WAVERLEY GEM CLUB Inc​
Junior Group
In July 2007 the Waverley Gem Club established a group for juniors (children aged from about 12 to 16). It is known as the Mini Rockafellas and is similar to a group that existed several years earlier which lapsed. Several of those who were once in the junior group are now part of the general membership.
The club aims to teach children about geology, minerals (particularly those of the gem variety) and the methods of working with these gem materials to make jewelry.
Minerals
Many of the juniors come to the club through an initial interest in minerals. The club has many
mineral specimens which are used to introduce them to the basic characteristics of rocks, namely how they are formed, their hardness, specific gravity and how those of a gem variety can be worked into attractive gemstones.
Cabochons
After an introductory course about geology where students learn how minerals and gemstones are formed they progress to cutting cabochons. While learning, these are usually agates, jasper, petrified wood or other quartz based stones and students are shown how to shape and produce the domed shapes of cabochons. In doing so they also learn about the hardness of various stones and the process of moving from coarse to progressively finer grinding and sanding laps before moving to a polishing lap to bring out the beauty of their stone.
Wire Wrapping
Juniors are taught how to wire wrap the cabochons they have cut to make them usable as jewelry pieces. They twist silver wire in such a way that it firmly holds their stone and then add a suitable chain.
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Carving
Carving is one of the popular activities for the juniors. They use bone, soapstone and opal so that they can complete a carving in reasonable time. Tools used include files, saws, carborundum wet and dry paper and rotary machines with diamond tools before polishing their carvings.