FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

[Jordi Fabre]

Barcelona 03/16/2014

With this post and the last batch of images I finish my posts about Tucson 2014.

A so large show as Tucson inevitably involves many reflections about our hobby as it certainly is the major annual event of mineral collecting . I will try to create a compendium of the many conversations I've had with each other about the small changes that it seemed to see. In recent years much has been said about the upstroke of mineral prices and it was said that this race has impacted on a particular type of mineral, very aesthetic, very showy, reaching a kind of irrational prices due in part to the arrival at the hobby (many via Internet) of a large group of new wealthy collectors with moderate knowledge of the real price of the minerals. Well, true or not, has been a widespread view that most of these collectors are not more newer, they have learned quickly and the time to sell common minerals at prices of VERY uncommon minerals has changed. Please note that this does not mean that prices will go down, but the contrary, as there is less exceptional pieces that buyers willing to pay very well, these exceptional minerals will probably continue to be so expensive and desired as before, if not even more...
What we are talking about is that if the specimens are not REALLY exceptional, may no longer be sold at stratospheric prices as could happen in the last years, and that after a few years maybe a little bit crazy, the market and new collectors seem have reached a point of maturity that will allow, even with very high prices, a certain degree of rationality that perhaps may have lacked in previous years.

Summarizing, I believe is not expected to the mineral prices fall sharply, but some kind of minerals they could now appear as wholesale or similar, because although the number of collectors in USA continues being exceptionally high ( much higher than that of other countries) the desirable specimens for its rarity, quality, or specific findings/mines will be easily "digested " by the high number of collectors, but may not occur the same with specimens of medium quality, repetitive, or with damages, that should have to find its way through special offers and consequently cheaper prices than those paid before.

Nothing more, I hope you enjoy these latest pictures and I hope to see you again (or for first time) the next year in Tucson. Every collector should consider trying to attend at least one time to this mega-show. All said about mineral collecting is trivial compared to the brutal practice experience that Tucson signifies.
There is everything and there all makes sense.

[Don Lum]

Dear Jordi,

I enjoyed your latest comments and overall impressions of our hobby and this year's show.

Cheers,

Don

[Herman van Dennebroek]

Jordi, thank you for the complete show report and your comments about mineral collecting and the Tucson show.

greetings,
Herman

[John Medici]

[Tobi]

[Jordi Fabre]

[John Medici]

[Tobi]

https://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/download.php?id=46091

Did Danny try to sell a Navajun specimen as a Huanzala specimen? ;-)

[Matt_Zukowski]

This labeling was just a mistake made by someone new on the first day that his house was open. It was changed immediately. The piece sold midway through the show, properly marked.

[Philip Mostmans]

That's a nice one! Price is nice too! :-)