FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jesse Fisher]

This recent obsession with "perfection" has certainly led to the creation of a whole industry centered around enhancing and "restoring" mineral specimens to, what I think, is often a man-made conceit of what "perfection" should be. If some concept of perfection is needed to apply value to a collection of objects, then perhaps the collector should be focusing on a manufactured item such as coins, where an objective standard of perfection can be determined. Natural items such as minerals are each unique, and as such, a concept of what is perfect seems rather illusory and contrived.

[James Catmur]

[Tracy]

Last time I checked, beauty was still in the eye of the beholder.

"One man's trash is another man's treasure" also comes to mind.

- Tracy

[marvinlewinsky]

Beauty in the eye of the beholder.

Denial in the face of reality is a normal human response to a bad situation – ask any psychiatrist or clinical psychologist.

Beauty being in the eye of the beholder explains a great deal – why some collections are noteworthy while others are mediocre. There is no accounting for bad taste even in the world of mineral collecting.

I have spent months reviewing the inventories of all the mineral dealers who advertise on the Vug, and the conclusion is obvious (for those not in denial) - the quintessential fact is that the most aesthetic specimens in any size range also command the highest prices, and the greatest respect.

Let us not forget the theme of Tucson 2020 – World Class Minerals, and let us not forget whose collections won the prizes for being the best – predominantly in terms of aesthetics.

My assessment is as follows for some miniature/small cabinet/large cabinet specimens of great eye appeal.

Common minerals – starting price $400 (Galena, Sphalerite, Pyrite etc., etc.,), and increasing in multiples depending on size.

Uncommon minerals – starting price $700 (Bournonite, Zinkenite, etc., etc.,) and increasing in multiples depending on size.

Gem minerals – starting price $1000 (Aquamarine, Tourmaline, Morganite etc., etc.,) and increasing in multiples depending on size.

Azurite and Malachite from Milpillas starting price $600 and increasing in multiples depending on size and quality.

So, the bottom line is that unless you can afford to allocate $400 or more per specimen you will be left behind unless you can field collect.

[Bob Harman]

The topic of this thread was specimen damage assessment and how it might affect purchasing mineral specimens.

Now the last number of postings have gotten way off the original topic.

In addition, while everyone is entitled to their beliefs and assessments of mineral prices/collections, your continual elitist attitude is, in my opinion not in the best interest of the folks on this forum. This is a worldwide forum undertaken by a very ethical dealer who caters to a wide variety of collector interests with a wide range of financial pocketbooks. Putting specific $$$$ amounts on specimens with your personal feelings about their "worthiness" (or how "unworthy" they are) is in no one's interest.

To me, it again seems about time to either lock or delete this thread. BOB

[marvinlewinsky]

[Niels Brouwer]

Marvin, once again you are trying to claim your limited view on collecting minerals - aesthetics, aesthetics, and nothing but aesthetics - are the sole truth in the mineral world, and everybody who has a different view is simply in denial and have bad taste. Spending enough money is the only way to build a noteworthy collection. If the world class minerals theme (whatever that means in the first place) "said it all loud and clear"; then why did the set of Young Mineral Collectors displays win the non-institutional Friends of Mineralogy award, if it set out to demonstrate things such as diversity and even affordability? If young collectors aren't the future of the hobby, then what is?!

It's a bit like saying wulfenite is the only mineral that's important enough to be collected, or that blue is the only colour that makes any mineral of interest for a collector, simply based on the Tucson theme for a particular year.

In the end, the only thing that matters is how much a collector enjoys the hobby, not how they are judged to be mediocre by others that would feel superior simply because they feel they've spent enough money for the bragging rights and in order to be able to be patronising and condescending towards 'lesser' collectors. People appreciate and purchase minerals for a myriad of different reasons, it still baffles me you don't seem to want to understand that.

[rweaver]

Just to add to this thread. I had 5 minerals from my collection that were good enough to make it into this Arizona issue of the MR. One of those only cost me $125.00 and two of the other ones cost me well under a $1000.00 and the other two just above that level. You do not have to spend a lot of money to build a good collection of minerals. I decided a long time ago to only collect U.S. Minerals and have put together a nice collection in the 4.0 cm to 6 cm range. I had only an average income to do this with, and yes, it took me 50 years of looking to make it happen. In the end I have at least one nice mineral from every state along with a very good Arizona and California suite. It is not about the money I spent, but the fun and enjoyment I had in doing so. Along with all the friends and mentors I was lucky to have help me along the way.

[marvinlewinsky]

[Peter Lemkin]

[Rob Schnerr]

Although some interesting opinions occurred in this discussion, I think it is better to stop it. You cannot argue in a constructive way with someone who 1) considers himself the measure of all things, 2) does not distinguish between facts and opinions. Furthermore this discussion is no longer about minerals or mineral collecting, but about the ego of mister Marvin.
So I opt out.

Cheers,
Rob

[Kevin Schofield]

Heartily agree Bob.

Mr Lewinsky's naive and dismissive commentary on any form of collecting other than the one he seems to have recently embarked upon is becoming tiresome...