FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[jimB]

This isn't my favorite, BUT, I like it!

2.5cm X 2.5cm
Schorl,
Namibia

[Joan Kureczka]

Picking a favorite is hard, but this is ALWAYS on the short list. It is not only one of the larger Hilton Mine fluorites but perhaps the only one ever found so very artfully perched on matrix... in this case a spray of Baryte. It was collected by Mick Sutcliffe, who with Lindsay Greenbank was one of the originators of the Rogerley Mine. I'd actually heard about it almost yearly for 10 years before I actually saw... and bought it. I knew immediately without anyone saying a word that was THAT specimen! Mick referred to it as "The Cuckoo's Egg" as it was the only fluorite in a pocket of mostly broken Baryte.

[Jordi Fabre]

Hi Jim, welcome to FMF!

Your Schorl looks great but if you want to display it still better, please next time use at least 600 pixels per image. This time you used an image of just 276 pixels, that's why your photo looks so small.

If you publish it again I could replace the former one by the new one...

Jordi

[jimB]

Hi Jordi,

Thank you for the welcome!

Ok I'll bite, what is a pixel?

[GneissWare]

A pixel is (sort of) a dot that makes up an image. If you click on your uploaded photo, you will see it has dimensions of 276 px X 276 px. So, it is 276 dots wide by 276 dots vertical. The fluorite by Joan is 600 px by 429 px so it is bigger, and has better resolution, so you can see more detail.

Hope that's clearer than mud.

[jimB]

HI and thank you Gneissware. I tried to take a new picture and instead of measuring it in inches ( it was about 30 x 30 inches ) I measured in pixels and yes I can make it 600 x 600. But with my crude photograph techinque, the picture quality deteriorates more rapidly than the detail increases so for now I think Ill leave it alone. I will try to make bigger pics in the future Jordi!
Jordi, I'd love to post a picture of the beautiful Prazem I bought from you but I fear it it will just look black. It surely is a fine specimen.

[jimB]

Good wholesome attitude Tracy. In my own collections, Quartz, all sizes, Pyrites, T/n and Toe/N and lastly T/ns. I notice the "favorite" concept tends to have fuzzy edges, much like a dream in which one either can not find the door or is falliing through it.
I have Jackson Xroad which is a extraordinary and a scepter group from Karur, India which is also exceptonal. Both are in the 7cm size. In pyrites, today, my fav is a highly modified cube from Peru ,Toe/N. In T/Ns I suppose it is the gold from Placer county or the Newry tourmaline.

A fine point here is 10 years ago I put on a Quartz Display of all Toe/Ns or smaller. The display was well received by every one, collectors and general public as well. The most commented about specimen in that display was a single highly distorted t/n from Arkansas, That xtal cost 60 cents. Its about fun, period.

[Screenname]

[Jim]

[Screenname]

The stones you display are they yours or do they belong to the club you belong to? And how does someone get into a career like yours? And if they are yours all those diamonds you have must be worth millions.

[jamesb]

It takes some part of three variables to build a collection, 1. time , 2. brains , 3. money.
Of the three time is the most important, given enough time a fairly uninspired collector with little money can actually trial and error their way to having a collection. Second is brains and this way exceeds money in value. Last is $ and alone it will not build a collection but if a young, bright, wealthy collector shows up, watch for real results.

[Jim]

Hi Daniel,

Thanks for your comments. I don't quite understand your questions. I have a collection of gem crystal thumbnails, and a subcollection of that is diamonds from the Crater of Diamonds State Park (Pike Co., AR). It took me years to assemble that subcollection. I'm not wealthy, but I am very patient and constantly strive to hone my eye for good specimens. I also listen to and learn from specific collectors whom I deeply respect and consider to be mentors.

Whenever possible, I also contribute to exhibits put on by my area club -- the Mineralogical Association of Dallas (MAD). They exhibit at Denver and Tucson, and everyone in the club is supportive of one another and simply love minerals.

I agree fully with JamesB -- money is sometimes over-emphasized in the hobby. The best collections I have seen that were built by collectors with rather limited financial resources yet supreme knowledge, drive, patience and discipline.

Cheers,

[Jason]

"I agree fully with JamesB -- money is sometimes over-emphasized in the hobby. The best collections I have seen that were built by collectors with rather limited financial resources yet supreme knowledge, drive, patience and discipline. "

couldn't agree more Jim:)

[Jason]

oh Jim that diamond is in your collections..thats right..i knew that..forgot about it..it is one of the most perfect diamonds there is..can't rmember the info I have read on it specifically..but even under high power mag the "crystal" of the stone is just flawless

[Jim]

Hi Amethystguy,

Yes, that diamond is virtually perfect inside and out -- even under high power magnification. And the amazing part is that it comes from the USA! The finest Arkansas diamonds can compete with diamond crystals from anywhere in the world.

Of course, the strong yellow color is not too bad either ;)

Thanks for taking time to comment.

Cheers,

[Gail]

The best collections I have seen are those that belong to people who love, L O V E their collections. The stories and the care to tell something about each and every piece makes even the ( normally ) dullest rock worthy of the trip to see the collection!
I get a kick out of the glint in someone's eye, whether a $200,000 rock or a piece collected from down the road.
And you know, never put down anyone's collection, there are so few that collect rocks and minerals without making anyone feel odd about how they collect or why, or if they find them or buy them.
I praise every single collection I have ever seen, and I have seen lots.

[Jim]

[Screenname]

I totally agree Gail, I have a coin collection and I know some have some pretty good value but I love them as much as the ones with little or no value. In fact some of favorites in my coin collection are really common and almost worthless.

Same with my rocks, I have had the collection for a while and haven't been too heavily into it but Love all my rocks just the same, even if I had a diamond I wouldn't sell it because then i wouldn't have a diamond in my collection anymore, but if I had tons of them one or two might get sold :D

[Jim]

Welcome to the forum, Daniel!

You'll quickly discover that all long-standing collectors truly love their minerals and light up when they talk about them -- that's just a given. Some love them so much that they'd never sell or trade them for anything!

My question to you is what type of collection do you have in mind to build, or have you thought about it yet?

Also, great specimens don't need to cost much money. There's likely a positive correlation beween quality and price, but savvy and experienced collectors are superb at finding great pieces at reasonable (if not downright cheap) prices. That's why many collectors say that money is the least important variable in building a significant collection.

Cheers,

[Dawn MinetteCooper]

That boleite is exquisite! A true specimen with xls perched charmingly on matrix. That's what Jim and I always looked for.