Major Theft from University of Michigan Geology Department

This email went out this morning:

We have suffered a major theft from the third floor display cases. Apparently in two instances this weekend, Saturday morning or early afternoon and then perhaps late last night. If anyone witnessed any suspicious activity this weekend please let me know. Also if you have witnessed any unusual interest in the display collections, talked with anyone recently that asked about the displays or know of anyone that may have resentment toward the Dept please contact me as soon as possible. Thanks!

The specimens stolen were primarily gemstones, including a Pulsifer Apatite. The most recognizable piece was a Smithsonite stalactite from Sardinia.

I'll have photos posted as soon as I can get them.

Here is a pic of the Sardinian Smithsonite.

Also stolen were two cut Hiddenites from Hiddenite, NC

here is a new, higher res photo of the smithsonite

In my haste to get information out, I forgot to say that if you have any information, please contact myself, Sam Mukasa (mukasa AT umich.edu), Rod Ewing (rodewing AT umich.edu) or Richard Zavala (richardz AT umich.edu).

Was it a "smash and grab" or a more professional job? In any event, it's a shame! I hope that the specimens are recovered.

Do you not have any security cameras whose film footage could be reviewed to see if you can catch the burglar in the act???
Also, the pics attached so far, are somewhat small and indistinct..so if they
can be improved , it might help you a bit more effectively.

Ray,

security cameras and such would cost money, no such luck. Unfortunately these are about as good of photos as we have of anything. The cases had been photographed as a whole about 20 years ago, and the images I have were made by scanning those images at high resolution and cropping out shots of the individual specimens. Very unfortunate. The job was done using crobars to break the locks on the cases, and while the individual was selective, taking some things and leaving others, their selectivity was not particularly professional, with many of the pieces being taken having only small retail values (amongst the other effectively priceless things).

Here is a list of what was taken-

Apatite cut stone & crystal .778c- Pulsifer, Maine
Apatite cut stone & crystal- Durango, Mexico
Cordierite (iolite) .87 % 5.18c
Chrysoberyl .96c
Azurite & Malachite-Arizona
Malachite- Arizona
Beryl Aquamarine 7.71c
Beryl Aquamarine 8.89c
Beryl Aquamarine- Madagascar
Golden Beryl
Aragonite inlaid jewel box
Corundum sapphire
Corundum blue sapphire 4.32 & 1.08c
Corundum pink sapphire 3.8c
Corundum white sapphire
Corundum sapphire
Microcline feldspar amazonite pendant
Feldspar Labradorite
Oligoclase aventurine sunstone
Oligoclase aventurine
Oligoclase moonstone
Fluorite
Fluorite 126.3c
Garnet Uvarovite .57c
Garnet, various cuts
Garnet necklace
Lepidolite
Lapis Lazuli
Hematite necklace
Agate paper knife
Wood altered to opal
Opal- one of these was from Virgin Valley, Nevada
Fire Opal 8.5c
Opal
Opal in Vesicle of volcanic rock
Opal
Spodumene (hiddenite) .404 & 695c- Hiddenite, NC
Spodumene (kunzite)
Serpentine (Williamsite)
Rhodonite- Franklin, NJ
Rhocochrosite- Franklin, NJ
Sphalerite- SPAIN
Smithsonite- Masua, Sardinia
Olivine 3.5c
Tourmaline 10.23c
Tourmaline 2.03 & 2.44c
Tourmaline
Topaz 7.6c
Topaz 39.7
Topaz 1.83 & 1.67c
Topaz pink 1.5 & 1.13c
Spinel aquamarine
Cats eye pearl
Imitation pearls
Opercula of Turbo petheolatus
Cameo (carved shell)
Cameo (carved shell)
Amber w/inclusions, fossil resin
Opalized wood
Opalized wood
Pink Agate
Agate cut to eye
Agate cut to eye
Various Quartz gemstones (smoky, clear, citrine, and two star shaped cuts)- These were on the original list, but they were definitely in the case by my memory and as best as I can figure are gone now.

SPECIMENS FOUND, THEIF CAUGHT!

Some good news for once. The individual who robbed the display cases was caught on Friday trying to sell the specimens at a local jewelry store. All but a couple of the specimens have been recovered. Thank you all for your help! You can read the article in the Ann Arbor News for more information.

[blog.mlive.com]

Good job! They say the jewelry store employee recognized the pieces from photos he'd seen of them!

Yes,

She saw the photos I'd emailed them litterally minutes before he walked into the store. The timing couldn't have been more perfect!

The thief took them to a LOCAL jewelry store? <sheesh> Not the brightest bulb in the drawer...

Chris was awarded the first Mineralogical Investigator Award from the U of M Geology Department for his extraordinary help in recovering these specimens. Way to go (blue) Chris!

Lou Rector

Hats off to you Chris!! Thanks to your to actions not a minute sooner the rock bandets gonna do hard time at the quarry!!! hope the specimens and samples, especially considering the fragility of such wonders as the Franklin Rhodochrosite, ahem
this is not meant to endorse any particular localities noteriety for coolness factor. are well safe and properly cared for!!

Hey Chris! Did you get a Sherlock Holmes hat and a magnifying glass? Congratulations!!

Steve

Well, the perpetrator was recently senteced to probation, he won't do any time, which doesn't please me too much, and now the department is afraid to put the specimens back on display.

How nice to hear some good news, well done!

Gail Patricia Copus Spann

Probation?!

Well, since the crime happened at a place where the stadium is called "The Big House", maybe the judge thought he already DID time?

As for displaying them, maybe you can get ahold of a rolling case and move them to a secure location when no one is around. That way, you could at least display some of them at a time... Just a thought.

Congratulations!
Corie