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"THE VAULT!"
This is a special section of the website dedicated to very significant, admittedly pricier, specimens, placed in context. Please click here for a more full explanation and for some comments on high-end minerals as investments.

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NEWS & ANNOUNCEMENTS


ANNOUNCING THE PURCHASE OF
THE OBODDA MINERAL COLLECTION & OLD DEALER INVENTORY
Click HERE for more information.

MEXICAN MINERAL COLLECTION of DR. RICHARD HECK (Part II now added)
2 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CDT
We are proud to show over 150 OLD MEXICAN SPECIMENS from the "lost" collection of Dr. Richard Heck. His collection encompassed a remarkable breadth of Mexican localities, with emphasis on unusual combinations, and on classic finds. The collection disappeared for nearly 20 years, and was "lost" through the 1990s. I am now honored to release part 2 of the Heck Collection update, featuring another 40 of his pieces representing Mexican locales primarily from the 1960s through mid-1980s.
GOLD, SILVER, & friends
22 Jan. 2012 15:00:00 CDT
Over 30 specimens of GOLD and SILVER, many quite unique and interesting, that we had saved up for a shelf at the Tucson Main Show. Here, the internet buyers can have a shot at them first. Enjoy!
new find: World-class BORCARITE Crystals, with sharp CAHNITE association, from China!
6 Jan. 2012 12:00:00 CDT
A shocking find of world-class examples of a complete rarity, which formerly existed only as "grains," but here can be had in collector-quality specimens. As a bonus, as if we needed more to look at them, this beautiful blue borcarite is associated with sharp cahnite crystals - the best of that species found in 100 years. Almost nobody has ever owned good cahnite, and even micros usually sell for $100 and more. NOT MANY ARE AVAILABLE!
NEW YEAR's MIXED UPDATE - mix of over 70 NEW SPECIMENS
6 Jan. 2012 12:00:00 CDT
A diverse mix of specimens from new to classic, in all sizes, and in a broad range of prices from $500 to over $100,000. Many of these are from our continuing old collection acquisitions or Munich Show purchases, just unpacked.
POST-DENVER SHOW MIXED UPDATE - mix of 50 NEW SPECIMENS
14 Nov. 2011 09:00:00 CDT
A diverse mix of 50 pieces: RARE SPECIES; GOLD; GEM CRYSTALS; and many CLASSICS
ROSE QUARTZ, TOURMALINE & more,
from the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MINERAL MUSEUM
7 Nov. 2011 09:00:00 CDT
This update features more specimens from the University of Arizona collections
old find: Bastnaesite Crystals from France
7 Nov. 2011 09:00:00 CDT
For sheer quality and beauty, many collectors have long considered the gemmy rare earth crystals from here to be among the best of their species. Some superb thumbnail specimens turned up at the Munich show from an old find here - These were found at the classic old French locality for rare earth species, in the late 1970s, and have until now been hidden away by the collector.
MEXICAN MINERAL COLLECTION of DR. RICHARD HECK
2 Nov 2011 12:00:00 CDT
We are proud to show over 120 OLD MEXICAN SPECIMENS from the "lost" collection of Dr. Richard Heck. His collection encompassed a remarkable breadth of Mexican localities, with emphasis on unusual combinations, and on classic finds. The collection disappeared for nearly 20 years, and was "lost" through the 1990s. I am now honored to release part 1 of the Heck Collection update, featuring over 100 of his pieces representing Mexican locales primarily from the 1960s through mid-1980s.
New Finds of Copper and Cuprite from Russia
28 Sept 2011 09:00:00 CDT
Interesting and sharp copper pseudomorphs after copper, in sizes unseen for the replacement from other locales, are the newest surprising find thrown to the market by this remote copper mine. We are told reliably (and a Russian geology publication confirms it), that the mine has only a year or so remaining in the oxide zone which produces such specimens.
CRYSTALLIZED GOLD from a new find in NORTHERN CALIFORNIA !
28 Sept 2011 09:00:00 CDT
...from a new locality for specimen gold, crystals with intense color and lustre !
POST-TUCSON SHOW MIXED UPDATE #5 - 40 NEW SPECIMENS !
30 July 2011 09:00:00 CDT
A diverse mix of 40 pieces with emphasis on GEM CRYSTALS and US CLASSICS,
on pages 10-12 of this expanded update.
DAVID STOUDT MEXICO COLLECTION ACQUIRED! - Teaser Update now posted
17 Apr 2011 06:00:00 CDT
This is a teaser update featuring 20 specimens from the Mexican specialist collection of David Stoudt. We purchased over 250 Mexican specimens, many dating to the 1960s-1970s (which he, in turn, had acquired from cherrypicking the dealer stock and private collection of Houston dealers Dalton and Consie Prince). Also here are some specimens from his numerous trips to Argentina. Over 250 More specimens will be delivered to us at the Houston Show on April 30th !
POST-TUCSON SHOW MIXED UPDATE #3 - mix of 100 GOLD, GEM CRYSTALS, THUMBNAILS & CLASSICS
17 Apr 2011 06:00:00 CDT
A diverse mix of over 100 pieces dating from the 1800s to 2010 mining, priced $350-$200,000:
including a teaser mini-posting of some of the fine thumbnails from the Roland and Kathy Sherman Thumbnail Collection (recently acquired); RARE SPECIES; GOLD; GEM CRYSTALS; and many CLASSICS
GOLD, TOURMALINE & other CLASSICS from the UNIVERSITY OF ARIZONA MINERAL MUSEUM COLLECTION
31 Mar 2011 06:00:00 CDT
This update features 40 specimens from the University of Arizona's collections (UPDATE 1 of 2), plus a few other gold specimens.
MIXED MINERAL SPECIMENS from the Nowakowski Collection - RUSSIA, RARITIES & MORE
31 Mar 2011 06:00:00 CDT
This update features 20 specimens, ranging from quartz and calcite to major rare species and rare earth crystals, from 2 private collections. Also featured is a significant, classic small cabinet German silver wire.
ARIZONA CLASSICS (and a few others) from the Valenzuela Collection
24 Mar 2011 08:00:00 CDT
A small update of 20 choice specimens from the collection of an Arizona Collector, Frank Valenzuela.
NEW FIND: PREHNITE "fingers" from NEW JERSEY
07 Mar 2011 08:00:00 CDT
A new and large find of classic oldstyle Prehnites from this venerable old US locality!
NEW MIXED MINERALS :
03 Mar 2011 08:00:00 CDT
SIXTY SPECIMENS - New Finds & Old classics from sourcing collection material at the end of 2010, that we held back for the web and did not take to the Tucson show. A diverse mix of pieces dating from the 1700s to 2010 mining, $250-and up.
TOURMALINE COLLECTION:
28 Feb 2011 08:00:00 CDT
The first of two large updates featuring tourmaline crystals from the showcase collection assembled (starting around 1980) by William Larson and Ed Swoboda, for the company showroom of The Collector store in Fallbrook, California. A great diversity of colors and locales are presented here, along with some choice crystals from their own Himalaya Mine. PART 2, another 50 pieces, will post IN MID-MARCH
NEW FIND: JEREMEJEVITE in large, gem, floater crystals
22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 CDT
2 dozen deep blue, gemmy and bright jeremejevite crystals of unusual style, from a new find.
NEW FIND: rarity - DESPUJOLSITE crystals from the Kalahari
22 Feb 2011 08:00:00 CDT
GEMSTONE VAULT UPDATE: 40 NEW GEMS, including new DEMANTOID from Madagascar
17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 CDT
Here we offer fine colored GEMSTONES of all sizes and colors, chosen carefully from amongst a very few wholesalers and collectors. Also premiering here are the first large cut gems of DEMANTOID from MADAGASCAR, direct from the source.
JEFFREY STARR COLLECTION: mixed specimens and a sponsor copy of American Mineral Treasures
17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 CDT
15 items culled from a friend's collection, with update text and photos by the owner. Also here is a rare handmade,leatherbound edition of the American Mineral Treasures book.
THUMBNAILS from the MARTIN ZINN COLLECTION: Rare Species
17 Jan 2011 08:00:00 CDT
A choice assortment of 21 rare species thumbnails culled from the large thumbnail collection of Martin Zinn III.
NEW YEAR's UPDATE for 2011 - 80 fine pieces of all sizes, prices, and styles!
06 Jan 2011 08:00:00 CDT
Another very mixed assortment of fine specimens which we wanted to offer to our internet customers before the Tucson Show. With the move to our new facility, we are very much behind in "planned" updates and so this is a really random mix of contemporary and ancient, common and rare, of all sizes and prices designed to have something for all tastes. Look for dozens of older pieces from the American Museum, Roebling (Smithsonian), Hansen, Conklin, and Ordway Collections.

We are proud to announce the upgrade of our website photography: Most website photos will now be professional photographs by Joe Budd, which are publication quality
120 NEW SPECIMENS FROM FALL OF 2010 SHOWS AND ACQUISITIONS!
01 Dec 2010 08:00:00 CDT
We have been delayed, between the new gallery, travel, and other activities, from posting new updates for awhile. Good pieces accumulate! So, this 120-piece posting contains a mix of classics, gems, trophy minerals, and some great rare species materials. Also look for dozens of old, rare classics in this update from diverse Collections.
CUPRITE - NEW FIND of large crystals, some with Silver, from RUSSIA !
04 Nov 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Increasing quality and better condition from more careful collecting make these new Russian cuprites some of the best of their species, and many show a novel association with silver.
FLUORITE PHANTOMS, from Namibia (reprise of a small 2003 pocket)
04 Nov 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Only a dozen good specimens are available from a small stash kept back from a unique 2003 find here.
HELIODOR BERYL from BRAZIL
15 Oct 2010 08:00:00 CDT
This old classic locale has produced unique heliodor (golden beryl) crystals of this style, on and off, over the years. These are from a new pocket found summer of 2010, and are particularly lustrous and intensely colored.
GREEN FLUORITE from SOUTH AFRICA
28 Sep 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A small lot of a dozen specimens very carefully cherrypicked in 2007-2008 from the peak of production at this mine, by a foreman with exceptional taste.
TANZANITE & ASSOCIATED MINERALS from the Merelani Mine
05 Sep 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A small lot of 15 specimens from the Merelani Mine selected from finds over summer of 2010, including a rare PYRITE, AXINITE-Mg, and a dozen choice tanzanites of different sizes and colors, from $250 on up.
NEW FEATURE!: Rare Cut Gemstones !
05 Sep 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Now posted, a selection of 125 rare cut gems, mostly from the old dealer stock of a friend in the gem trade. MANY unusual colelctor stones here!
CLASSIC MINERALS OF NORTHERN ENGLAND:
20 May 2010 08:00:00 CDT
THE LINDSAY GREENBANK COLLECTION: Classic Minerals of Northern England
This update includes the first half of the specimens to be posted, with another 60-70 to follow this summer.
THUMBNAILS & MINIATURES from the MARTIN LEWADNY COLLECTION:
14 Apr 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Now posted: A very diverse mix of classics, all selected with an eye to aesthetics and condition. Specializing in thumbnails and miniatures, and priced from $75-2750.
DIAMONDS from AUSTRALIA:
25 Mar 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Sharp, floater octohedrons from the Argyll Mine at approx. $300/carat.
MIXED TUCSON UPDATE #3!
25 Mar 2010 08:00:00 CDT
MIXED MINERALS from TUCSON shows:
70 specimens, including NEW FINDS and OLD CLASSICS!
OLD FIND! - KLEINITE from Nevada:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Large specimens of KLEINITE, a very rare mercury halide
NEW UPDATE! - GARNET - NEW FINDS FROM MADAGASCAR:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Now posted, a selection of 46 specimens from this major find of 2009, along with text excerpted from Dr. Federico Pezzotta's Tucson lecture on the locality. ALL SPECIMENS WERE HAND-SELECTED FOR ME AT THE MINES, AND ARE (UNLIKE MOST) GENERALLY PRISTINE AND FREE OF DAMAGE!
SHATTUCKITE and other Minerals: from the Kaokoveld and Erongo regions, Namibia
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Including pieces from the Charlie Key collection.
MIXED TUCSON UPDATE #2!
MIXED MINERALS from TUCSON shows:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
40 specimens, including SILVERS, GEM CRYSTALS, & MANY RARE SPECIES from OLD EUROPEAN COLLECTIONS !
NEW UPDATE! - ROSASITE from the OJUELA MINE, MEXICO!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Now posted, a selection of 20 top specimens from a small pocket found in January 2010, of thick , velvety blue rosasite. Some exist as minute inclusions in sparkling small calcite crystals, the result very attractive.
NEW UPDATE! - COPPER twins, from the old Champion Mine in Michigan!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Old Material, Collected prior to the 1960s
TUCSON UPDATE #1!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
50 specimens, including new finds and old classics, now posted here!
NEW UPDATE! - GREEN MIMETITE & ROSASITE from the OJUELA MINE, MEXICO!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Now posted, a selection of approx. 40 top specimens from small pockets found in 2008 and 2009, of beautiful, uniquely deep green mimetite for this classic locality. MUCH BETTER IN PERSON, these are vibrant, thick, velvety layers of mimetite crystals, many with wulfenite association. Also here are a few deep blue rosasites from a fall 2009 pocket.
GEM THUMBNAILS from MAINE & Kalahari Manganese Field minerals from the Sacco Collection
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Right before the Tucson show, I was lucky enough to purchase two lots of fine locality specimens (mostly thumbnails of high quality): one group from the Maine locality suite of collector Jim Mann; and the second an assortment from the Kalahari and Namibian collections of Desmond Sacco.
DIOPTASE from KAOKOVELD, NAMIBIA!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
40 new specimens posted: AQUAMARINE from NAMIBIA !...
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
from a recent pocket of intense blue AQUAMARINE from NAMIBIA, with feldspar and schorl associations!
New find of uniquely crystallized OLMIITE from the KALAHARI MANGANESE FIELDS !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A new pocket found in the fall of 2009, of uniquely isolated, sharp, squarish crystals of this beautiful rare species.
ETTRINGITE - new large yellow crystals from the Kalahari Manganese Field, many on matrix !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Intense green EMERALD CRYSTALS from Zambia!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
SMITHSONITE (green Cuprian) from the 79 Mine in ARIZONA !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
WULFENITE - new large yellow crystals from Namibia !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
GOLD !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A small update of 22 mostly heavy, aesthetic gold nuggets as well as a few surprising large crystals from many different locations.
Gibbsite from China: New Find !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
This past summer I was offered a small lot of approximately 50 specimens of unusual, lightweight, alunimum-rich gibbsite specimens from China. I picked the best dozen and a half, presented here
NEW FEATURE!: Rare Cut Gemstones !
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Now posted, a selection of over 100 rare cut gems, mostly from the old dealer stock of a friend in the gem trade for some 50 years. MANY unusual items here!
THE JOSEF VAJDAK COLLECTION OF RADIOACTIVE SYSTEMATICS (NOTE: this has now SOLD to a museum)
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
...with a core suite specializing in the rare uranium Mineralogy of Pribram, Czech Republic. Offered for sale, on behalf of the owner, as a collection only.
3 dozen specimens posted FOR SALE from... THE MIGUEL ROMERO SANCHEZ COLLECTION of MEXICAN MINERALS
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
In this gallery, we have posted extensive information about this seminal collection, as well as specimens for sale which have been put away, since 2008, for this update.
NEON-RED TOURMALINE from Brazil!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
In October, a small pocket of these unusually etched, cityscape-like, intensely colored tourmalines was found at the old Cruzeiro Mine. I am told by several sources that very few pieces came out, perhaps only half a dozen. Only 4 were available at the Munich Show, of which I picked up these three.
NEW FIND of CELESTITE from South Africa!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Celestite is a rare species from the Kalahari Manganese Fields, and these are the best we have yet seen come out, over several decades.
NEW FIND of PHENAKITE GEM CRYSTALS!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Selections from a small new pocket discovered in August, 2009 of gem-quality PHENAKITE crystals from JOS PLATEAU, NIGERI
SAN DIEGO COUNTY COLLECTION:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
The long-delayed third and final installment in our posting of the expansive San Diego county collection assembled between the late 1970s and 2005 by William Larson and Ed Swoboda, for the company showroom of The Collector store in Fallbrook, California. 70 NEW SPECIMENS added!
NEW FIND of intense orange CREEDITE from Mexico!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
over 50 specimens, a wide variety from $100-up, now posted
selections from the ROBERT WHITMORE COLLECTION of East Coast and Worldwide Classics:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Bob Whitmore is one of the most prominent East Coast field collectors of his generation, specializing in North-East United States classics for 50 years. He also maintained small worldwide and broader US Classics collections built through trade and occasional purchase. 46 specimens from the collection, now posted!
ED DAVID COLLECTION:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Selections from the 1000 specimens I obtained from the famous collection of Dr. Ed David of New Jersey - recently updated!
JOHN WHITE MINERAL COLLECTION OF RARE SPECIES & LOCALES:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
John White lived in Seattle, Washington, and spent decades building an extensive collection of minerals including large suites of rarities and locality pieces. A HUGE MIX OF VERY UNUSUAL SPECIMENS IN THIS UPDATE: MOST PRICED BELOW $500!
SAN DIEGO COUNTY COLLECTION:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A long-delayed second installment in the update of the expansive San Diego county collection assembled between the late 1970s and 2005 by William Larson and Ed Swoboda, for the company showroom of The Collector store in Fallbrook, California.
APATITE: Sapo Mine, 2007 find
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A small stash of 10 fine apatite specimens put away when they came out, in mid-2007. Although the mine has continued to produce since then, this particular style and habit has not been seen come out in some time now.
BABINGTONITE from China
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Amazing, high quality babingtonites from this locality, of literally unprecedented size and richness, have redefined what the collector can own for this species. When they first came out 2 years ago, they were very high priced, in line with babingtonite specimens from historic Connecticut and Massachusetts locales. However more have been mined since and prices have come down a bit. I recently obtained a large lot of nicer quality pieces at a VERY low price that I am trying to pass on, here...
HERDERITE: New Find
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Good purple herderites on matrix have been a thing of distant memory since the famous finds in this valley in the late 1970s. A friend in Brazil sent these up to me, from a recent find - 3 nice matrix pieces, all priced (I think, surprisingly) reasonably at under $2000. The miners down there perhaps haven't seen any in decades to judge value from, so the prices I paid were also very reasonable.
VANADINITE - NEW POCKET!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A surprising pocket of Vanadinite from a new mine near the old ACF Mine workings, with robust geometric, cogwheel-like and flowery crystal habits - we bought the entire pocket (approix. 400 good pieces and another 500 lesser) and cherrypicked out many of the best specimens for update. In person, these are very much more robust, and show unusual forms, compared to most previous finds in this area.
DAVIDITE from a legendary 1970s find!:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
From the drawer of a museum where they have sat for 30-plus years, the rumoured HUGE davidite crystals found in the 1970s in Zambia...
CHINESE FLUORITE COLLECTION of SHANGBAO AND YAOGANGXIAN FINDS from 1997-2009!:
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
This update represents picks from dozens of pockets over a decade, thus, and not any one find. For the new Shangbao pieces, a premium should be attached to those specimens on the good dolomite crystals, which makes this find stand out.
MINERALS as ART!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
A selection of about a dozen mixed specimens (priced $2000-$35,000) chosen for their aesthetics to be painted by internationally known wildlife artist Gamini Ratnavira. Original paintings are included.
Deaccessions from the Philadelphia Academy of Sciences!
01 Jan 2010 08:00:00 CDT
Over 200 specimens from this treasure trove of antique specimens!


ALPHABETICAL LINKS BY SPECIES!:

THIS LINK WILL TAKE YOU TO AN ALPHABETICAL LIST BY SPECIES, MIRRORING THE CONTENTS OF THE SEARCH ENGINE IN LIST FORM.


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