The Wisdom Pocket Blog Archives

Tourmaline: Most Colorful in the World?

Mar 19, 2019

Tourmaline: Most Colorful Mineral in the World? Tourmaline is a very sought-after rare rock amongst fine mineral collectors for its massive range of colors and shades.

Rare Crystals & Minerals for Corporate Office Design

Oct 3, 2018

Rare Rocks & Minerals for Corporate Office Design Bringing life into a corporate office is an art that most professionals can appreciate. No one wants to spend over 40 hours per-week in a dull and grey room.

An Evolution of Dr. Lavinsky's The Arkenstone Gallery

May 29, 2018

I was born in 1972. While still a youth, I liked dinosaurs of course (who doesn't?!) and collected fossils in central Ohio by the side of the road - fossils first, crystals later!

Minerals and gems expo set to sparkle in Chenzhou

May 17, 2018

Latest event will showcase Hunan province city's expanding business opportunities and draw international interest with exciting exhibits and displays By Zhao Shijun Originally published on ChinaDaily.com.cn [caption id="attachment_5971" align="aligncenter" width="800"] A fantastic stage set the mood for the Fine Mineral Auction at the China Mineral and Gem Expo in Chenzhou, Hunan, China. Monica Kitt Photo.[/caption] The China (Hunan) International Minerals and Gem Expo - staged each year in the city of Chenzhou, Hunan province - is set to again draw international interest and showcase the city's bright business opportunities, according to local officials.

10 Facts You Didn’t Know About Gold, Part 1

Feb 27, 2018

Most people understand gold in terms of wealth and investments, but there is so much more to say about the mineral. Gold has had a long history as a currency and as a sign of power.

Visit a Gallery, a Museum and the Dallas Symposium: A Hands-on Education

Feb 22, 2018

There’s no greater fulfillment in collecting rare rocks and minerals than seeing an incredible specimen in person. Not only is it a rare opportunity to engage with scholars, you’re also bound to learn a wealth of information that cannot be found in an article.

The Vibrant Glow of Electric Hyalite Opals

Feb 18, 2018

Opals are some of the most unique gems found on earth for their wide display of color. Fire opals are revered for their translucent coloring with flashes of red and yellow hues.

5 Incredible Minerals Sold in an Auction

Feb 6, 2018

One of the best places to find high quality rare minerals is in an auction. Dealers bring their finest specimens forward for collectors to appraise and cast their bid to take home the prize.

The Rarity of Tanzanite

Jan 17, 2018

By Robert Gessner BSc GG, Gessner Gems Reprinted with express permission from the author In 1967, blue-violet crystals of the mine- species, zoisite, were discovered south of Mount Kilimanjaro in northeast Tanzania. The host rocks of the discovery, which are orders of magnitude older than Africa’s highest mountain, form part of the Lelatema Mountains which are located very near the town of Merelani.

The New iRocks.com

Jan 8, 2018

Mineral lovers- We're excited to bring a new iRocks.com experience to the web with improved features, faster speeds, and mobile responsive design for mobile and tablet users. Start off by registering using the button in the top right.

The New Arkenstone Gallery

Jan 4, 2018

2017 brought a lot of changes to The Arkenstone. We added a new full-time employee (hi Tom Campbell!), purchased several new collections (have you explored the Kay Robertson selections?), but most significantly, we moved to our new headquarters featuring over 7,000 square feet of mineral display space and plenty of other new features for new enthusiasts and long-time mineral lovers.

Tips for Buying Rare Rocks and Minerals Online

Dec 23, 2017

A major part of being a mineral collector is building relationships with vendors and hunting down the best specimens. Chances are you’ll want to grow your collection over time, and there are plenty of online vendors with vast collections to choose from.

Art Soregaroli: October 19, 2017

Oct 20, 2017

We learned with great sadness of the passing of Art Soregaroli on October 19, 2017. The Arkenstone acquired his collection several years ago, and he took a few moments to share some of his thoughts with us.

How to Grow a Valuable Mineral Collection

Sep 9, 2017

Collecting rare rocks and minerals is like jumping into a time machine that lets you look back at the journey of Earth. Under high heat, pressure, and the watchful eye of time, rare rocks and minerals are born with an array of unique qualities that make the hobby exciting.

5 Favorite Rare Minerals

Aug 23, 2017

Collecting rare minerals is a passion that requires a lot of patience. Many specimens have journeys that last millions of years until a brave explorer takes the plunge and unearths their beauty.

Opals: Stones of Many Colors

Aug 18, 2017

If there was a stone whose physical properties inspired magic, it’s likely to be a fine Opal. With the ability to reflect an impressive array of colors, it was thought that the Opal trapped fire and lightning.

From Rough to Refined: Exploring Gemstone Collections

Aug 13, 2017

While most gemstone buyers are seeking rough crystals in bulk, there are some rock and mineral enthusiasts who are simply interested in building a collection of beautiful stones. And, while we generally think of gems as the sparkling, finished stones displayed in fine jewelry, even rough crystals are often mesmerizing – each an amazing individual display of nature's fine craftsmanship.

Video: How Big, Beautiful Crystals Form by Dr. John Rakovan

Aug 8, 2017

Dr. John Rakovan In 2016, Dr.

2017 Dallas Symposium – This Year’s Collection of World-Class Lectures and Speakers

Aug 5, 2017

The 2017 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium is a unique annual event that brings together mineral enthusiasts and experts from around the world to review the latest and greatest findings, collections, and forerunners in rare minerals. This year, the Dallas Symposium starts August 25th – 27th at the Eisemann Performing Arts Center and promises to bring forth the most exciting lineup of scholars, collectors and adventurers!

2017 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium

Aug 4, 2017

It’s that time of year where rare mineral enthusiasts pack their bags and make their way to Dallas, Texas for the annual Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium. This year, the 2017 Dallas Symposium starts August 25th – 28th at the Eisemann Performing Arts Center with this year’s event promising to be more exciting with larger events for experienced collectors and newcomers alike.

Buying Rocks and Minerals Online

Aug 4, 2017

When Dr. Rob Lavinsky founded iRocks.com in the mid-1990's, it was simply an extension of The Arkenstone – the rock and mineral business he had been running since he was a young teenager.

Rutile: Mineral of Many Uses

Jul 30, 2017

Rutile [TiO2] is the most abundant naturally-occurring form of titanium dioxide. Long recognized for its value and use in manufacturing and industry, it has more recently gained recognition and popularity amongst collectors, due to its newly discovered ability to aid in rock and mineral research.

Secret Superstars : Rare Rocks and Minerals (Part 2)

Jul 28, 2017

No matter the country, the discovery of rare rocks and minerals is celebrated worldwide. This holiday season, we'd like to showcase a few of our favorite oddities – rare rocks and minerals we've discovered while building our own collection.

An Introduction to Native Metals

Jul 23, 2017

Native metal is a term used to describe metals discovered in their natural, elemental form – either as an alloy, or in pure form. The list of metals which can occur in native deposits is long, though very few can withstand the natural processes of weathering and oxidization.