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We have a fabulous collection of vintage Lucite handbags coming up in our February 14 Valentine SWAG Auction. Get the skinny here on the history and collectability of these perennial favorites. MORE
Dan Ripley Select Natural History Auction featuring Minerals, Artifacts and Taxidermy
June 23, 2012
Location: 2764 East 55th Place, Indianapolis, IN 46220
More Info: 317-251-5635
Join us immediately following the Townsend Collection II for this one-of-a-kind mineral and fossil showcase!
Mined in Brazil in 2000, this world-class specimen features graduated colors on the spectacular 3.75" Tourmaline crystal. The matrix features beautiful rosettes of Clevelandite and purple Lapidolite. Rarely does a museum-quality mineral of this clarity and lustre come to the market.
"A stunning example of specimens collected from across the globe---all together in a single auction!"
Competitive collecting in this field often leads collectors to go directly to the source, which in this case
frequently means traveling to the far corners of the world, visiting the mines where the rarest specimens
are found. Impressive examples have been found on every continent, but this auction represents a
rare opportunity for collectors to own stunning pieces from this highly competitive market without
the purchase of a plane ticket.
For many, the passion for rock and mineral collecting starts with childhood collections, rock tumblers
and vacation finds. For those who graduate to the world of grown up collecting, entry-level specimens
typically run from the $500 to $5,000 range. The sky is the limit for the very best examples, and as
the market for minerals continues to increase, many collectors view their acquisitions as sound
investments. The most desirable pieces can easily fetch up to six figures.
Admired for their natural beauty, many refer to minerals as “Mother Nature’s art.” Like snowflakes,
no two examples are exactly alike. Considering that there are approximately 4,000 different mineral
species—and that number continues to grow—stepping into this world of collecting opens the door to
limitless possibilities. Of the 4,000+ known species of minerals, there are about 500 that collectors
seek out for their aesthetic beauty and color.
Unearthed in 2008 in India, this specimen is the perfect cabinet-size representation of the finest Zeolite discoveries in decades. The water-clear, Scolecite appendages flower out from the pale-pink Stilbite base, making this a museum-quality piece that could be the center of any collection.
