CompuServe Messages

Igor, Tough question, and Rod and Doug have fairly well spelled out the problem. My mind is trying to convince me that there is a blue book of specimen prices, but I can't really recall it exactly. There is one for gems (Van Nonstrand's Standard Catalog of Gemstones" by J. Sinkankas (don't know when it was last updated). This one can be useful for gemmy single crystals. But those books can't take into account the individualitiy of each specimen. Mineral prices are constantly rising, especially for the middle to upper quality material and a lot of people complain that this is such a rip-off, but in the eyes of the specimen collector (difficulties, mining/collection conditions, hazards, expenses, nasty weather, nasty terrain, etc.) prices are way to low. If you go to a major show where there are a lot of mineral dealers you will find similar specimens from the same "recent" find at widely variable prices. One must comparison shop to find a dealer who has the best prices but also sure you are actually getting the same quality material. Having been to Tucson and Denver many times, I have seen some major variations in essentially equal specimens. The main point is it is not possible to have a true blue book of mineral specimens. No two specimens are alike, so a price given must be in a range: 1 inch light amber colored topaz from Pakistan, 90% gemmy at $40-100. Not much help actually. The only thing the blue book could give you is exactly what you found looking on your own! So, the only thing to do if you are interested in buying specimens is to go to as many mineral shows as possible and get a handle on what material goes for what prices then carefully select the specimens you like at the "best price" you can find with a few trade offs considering such things as "I like this one better with the tiny anatase on the quartz even though it is $20 more." Lanny