[Rockhounds] mineral trades

[Alan Goldstein]

I have also been trading fossils and minerals for quite awhile (like 1980). 
They are an essential part of my diversification program for my 
collection.Currently over 100 minerals are on display in the "Rocks, 
Minerals and Life" exhibit that I set up at the park Interpretive Center 
(another e-mail to the group). Buying specimens has never been practical. I 
recall a swap with an Australian dealer that was a bust (no reply, no return 
of minerals) but I have heard few complaints that my stuff wasn't up to 
snuff. And if they would comment that they expected something else, I would 
try to rectify it. I have received poorly wrapped material and damaged 
specimens - even as late a earlier this year - but experienced people know 
how to wrap specimens. That doesn't help if they drop it off an airplane 
onto the tarmac or if the semi-trailer gets clobbered by a train, but the 
incidental bouncing that causes stuff to shift around in the box can be 
mitigated.

One of my problems with fossil trades is finding people who have specimens I 
really want. My core collection is pretty esoteric (corals, brachiopods and 
the like). There are a handful of US locales that are poorly represented in 
my collection and more from overseas. Of course many nations list fossils as 
heritage items that cannot be exported, while minerals are allowed to leave. 
Some even list them under the cultural category that applies to historical 
artifacts. While I would enjoy a beautifully prepared trilobite or fish like 
the next fossil collector, it is rare for me to have a specific fossil for 
trade with a high dollar value. Most rare fossils that I find go into my 
collection. I also don't trade fossils with scientific research value. Those 
I prefer to give to the right person who can use it for research.

I do - on occasion - trade fossils for minerals, but mostly it is like 
material.

I am always looking for something new and someone new to trade with. My 
correspondence from trades fills four or five three-ring binders! I save 
relevant papers because it provides insight into the items I acquire that 
could have some historical significance eventually. (That is the museum 
curator in me...)

Alan G.

----- Original Message ----- 
From: <edwardjwagner at bellsouth.net>
To: <rockhounds at lists.drizzle.com>
Sent: Tuesday, September 02, 2008 7:07 AM
Subject: [Rockhounds] mineral trades


dear List:
I have been trading for a few years now, with list and non list members. The 
exchanges have been mutually beneficial, for the most part, with the 
exception of one or two persons who have not sent me anything back(!!!), 
which is rather discouraging, and the subsequent subject of very 
uncharitable thoughts. However, the exchanges have been on the basis of 
weight for weight, and comparable quality for comparable quality. Axel 
Emmermann and I did an Outstanding exchange, whereby both of us were 
extremely satisfied (if you do not mind my speaking for you, Alex.)  The 
point is that the idea is to not just get rid of a bunch of yard junk, or to 
foist off some  potential driveway cover  onto someone else's driveway, but 
to consider a fair trade. I am personally in the WNC mining district, where 
within one hundred miles of my residence are many mine dumps and National 
Forest sites open. Since we do not have the BLM regulations that is present 
in the western part of the country, small collecting is allowed. However, I 
would not send anyone a box of shattered beryl or feldspar, on the basis of 
their being inacessible to Europeans, for example. I would send good 
samples, or if possible, whatever is requested. I have found, for the most 
part, fellow collectors respect the degree of quality that they themselves 
would like to have.    The next point is shipping: Here in the US, one can 
send a Flat Rate Box (the size has diminished) for around $20.00. To Europe, 
it is $27.00 for up to 20 lbs, and International is around $47.00, I 
beleive. However, rates are going up. When Axel and I exchanged minerals, I 
sent around 60 lbs, which cost Axel the equivalent in shipping for 20 kgs. 
So, for the cost. lets not send low level pieces.   By the way, I'm open to 
any suggestions as to trade. Please contact me at my e-mail address. Thanks, 
Ed Wagner

--- StripMime Report -- processed MIME parts ---
multipart/alternative
  text/plain (text body -- kept)
  multipart/related
    text/html
---
-- 
_______________________________________________
Rockhounds at drizzle Mailing List
Subscription Services:
http://lists.drizzle.com/mailman/listinfo/rockhounds
List Home Page, with a link to the List Usage Policy:
http://www.eclecticlapidary.com/Rockhounds/index.html