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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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 Posted: Jul 06, 2016 04:48 Post subject: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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I want to bring to your attention the theft of a large number of Colin Owen's mineral specimens, many of which were part of his private collection. The main suspect has admitted guilt as he was caught on camera. The seller of these specimens claims innocence, so at this stage I do not think it wise to mention any names. We, unfortunately (and unknowingly) purchased specimens from this person which ended up in our collection. I have asked Jordi to remove our collection until the case has been resolved. Colin is a good friend of ours and we returned the specimens to him. What makes this theft so very sad is that it were 'trusted' people. Our personal loss is small compared to the disappointment of broken trust.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Joseph DOliveira
Joined: 29 Jan 2012
Posts: 308
Location: Hanmer, Ontario
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 06:35 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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Sorry to hear that Pierre but unfortunately it is the way of the world these days. There is a lot of trust when specimens are purchased, not only the legality of owning it but also the accuracy of the provenance. We trust the reputations of the dealers we purchase from and in the majority of the cases that trust is well placed.
The rising value of quality specimens make them an easy target for thieves and they are for the most part hard to trace once sold. Hopefully your long held friendship will survive, as in the the end that is the really important thing. You are not the first to fall victim to this and in all likelihood will not be the last.
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Joseph D'Oliveira
Hanmer, Ontario
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 06:44 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| Joseph D'Oliveira wrote: | Sorry to hear that Pierre but unfortunately it is the way of the world these days. There is a lot of trust when specimens are purchased, not only the legality of owning it but also the accuracy of the provenance. We trust the reputations of the dealers we purchase from and in the majority of the cases that trust is well placed.
The rising value of quality specimens make them an easy target for thieves and they are for the most part hard to trace once sold. Hopefully your long held friendship will survive, as in the the end that is the really important thing. You are not the first to fall victim to this and in all likelihood will not be the last. |
Thank you Joseph. It is amazing how dull and uninteresting beautiful specimens become when one realizes that they had been stolen.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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James Catmur
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: Cambridge
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 06:48 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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Really sorry to hear that Pierre, for both Colin and you.
I am not sure how we can do it, but let's see if we can remove the specimens from your collection pages. |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 07:59 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| James wrote: | Really sorry to hear that Pierre, for both Colin and you.
I am not sure how we can do it, but let's see if we can remove the specimens from your collection pages. |
Hi James. That is kind of you. I will send you a PM later to discuss it. Best regards.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4919
Location: Barcelona
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 08:41 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| James wrote: | Really sorry to hear that Pierre, for both Colin and you.
I am not sure how we can do it, but let's see if we can remove the specimens from your collection pages. |
It is relatively easy, I'm just waiting the Pierre's instructions.
On the meantime and following the desire of Pierre, the specimens of his collection (them all) are not visible, only the administrators we can see them. |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 09:31 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| Jordi Fabre wrote: | | James wrote: | Really sorry to hear that Pierre, for both Colin and you.
I am not sure how we can do it, but let's see if we can remove the specimens from your collection pages. |
It is relatively easy, I'm just waiting the Pierre's instructions.
On the meantime and following the desire of Pierre, the specimens of his collection (them all) are not visible, only the administrators we can see them. |
Hi Jordi, thank you. I will send you a PM also.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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lluis
Joined: 17 Nov 2006
Posts: 714
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 10:02 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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Hi, Pierre
I am very sad to hear that sad history.
I wish you all the best, and a quick arrangement of issues.
With best wishes
Lluís |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 10:47 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| lluis wrote: | Hi, Pierre
I am very sad to hear that sad history.
I wish you all the best, and a quick arrangement of issues.
With best wishes
Lluís |
Thank you Lluis.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Chris Wentzell
Joined: 18 Nov 2011
Posts: 18
Location: Watertown, South Dakota
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| Posted: Jul 06, 2016 17:15 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| I am very sorry to hear this, we were recently the victims of theft as well, last month in Portland, Oregon USA while traveling with a majority of the gem/mineral collection I put together which my father obtained from me. I Hope that all works out for the best. |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jul 07, 2016 01:25 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| Chris Wentzell wrote: | | I am very sorry to hear this, we were recently the victims of theft as well, last month in Portland, Oregon USA while traveling with a majority of the gem/mineral collection I put together which my father obtained from me. I Hope that all works out for the best. |
Hi Chris. I am sorry to hear about this. Whenever we purchase specimens of higher value, I photograph them as quick as possible and store copies on a hard drive where somebody will not search. I also put them on DropBox. Without photos of your specimens it is very difficult to prove that they were stolen. In Colins case, the person who stole the specimens, also had access to his computer; probably also remote. It appears that he wiped out most of the photos. Best regards
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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Pierre Joubert
Joined: 09 Mar 2012
Posts: 1605
Location: Western Cape
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| Posted: Jul 15, 2016 08:39 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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If anyone has purchased mineral specimens from Nico Venter in the last 11 months, chances are good that they are stolen. Nico sold specimens which had been stolen by his friend (Marius Rossouw) from Colin Owen. If anyone has any info, then they can PM me. Any purchased specimens that had been stolen, will be 'hot' property. Amongst these are some very expensive rhodocrosites from South Africa.
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Pierre Joubert
'The tree of silence bears the fruit of peace. ' |
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James Catmur
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 1383
Location: Cambridge
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| Posted: Jul 15, 2016 09:14 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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So Pierre, from what you are saying, there are no photos. Sad - and makes me realize that I should photograph all my better pieces.
James |
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Jordi Fabre
Overall coordinator of the Forum
Joined: 07 Aug 2006
Posts: 4919
Location: Barcelona
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| Posted: Jul 15, 2016 10:09 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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| James wrote: | | ...and makes me realize that I should photograph all my better pieces... |
Absolutely, and publish here (and/or in Mindat) all photos.
Against an extended idea I believe that make public the images protect the specimens better than keep them hidden due the difficulty for the robbers to sell them to other collectors if the specimens are published. |
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Jamison Brizendine
Joined: 27 Feb 2014
Posts: 128
Location: Northeast Ohio
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| Posted: Jul 15, 2016 10:34 Post subject: Re: Theft of Colin Owen mineral specimens and collection |
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Colin already posted a photo of his rhodochrosite specimens on Mindat. You can find them on the Mindat Directory News, number 8132.
Colin also has an entire photo gallery devoted to his collection on Rocks of Africa. I doubt any of his specimens would make it to a show here in Ohio, but I will be on the lookout... |
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