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Linda Smith
Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 65
Location: Nevada
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Posted: Dec 26, 2008 19:44 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Gail,
Your presents from Jim are beautiful. Which camera took the photos? :)
_________________ Linda Smith |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Dec 26, 2008 20:41 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Jordi, what fun....I love a specimen with a "past"!
Jim got it from Bill Larson, actually both pieces, when he visited Dallas a month or so ago. Funny, I had a lovely descloizite for Jim. We gave Non mineral gifts as well...but we adore giving minerals to each other. Anyhow, I am curios and will happily hear the story in Tucson.
It is a very wonderful addition to my collection and any info makes it all the more fun.
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Dec 26, 2008 20:45 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Linda, I got a Nikon Coolpix S550. I have three Nikons...one very old small camera, a D-40 and now this one. Each has its merits.
The new one is 10 megapixels...which is marvelous and it was on sale for under $170.
My old small camera was 3.2 megapixels.
Anyhow, am trying to learn all the new functions of the S550.
It was an early gift and got it two days before Christmas but haven't had much time to read the booklet that came with it.
Hoping everyone had a lovely holiday?
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Dec 26, 2008 21:45 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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A nice N'Chwaning Rhodochrosite that I love to look at up close and personal. Nice colour and crystals are in remarkably good shape.
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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chris
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 538
Location: Grenoble
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Posted: Dec 27, 2008 02:24 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Hi Gail,
Beautiful hemimorphite. Your husband has very good tastes. I'm still wondering how you deal with the cleaning of your collection when there is dust on the shelves. Hope you have an army of house keepers ;-)
If you decide to attend Ste Marie some day, I strongly recommend you to take at least a week off to visit the area, especially "La Route des Vins" which is a wonder of small picturesque villages on the east side of the Vosges' range. Moreover the area is a paradise for biking and/or hiking.
If you want to share the story related to your specimen with us, like Linda I'll be pleased to hear about it.
Thanks
Christophe
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Dec 27, 2008 06:58 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Hi Chris,
When cleaning shelves I make sure I do it when the cats are outside, the dogs are taking a nap and I am alert, wearing a sleeveless shirt and I have a special cart that we had made to put minerals in while we clean the shelves.
1. The cats will jump into things so they must be kept out when cleaning.
2. The dogs will sometimes get frisky and chase each other so I want them outside so as not to bump into me.
3. I won't wear sleeves that might "catch" onto a mineral and knock it over.
4. I don't do it in the evening when I am tired, but rather at a quiet time of day when I can focus.
5. The cart was made to hold minerals for moving, or for storing while I clean and it is made to my height so I put no strain on my back.
6. I take one, perhaps two, cabinets in a day. That is plenty enough and I don't want to get sloppy. I start by taking the minerals off the top shelf and then I clean the filters where the fans draw the hot air out. I use a glass cleaner called Hope's Perfect Glass and a microfiber cloth. After that it is all intense cleaning. I will use canned air sprays on NON delicate minerals to get dust off of them. I also clean fingerprints off the lucite bases with just a cloth that won't scratch.
I clean my cabinets on a rotating basis, about twice a year each.
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I have bicycled all across France, Belgium and Spain....so any chance to do so around the show would be a joy. With various obligations to numerous shows in the States this year it makes finding the time difficult to attend some European gatherings. We have a great desire to attend though, so will be sure to do so soon.
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Some larger pieces to keep clean in one of our cabinets. |
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chris
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 538
Location: Grenoble
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Posted: Dec 27, 2008 10:55 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Hi Gail
The cats will jump into things so they must be kept out when cleaning.
=> I see you don't like puzzles, because cat + mineral = nightmare...
But I'm saving your tip about microfiber. One time I tried to used an antistatic dust fabric to clean the glass without knowing it contained chemicals. It turned up to be a nightmare because I've had to spend a couple of hours to remove all the streaks left by the drying chemical.
If you can attend Ste Marie, let me know. If I'm there too, I'll show you some nice spots I discovered in the area.
Enjoy
Christophe
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Tracy
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 551
Location: Toronto
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Posted: Dec 27, 2008 12:46 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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HI Chris -
Your equation isn't always correct. Squiggle (of the photo), now 15 months old, constantly goes tiptoeing across my mineral displays and has never expressed any interest in finding out whether the specimens can "fly" - much to my surprise and relief!
- Tracy
_________________ "Wisdom begins in wonder" - Socrates |
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Tracy
Joined: 15 Sep 2006
Posts: 551
Location: Toronto
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Posted: Dec 27, 2008 12:50 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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...I should add that Squiggle does not move or dislodge the specimens she encouters in any way, just walks around them...
_________________ "Wisdom begins in wonder" - Socrates |
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chris
Site Admin
Joined: 12 Jul 2007
Posts: 538
Location: Grenoble
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Posted: Dec 27, 2008 13:06 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Hi Tracy,
You're lucky because I wouldn't dare to let my poodle does this. This is probably why he is always out of the room when I do my cleaning (one time he tried to jump over a large quartz specimen with cutting like knives crystals).
Christophe
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Jan 20, 2009 15:46 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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A new and wonderful piece from Mexico. About 6 1/4 inches tall.
It is quite spectacular in the cabinet and not on the table where I took this photo.
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Jan 20, 2009 15:50 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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A really lovely Kunzite with a nice history. It was once in the Carnegie collection.
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Jim holding the specimen. |
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Spodumene var. Kunzite Ex Andrew Carnegie |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Peter
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 346
Location: Sweden / Luxembourg
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Posted: Jan 20, 2009 17:11 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Gail and Jim! It is great to see so many of your lovely specimens here!!! The display case with the large amethyst, malachite, calcite etc looks great!!! And you have so many new display cases!!!
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Jan 20, 2009 17:24 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Well Peter, the next time you and Nadia come to stay, they will be at your feet as they are in the guest room we have had you stay in before!
Perhaps a ploy to get you to come visit again?????
My best to you and Nadia.
_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Jan 21, 2009 10:44 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Kesterite is something we have quite a few of. Both Jim and I enjoy adding them to the Spann Collection. This is about 4 inches tall.
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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Linda Smith
Joined: 15 Aug 2008
Posts: 65
Location: Nevada
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Posted: Jan 21, 2009 14:39 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Beautiful additions to your collection, Gail. I so enjoy seeing your variety in minerals and your gorgeous specimens.
_________________ Linda Smith |
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Peter
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 346
Location: Sweden / Luxembourg
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Posted: Jan 22, 2009 04:09 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Thanks for the invitation! We will be there! The kunzite is really lovely. Kesterite very fine too. Sometimes the Kesterite is associated with aquamarines! I have a photo from a pocket where it is clearly visible!
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4902
Location: Barcelona
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Posted: Jan 22, 2009 04:55 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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This one for example: https://www.fabreminerals.com/specimens/RSCN-china-notable-specimens.php#DD26E2
BTW, lovely specimens Gail. I already said it several times, but again... ;-)
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Kësterite and Mushistonite with Beryl Shaobaodin Mountains, Pingwu, Sichuan, China Mined in 2003 Specimen size: 6.8 × 6 × 4.5 cm Main Kësterite crystal size: 0.6 × 0.5 cm |
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Peter
Joined: 16 Jan 2009
Posts: 346
Location: Sweden / Luxembourg
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Posted: Jan 22, 2009 06:05 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Lovely Jord i!!! Just what I was speaking about! I and many others very much apprecciate your interest, energy and professionalism!
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Gail
Joined: 21 Feb 2008
Posts: 5839
Location: Texas, Lone Star State.
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Posted: Jan 25, 2009 22:57 Post subject: Re: Gail's collection |
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Thanks Jordi, great photo of a great specimen!
Here is a new piece we acquired yesterday. This was a joint purchase with us both just loving the great distinct colour and glistening surface.
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Calcite from Bou Azzur District, Morocco |
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_________________ Minerals you say? Why yes, I'll take a dozen or so... |
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