FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Peter Megaw]

Dr. Elizabeth Emma Ferry is an associate professor of Anthropology at Brandeis University who has studied aspects of the world of mineral specimens since 1994...you may well have seen or met her cruising the Tucson Show with her pocket recorder and camera in hand. Her latest book "Minerals, Collecting and Value across the US-Mexico Border" is just out and traces many socio-cultural aspects of the mineral specimen market from production in Mexico to the Tucson Show and other international markets. Focusing on "what makes things valuable", she uses historic and contemporary examples to trace the emergence of aesthetic and "fine" mineral collecting. She interviewed a lot of contemporary collectors, curators and dealers over many years at Tucson and elsewhere and you will recognize many of the individuals involved.

Definitely provides perspective on just how recent the phenomenon of high specimen valuations really is...

This is definitely an academic publication at heart, written in the language of modern anthropology but there is a lot for everyone here. Although she uses Mexico as one end of her story, many aspects of the production end of the spectrum are equally applicable to Morocco, Africa, China and elsewhere.



Indiana University Press ISBN 978-0-253-00928-9 cloth; 978-0-253-00948-7 electronic

[MINERALIEN-Welt]

Very interesting Peter! I will definitely pick up a copy for myself next time I am in the States! All the best, Kristina

[Peter]

Thank you! Most interesting.
Tusen tack Peter!