FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Tracy]

Thanks Jordi for your thoughts and recommendations. Two follow-up questions:

1) Is it worthwhile to record the purchase price of a specimen? On one hand, it allows you to keep track of how minerals from various localities and findings rise and fall in value (and. it lets you track your spending!). On the other hand, I'm not sure that the amount paid to a seller contributes anything to the historical chain, especially if discounts or other special arrangements were applied to the purchase or when the piece was acquired at auction.

2) How can I find out the value of a specimen if I know little or nothing about its history - is there an easy (or relatively easy) way to have these pieces appraised? Most of my early "finds" will be donated some day soon, as you suggest, but there are a few that I think might have some value and don't wish to donate without knowing more about them.

[ike wilson]

My feeling is that old labels accompanying old specimens ( they are all old) meaning "old timers" relating to pre 1900 or pre whatever usually before 1950, add to the journey of the specimen from when it was obtained from its source to the current owner. Provenance is what its called, but..............as has been seen over the last few years provenance is sometimes abused... buyer beware !!!!

Sometimes sellers keep old labels in case they find a more suitable specimen to accompany it, thus pushing the price up.

At the end of the day it is personal preference. I like old labels, they enhance the specimen