FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jordi Fabre]

Bruce Geller from SMMP sent this mail requesting distribution of this really bad new. Of course any help would be more than welcome.

Colleagues,
I received this note yesterday from the SMMP listserv and wanted to distribute it to the mineral dealer community. Please be on the look out for these specimens.
Cordially,
Bruce

______________________________________________

Dear SMMP Members,

The post below from Bruce Cairncross just appeared on the Mindat Messageboard. I have also posted in on the SMMP website at https://www.agiweb.org/smmp/joburg.htm.

Tony
______________________________________________
Anthony R. Kampf, Ph.D.
Curator Emeritus, Mineral Sciences
Natural History Museum of Los Angeles County
900 Exposition Blvd. , Los Angeles , CA 90007
______________________________________________

______________________________________________


I unfortunately have to report on the theft of specimens from the Johannesburg Geological Museum as I am currently Chairman of the Geological Museum Assocation (GMA), a volunteer group that assists the Museum and its staff with promoting the collection and fund raising.

The museum suffered two thefts recently and both involved theft of gemstones, both rough and polished. There are very few photos of the stolen gems. The material stolen in the first theft in May consisted of opal, aquamarine, ruby corundum and tiger's eye. The recent theft in July saw the removal of all the gem quality tourmaline, both rough and polished. In addition, four mineral specimens were stolen, two Kalahari manganese field rhodochrosite (see pictures) and two silver specimens, one from Mexico and one from Canada. There was no forced entry as access doors to the collection's display cases were still locked. I don't have a very good photo of the gemstones stolen other than the attached picture cropped from a general view of the display case. I have also attached two pictures of the rhodochrosites - they are cabinet sized specimens.

We are in the process of lobbying with the Joburg City Council (who own and manage the collection) and with industry partners to upgrade security at the museum.

Anyone with any information should contact the Johannesburg Geological Museum curator, Kate James at tel (+27) 11-833-5624 ext 252 or katherinej(at)joburg(dot)org(dot)za

Bruce Cairncross

[gemlover]

I will circulate within the Southeast Federation of Mineral Societies in the USA. I am the editor of the newsletter and will include the information in our next issue.

John

[Riccardo Modanesi]

Hi to everybody!
As Jordi said, this is a really bad new, something we all would have never wanted to listen to. Then we all must be strongly careful to what we buy! I hope somebody has let the mineral bourses managers from all over the world see the photos! I think and hope controls are strong and careful in this sense.
With my best wishes the specimens get back to their place.
Greetings from Italy by Riccardo.