FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Unregistered user]

I have been interested in minerals for about 30 years now. During that periode I have been to a lot of mineral shows mostly in my own counrty. (Norway)

Coming to a show is always very exciting, meeting friends and new people and of cause to see whats new in the mineral world. This is all factors that you can´t find on the web. Small shows is for me the best because you have in a way full control of whats going on. But the outbid can sometimes be too small.

Going to bigger shows is for me too crowdy and noicie. And if I am going to a bigger show in Europa somewhere I have to pay a lot of money, money that I can use on buying mineral specimens.

So therefore I have been watching the dealers web-sides with a great interest for at least the five last years.The level have increast tremendesly over the years, according to descriptions of specimens, pictures and mineral information. And I can sit down in my own rocking chair watching my favorite dealers web-side in a quiet atmospher. (and with a cup of coffee in my hand)

You can say that dealers when they are at shows pick out minerals thats new to the mineral world, they pick out interesting specimens, rare specimens, specimens from your favorite country and if you have establised a good relationship with some of them, they will pick out wanting specimens especially for you. Most of them will show up on their web-side to the joy for us who uses their web-sides.

So for myselves, the selling aspect over the web suites me. Of cause sometimes when I have picked out a specimen I have been disapointed when it reach me.(I´ll send it back) Overall most of the mineral specimens are the same as on the picture. Prices, shipping costs in different ways and package is not any excuse for not buying on the web.any longer.

I will more than going to a lot of shows, buy minerals on the web. I have established a good relationship with a very few dealers and they give me excellent service and are always helpfull in all ways. I think thats the best way using the deales web-sides. Pick out a few who suites your way of collecting.

If you want to go to shows do that. But it is not a "must" any longer.You do not have to be afraid of handling minerals on the web.

Not today and certainly not tomorrow.





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