Hi All,

I thought I'd write a 'proper' introduction page seeing as my current one is somewhat lacking. The collecting bug was triggered, for me, by a visit to a Sea Life Centre when I was 6, where I bought 3 pieces; an Amethysts, a Quartz crystal and an ammonite. As interesting as the Ammonite was, the things that really interested me was the two quartz samples that grabbed my attention and a few months later i was given my first mineral samples.

A few years later I was gifted an assortment of minerals and then shortly after, was taken to my first mineral show. From there, I was hooked. Scarily, at just 12/13 i was given my very first radioactive sample (A DRoC Uraninite) which later turned out to be VERY radioactive. However, it was the unusual minerals that enticed me into the rare minerals/systematic mineral collecting.

It hadn't taken long for the mineral show bug to bite and soon after, I was chasing after mineral specimens all over the globe many of which I still have today. But, I do have regrets. As impressive and unique as a number of specimens I have are, there are numerous times I wished I had never traded some samples. Nightmares include a 10cm polished section of Sakuraiite and Petruckite traded and an incredible Cascandite with 3 8mm balls. Urgh.

Well, I've learned my lesson and after studying Geology at both College and Uni, I'm now back enjoying minerals and, thankfully, have an income that can support my 'habit' where previously, I supported much of my hobby on simple pocket money.

Now, I have founf that being a species collector is a lot tougher- the simple truth is that there are so many minerals that are un-obtainable and so many varations, it's just not practical to chase afer everything. Therefore, I have limited myself to specific locations and specific compositions. That said, if I don't have it and am interested, I'll usually take it. A few of my Favourite locations are:

Kudriavy Volcano, Russia
Mutnovsky Volcano, Russia } The whole Kamchatkha region, in reality.
Tolbachik Volcano, Russia
Kola Peninsula, Russia
Taylor pit, Canada
Cap Garonne, France
Buca Della Vena, Italy
Dara-i-pioz, Tajikistan
Wessels Mine, Kalahari, SA
Tor Works, UK

Additionally, I am interested in;
Lead Oxy Chlorides from Kombat, The Mendips, Langban or Mammoth
Rare native elements
REE minerals from Australia
REE minerals from Central and western Europe
Germanium minerals
Gallium minerals
Indium minerals
Scandium minerals
Rubidium minerals
PGMs

Thanks for looking.