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vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

I'm not a dealer, however I am a collector and I try to get out in the field whenever possible. I've been part of the Tucson show for many, many years and I see more of the show and specimens on this site than I do when I'm there for six weeks. I'm in Tucson as an enabler, and as such I have several jobs. One is to set up a small show on Granada, and this short post shows what it's like to set up some of the largest amethyst geodes ever mined. We were lucky to have them at our site.

waterdog · Joined: 31 Dec 2012 Posts: 10

Vic,

How did you get the big one off and back on the truck? Crane? I saw it had a custom frame underneath.

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

Waterdog, the 37,000 pound one came on, in a pup container with removable sides so we were able to grab the steel frame from the side and lift it. That was the easy one. The fork lift used was rated for 50,000 lbs..

Pierre Joubert · Joined: 09 Mar 2012 Posts: 1605 Location: Western Cape

Hi Vic, I wondered about all the large displays over the years at Tuscon. Do the owners pay for the transport to and from hoping to sell them, or do Tuscon mineral show cover the cost as attractions, or perhaps both?

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

Pierre, the shipping costs in this case were the burden of the dealer and that is usually the case. These pieces come to Tucson on the speculation that they will be bought. In this case if they were not purchased they would be stored in town. I think the shipping from Uruguay for the lot was north of $80,000, so better they find a home. Millions of kilos of material come to Tucson and therefor must leave. I've done my small part, packing and shipping, on average 80.000 lbs. a year since I've been doing it. I need to take a nap, excuse me.

Bob Harman · Joined: 06 Nov 2015 Posts: 765

It is my understanding that some of the dealers specializing in this type material have year round storage facilities in town. There is one or more for the Brazilian amethyst dealers and one for the Madagascar celestine dealer (Norcross) and probably other storage areas for other wholesale and very large mineral or fossil specimen dealers. Whether these are open for business year round, I am not sure. CHEERS.......BOB

Don Lum · Joined: 03 Sep 2012 Posts: 2905 Location: Arkansas

Vic,

I have been curious about how these specimens were set up and now have a better understanding of the process. Thanks for the pictures and explanation.

It was great to see you in Tucson.

Don

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

A 40,000 lb. load gets packed and staged to go to NY.

Bob Harman · Joined: 06 Nov 2015 Posts: 765

Another interesting aspect of this question is who actually purchases these huge and massively heavy specimens?

The rest of my discussion is just my opinion, but here goes. I doubt there are many true collectors.....even those of much much more than considerable financial means..... that are interested in these. Way too big and bulky for even a large house and not really made for year round outside placement in many areas.
So then who might be interested? MUSEUMS?.......These huge specimens would look good as an entrance attention getter to the geology/mineral/fossil gallery at many museums. Some museums already have these, but today budgets are tight and a purchase such as this might be questioned by the museum board and the patrons so the purchase might be part of a major donation by a patron.
UNIVERSITY GEOLOGY DEPARTMENTS? Much the same could be said like the museums; nice to look at, at the entrance to the geology department, but budgetary constraints make a current purchase a problematic venture. Again maybe a donation from a prominent alumnus?
HOW ABOUT AN ATTENTION GETTER IN THE WAITING ROOM OF A PROFESSIONAL GROUP or CORPORATION? This is a real possibility. Walk into the foyer or waiting area or large corporate offices of a professional group such as lawyers etc and see this type decoration; it is an attention getter.
To me an interesting aspect of all this might include that the specimen could be cut into several portions and then be reassembled at its final destination without much complaint. Doing this sort of thing would be seriously frowned on by a true collector....."major repairs!", but not really frowned on in a museum entrance or office waiting area.

So these are some thoughts. Perhaps better sales in the past, but with current budgetary constraints and close oversight, maybe today's sales are less than in the past....I just do not know. CHEERS.....BOB

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

All good points Bob. They do get sold to all those you mentioned. Museums are strapped for cash for sure. The WOW factor is the main selling point to these, but that factor really expands minds, so it's always good to share. Those large items are waiting to ship to a new owner, if all ducks get lined up, so there is money out there. You might consider it real estate, they're priced like it. But of course that type of piece is .0001% of the actual mineral market, and I doubt that the buyers of these are mineral collectors. How much amethyst do you really need? I think I have too much as it is. Now for something a little smaller.

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

These guys don't have the same problems as those guys..

John S. White · Posted: Mar 21, 2016 07:59 Post subject: Re: Some of my 2016 Tucson experience.

Who is the guy with the out of control mustache and the beer?

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

Jordi explains how you don't have to move all that crazy weight to make lots of money. I don't believe him.

vic rzonca · Joined: 18 Nov 2008 Posts: 820 Location: MA

Elise · Joined: 22 Dec 2009 Posts: 243 Location: New York State

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