FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[barbie90]

Hello ı have been busy in looking new specimens for myself but ı cant trust the web pictures so colorful. Could be real?

[GneissWare]

If the crystal is clear enough and is back lit some, this could be fine. One the web, you should only buy from people who agree to take the specimen back if you don't like it.

Sometimes when photographing specimens, the camera picks up things the eye doesn't. I have taken photos where upon inspecting the photo, the camera amplified a subtle color so that it looked prominent. It is not a question of the person trying to deceive about the color, its just that the camera doesn't accurately emulate the human eye.

[mmauthner]

To represent a specimen in its best lighting is good, especially when creating the kind of image that one wants to put on a wall, calender or in a publication. Backlighhting a specimen such as these seem tto be is just another way of appreciating a specimen. Micromounts are next to boring without a microscope, as are fluorescent minerals without a UV lamp. Some crystals require more than ambient light to see details. When it comes to color, I do think that an image used to sell a specimen should be accompanied by a statement explaing how the color in the image was achieved. As for digital manipulation, that should be lmited tto color correction (sensors, like film, do not always record color the same as our eyes...nor does one person's eyes see the same as another's). This can be difficult though, because even with a calibrated camera sensor, computer screen and softwre of one's own, one is still at the mercy of the viewer's screen and eyes.
As GneissWare said, best to deal with someone who is willing to take the specimen back.

Cheers,
Mark

[chris]

[barbie90]

thanks for help ,ıf ı buy ı will send the picture of them taking macro shoots

[marvsT/Nminerals]

I do not know what source(s) you have been viewing, but there are several on eBay that have misrepresented some minerals in the past. For instance, some of the Indian zeolites with a red tinge were photographed in such a manner that the red color was greatly enhanced. I own a few of these. Fluorite and heulandite come to mind. There is an Asian dealer that sells kunzite specimens that have been photographed with a colored filter over the mineral. Once one of the photos inadvertently revealed a circular area on one photo that had missed the filter! When someone includes a part of their hand in the photo, and the skin tone is not what is expected the color of the mineral may not be true. I have come to simply inquire of the seller whether the color is accurate. As others in this post have mentioned, purchase from a reputable dealer that will allow returns if you are not satisfied. If a deal seems too good to be true it probably isn't. Marv

[barbie90]

yes ı agree with you,because some of the customers who had bought from him commented on his page about colours (they edited the colours of specimens)so ı gave up the idea to buy them ,ı think pakistani sellers are more trustworthy because more of them write the luster and clarity ,however the others hide them.