Ralph is a geologist, mineralogist, petrologist and mineral collector, living in Tasmania, Australia. Specialising in Tasmanian minerals, also minerals from Broken Hill and South Australia; also phosphates and arsenates. A species collector - just passed 1000 species with the help of good friend Steve Sorrell. Micro to large - if its too big for my collection I can take it to work for study or display.
President of the Mineralogical Society of Tasmania, and the Specialist group for Geochemistry, Mineralogy and petrology. An associate editor for the Australian Journal of Mineralogy.
I work for Mineral Resources Tasmania (Mines Dept of Tas) where I run the mineralogy/petrology labs and rock collection; study various mineral deposits; analyse and describe samples (from gems to soils) for the Dept, general public, etc.

I am a registered valuer of minerals under the Australian cultural heritage act.

On Mindat, I help manage the data for Australia and Tasmania in particular, since about 2008. When time permits I work on various best minerals and try to help with questions on forums.