My first ‘serious’ specimen

I just put the mask down temporarily for this photo. I swear I wore mask and kept the right distance from others the whole time!

1. How many years have you been collecting and what started your passion?

I have been collecting for around two years now. It started in 2018, when I was on a trip traveling to different states in the US. I visited Harvard Museum of Natural History because at that time I was quite into fossils and taxidermy. Then I saw their mineral collection, and it have forever changed my world. Before that, the only mineral I knew at that point was quartz, which I was not interested in at all due to its overly popularity and lack of originality. I did not know that there were other types of minerals out there, and how beautiful they can be. I still remember, the specimens at Harvard Museum that impressed me the most were the wulfenite from Sonora, Mexico, and  the Flor de Liz, a specimen of red elbaite on a magnificent bed of cleavelandite. I was especially mesmerized by flower-like minerals such as cleavelandite, wulfenite, magnesite, etc. After that, I looked up on eBay and actually found some specimens that fit both my budget and preferences. My first ‘serious’ specimen was a hemimorphite from Chihuahua, Mexico which I still keep and adore till this day. Also, I have started to understand and appreciate quartz a bit more, and even started a small collection of just doubly terminated ones.

2. What's the focus of your collection and has that changed through time? Why?

I have no real focus in collecting minerals, although currently I am quite into building a collection of various types of thumbnail doubly terminated quartz specimens. Initially, I was really into tabular, rosette and flaky minerals such as calcite, barite or selenite and planning to focus on collecting any mineral specimens that resemble flowers. I still love and buy flower-like specimens from time to time, but as I have learned and become more familiar with other types of minerals, I have started to pay more attention to luster, conditions and compositions of the whole piece. I also prefer smaller specimens now, as I find it easier to appreciate and to take care of the specimens as they often have less damages, more decent compositions and are more affordable.

3. What do you like to do outside of mineral collecting? (hobbies, job, music taste, etc).

Outside of mineral collecting, I often spend time to cook and try new ingredients and cuisines. Before the pandemic, I often travel near and far for good food and restaurants that Yelp and YouTube foodies suggested. Now as things get complicated, I have been trying to cook more and  investing in better cookware, especially cast iron. I almost become a cast iron cookware collector, unfortunately (or fortunately?) I did not because cast iron stuffs are too heavy and often too large for my daily needs. I still have a cast iron pan and a 1.5 qt. dutch oven which I use almost every day, and thanks to them my skills and enthusiasm in cooking and eating have improved quite a lot. I even joined a cast iron cooking group on Facebook.

4. What's your favorite species? Why?

My favorite mineral would be calcite.  I actually have been into calcite even before I knew what “mineral collecting” was. Before knowing this hobby exist, I was a pearl collector. I spent more than a year studying about all types of pearls and even earned a certification from the Cultured Pearl  Association of America. Later on, when I was exposed to minerals and mineral collecting, the first species that I fell in love with was calcite, specifically those from China and Mexico. Calcite can be found everywhere, and yet it often has quite distinct forms and associations based on specific localities. I can never get bored of calcite.

5. Is there anyone who has inspired you in this field? Do you look up to the collection of someone in particular?

There is actually not a particular person who has inspired me to start collecting minerals. Instead, it was a museum. In 2018 during my traveling across the east coast of the United States, I spent a few days at Massachusetts and visited the Harvard Museum of Natural History. That was my first encounter with professional mineral collecting. The lighting, the detailed info labels, and especially the specimens there mesmerized me. My only idea about minerals at that time was just quartz and geodes, which I often bought for making jewelry. The experience of visiting a museum that focused on showcasing the raw beauty of minerals have  forever changed my perceptions. Mineral specimens can be artworks by themselves. Their natural forms, colors, and especially localities are all indispensable values that unfortunately, are often overlooked.

Even until now, after visiting and seeing some of the best of the best of mineral museums, galleries, and personal collections, I still look up to the Harvard Museum’s mineral exhibition. Aside from the memory of the first impressions, what I like most about it are the sizes of the specimens and how the museum showcased them. Comparing to other larger museums and galleries, Harvard’s mineral collection looked like a more possible goal for personal collectors to achieve as there were various sizes and types of mineral specimens on display, not just large and rocket expensive ones. If one day I can have a large space to showcase my mineral collection, I would definitely use Harvard Museum as reference.

6. How do you see the future of the mineral hobby?

I think the future of collecting mineral is quite promising but can be a bit trippy if there is a lack of reliable leaders to lead the way and limited resources for young collectors to learn, attain and share the passions. In Asia, specifically my country Vietnam, there are more and more people become fascinated in ‘growing’ minerals, and there have been a steady growth in number of veteran gem and stone artworks collectors starting to pay more attention to natural terminated specimens and endorse local mineral finds. However, there are still limitations in access and shipping options for many local collectors to attain global minerals, and there is definitely a lack of resource and reliable organizations that can help identify unknown new-find minerals. Therefore, if in the future there are more reliable organizations for learning and identifying minerals, the hobby of mineral collecting will definitely thrive. If not, mineral collecting will be no more than just a fancy phase for kids and the wealthy.

7. Have you been to any shows? If so, what's your favorite part of them? If not, are there any particular ones you would want to experience one day?

I have been to a few shows: Tucson, New York, New Jersey, and Springfield. There were so many things to do, see and buy, which makes it quite hard for me to pick a favorite part. However, if I have to be honest, I love the thrill of finding great specimens with great prices. I love going through stacks and stacks of boxes of miniature and thumbnail specimens. I love choosing ‘the right ones’ among a table full of minerals. I love getting a good deal from buying multiple specimens at once. And I love getting to know dealers and sellers who share similar tastes in minerals and always stock up the latest finds.

1. How many years have you been collecting and what started your passion?

I’ve been casually collecting for as long as I can remember. I’ve always loved rocks, and I have many fond memories of rockhounding in creeks with my mom. Whenever we’d go to any sort of park or attraction, I loved the “fill a bag” little rock kiosks in gift shops. Looking back, they were mainly full of little dyed agates and whatnot, but I loved them as a kid. I even have a little bismuth that I got from a gift shop in Tennessee, complete with a box decorated by 6 year old me. I started seriously getting into “formal” mineral collecting right before the start of the pandemic. It actually ended up being very convenient timing since rockhounding is an excellent solo activity.

 2. What's the focus of your collection and has that changed through time? Why?

I’d say that the focus of my collection is mainly quartz, specifically those with neat inclusions or qualities, but I tend to just buy whatever catches my eye. I also love old perky box specimens. I don’t limit myself too much as far as a narrow set of criteria for specimens, But my standards have gotten higher the longer I collect and the more specimens I see.

 3. What do you like to do outside of mineral collecting? (hobbies, job, music taste, etc).  

I’m currently working as a barista, but I also work for a mineral dealer in the US at the occasional show. I also love classical music and play the french horn, but I haven’t had a chance to play anywhere since the pandemic started. I’m also a university student! I’ve spent the last two years studying journalism, but I’ll be switching to gemology this fall.

4. What's your favorite species? Why?

Definitely quartz. Though it’s common, it forms in such an impressive array of variations. I particularly love any sort of included quartz.

5. Are you a stay-at-home collector or do you collect on the field too?

I’m a rockhound at heart! Field collecting is so rewarding, and I recommend every collector tries it. I’d say that about a third of my total collection is self-collected. I’ve collected in Pennsylvania (where I went to high school) and Ontario (where I’m going to university). There’s just something about uncovering a beautiful crystal from the dirt that creates a feeling that can’t be replicated. Being the first human to ever see a specimen come out from the Earth is also pretty amazing.

6. If you could give any advice to someone new to the hobby, what would it be?

Optimize your display! Use risers, take advantage of vertical space, make labels, etc. Some simple improvements in display can take your collection to a whole new level. And you don’t need a ton of money to have a nice display either! My cabinet was $100 on facebook marketplace, and I got all of my risers and lights from amazon. You don’t need fancy expensive specimens to have a good-looking collection; a nice display can make it look like your own personal museum!

7. If you could change anything regarding this hobby, what would that be?

If I could change one thing, I would try to stop the trend towards elitism in mineral collecting. Prices have been rising rapidly, and this is in part due to an increase in buyers (likely because of how the internet has boosted the popularity of metaphysical communities), but it’s also indicative of a shift in focus to a more “high-end” consumer. I do find myself concerned for the future of newbies in the hobby, especially those who don’t have a lot to shell out on specimens. I’ve never spent more than $67 on a specimen, and the vast majority of my pieces were less than $30. I know that it’s still possible to find good deals here and there, but it’s getting increasingly harder. I want having a nice collection to be accessible for anyone who wants it, regardless of income or status, but I’m seeing this hobby creep further and further away from that goal. (Not saying you need to spend a lot on specimens to have a nice collection though, that’s absolutely false.) Don’t get me wrong, my perspective comes from my experience working for industry professionals and immersion in this community as a whole, so I consider myself to have a pretty good grasp on the situation. My hope for the future is that the hobby will make widespread efforts to be accessible and inclusive to everyone passionate about minerals.

1. How many years have you been collecting and what started your passion?

I have been collecting a little over a decade now. I first started collecting after learning about Lake Superior agates in 6th grade.

2. What is the focus of your collection and has it changed through time? Why?

My collection has changed a lot throughout my collecting experience. Initially I had no focus and pretty much collected just about everything (except for polished things, I wasn’t ever as big of a fan of those). That changed roughly around 7 years ago when I joined the Cuyuna Rock, Gem and Mineral society. Being a native Minnesotan, I quickly fell in love with mineral specimens from my home state, but I also have a strong interest in sulfides, Midwest localities, Canadian localities, and type localities.

3. What do you like to do outside of mineral collecting?

Being a college student, most of my time is taken up by my studies so mineral collecting is my primary hobby. However, if I have more free time than usual, I also enjoy activities such as running, hiking, travelling, and a relatively new one, embracing the tiki culture.

4. Is there anyone who has inspired you in this field? Do you look up to the collection of someone in particular?

The person who really inspired me when I first started out was my mentor, Harry. He was a rockhound and a former miner in the Tri State district (Kansas, Oklahoma, Missouri) and he helped to guide me in my early days of collecting. He collected minerals for over 70 years and had mineral specimens from all over the globe. It was because of him that I am pursuing a career in geology!

5. Have you ever been to any shows? If so, what is your favorite part of them?

I have been to many shows throughout my home state and a couple outside of my state. In 2019, I got the privilege to experience the Tucson show for the first time. I remember walking in and being like a kid in a candy store. My favorite part of the shows must be the show’s banquet. When my rock club hosted the MWF in 2017, I remember how nice it was to sit down and enjoy dinner with mineral collectors from across the Midwest.

6. What is your favorite snack in the field? And why?

My favorite snack in the field would have to probably be either Oreo’s or a chocolate pudding cup. At field camp last summer, I was taught by one of my professors that it is an essential item to have one of these in your backpack.

7. What was the best mineral/geology locality that you have visited? What made your experience there so special?

The best mineral locality that I have visited was probably the Soudan Mine. Last summer I mapped there as part of my field geology class. One of our field professors helped the DNR in the past set up the public displays at the mine and due to that got us exclusive access to an extended tour of the mine. There I got to see amazing mineralogy as well as 3D structural geology features that are not shown on the public tours. It was by far the best mine tour I have ever been on.

1. How many years have you been collecting and what started your passion?

I am a French mineral collector, this passion started two years and a half ago now. After high school I started studying in a geosciences engineering school and I followed courses about general geology but also at the same time paleontology and mineralogy courses which interested me a lot. Moreover, the fact of having field courses everywhere in France helps the passion to start. Indeed, I love being outside discovering new things. Furthermore, in this school I made friends who transmit me this passion, both collecting and going on the field for prospection. This created the group of passionate students we are now.

2. What's the focus of your collection and has that changed through time? Why?

The focus of my collection is minerals I find by myself on the field, which is in majority fluorites from Massif Central in France. I am mainly collecting European fluorites since the beginning, even if I have some from USA. More recently I started to focus more on French stuff. But I definitely prefer what I find on the field no matter on the species.

As most of you knows minerals from Alps mountains are among the most famous localities in the world (especially for the smoky quartz and pink/red fluorites) and I am more and more interested in those localities. I have the project to focus more on this part of Europe for the next few years. It’s a large area to have fun there and that will also be a new challenge for me.

3. What do you like to do outside of mineral collecting? (hobbies, job, music taste, etc).

I love doing sports, before my studies I played basketball and did horse riding in top level competition. And now I often play football with friends or doing sport to keep good physical condition. I also like to travel; discovering new places, lifestyles or landscapes is what makes me tick.

If I could take the opportunity of this spotlight to give an advice, that would be: Travel as much as you can, it doesn’t have to be on the other side of the world, just make new things.

4. Have you been to any shows? If so, what's your favorite part of them? If not, are there any particular ones you would want to experience one day?

I have been to many shows in France but because of Covid19 it has been difficult to visit them as much as I would have liked. But now mineral shows are restarting, and I suppose everyone with happy with that! My favorite part in mineral shows is to meet passionate people and talk with them about their experience.

As a mineral fan I would like one day travel to Tucson of course but we also have great mineral shows in Europe too! Next June I planned to go to Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines which is the biggest show in France.

To finish on this part, last year we started something new with my team (ACKAM) at Lyon’s gem show, we had our first exhibition, it was a great experience! This year we are part of the organization for Beauvais mineral show (end of March 2022). We had our own stand and for the first time we presented our collection in the “prestigious exhibition” whose theme is “Minerals from Auvergne” we are proud of this!

5. Are you a stay-at-home collector or do you collect on the field too?

As I told before I am a field collector and that’s what I prefer, for me the feeling of finding a perfect, intact piece after hours, days of work is the best award I can have from mineralogy, and this is also this feeling which pushes me to go back on the field as much as possible. My favorites areas to collect at the moment are in Auvergne region, more precisely in Labarre mine area, the place where I went most of the time and I know well. But this is not the only place where I go. I also like going in Tarn department, a well-known place in French mineralogy thanks to Le Burc mine area (famous blue fluorites). During this last two years I visited a lot of mines and quarries all around France.

6. What's your favorite locality? Why?

Labarre mine! By Far!

This is a place where I have a lot of souvenirs with my friends, we had a lot of good time there and great discoveries. This small mine is the place where this mineralogy adventure started more than two years ago, and I have a lot of great souvenirs there. From a discovery perspective this mine is the place where I found my first crystallized pocket in 2020 (I’ll attach a picture of one of the specimens). And then many others followed.

Unfortunately, I made the decision not to return underground at Labarre now because the working area became too dangerous the last few months.

7. Is there a piece/pieces in your collection you’ll never let go off, which and why?

Yes! They are blue and tricolor fluorite from Labarre mine (not so surprising) both found in summer 2020 (I also added a picture of these pieces). I would like to keep them forever because they represent a lot for me, it’s first good memories of exploration and nice rewards of hard work. I hope that in the future I will find other specimens which will provide me similar feelings.

1. How many years have you been collecting and what started your passion?

I’ve technically been collecting for around 10 years since I was 7 years old. It’s only been around a year and a half since I switched to actual collecting and away from the aura quartz, pyrite chunk, quartz geode phase. My passion first started when I was 7 years old when my dad gave me a chunk of lapis lazuli with pyrite in matrix from his hometown of San Juan, Argentina.

2. What's the focus of your collection and has that changed through time? Why?

The focus of my collection nowadays is to collect very aesthetic miniature specimens with isolated crystals from around the world. I used to just focus on collecting every species possible, so I mainly just cared about size and not aesthetics or appearance but as I grew as a collector then that all changed.

3. What do you like to do outside of mineral collecting? (Hobbies, job, music taste, etc).

I do karate, ski, work at a mineral store, and hike as my hobbies and work.

4. What's your favorite species? Why?

My absolute favourite species has to be pyromorphite. I love pyromorphite mainly because of the vibrant green colours (green is my favourite colour) and because of the unique crystal structure. I’m mainly a fan of specimens from Daoping and only the really nice ones from Les Farges.

5. What is your favorite/dream specimen outside of your collection? Why?

My dream specimen to own would be a nice miniature sized Autunite from China. A nice aesthetic specimen needs to explanation as to why it’s desirable due to the insane colour and formation.

6. What fuels your enthusiasm for mineral collecting?

Being on the hunt to find nicer and nicer specimens of things I do and don’t own mainly.

7. How many specimens do you have in your collection and do you have any bar set of how many you'd want to own?

I currently only have about 12 specimens as it’s hard for me to find things I really like. I’d like to eventually own around 100 specimens to finally be able to be happy with my collection. Even then pieces will be coming and going as I find better and better pieces.