FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[vic rzonca]

The black flies are out but the skeeters are not biting yet. Soon. We've named the claim "Turtle Clan Ridge" after the indigenous people that lived on the high ground around about us.

[Mike Wood]

Thanks Vic, it's nice to see your photo's of work in progress. Hope you hit some big pockets this season.

[Pierre Joubert]

Hi Vic, When I saw all those containers with specimens I thought, is this man a hoarder or a merchant. It would be interesting to see one or more of those containers contents. Best regards.

[vic rzonca]

Collector, Pierre. Repeat after me, " Collector.".

[Pierre Joubert]

[vic rzonca]

I hesitate. We've been at it for many years. Maybe we hoard. Collector sounds better.

[Bob Harman]

My posting may get me into a bit of trouble, but I will never-the-less post it as I feel it makes 2 important points. The previous postings with pictures shows 2 problems: hoarding vs collecting and the advancing age of many field collectors.

As to the first point. I collect Indiana geodes and have a large collection including many very hi end examples. [Some of these can be seen in the Mindat geode thread.] I now bring home only 4 or 5 per year, leaving the rest at the collecting sites. If I brought home most that I might find, I might now be homeless with rocks everywhere. I have wholesaled and sold off most of my lower end examples including my whole store room. Any field collector who continues to accumulate boxed up examples with little or no intention to sell off duplicates and lower end examples becomes a hoarder and no longer can be considered just a "collector". That is my opinion.

As to my second point. I am now over 70 y.o. and see in your pix that you, Vic, and your collector buddies seem to be right up there with me. That seems to be the way it is with field collectors. Lots of older collectors and not that many younger field collectors starting out. Lots of reasons why this might be the case, but the basic fact is that the field collector age is up there and increasing. Younger collectors certainly are out there, but not nearly in the numbers to replace the older field collecting folks. Unfortunately within the next 5 - 10 years many will no longer be physically able to get out and field collect. The total numbers of field collectors will then dwindle down. Now, looking at the bigger picture, is mineral collecting destined for a significant reduction in collector numbers?? Only time will tell. CHEERS.....BOB

[vic rzonca]

Yes Bob, I'm up there, and every day I can do some work is well spent. I hesitate to discuss the dispersion of the collected quartz, because this would violate the spirit of the FMF mission. I will say that bringing up young field collectors and sharing our finds with them, school talks, show exhibits, field trips and in casual conversation to anyone who will put up with it, has been part of my mission for a long time. So, Bob, the stuff is out there and when I can no longer go into the field, I'll take my field trips on FMF and visit my hoard. Ahh, my precious. I know my retirement plan leaves much to be desired, minerals are not very liquid. Thanks for the input, Bob. Keep it up.

[vic rzonca]

[Tobi]

[vic rzonca]

A lucky strike at the Ridge after a bit of a slow start.

[Mike Wood]

Very nice. Hope that isn't all you've found in the last six weeks!
(Crosses fingers) ;-)

Has the weather been kind thus far?

[vic rzonca]

The first few weeks were a little slow Mike, but...

[Pierre Joubert]

Wow Vic!!!! It looks like you can finally retire now :-)

[Chris Rayburn]

Just sensational, Vic. Congratulations.

[vic rzonca]

Now for something completely different. It's not all crystal hunting on the ridge.

[vic rzonca]

One from a new location. Not far from the Ridge as the crow flies. And not very deep as the plow goes.

[vic rzonca]

It's been a good season at the Ridge, but haven't had time to post much. My real job gets in the way of fun some how. The weather has been dry, drought dry, and here we are in November and the temps are above freezing at night and mid to high fifties during the day.

[Reinhardt van Vuuren]

Wow, that is some amazing operations you have going there. How many tones is that hydraulic of yours rated at? Must be hell of a strong to lift rock like that.

[vic rzonca]