Chris Tucker Minerals
Specializing in minerals from Montana

5/29/2008
I have included four specimens from my personal collection in this update. Although I would prefer not to sell them, space here is limited. If I were to keep the pieces, I would need to build another cabinet, which would likely require a larger house to keep it all in. Also included in this update are a number of large specimens, their inclusion here is based on recent requests. If there is something that you would like to see, just let me know.

5/01/2008
Included in this most recent update, is a specimen from an old collection which had been mounted in a "perky" box by its former owner. While there is nothing wrong with using boxes for the protection and display of specimens, the use of glue should be considered a crime. There is no reason why a specimen needs to be mounted with glue, this includes the use of glue for mounting specimens to acrylic squares, and micromounts. Although one collector may find the use of glue to be acceptable, future owners of the specimen may not share the same opinion. Remember, you are likely just a temporary caretaker of the minerals in your collection, and your first goal in collecting should be to do no harm.

4/24/2008
Although I fully intended for this update to be ready on the 23rd, one of our horses felt otherwise. The little bugger managed to get an infection inside the sheath around one of the tendons. While this is not terribly bad, without aggressive treatment it can lead to an infection of the nearby joint and bone which can become a crippling injury. In other words, I have been spending a great amount of time at the vets assisting in the treatment of this injury. I apologize to those who expected an update on the 23rd.

4/16/2008
I've included several duplicate books and magazines in this update. Although I do not intend to be a book dealer, if there is a certain title that you are looking for, let me know and I'll see if I can't find a copy for you.

3/27/2008
The US Postal Service has introduced a new flat rate box. At 12x12x5.5 inches, the new box is a fair bit larger than the old USPS flat rate box. With the new box, larger minerals or more specimens may be mailed at an economical price, $12.95 in the US, a price which will not increase in May with the upcoming postage increase. Better yet, the new box features a reduced rate when mailed to APO/FPO addresses. Those that like to purchase bulk micro material will find this new box to be beneficial.

3/04/2008
On occasion, someone will question the identity of the vanadinite from the North Home mine, and suggest that it is actually "endlichite". Well, that is a cursed term that should just be thrown away. There is no such thing as endlichite, although once applied to vanadinites of a certain composition, the name has long been discredited and has languished in that garbage can known as "varieties" . Even though many misinformed continue to use the term for arsenic rich vanadinites, they are in fact wrong. In 1885, Frederick Genth and Gerhard vom Rath introduced the name for samples recovered from the Lake Valley Mines in Sierra County, New Mexico, which on analysis were found to be midway in the vanadinite-mimetite series. This simple definition alone is enough to prevent the careless use of the term "endlichite", as it is impossible to determine chemical composition by visual appearances alone. A crystal of vanadinite is simply vanadinite regardless of its outward physical appearance.

2/14/2008
I have started using a new camera for the photos on this site, and a few of the photos in this recent update are certainly not my best. Please bear with me while I learn the capabilities of the new camera.
 

1/10/2008
Those that have received the most recent issue of Rocks and Minerals magazine, might note that I have a little article in the issue. During the course of writing the article, I had the pleasure of collecting at the Elkhorn mine, and a few of the specimens that I was able to recover are included in this update. If for some reason you do not subscribe to the magazine, you certainly should.

1/02/2008

HAPPY NEW YEAR!!

The approaching new year holds promise of some exciting new mining projects. The first new project will be for some very nice hemimorphite and wulfenite from a western Montana locality. While the wulfenite is generally small, a few excellent pieces are likely to produced. The hemimorphite from this new project rivals that of the Summit mine. Look for specimens and reports as soon as the snow clears, likely in late March.

 

12/17/2007

I hope that each and every visitor to this site has a safe and enjoyable holiday season.

The approaching new year holds promise of some exciting new mining projects. The first new project will be for some very nice hemimorphite and wulfenite from a western Montana locality. While the wulfenite is generally small, a few excellent pieces are likely to produced. The hemimorphite from this new project rivals that of the Summit mine. Look for specimens and reports as soon as the snow clears, likely in late March.
 

11/29/2007

Included in this update are a few specimens which I have recently taken on consignment. If you happen to have a specimen, or perhaps a whole collection, that you are looking to sell, let me know and perhaps I can help.
With the holidays approaching, why not give the gift of minerals. Gift certificates are available.
For those customers making special requests, I am happy to do my best to meet your requirements. Due to the volume of current requests, there is a delay of roughly two weeks before I can attend to any new request.   
 

11/19/2007

With the holidays approaching, why not give the gift of minerals. Gift certificates are available.
For those customers making special requests, I am happy to do my best to meet your requirements. Due to the volume of current requests, there is a delay of roughly two weeks before I can attend to any new request.   
 

10/08/2007

Another Denver show has come and gone. Overall, it was a good show. Regular customers will note that a number of the higher priced minerals have disappeared from this site; the reason is simple, higher priced minerals sell better at shows where the buyer may examine the mineral in person instead of making a decision based solely on photos. Look for a fresh crop of higher priced specimens in future updates.

8/13/2007

For those who happened on the question about the mystery machine in the last update, it is a complex lath used to form the ends of timbers for use in square sets. By inserting a log in the vice, the end could be milled to form the necessary parts of a square set: cap, post, grit, and sill. The machine was made by the Defense Plant Corp. and dates from WWII. Although I received some good guesses, no one was able to correctly identify the machine. You may view photos of one of my latest collecting trips and the machine here.

New photos have been added to the mine photo page.

If you are planning on attending the upcoming Denver show, stop by my room at the Holiday Inn and say "hi". I'll be in room 228. If there is a specimen that you are interested in and would like to see it at the show, now is the time to let me know.
 

7/12/2007

Have you ever wanted to see a photo of a specific location in Montana? Visit the folks at www.montanapictures.net They even take requests!
See a few photos from my most recent collecting trip by clicking here.
 

6/04/2007

While there have been few benefits from the recent increase in postage rates, there is one. Priority mail flat rate boxes may now be sent overseas. This will allow mailing of packages that weigh up to 20 pounds overseas at a flat rate of $37.00, plus any customs fees. The boxes are 11x8.5x5.5 inches. This will benefit those that order numerous small but heavy specimens or larger single specimens.

5/21/2007

I have found that I have to much material from a few localities. Storage space is currently needed so I must find homes for a few specimens. Rather than offering them at discounted prices or wholesaling them to another dealer, I have decided to just give them away.
Free Rocks
On request, any of the following will be included with an order, all you pay is the additional postage. You may also just pay the postage and receive any of the following for free. Figure on one pound packages. To order, just send me an email with the locality and quantity desired.
 

5/11/2007

Many of the specimens included in this update are based on recent requests. If there is something that you would like to see, just let me know.
I'll be away much of the next week, forgive any delays in my response to your emails.
 

4/23/2007

The bulk of this update includes several minerals from near Greybull, Bighorn County, Wyoming. The minerals occur in a single location in one of the numerous bentonite mines in the area. Currently, I have several flats of this material and I do need to make some room.
For just the specimens from Greybull, I will extend the following discount.
Buy two pieces and receive 10% off.
Buy three pieces and receive 20% off.
Buy four and receive 30% off.
But five and receive 40% off.
Buy six and receive 50% off.
Buy all the material I have from the locality, roughly 100 pieces, and I'll make you a screaming deal!
Remember, this discount only applies to the material from Greybull, Bighorn County, Wyoming.
 

4/13/2007

The Montana Bureau of Mines and Geology has published Part II of Minerals of Montana (Open File report 519, part II). Part III is at the printers and should be available in a month or so. They may be purchased directly from the MBMG. Part IV is currently in review and will probably be published next year.
The author, Larry French, has put a tremendous amount of effort into the project and it is the best attempt yet at compiling the various reported mineral occurrences in the state under one title.
 

4/05/2007

If you like old photographs, the USGS library is making the photos in their collection available online. Of the 500,000 images in the library's collection, about 24,000 are currently on the the USGS website. Roughly 10,000 are being added to the site a year. Many of the photos were originally published in various papers but many have never before been published. The USGS library's photographic collection may be accessed here, http://libraryphoto.cr.usgs.gov
 

3/20/2007

As of 3/28/2007, the water guns are again sold out.

 Water Guns are back in stock although the supply is limited and they are going fast. I have lowered the price to $80.00 including postage in the US. If you have not yet obtained one, and if you wish to do so, now is the time. These are excellent tools for cleaning most minerals and any serious collector should have one. These are the same water guns that I currently use and there really isn't a better tool for general cleaning of specimens. As long as the water gun is properly maintained, they will last for years.
I'll be in and out of town the next few weeks. All emails will be promptly answered on my return.
 

3/10/2007
Often I am asked what mineral shows I will be set up at. This year I currently plan on only setting up at the Denver show in September and currently I have plans to attend only one other show. I will be at the NFMS Show in Butte in August but will not be setting up as a dealer. I will be putting in a few displays and will be presenting a presentation of some sort. Those of you who are used to my annual cross country mineral selling trip in the spring should note that I will not be making the trip this year.

3/01/2007
Over one hundred new specimens have been added. The highlights include the entire remaining stock of tyuyamunite from the Dandy mine, Carbon Co., MT; the majority of the remaining calcite specimens from the Dandy mine as well; a selection of twenty specimens from Washington state; a small selection of fluorite, new bulk material has been added to the micro page and a small selection of other minerals. Additionally, I have added a new section featuring wholesale flats.

2/05/2007
Like the last update, I have kept this one on the small side. Look for a much larger update in the future which will contain several fluorite specimens, the entire remaining stock of tyuyamunite on calcite from the Dandy mine, Carbon Co., MT, calcites from the Dandy as well, and several other pieces. The winter snows are starting to melt and soon the heat of summer will be upon us. I'll be out of town for much of the next few weeks (largely dependent on the weather) and hopefully will be able to open a new pocket or two. Forgive any delays in email and I'll promptly answer on my return.

1/20/2007
With much of the mineral on its way to Arizona, I have kept this update small. As many of you know, I have no desire to sit in a motel room like a vulture for a month and will not be attending the show. Certainly the desert sounds nice and the warm air would be a welcome reprieve from the snow here but I still have no desire to join the others fighting for your mineral dollar.
Dewie was kind enough to demonstrate my opinion of the Tucson experience and you may see that by clicking here.
 

12/20/2006

In the item description for one of the wulfenite specimens that I added this week, I noted that the wulfenite crystal is twinned. Now that is not uncommon in wulfenite, in fact nearly every wulfenite crystal IS twinned. However, very few mineral collectors today are aware of this.
Wulfenite is in the pyramidal class of the tetragonal system. This class is the lowest in the tetragonal system and possesses a tetragonal axis only. Therefore wulfenite lacks a mirror plane and single crystals are hemimorphic.
To many mineral collectors today concern themselves with what is pretty and not what is science. They will often pass over a specimen that is rare in terms of morphology for one that is "pretty". For the most part, the mineral specimens that we as collectors obtain for our collections have been around far longer than mankind. We are only temporary caretakers of those pieces and we should strive to increase our knowledge whenever possible. The late Neil Yedlin used to say "buy and use a good mineral book", certainly sound advice. Expand on that thought and obtain many mineral books and read them.
The holiday season will soon be here. Why not give the gift of minerals? Gift wrapping and gift certificates are available.
 

12/05/2006

Following the Denver show, while helping John Cornish mine heulandite and associated minerals at his Rat's Nest claim in Idaho, I spent an afternoon at his Summer Storm claim. The Summer Storm produces what are probably the finest quartz after apophyllite pseudomorphs in the world. You may read a brief account of the Summer Storm claim by clicking here and you may view specimens form the locality by clicking here.

The holiday season will soon be here. Why not give the gift of minerals? Gift wrapping and gift certificates are available.

11/05/2006

Following the Denver show, I helped John Cornish mine heulandite and associated minerals at his Rat's Nest claim in Idaho. You may read a brief account of the 2006 mining season by clicking here and you may view specimens form the locality by clicking here. For those not familiar with the Rat's Nest claim, it is the source of some of the finest heulandite in North America.

The holiday season will soon be here. Why not give the gift of minerals? Gift wrapping and gift certificates are available.

10/20/2006

Following are a few of the emailed comments on my recent article on Montana wulfenite localities that was in the most recent issue of Rocks and Minerals. Guess which one is from my Mom.

Chris, NICE article!! I got the issue in the mail and it looks very good....
Rocks and Minerals came today. Great article. Dave
Hi Chris,
I just got my copy of the Sept/Oct issue of Rocks and Minerals and was delighted to see your article on wulfenite in Montana. Regards, Jim
Chris, Finally got a copy of the magazine and I read the article. Great job! It must have taken a long time to write with all of the works that you had to cite. I really like the acknowledgement and your thanks to Jen. That was very touching.
Hi Kidd!!!!
Kind of found it:
http://www.rocksandminerals.org/
My baby is a published author!!!! I'm proud as a peacock :)
Love you!!!! MOMMY :)
Hi Chris,
Nice article on Montana wulfenites in R&M! I see what I've missed in being too busy.

 

10/05/2006

I have returned from a week of sitting like a vulture at the Denver Show. Overall, it was a good show. Again, the neatest thing I saw at the show was the wild fox who lives in the dealer parking lot. The worst experience at the show was when someone stole the ball mount off my truck in the dealer parking lot. Since Mr. Zinn raised the dealer rates again, perhaps he will spend some of the money on real security for next years show....
Following the show I spent some time collecting and mining heulandite with John Cornish at his Rat's Nest claim. Look for these specimens in the next few updates.
 

9/02/2006

I will be out of town from September 10 until the end of the month. All emails and orders will be taken care of on my return.
If you are going to be at the Denver show, stop by room at the Holiday Inn and say hi. I'll be in room 228 at the Holiday Inn.
I have recently changed my ISP. It was by no means a flawless transfer, but everything seems to be functional on the new server. Let me know if you find any problems.
Check out the latest issue of Rocks and Minerals magazine for everything that you have ever wanted to know about Montana wulfenite localities.
 

8/10/2006

The specimens in this update where all recovered from the North Home mine during the end of July and the first few days of August. There were many other pieces recovered during that time period and I will be busy preparing them for the next few weeks. If you don't see one that you like, let me know and I will find one that suits your demands. To read a brief account of the collecting of these pieces, click here.

7/25/2006

The heat of summer is upon us. Here in Montana the weather has been very dry and much of the state is plagued by forest fires. Thus far, more than 600,000 acres have burned. Most parts of the state still have two months of the fire season left; this year a million acres could go up in smoke. While forest fires limit activities in the outdoors, there can be benefits. The year following a forest fire can be very productive for the mineral collector. With the ground cover removed, hidden mineral deposits can be more easily found.

6/20/2006

Shipping delicate minerals can be problematic. Many minerals can be safely mailed by encasing them in an inert powder like laundry soap. But what about those that are to delicate for the soap method? Numerous collectors and dealers use hot glue to affix the specimen in a box; while this may often work, the glue will eventually need to be removed. Others use generous amounts of mineral tack and hope that it holds through the rigors of the postal system; it often doesn't.
One novel method largely pioneered by fellow collector/dealer John Cornish is to tightly wrap the base of the specimen in aluminum foil leaving the delicate mineral standing free. The foil wrapped specimen is then put into a tightly fitting box; again the delicate mineral is left standing free. The foil conforms to both the matrix of the specimen and the box. If the foil is packed tight enough the specimen can not move. John uses this method to wrap the delicate mordenite pieces from his Rat's Nest claim and I have used this method to ship delicate minerals around the world.
 

6/17/2006

In the recent issue of the Mineralogical Record there was an article on internet mineral sales. Following are a few of my thoughts on the matter.
The authors mention the ever increasing number of internet mineral dealers. With the high costs associated with mineral shows, the internet offers a very cost effective venue; traveling and selling at shows is expensive. A website can be launched and maintained for years at the same cost of attending one major show. With promoter and venue fees increasing (some have doubled in the last few years) there will be more mineral based websites.
The high fuel prices will have a major impact on mineral shows; with gas and diesel prices six times as high as they were a few years ago (taxes on fuels are flat, they do not change with the fluctuating price) look for fewer people attending shows and more internet sales. Likewise, the cost of fuel has a direct impact on mines; if metal prices should be come depressed there will be fewer active mines and in turn, fewer specimens reaching the market.
The authors make note of the high prices of minerals today. Prices of mineral specimens must increase to offset these additional costs at shows. To have the same profit margin at some shows the selling price of some specimens must more than double, there are very few specimens that will sell for twice as much as a few years ago. Since selling on the internet is not dependent on traveling great distances and the associated expenses, mineral prices should remain relatively steady. In the mineral world there is a bizarre feeding chain; a single specimen may change hands numerous times with an increasing price each time until it reaches the collection of some "elite" collector. The internet opens a window to this feeding chain; the recent thompsonites from India are a fine example, specimens that were purchased for a few dollars are now selling in the high hundreds to thousands. Had those purchasers bought from someone close to the source, a fair amount of money would have been saved. Regardless of the prices that minerals are selling for, someone will always complain that the prices are to high. Look through a few old magazines and you will likely find mention of mineral prices getting out of hand, today those prices would appear cheap.
Perhaps the greatest advantage of the internet is the ability to reach a world wide market. Dealers who formerly sold in local markets can now reach potential customers around the world. Likewise, a collector can reach dealers around the world in a single afternoon.
Besides the disadvantage of not being able to see a particular specimen in person, the internet can be a cold dark place. One of the benefits of shows is interacting with others who share a common interest. A large number of elderly collectors who are no longer actively building their own collections attend shows for the single purpose of interacting with other collectors. Perhaps the worst aspect of the internet is the number of websites that are no longer maintained.
 

6/6/06

I have been busy painting my house and have spent little time working on minerals. That is not entirely true, I have also been busy reviewing the third part of Larry French's book, Minerals of Montana. Now the current painting tasks are almost complete so I can get back to minerals. It has been a while since I sat down at the microscope so look for a fair number of microcrystals in the next update.
 

5/24/2006

Here in Montana we have had a brief glimpse of the summer to come. The day time temperatures this last week were in the low 90's. A bit to warm for me. I'll be taking advantage of the weather and will be out in the field working several days these next few weeks. Responses to email may be delayed. If the weather cooperates, a trip to my Pack Rat mine is planned.

5/12/2006

During a recent conversation with a fellow collector, I related some of my experiences with light power tools. For years I was employed in the construction business and had the opportunity to use a wide range of tools that have limited applications to mineral specimen recovery. Those tools that are intended for use in concrete, tile, etc... are of little use to the serious collector. However, there are a number of companies that produce tools that are suited for the tough rock often associated with the minerals we love to collect. The stone working industry has a number of tools that range from simple feather wedges to diamond chainsaws. As a general rule, the heavier more robust (and expensive) tools will provide better service. Tools designed for light use by the casual homeowner are likely to fail in the first hours of use in a hard rock environment.
 

5/2/2006

I returned late last week from mining specimens at my North Home mine as well as several other localities. Look for these specimens in the next several updates. During my recent trip, winter made a brief appearance which cut my work short. I am really sick of the snow!

4/19/2006

Spring is here, with it comes the promise of bountiful collecting trips. Collecting minerals in the winter months can get old real fast; I am tired of the snow and sub zero temperatures, the summer heat will be a welcome relief. I will be in and out of town the next few weeks, emails and orders may be delayed.   
 

3/13/2006

This weeks update is a bit different as I have included a brief narrative on the collecting of all the specimens offered. You may go straight to the narrative here. All the specimens in this weeks update were collected on the 7th of March, in the following days I cleaned, prepared, photographed, wrote the descriptions, uploaded everything to the website, etc... It has been a very busy week.  When the specimens were collected, the weather was great with the temperature in the mid 50's, now it is ten above and snowing. Typical spring in Montana. 

3/6/2006
For starters, a few new photos have been added to the Mine Photo page. In the new specimens added this week are a few pieces of the tyuyamunite from the Marie mine, Carbon County, Montana. While this is nothing new, it is somewhat sad that there won't be any new material from the mine. Currently I have less than five flats of the material left; only a few years ago, I had fifty flats of the Marie mine material and the option of obtaining more was available. There are still some good pieces left, if you haven't yet obtained one, now may be the time. Due to the nature of the material, I can not ship them overseas.
Speaking of shipping, on a recent order I mistakenly over charged a customer. Of course the excess amount was promptly refunded and we remain in good standing. My policy is to only charge customers for the amount I am charged by the post office. On the rare occasion that I overcharge, the excess will be promptly refunded. If I happen to undercharge, it is my fault and the difference comes out of my pocket. I sell minerals to my customers, I don't make any money on "handling" charges.  
 

2/25/2006

This week I have added a mix of minerals including several vanadinites from the North Home mine. Of particular note are the pieces from the Candle Box Raise Pocket. While less than one hundred pieces were recovered from the pocket, they are, in my opinion, some of the most unique from the mine (to date). Nearly half of the specimens were purchased by local collectors the very next day. While there has been an extensive search for additional material, no new pockets have been encountered in the raise. Also included in this update, are a number of pieces from the 600 Level of the North Home. The pieces were recovered a few years ago and I have just now cleaned them. All the pieces recovered are on the New page.

It has been some time since I have been to the North Home. The last trip was in the middle of December and this is the longest I have gone between trips to the mine. If the weather holds I have a trip planned early next month. Perhaps there will be something new.
Last week I had mentioned the recent problems with one of the horses. She will be fine. If you have nothing better to do, or perhaps your just curious, you can see pictures of the three horses we currently have by clicking here.
 

2/18/2006

This week I have added another batch of the James R. Lee mine wulfenites.
I had planned on adding fifty new pieces this week but ran into a number of delays. First, one of our horses fell and fractured some bones in her withers; she will be okay but is on six weeks of stall rest. If you have nothing better to do, you can see her here. Secondly, winter has made an appearance here, it is currently -5 which makes working in the unheated warehouse a real pain. And the camera that I use has begun to act a little weird, might have something to do with the time I dropped it fifty feet down the main shaft at the North Home mine. Look for a larger update next week.

2/10/2006

For the first time in almost ten years, I am not planning on attending the Rochester symposium. I have always enjoyed the symposium and the numerous private showings I have done along the way. With the high price of fuel the economics just aren't there; for me it is usually a 6000 mile month long trip. I may still fly out, but I will not have my normal room full of minerals and I will not be making my usual stops along the way.

Those of you who are attending, be sure to see Pete Richards short paper on the epitactic relationship between quartz and hemimorphite. The topic is an uncommon one and I played a minor role in Pete's paper.

2/1/2006

For this update, I picked out a selection of new descloizite pieces from the North Home Mine, they are not large but they are colorful. I have also added a complete set of the mineralogical record, perhaps the cheapest around. Along with a mix of other pieces, I included a large and fine barite from my Pack Rat mine. It is one of the finer pieces from the mine and I have held it back for a number of years, now you folks can have a shot at it.

I also included a cute thumbnail quartz with fluid inclusions and a movable bubble. Often other dealers will call quartz crystals with bubbles "enhydros". By definition, an enhydro is a hollow chalcedony nodule with liquid inside; in other words, an enhydro is a geode with liquid inside (by the way, a geode has to have a chalcedony lining!). The practice of calling crystals enhydros is wrong and it should be discouraged. By using correct terminology, the collecting and scientific communities can communicate with each other.
 

1/18/2006

This week I have done things a bit different, all the new pieces I have added are on one page. You may view them here or by clicking on the link above. Having the new pieces on one page is easier for both me and visitors to this site; I can be a bit slow when it comes to the whole internet thing.
I picked a few smaller pieces of the James R. Lee wulfenites for this update. Also, a number of pieces from the Green Monster mine, Prince of Wales Island, Alaska as well as several of the North Home mine Starvation Pocket vanadinites along with a few other pieces.
 

1/10/2006

This week several new pieces of descloizite on and after vanadinite from the North Home mine have been added to the North Home mine vanadinite page, you may view them here. The pieces are from the most recent pocket encountered in the mine. The pocket, the Snowstorm Pocket, was encountered in late November in the main shaft of the mine. Specimens extraction took place in late November and early December, this is the first public offering of pieces from the pocket.
In the weeks leading to the Tucson show, I often have people ask me if I will be set up in Tucson. In the last week I have had at least a dozen people ask. Occasionally I do attend Tucson and I sometimes send material to the show, but I have never set up at the show and I probably never will. The whole idea of sitting like a vulture in a motel room for three plus weeks is just not appealing to me.
 

12/30/2005

This week I have added a page of bulk micro rough, you may view it here.
Of course, I usually have micro material from any locality on this site, if there is something that your interested in let me know. 

Several mine photos have been added to the mine photo page.

I hope everyone had a good Christmas (I spent my Christmas fixing a broken sewer line under the house) and that you have a safe and happy New Year.
 

12/20/2005

Merry Christmas!
With the busy holiday season here, I was unable to find the time to add new specimens this week.
This week a new article on the Summit mine has been added, you may view it by clicking here.
 

12/8/2005

I will be out of town until the 15th of December. All emails will be answered on my return.
Specimens have been added to the Barite and both Misc. Minerals pages. Several of the new James R. Lee wulfenites have been added to the wulfenite page.

 

11/22/2005

20% off Sale!
In celebration of the one year anniversary of this site I am having a 20% off sale. Sale ends 12/5/2005!


This week I have added a few pieces to the Mining Antiques page. With Christmas just around the corner, why not give the gift of minerals? I am always happy to gift wrap.

New fluorite and new vanadinite pieces will be added soon!
 

11/15/2005

20% off Sale!
In celebration of the one year anniversary of this site I am having a 20% off sale.


This week I have added a few specimens to the Misc. Minerals A-L page and a variety of pieces have been added to the Gold Hill page.

New fluorite and new vanadinite pieces will be added soon!
 

10/28/2005

 I will be out of town until the 10th of November, all emails and orders will be handled on my return.
20% off Sale!
In celebration of the one year anniversary of this site I am having a 20% off sale.


This week I have added a few specimens to the Misc. Minerals M-Z page. Wavellite, sulfur, mimetite, and pyrite specimens have been added. Stay tuned for a much larger update on the 15th of November.

The 25th annual Montana Crystal Collectors meeting will be held in Bozeman on the 4-6 of November.

 

10/22/2005


This week I have added specimens to the Gold Hill, Misc. Minerals A-L, and Calcite pages. Specimens of calcite, linarite, brochantite, anatase, olivenite, fluorite, and others have been added. Several of these were added due to recent customer requests. If you don't see what your looking for let me know.

The 25th annual Montana Crystal Collectors meeting will be held in Bozeman on the 4-6 of November.

 

10/15/2005

The Denver show has come and gone. For the most part it was a good show, even with the high price of fuel it was far better than the last few years. Perhaps the show has finally emerged from the shadows of 9/11. Early reports indicate that next years show will be even bigger, I am told that the third floor of the Holiday Inn will again be filled with dealers. I had a good show and am proud that several major museums acquired some of the finest North Home Mine vanadinite specimens. As winter approaches plans are underway to pursue several promising areas in the mine. Early indications are good that many more vanadinite specimens will be uncovered. Additionally, there is potential of two new mining projects this winter.

This week I have added specimens to the wulfenite, tyuyamunite, and calcite pages. I have also added a page on high pressure water guns, the same model that everyone else sells for a lot less money. The mine photo page has also been extensively updated.

The 25th annual Montana Crystal Collectors meeting will be held in Bozeman on the 4-6 of November.
 

9/6/2005

Due to a large snow storm and severe power outages (I am writing this using a generator for power) the update planned for the 10th will be postponed until the 15th. I will be out of town over the weekend removing a tree that has fallen on a relatives home. All emails will be answered when power is restored.

The 25th annual Montana Crystal Collectors meeting will be held in Bozeman. The date has been postponed until some time in November.
This week I have added a page with mine and locality photos, more are on the way. I have also added a page on the new book, Minerals of Montana, Part 1.

Stay tuned for something special following the Denver show!
 

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