[Rockhounds] AD: Our Store is Up & Running!

[Kris Rowe]

Howdy, y'all!
                     Our new eBay Store is up and running! (Cheering,
"Huzzahs" and "general merriment" ensue!  *WEG!*)

Lapidary Specialties eBay
Store<http://stores.shop.ebay.com/Lapidary-Specialties__W0QQ_armrsZ1>
Specializing in the Stones and Minerals of Central California

Currently, you'll find more of our favorite Searles Lake minerals, including
our first offerings of hanksite! In addition to hanksite, you'll find halite
(of course!), trona, burkeite, borax, nahcolite, and many other minerals I
don't "have a clue" to, as of yet! (I'm learning as fast as I can!  *grin!*)

I even have a crystal cluster that features, in addition to trona, burkeite
and hanksite, 2 (yes, 2!) separate 7+mm sulfohalite crystals!

After trying the various ways of "stabilizing" hanksite, I've decided that
we're going to sell our hanksite *untreated.* This is because all of the
ways I've tried have drawbacks, such as dulling or destroying accessory
minerals and crystal faces, or sealing in moisture that may effect the
crystal at a later time. Instead, I'm recommending that collectors treat
this "picky" mineral as the rarity it is, and simply follow the wisdom of
another e-list member: Simply store it in a mayonnaise jar, sealed, with
silica gel desiccant packs. (A clean jar, please! *grin!*)
Seriously, keeping hanksite sealed and dry will prevent its self
destruction, and is easier than oiling the mineral several times a year.
Follow these simple steps and it'll last and last. Don't like mayo jars? Put
it under a bell jar or cloche, also available on eBay.

I'm working on posting auctions today, and will be adding slabs, bulk rough,
and my cabochons to our store as I prepare them. Be sure and check out our
ever growing selection of inventory items, priced to save your collecting
dollar. Posting these items as "inventory" saves us bucks, and we'll pass
those savings on to you! And, as always, we offer FREE SHIPPING on all
items!

See an item you like, but think my price proves I'm "Loonytoons"? Use "Make
an Offer," available on all Store Inventory items. I'll consider trades,
barter, or determined begging & pleading (well, not really), as long as a
value can be assigned to make sure eBay gets their fair share. Oh, and cash
offers will be considered, too!

As always, our thanks to all of our customers for their purchases and their
glowing "feedback" as well! We're new in this biz, but our dedication to
offering "fair value for fair price," our customers satisfaction and our own
high standards guide us every day. We won't EVER offer an item to a customer
that we wouldn't be proud to have in our own collections.
As for "Caveat Emptor," when we do offer a "Plain Jane" item, it won't be
listed as "Rare," "Worldclass" or "Unique." If it's TRULY such, it will be
described accurately and honestly, and priced as such. Most likely, it won't
appear on eBay, but will be offered first to collectors we've done business
with in the past. We KNOW the value of a good customer!

As I've noted before, I am but a humble "Cowboy Geologist." If you see a
mistake or mis-identification in our Store listings, please drop us a note
and help me learn. Remember, you can always go to our Blog & Gallery at R&R
Rockhound <http://r-and-r-rockhound.blogspot.com/> and see in close detail
many of the offerings from our store, and endure my "Bad Writing!" If you
choose to download my pics and have any problems doing so, let me
know<lapidary.specialties at gmail.com>and I'll happily send them to you!

In closing, I've had several folks attempt to involve me in a "flame war"
over my commercial posts. I will not apologize for not lying down and
becoming a "victim" of the tough economy. I'm proud of the efforts of
myself, my partner and collegues to thrive in these rough economic times,
working to be better merchants, and open new possiblities for ourselves and
Rockhounds, et al. My thanks go out to the valiant Admins who keep order
amongst all of us "rugged individualists," without pay and fanfare.

Thanks for sticking with me through this "novel," and for checking us out!

Be Well!
              Kris Rowe
              Lapidary Specialties, Fresno, California


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