FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jordi Fabre]

We are happy to learn that our English language moderator, John White, has just had an article published about his single crystal collection in Mineralogical Record, written by Tom Moore. Wendell Wilson, the editor of Mineralogical Record, has graciously given us permission to share this article with FMF visitors, for those of you who do not subscribe to Mineralogical Record. A fresh look at single crystal collecting.

Here is the article, published in the May-June 2009 issue, Volume 40, Number 3 of the Mineralogical Record magazine.

[Antonio Alcaide]

I have just read the MR article about John White and his unusual collection. It reminds me of my dear mentor Paco Nocete, an spanish geologist and old-fashioned collector. He is always looking for odd crystals or characteristic pieces while other collectors and friends look down on him -those who buy only perfect cabinet size pieces without damage, fever what we could call in Spain: "fist size collection".

I totally agree with the topic in this message board about the new collectors and their lack of taste for the rest of mineral world. Reading the article I have rediscovered my own inclinations to miniatures, micromounts... -although I do not rule out nice cabinets-.

I share with John S. White his statements about touching the crystals. I never glue them to the stands or boxes for this way you loose a side, there is a side you cannot feel. I can imagine his peaceful life in his house, receiving friends and grandchildren I hope not very naughty or selfless. The pleasure of showing your collection and communicating with many other mineralogists all over the world.

As a man who was born in the last century I am still wondered by the power of internet. I remember when it was starting the following anecdote: I and a group of colleagues of a high school received a report because we belonged to an internet working team. I translated www as literally "a world wide web" relating to the real insect spider. Our partners must be still laughing. However the Net is that: many people interested in similar passions that can stay in touch now -no matter the place or the lives they have-.

Maybe when John wakes up and has a look to his mails I have just come back home after working and I am reading this message board while Jordi Fabre is preparing a show or writing a message. Perhaps John opens one of his wooden boxes full with extraordinary floater crystals while I contemplate my modest collection of goethites after pyrites from Carratraca (Málaga. Spain) -touching the crystals of course-. Every crystal or cluster different. Complex geometric shape and variety, no matter peruvian pyrites or Navajun ones are. My sons also dig them up -as the author of the article remembered-.

My everlasting gratitude to Jordi F, John S. White, to the rest of the FMF, "virtual partners" and to Paco Nocete, a close one. We all look for beauty: odd crystals, twins, keepsakes, mineral pictures, best pieces of a mining day (and of course less lasting things: a woman's admiration or a conversation in this message board).

Best regards

[Gail]

I totally agree with the topic in this message board about the new collectors and their lack of taste for the rest of mineral world.

I must live in a different world, that broad comment above is actually a bit unfair. Many new collectors we meet are very interested in variety and rarities. Many, due to monetary sensibility, collect specific minerals or regions.

Jim and I visit 30 or so private collections a year, every one of them is drastically different from the one before. That is what makes each collection individual.
We have been to John and Merle's home and see John's fine collection. It is truly wonderful and different from any other collection we have seen.

I simply refuse to group mineral people together in one neat pile of "tastes" as it is, in my experience, anything but.