FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jim]

Thanks, Brooks!

You're so kind to take time to post a comment. Is there anything better than a fine euclase?! I personally feel there isn't! But all gem crystals catch my eye and heart.

Cheers,

[Jim]

This is a neat and quite unusual triple-cluster of gemmy and glassy amethyst crystals "sceptered" on top of a milky quartz stem. Shows nicely all around 360 degrees and free of damage. ex- Dawn and Jim Minette collection.

[Jim]

Here's a petalite floater crystal with extraordinarily well defined (for the species) faces and edges. It is very transparent and of excellent luster and color. Thanks to Jordi for the specimen!

[Jim]

This specimen is a sharp, lustrous crystal of gemmy peridot. This Egyptian locality is known for producing very sharp crystals like this one which is uncommon for most peridot localities. Ex- Ernie Schlichter

[jimB]

HI Jim.
Treasure that St, Johns Olivine, those are hard to find.

[Jim]

Hi JimB

Yes, those St. John's specimens are very special and rare in nice size and condition. As it is, I especially love peridot given that it's my birthstone!

Cheers,

[Jim]

A new specimen to share with everyone! This is another favorite -- an intense blue, gem crystal of jeremejevite. This one also has a particularly nice termination.

Thanks,

Jim

[Jim]

Here's a specimen that I hope everyone likes. Let me know what you think!

Doubly-terminated red beryl from the Violet Claim, Wah Wah Mtns, Beaver Co., Utah. This one will be displayed at the 2010 TGMS in a special case on thumbnails I'm organizing with Jim Bleess.

Cheers!

[Jason]

I knew you liked red beryl, jim but that sucker is just outstanding..well formed, a DT, and even a little sidecar..sweet stuff..that Jer is not to bad either...:)

[Jim]

Thanks for the kind words and for taking time to comment, Amethystguy!

We definitely share a deep appreciation for fine gem crystals. To me, no other specimens compare :)

Cheers,

[Jason]

I really enjoy seeing yours and Carles specimens..I used to have some decent ones, of course nothing even remotely close to most other folks on this forum, that I have sold off. I don't make much money so I am very limited to what I can purchase. I have collected at most location here in the South east but you can only find so much as there are multitudes of minerals not found in this area. So I will sell off some decent ones after I have had them awhile and looked at them and examined them and louped them..etc. Then I am able to purchase new ones and become familiar with a whole new mineral..nothing is better than holding one in your hand to really become intimately acquainted with that type. You can find good examples of certain minerals for good prices and I usually do alright. Which is why I really appreciate you and the other members posting these fantastic specimens and the descrptions that go along with them. It's makes folks like me feel more in touch and in-tune with specimens of that caliber. I think i saw your spread in min. rec(is that correct?) which i greatly enjoyed but that only does so much. To be able to access and speak with you and comment about specimens that you and Carles and the others who post on here makes it so much better(thank god for the internet!!!!) Thanks to everyone who takes the time to post your specimens on here for the rest of us to look at.

[Jim]

Hi Amethystguy,

I really enjoy talking minerals with you and everyone else here too! We Hourans did have a spread in the MR supplement on "Texas Collections." My collection focuses almost exclusively on thumbnail gem crystals, which made our spread a bit different from the other larger-specimen collections. It made me smile that you remembered it!

Like you, I have limited means for collecting new specimens. That is why I often trade with other collectors, as well as save my pennies until something really top notch comes along that fills a clear void in my array. It has made me a more patient, strategic thinking person. Plus, the "hunt" is sometimes as much fun (if not more so) than actually acquiring new specimens.

Please share your specimens when you can! All minerals are fun, as are the stories behind them. I think that aspect of collecting has been undervalued and overlooked.

Cheers!

[Dawn MinetteCooper]

It was a pleasure to see the amethyst scepter again, and to hear your glowing report on the Minette Collection. I would be glad to answer some of your questions on how we built the collection. I'll be at Tucson the 10th thru 13th.

[Andreas Gerstenberg]

Hi Jim,

although it´s definitely not the stuff I´m looking for: awesome! Great pics of gorgeous specimens. Thanks a lot for showing!

Andreas

[Ru Smith]

What a very lovely Mourne aquamarine.