FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[sissyandduane]

Is there somewhere I can find a definition on the difference between Mineral Specimen like Quartz Clusters, Geodes, and other spheres, etc. and what is considered semi-precious stones. My ins co is trying to lump my loss of my entire Mineral Specimen collection worth in excess of $75,000 into a category of "Jewelry, furs, watches and semi-precious stones" and pay $1500. One of my quartz spheres was part of a revolving sphere fountain and weighed over 70 pounds! It could never be worn as jewelry as neither could my 30 pound quartz crystal cluster or other clusters and points I had.

Can anyone help with this? I have searched and can't get them to understand that a Mineral specimen can be cut into a stone but a mineral specimen is NOT a stone. Please help. Elizabeth Brown

[Pierre Joubert]

[GneissWare]

The problem is (1) that mineral specimens do not fit into any regular classification for insurance purposes, and (2) all insurance policies have limitations on the amount they cover in each particular category, unless you purchase additional coverage.

You might want to ask your agent what the policy limits are for glassware or collectables, like Lladro figurines or a thimble collection. Although these are not the same, you may have higher limits. You may also ask how they would handle a claim if a set of your grandmother's china was stolen. Mineral specimens are not significantly different from an insurance standpoint from any of these.

Mineral specimens clearly are not semi-precious gems, unless they are cut and suitable for mounting in jewelry.

Again, the problem is no matter how you classify them, there will likely be some limitation on the insurance policy. If you can convince them that the mineral specimens are in one classification, and the items like spheres are just decorative objects, that might allow you to at least get reimbursement via 2 or more categories. I would argue the sphere in the fountain is part of the furnishing in the house, just like a lamp or table.

Hope this helps.

[bob kerr]

Maybe a better question would be "what is a mineral specimen?" the quartz sphere is more like a piece of furniture than a specimen. Maybe try to separate specimens from furniture?? photos and receipts would certainly help.

bob

[gemlover]

Possibly further confusing the discussion -- in gemology (highly different from mineralogy, although also very similar) the term "semi-precious" is no longer used. Gemstones are divided into two groups -- white and colored. The only white stone is diamond, all others (including clear quartz) are colored stones. This is closer to reality than the semi designation as several gemstones that fell into the semi category were more valuable than the traditional precious four.

Yes, the question of "what is a mineral specimen?" is the cruxt of the matter. As are the limits of an insurance policy. I have several colored stones with value that exceed the limits of my insurance policy, but to insure them, and the several hundred gemstones that I have would cost me a whole lot more per year than I can afford to pay. The cost of a built in safe was less than one year insurance premium.

So I have the safe, and take my chances. I also have rock and mineral specimens that I have on display around my home. Just can't afford the insurance, and most insurance companies will not give me a quote as their actuaries can not determine their risk.

John

[sissyandduane]

Yes, my collection was in a U=Haul and it was stolen. My policy covers my personal belongings at nearly $200k but they want to consider my mineral specimens as gemstones. We all know that gemstones can be cut from minerals but not all Mineral Specimens can be considered semi-precious. I have sent the insurance company hundreds of photographs. My collection was not appraised prior to this theft, but I was told I may need someone to look at the photographs and give me an appraisal and they will get someone else to do the same on their behalf and it will be determined after that is done. I may need someone to do that for me from my photographs and descriptions of the items as I know their sizes, but not the weight on all of them. I sent them pictures of the revolving sphere fountain in a marble bowl. They said they will look at the fountain and see if they will estimate it as a fountain. They determined that the marble bowl was artwork and will pay accordingly but are really trying to lump the Mineral Specimens (hundreds of quartz crystal clusters and Amethyst Geodes, spheres of amethyst and rose quartz and smokey quartz as well as enhydro quartz and manifestation quartz I used with my meditation and healing tools. Thanks for your interest in helping. Elizabeth

[sissyandduane]

[Pierre Joubert]

[Jordi Fabre]

[sissyandduane]