Rocks & Minerals Talk

Updated Changes to Auction Site

johnveevaert — Thur, 03 Apr 2008 18:55:10 GMT

I received a number of comments after the hidden reserve feature was activated last December. Not many of them were all that good. So... I heard you.

You can read about the new system changes by clicking the link at the top of the page called New Auction Changes.

I am hopeful that this will be the last iteration for a while at least.

Thanks for your continued interest and support of the dealers in this auction!

Under $100 specimen thread

rockyfeller — Thur, 20 Mar 2008 18:11:06 GMT

American Minerals Treasures Book

rockyfeller — Mon, 10 Mar 2008 14:16:01 GMT

Received my copy a few days ago and can not put it down. This new book is, in my opinion, the finest book of its type to appear since Bancrofts Gem and Crystal Treasures classic about 25 years ago. Not just another pretty picture book, although it does have some of the finest photography of some of the finest specimens you can imagine, it is a joy to read as well. If you are hesitant about buying this one, don't be. Get it now . . . you will not be disappointed. Order a copy from the Mineralogical Record, or from the several mineral dealers that carry books. Now please excuse me, I need to get back to my book!

Tucson, an experience to remember!

AquaMatrixGirl — Sun, 24 Feb 2008 15:40:08 GMT

The American Minerals were outstanding! I found that there were never enough visits to the displays, I always wanted to go back again. The Rhodochrosite display was breathtaking, the Pyromorphites were unbelieveable and I was in awe while looking at the N.C. emeralds and hiddenites.
Brooks display of Montana agates was incredibly well done and I found myself bringing others to see it.
I got a kick out of the "What are we, chopped liver? " cabinet as well.
And the displays of gold were incredible.
This show was well worth attending!

Mineral Photography

drtenbeers — Sun, 03 Feb 2008 01:11:43 GMT

Hello all, I have been experimenting with mineral photography, but the problem I've been running into is lighting. Some colors turn out great but other colors like green or blue or white takes on a shade of yellow. Anyone know of a good true color light source beside natural sunlight? A good book would also be useful. Thanks, Alan.

The good, the bad, and the ugly.

Finding an old listing

Cabin — Fri, 18 Jan 2008 15:13:07 GMT

How do I find an old auction listing? I bought an included quartz gemstone back in Sept or so and I wanted to find the listing to get details about it. Is there someway to search for auction items that we previously won?

Glue guns

unicorn27 — Wed, 31 Oct 2007 04:17:06 GMT

I have decided to use a glue gun to mount a few of my specimans and when I went out today to purchase one, I found they came in low heat and high heat versions. Which one is best? I hope it's the low heat one because that's what I got though I haven't opened it yet in case I have to exchange it. Thanks for your help.

auction themes

kqh — Tue, 18 Sep 2007 23:32:32 GMT

Folks, I would appreciate any comments on our plans for auction themes. Also, ideas for good auction themes would be appreciated as well.

Thanks, Keith

white background grayish

dancingsue — Sun, 26 Aug 2007 02:07:52 GMT

i had tried photographing earrings i make and put earrings on white paper. tried with full spectrum light over them and the white background is gray. tried natural sun outdoors with same result. then i googled and found this website which was of interest to me because it discussed lighting as well as stones i use for some of my designs. will try 3 white bulbs, one on top and one on each side (hadn't done that before) and using poster board vs. paper. for me it's not just about the color of the stones but wanting a white background and getting gray. any more hints. thanks.

Mineral Acquisition Habits

Dragon — Thur, 19 Jul 2007 21:01:53 GMT

Hello Message Board,

For my own curiousity, I'd like to learn about mineral purchasing habits. Please select one answer for each question.

Question 1: To add new specimens to my collection, I...
(a) buy only
(b) field collect only
(c) trade only
(d) Some combination of these (please specify)

Question 2: When I buy specimens, I usually pay (prices in USD)
(a) zero to ten dollars
(b) ten to 25 dollars
(c) 25 to 100 dollars
(d) 100 to 500 dollars
(e) rarely less than 500 dollars
(f) No fixed amount

I'll start with my own answers:
Question 1: (d); mostly buy but maybe 20% field collect and trade
Question 2: (f) no fixed amount

Anyone else?

Steve
www.dragon-minerals.com

What do YOU collect?

AquaMatrixGirl — Thur, 19 Jul 2007 13:01:08 GMT

My husband and I collect world wide minerals. We lean towards gem crystals, smithsonites, poldervaartites, hemmimorphites, kesterites and many others as far as having more than, say, three each.
It is rare for us to have one of something.
What do you all collect? Do you stick with location only, or how about size, or...do you collect only one sort of mineral?
One state, one country?
One continent?

ooooooohhhhhh do tell!

Special place for your self collected?

AquaMatrixGirl — Thur, 19 Jul 2007 12:56:33 GMT

I actually found myself digging minerals in Bingham, New Mexico last month and I am going to put my self collected pieces, as well as my husband's, in a cabinet all by themself. We did manage to bring home quite a few great rocks as I had uncovered a pocket of crystals while there...fluorites, galena and linarites were all found over two days.
I feel that they deserve a spot of their own. I find, when visiting other collectors, that they often have a "special" cabinet or shelf for their self collected.
I like to think it is because they are proud of them and that it will bring up some great stories while looking at them. What do you all do with your self collected pieces? I presume that you all purchase pieces also..otherwise why else would you be lurking on the auction sites?
So.....intergrated or seperated self collected items?

Temporary threads for mineral pics

rockyfeller — Tue, 17 Jul 2007 21:38:38 GMT

This is primarily directed to John, as he is the man with the answers! I bet there are a number of us that really like to see great rocks . . . and I bet a bunch of us got some great rocks. Is it possible to pick a species about every week or two, post the pics, and then remove them after they have been up for a week, and then pic a new species? For instance, feature wulfenite for a week or two then remove the pics and feature azurite, etc . . . . we might see some of our members nicest rocks and by removing them on a regular basis the board wouldn't get filled up with old pics that take up a lot of storage. Just seems like almost everyone is taking pics with digital cameras and storing them in their computers for easy access. I could share a pic every week or two and never run out!

Excess Wholesale Mineral Ideas

kqh — Tue, 03 Jul 2007 02:09:42 GMT

Like many dealers, I have picked up large quantities of specimens over the years. Often, I end up getting a small lot in order to acquire 3 or 4 specimens. I used to do shows and put the extra minerals out at great prices for kids (and even big kids), but my business and personal life have changed such that I don't do this much anymore. The last big event was the Cinci Show where I think I cleared out well over 1600 specimens.

My question is... what is the best way to move larger quantities of minerals at a reasonable price? Any one out there want starter collections? wholesale lots? I just don't have time to photograph specimen after specimen. And yes, there are many, decent attractive specimens. They just aren't higher end auction-worthy items.

Thanks, Keith

Specimen Mortality

mikehopkins — Mon, 02 Jul 2007 10:53:52 GMT

I think everyone has a story or three on this topic. Our host once conveyed a story to me about dropping a beautiful Wulfenite on the concrete stairs of his Tucson rental. OUCH!!
I will start this off with one of my blunders.

We have part of our collection in a glass case in the living room and like all glass cases dust does,somehow,slowly get in. To dust the shelves and clean the glass I remove all the contents to a map table we use as a coffee table. After safely removing the contents and cleaning all the glass I start reassembling the cases contents. Placing pieces in and trying to come up with an arrangement that is pleasing to the eye as well as optimizing the space. I start putting things in and pulling them out changing things around.
Pretty soon I have pieces on the arms of the couch, the table tops and shelves. After about an hour I have success and am pretty pleased with the outcome. I start to sit on the arm of the couch and here a crunching sound and I feel the snapping of crystals under my weight !! I jump up too see Diana's large ball of Scolecite needles flattened on one side!! The white of the couches completely camouflaged the piece and I didn't even notice it was gone. Diana does not let me forget this tale.
I have a couple more stories but I will let someone else come clean before I
tell these tales.