On March 14^th, our next speaker, Gregg Bunch, will cover the development of created quartz, the growing process, processing techniques to achieve an electronic component called a Quartz Crystal used in such ways as pacemakers, timing devices for watches, military guidance systems, animal tracking, soldier tracking, athlete temperature monitoring and many other new usages that are constantly being developed.

Created Quartz crystal (aka: lab grown, hydro Quartz, hydrothermal Quartz, cultured Quartz and synthetic Quartz) was originally developed during WWII, for the military.  Following the war, the U.S. further developed the process for our growing electronics, computer, timing and optical industries.  Lately, the Chinese are taking this process even further by adding colors, and creating new manmade gemstones.  Many are mimicking fine and expensive gemstones.

Now retired, Gregg Bunch spent over 40 years in the Created Quartz crystal industry, working for such prestigious O.C. firms such as: Statek Corp.; Hughes Aircraft; and Frequency Management.  Gregg is currently a member of the Searchers organization and the Orange County Opal Society.

During his talk, Gregg will show us an 11 minute movie, made back in the 1960s by Bell Labs, showing how the science of growing Quartz crystals was developed.  Plus he will have a display showing all aspects of this process.  At the end of his talk, Greg will give out sample pieces of grown quartz to anyone that wants them.  The samples can be great for faceting.

See you there!

Guests are always welcome.....

ABOUT THE CULVER CITY ROCK AND MINERAL CLUB

The purpose of the CULVER CITY ROCK & MINERAL CLUB is to bring together persons interested in the earth sciences, to engage in research and study in this realm, and to assist members in the collection and preservation of rocks and minerals and in the study of lapidary and related arts.