What is your mineral specimen worth? Non-commercial enquiries only! http://www.mindat.org/msgboard-59.html Sat, 25 May 2013 13:09:14 +0000 Phorum 5.2.15a http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294639#msg-294639 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294639#msg-294639 Rock Currier Mineral Valuation Sat, 25 May 2013 08:52:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294637#msg-294637 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294637#msg-294637 Rock Currier Mineral Valuation Sat, 25 May 2013 08:49:20 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294633#msg-294633 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294633#msg-294633
I paid too much based on what you are saying, but I really like the piece. Its' aesthetics just don't come out in The photo, and the color is off as well.]]> Leor Goldberg Mineral Valuation Sat, 25 May 2013 07:34:01 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294628#msg-294628 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294628#msg-294628 Jacob Zonderman Mineral Valuation Sat, 25 May 2013 03:07:20 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294611#msg-294611 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294611#msg-294611 Rock Currier Mineral Valuation Fri, 24 May 2013 21:12:19 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294579#msg-294579 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294579#msg-294579 Leor Goldberg Mineral Valuation Thu, 23 May 2013 22:18:14 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294578#msg-294578 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294578#msg-294578 BOB HARMAN Mineral Valuation Thu, 23 May 2013 22:00:50 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294575#msg-294575 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294575,294575#msg-294575 www.mindat.org], the locality of my malachite has mostly been resolved! It is from Zaire, Congo. I do not yet know which specific mine it is from, though I have put a request forth to Astro Gems to help narrow it down even further. I doubt it will happen, but it can't hurt. Now that the locale is *mostly* out of the way, how much do you guys think this piece is worth?







[attachment 45558 Malachite3.jpg][attachment 45557 Malachite2.jpg][attachment 45556 Malachite1.jpg]]]> Leor Goldberg Mineral Valuation Thu, 23 May 2013 20:39:42 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294525#msg-294525 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294525#msg-294525 You'll need to get a decent picture before anyone here will venture an estimate.]]> Jim Bean Mineral Valuation Thu, 23 May 2013 03:41:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294495#msg-294495 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294495#msg-294495 Leor Goldberg Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 18:32:07 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294494#msg-294494 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294494,294494#msg-294494
Dimensions approx. 1.1 x 1.3 x 1 cm]]> Jacob Zonderman Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 18:31:44 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294478#msg-294478 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294478#msg-294478
Dealing (in anything) is a business. It's about making a profit from buying and selling. Spending money buying is easy; buying at a price that will let you sell at a sensible profit and in a reasonable timeframe is not so easy, and needs very good knowledge of the merchandise and of a whole range of market values. Best not to love the merchandise too much as that makes for weak purchasing decisions and, like the alcoholic bar owner, it's only too easy to end up drinking all the profits.

Some states require you to have a business licence but not all do (the UK does not). Most states require you to register to administer their sales tax regime before your annual sales pass above some arbritrary threshold. It's also best from the outset to have some trading name and to operate a bank account in that name; it helps keep business and personal finances - and tax affairs! - strictly separate.

How much is a 'sensible' profit? The answer is more than you'd probably think. In low volume businesses, a 100% markup on the buying price is a sensible rule of thumb. So, in deciding to buy at 50, you should only do so if you think you can expect to sell for 100. The extra 50 then needs to be divided, 25 for the running costs of the business; time, travel, accommodation, preparation/improvement of purchases, photography, documentation, insurances, marketing and direct sales costs. 25 is then left as your profit before business taxes. This will leave you with a net profit of something like 15 on a total outlay (capital investment) of 75 (20%). Profit of course is never guaranteed and any of many different chances can turn a likely profit into a loss. That's business risk and profit is the reward for risk successfully borne. The businessman has no protection from losses other than his own skills. He stands to lose his whole investment in the business and even any assets he may have outside of the business. In short, If you can't see a good chance of a decent profit then don't start!

Many small businesses never make any true profit but are kept solvent only because the business owners do not charge for their labour or use of their domestic premises etc. These are truly not businesses but hobby interests, a living being made, wholly or in some part, from other employment. Where that 'outside income' is not available, either from self or spouse's other income, such businesses are bound to fail. Something like 80% of all new start-ups fail within their first three years. The two main causes for start-up business failure are linked. They are that the business is insufficiently capitalised to get it through those most critical first three years whilst it establishes itself and becomes able to trade profitably - and that the business planning was insufficiently thorough (or else that fatal level of under-capitalisation would have been clearly seen).

Say on the beach for a while, David, enjoy the hobby, trading a few rocks for interest and to improve your collection. Maybe you'll know when is the right time to commit to a business or - more like than not - that time will never come.]]> Owen Lewis Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 14:36:13 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294467#msg-294467 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294467#msg-294467 Any recommendations on other good places you can get "wholesale" or decent prices??
I"d really appreciate it. I just picked up a pallasite and a few other items
from e-bay and don't see myself stopping anytime soon. It's quite addictive for me :)

thanks!]]> David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 12:05:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294454#msg-294454 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294454#msg-294454
I've been spending way too much money on crystals lately,

D.]]> David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 04:17:39 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294453#msg-294453 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294453#msg-294453
You did ok, but I would caution you that the backlit photo makes it look much more vivid green than it will be in your hand when you receive it. But you should know this as you have seen them in the flesh.

To answer Owen's question, David's piece is from Chlum.

regards,
stephanie :-)]]> Stephanie Martin Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 04:13:48 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294450#msg-294450 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294450#msg-294450 David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 01:41:29 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294449#msg-294449 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294449#msg-294449
The only way to thoroughly examine a piece is under a microscope and preferably in an immersion bath of benzene or else distilled water with a drop or two of surfactant added. This is best way to examine the interior of a specimen for its inclusions, some being strong indicators of Moldavite. Though no certain indicator in itself, the known range for the SG of moldavite is reasonably tight (and if a piece lies in this range, it's good supporting evidence of ID) The SG of my piece (collected in South Bohemia) is 2.36 which is the average (mode) for specimens collected in that region.

The best guide I know to the variations on moldavite form and colour is [www.geology.cz] .]]> Owen Lewis Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 01:27:04 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294446#msg-294446 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294446#msg-294446 Anyway, I said thanks that makes me feel better about buying the moldivite and here is a bigger
pic I found: * dimensions: ~ 36 x 25 x 12 mm ! (~1-3/8'' inches wide - 3.6 cm ) and * weight: 64 ct (12.8 grams )]]> David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 00:20:41 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294445#msg-294445 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294445#msg-294445 * dimensions: ~ 36 x 25 x 12 mm ! (over 1-3/8'' inches wide ! - 3.6 cm !)
* weight: 64 ct ! (12.8 grams !)
101.00$]]> David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Wed, 22 May 2013 00:13:00 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294440#msg-294440 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294440#msg-294440
I think I paid USD 27 for mine which is 14 ct (just under 3g), but the colour is less vivid than that seen in your pic and the form is much closer to that some moldavites (like Craig's) have of air-cooled liquid glass projectiles. Where was yours collected?]]> Owen Lewis Mineral Valuation Tue, 21 May 2013 22:42:53 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294394#msg-294394 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294394#msg-294394 more if I knew they were better prices than here in St. Louis and cooler quality but live and learn. Last night I
purchased a fairly nice piece of moldivite from a vendor in Poland, It's twelve point eight grams
for around a hundred bucks and pretty nice shape and quality...etc...is that about average? a little less than
eight bucks a gram?? How did I do? Thanks again,

Dave]]> David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Tue, 21 May 2013 14:59:54 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294380#msg-294380 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294380#msg-294380
Welcome!

To buy at real wholesale as opposed to 'claimed' wholesale prices, you need to be in the trade and, if asked, able to produce evidence that you are. More often that not, it also means that ou need to buy in quantity rather than as singleton pieces. That said, one can often find sellers who who sell at one keen price to all comers, discounting that price according to the quantity sold. 'Cash and carry' warehouses are one example of the latter, That's OK so long as you know what you are doing. Be careful. There is at least one net auction site that advertises that its trade is wholesale but a quick look at seller's start/buy seems to show that many are pitching for the less savvy retail buyer.

Price is subject to a load of variables, such as different markets, market demand, perceptions of rarity and of quality. My personal experience of rock 'n gem shows is 'mixed'. I've found large 'international' shows open to the public a disappointment; too many tons of dreck to wade through before coming across something interesting - and then single crystal prices are not cheap. However, if I was a lapidarist I might well have a different opinion. OTOH, the much smaller local rock 'n gem shows quite often present real bargains to the 'one off' retail buyer - and a reasonable discount can often be negotiated on top of that for multiple purchases from the same stand. I have a thumbnail slice specimen of textbook amazonite showing exsolved albite that cost me exactly GBP 1.00/USD 1.50. That's a price that covers the costs of mining, wholesaling, preparation and transportation for many thousand miles? Bought at a mineral net auction a similar piece might be USD 5.00 or so - and add up to another USD 1.00 - 11.00(!!!) per TN for routine shipping (no insurance), depending on the seller. Yes, some net sellers see their shipping charges as a 'profit centre'. So don't give up on going to local shows yet awhile...

Good luck!]]> Owen Lewis Mineral Valuation Tue, 21 May 2013 11:54:00 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294378#msg-294378 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294378#msg-294378 Rock Currier Mineral Valuation Tue, 21 May 2013 11:02:56 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294365#msg-294365 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,170384,294365#msg-294365
I'm new to this site, I found it tonight and love collecting rough gemstones and crystals. I was wondering if anyone could please direct me to a great place to buy a moldivite? I would love to learn how to get things wholesale or,
at least, at prices better than what I find at gem and rock shows around St. Louis.

This is a cool site, thanks!

Dave]]> David Hermanson Mineral Valuation Tue, 21 May 2013 02:20:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294318#msg-294318 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294318#msg-294318
The best thing to do, IMHO is to go to a local mineral show.
There are always a few keen and knowledgeable collectors and dealers around.
Just ask the organizer or club president who they are and I am sure they will be very happy to help.
Tim gave a valuable advice. From a pic, it's always very difficult to say, if you have the specimen in hand with a good lens or binocular, by observing the association and matrix, a good observer could narrow down the locality significantly.

I hope this helps.

Take care and best regards.

Paul.]]> Paul De Bondt Mineral Valuation Mon, 20 May 2013 09:37:28 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,104279,294289#msg-294289 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,104279,294289#msg-294289
Approx 6x3x3 mm and 0.620 ct. Strongly side-lit (you can see the burn-out on the gem-clip).]]> Owen Lewis Mineral Valuation Sun, 19 May 2013 21:13:46 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294274#msg-294274 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294274#msg-294274

Update: I just sent a message to Astro Gems (in NYC) asking for any information that might have been missed. I'll keep this posted. For all , any info you have would be greatly appreciated!]]> Leor Goldberg Mineral Valuation Sun, 19 May 2013 18:43:06 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294272#msg-294272 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294272#msg-294272
Interesting piece, what a shame. Now, an expert, in person, with a scope, could conceivably pick up enough clues to put a locality to it; eg. if there is indeed dioptase present the possible localities are very few indeed. But from pix, no. And you'll never be certain, 100% sure, so it's money wasted.

I'd strongly suggest you return it if you can, and never buy another specimen without a label.

Minerals without labels are roadfill.

Sorry.]]> Tim Jokela Jr Mineral Valuation Sun, 19 May 2013 18:36:02 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,104279,294270#msg-294270 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,104279,294270#msg-294270 Tim Jokela Jr Mineral Valuation Sun, 19 May 2013 18:31:23 +0000 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294268#msg-294268 http://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,59,294219,294268#msg-294268 Leor Goldberg Mineral Valuation Sun, 19 May 2013 18:28:53 +0000