Map & VLMS Meeting Info:
We are affliated with the British Columbia Lapidary Society and the
Gem and Mineral Federation of Canada.
VLMS Club Executive
- President - Cameron Speedie email
- Vice President - James Morrow email
- Show Chairman - Dr. Patrick Lydon/ Don Meyers email
- Librarian - Molly Beddington email
- Past President - Magdalene Magon email
- Secretary - Carrie Maier email
- Membership - Murdo Smith email
- Sunshine Corner - Betty Goodwin email
- Treasurer - Pierre Lambert email
- Members at Large -Greg Shea, Brad Woollven, Sandy Burns, John Burns email
- Field Trips - Gilles Lebrun email
- Workshop -Gordon Taylor email
- Editor - Barbara Smith email
- Programs - James Morrow email
- Mailing Newsletter -Phyllis Hoffman email
- Members Meeting Event - Betty Goodwin email
- Island Zone - Murdo Smith - Barbara Smith - Magdalene Magon email
VLMS Club Stone - Dallasite
Dallasite is the Victoria Lapidary and Mineral Society’s club stone. The rock is so named because the first identified pieces of it were found along Dallas Road in Victoria. This is of interest as the material would have had to travel a fair distance from the source. There are occurrences along the east side of Vancouver Island and some sizable deposits in the Alberni Area.
The material is a volcanic breccia consisting of green and black material in a white base which also forms the VLMS club colours. The size of the green and black material varies and it can form some very attractive patterns. It is believed to form as pillow lava underwater and through geological uplift become deposits on land.
Working Dallasite can be challenging as there is a variation in the hardness of the different areas of the material as well as the usual cracks and crevices. When tumbling it is best to only have Dallasite in the load.
When cutting cabochons it is best to stick to diamond based wheels such as on a Genie – and do a final polish with tin oxide. This will avoid undercutting the softer areas.
Good places to collect include Island View Beach, beaches around Parksville and of course beaches around Victoria. Look for cobble beaches and the predominate white to guide you. Pieces occur in size from a pebble up to good size (5 lbs – 2 kg) boulders
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Dallasite VLMS President's Medallion (dime for size comparison)
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Other Vancouver Island Club Info:
Alberni Valley Rock & Gem Club
- P.O. Box 1291 Postal Station 'A' Port Alberni BC, V9Y 7M2
- Joan Humphries (250) 723-6882
- Dave West (250) 723-0281
- E mail: Dave West
Courtenay Gem & Mineral Club
- P.O. Box 3025 Courtenay BC, V9N 5N3
- Phone number - Jack Boyes (250) 337-8461
- Jack Boyes
Cowichan Valley Rockhound Club
- P.O. Box 232 Duncan, BC V9L 3X3
- June Gillespie 250-748-9567
- Michelle Heath Phone number - (250) 743-3769
- Michelle Heath email
Parksville & District Rock & Gem Club
- P.O. Box 812 Parksville, BC Parksville, BC V9P 2G8
- Club Contact: Marion Barclay, 250-248-6177
- E mail Marion Barclay
Campbell River Ripple Gem and Mineral Club
- P.O. Box 6, Campbell River, BC V9W 1S9
- Club Contact: Emily Faak, (250) 337-5724
- E mail: Emily Faak