THE GUIDE
The mineral collecting world is an extensive one; there are multiple tiers, all of which are unique and beautiful. However, when discussing the topic of fine minerals, there are many aspects that must be present to discern a "rock" from a fine mineral specimen.
FORWARD
Many children grow up having a fascination with rocks, fossils, and crystals - it is the unique appearance and associated rarity that piques youthful curiosity. One of the first things children are exposed to is an endless supply of dinosaur books, which often pave a route to an early passion for fossils. This is how the journey begins for many. Commonly, this interest fades as children grow; their focus shifts from cool rocks to toys and video games, then to peers and school, then to careers, and so on. Very few continue to fuel their collector’s fire and even fewer return to their love of natural wonders later in life.
For others, the beautiful world of fine minerals is something that is discovered later in life. As the markers of desirability are spelled out, it becomes apparent why people turn into collectors, who are entranced with the beauty of fine minerals.
CONDITION
In any industry dealing with collectibles, the condition of the good is likely one of the earliest markers of whether or not the item is of collectible quality. In playing cards, a card that has a grading of "Mint" will demand a higher value than an identical card that is graded "Minor Wear" due to a slight tear on one of the edges.
The same logic applies to mineral specimens. If a termination on a crystal is chipped or broken, or there is chattering along a major section of the piece, or if there is any damage to the piece, the value goes down, and it tends to be the first red flag when deciding if the specimen is of collectible quality or not. Dings, cracks, broken terminations, internal fractures, edgewear, and cleavage are all things to be attuned to when considering a potential purchase.
AESTHETICS
As humans, we subconsciously pick up on aesthetically pleasing things seen in everyday life. Often it could be a building that features a sharp, dramatic, and angular appearance, or a pleasing pattern on a tile backsplash. This sense was developed in the earliest stages of life; looking at clouds reminiscent of animals, picking up a rock on a walk that looks like a familiar shape, or noticing a lily pad in a marsh that resembles a heart.
This translates into fine mineral specimens; the aesthetic of a piece is likely one of the first things that piques a collector's interest. It is difficult to forget the best pieces in the world, as they are all famous for having a striking aesthetic that sets them so far apart from the millions of other "rocks." There are many different aesthetics that command higher values: a recognizable or memorable shape, a dramatic focal crystal, symmetry or balance, or strikingly dramatic crystals that demand a presence are all things to look for when judging the aesthetic value of a specimen.
LUSTER & CLARITY
Humans are hardwired to be attracted to objects that are lustrous, or "shiny." This affinity towards shiny objects actually stems from the innate human desire for water. The lustrous appearance of wet surfaces indicated water was near, which spelled out survival and sustenance. Dating back thousands of years, shiny metals like gold and silver were hallmarks of wealth and power. Gemstones also signified wealth and social status then, and still do today; the clearer the stone, the more desirable and elusive it becomes. This idea serves as the backbone of the gemstone industry today; a diamond that receives an "IF" (Internally Flawless) clarity grading will fetch a much higher price tag than a "SI2" (Slightly Included Level 2) grading, even if they have identical carat weights and color gradings.
Luster and clarity must be high on the list of requirements when searching for a fine mineral specimen. If two nearly identical specimens were placed next to each other, and the only difference was that one featured a clear and lustrous crystal, while the other had a matte and cloudy crystal, the decision between the two is an easy one.
The most optimal qualities in terms of luster and clarity are when a piece appears to be made of glass. That is the ultimate quality the most sophisticated of collectors look for in specimens.
COLOR
Color is an aspect of life that is almost always the first distinguishable characteristic of something beautiful. In literature, when an author is describing something beautiful, the description will nearly always describe the color before anything else. A beautiful blue ocean, or a stunning golden sunset - color manifests beauty in nearly every aspect of the world.
"What I need most of all is color, always, always" - Claude Monet.
Color signifies beauty in the fine mineral collecting world just the same, there is a certain presence that a beautifully colored specimen carries. When a collector is captivated by a specimen, it is often the shocking saturation of a Fluorite from Yaogangxian, China that grasps their attention before any other detail. A specimen that boasts ideal color will always reign superior to a comparable piece with less ideal color.
CONTRAST
Artists and photographers have captivated their respective audiences through many different techniques. These professionals share a similar goal - stun their viewers with the beauty of their work. A major detail of a beautiful work of art is the use of contrast; the darks make the lights look that much lighter, the purples make the yellows look that much brighter, and so on. Contrast places emphasis on something that is already beautiful, and inexplicably makes it more beautiful.
Contrast in the world of fine minerals carries a similar importance. Often contrast can refer to two contrasting colors on one piece such as a light crystal on a dark matrix, or perhaps a highly lustrous crystal surrounded by a matte textured matrix. Contrast in a fine mineral specimen is a wonderous thing, as suddenly a pink Fluorite is no longer just a pink Fluorite when put against a bright white Calcite matrix.
Specimens exhibiting excellent contrast are often some of the finest mineral masterpieces in the world.
ISOLATION
Isolation can frequently be seen in many picturesque scenes. Often films will end with a strong and beautiful image of a lone mountain, standing taller than the rest, or a single tree sitting atop a rolling hill. This imagery is undoubtedly beautiful, but there is a more complex aspect associated here; importance. The tallest mountain in a range always has a name, the tallest building in a city is always famous; and they always appear isolated from their surroundings.
Isolation in the context of high end mineral collecting is no different; the presence of a lone crystal commands a viewer's attention, and provokes the same sense of importance. In the fine mineral collecting world, this is referred to as a focal crystal. The aesthetic value of a specimen that has a single crystal surrounded by matrix greatly supersedes a piece of similar size and quality, but has multiple crystals that seem to "compete" for the viewer's attention, or appear jumbled.
Isolation is a concept heavily emphasized in the art, photography, and mineral world.
PROVENANCE
When a famous MLB player signs a baseball, that baseball is no longer just a baseball. When a famous rock star plays a guitar, that guitar is no longer merely a guitar. When a famous artist paints a painting, that painting is more than a painting. In all of these situations, the presence of provenance transforms the object into more than just an object.
This exact phenomenon is prevalent in the high-end market of fine mineral specimens. When a famous collector owns a piece, it gains important stature. As that same piece is published, and travels from famous collector to famous collector, or famous dealer to famous dealer, the piece becomes more than just the objective piece - there is provenance with it that adds historical and monetary value. When a specimen keeps passing through famous hands over years, the piece is significant as the interest is still present despite the continual increase in cost between every transaction. When a mineral specimen achieves "rockstar" status, the desirability of the piece skyrockets.
RARITY
In any area of the world, the scarcity of objects or resources will drive the price for those goods or resources up. It is very simple supply and demand.
In the world of mineral collecting, there are two types of rarity. The first is objective rarity, meaning there is a very finite supply of a species, or specimens from a locality. French alpine Fluorites, Tsumeb Willemites, Phosphophyllites, Legrandites, Scorodites, and Kämmererites are all on this list of objectively rare minerals and localities. The second type of rarity is the rarity of quality. In many cases, some species may be very abundant, with a seeming endless supply of specimens, but extremely few that are high quality examples. Halloysite included Quartzes, Crocoites, Brazilian Hematites, and Kazakhstani Creedites are all examples of more common species and localities, with very few truly fine examples in existence.
In either case, the value of specimens in this category increases exponentially based on rarity.
THE "WOW" FACTOR
In every part of life, there are times that people find themselves silent, entranced in something so beautiful, impressive, or wonderous it seems incomprehensible. A snowy mountainside in the evening hours with ice covering even the smallest of tree branches, or a lake so still it acts as a mirror for the sky above it on a calm summer morning; images like this force humanity to stop and think "how can something be so beautiful?"
When searching for a truly fine mineral specimen, there must be a degree of wonder associated with it. When a collector meets the match of a lifetime, it is a transcendent experience as they fall silent, at a loss for words, left with nothing but the inability to speak. This is the "wow" moment; as the specimen resonates with the collector's heart, they know it is the piece for them. A truly great mineral specimen always possesses the ability to stop viewers in their tracks.
Specimens that truly possess the "Wow Factor" are regarded as the "11"s of the mineral world. Something so fine, so unique, so awe-inspiring, it is impossible to rate them on a 1 - 10 scale. These are the Da Vinci's of the fine mineral world. The most sought after, the most desirable, and the most elusive.
CONCLUSION
Fine mineral collecting is a very niche and unique, but extremely competitive hobby. There are millions of specimens out there, with less than 1% being considered truly fine minerals. Finding the specimen that embodies all of these traits is difficult and time consuming, often challenging one’s patience and willingness to pursue the hobby. When the right specimen that holds all the markers of desirability presents itself after a long search, the feeling is otherworldly.
These objects are sacred, preserved for millions of years, remaining undamaged, aesthetic, and perfect, and they need to be treated as such. The relationship between collectors and their collection is a deeply intimate one, which flourishes with each new acquisition. Given the abundance of mineral specimens in existence, and the extremely limited market of fine examples available, it is imperative to be patient, discerning, and only pursue those pieces that embody the all of the markers of desirability. When trying to assemble a collection of significance, importance, and competitive stature, it is vital to pursue fine mineral specimens.
