mine, north of Leonora. Then as a senior resource geologist at the Mount Keith open-cut nickel mine. After that, I moved further afield into copper/gold at the DeGrussa mine, north of Meekatharra.

Chrysoprase Rough ย Gold in Quartz

Upon retiring from exploration, I resumed my gem fashioning business. Through my workshop and my business “๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ฒ๐—ฟ๐˜ ๐—™๐—ถ๐—ฟ๐—ฒ ๐——๐—ฒ๐˜€๐—ถ๐—ด๐—ป๐˜€”, I hope to showcase the very best that Western Australian gem rough material has to offer.

I invite you to come along and listen to my presentation about chrysoprase from the Marshall Pool area and gold from Beta Hunt Gold Mine. You’ll be amazed by the wondrous natural beauty of these mineral collections.

Details for MinSocWA General Meeting and Talk:

The MinSocWA General Meeting and Talk will be held at:

  • Venue: The WA Lapidary and Rock Hunting Club
  • Address: 31 Gladstone Road, Rivervale, Western Australia
  • Date:ย Wednesday, 14th July 2021
  • Time:ย from 7pm

We look forward to seeing you there!โ