About Spectrum Minerals.

Spectrum Minerals is a small, one-man business that is the culmination of a nearly life-long interest in collecting. Initially, growing up in Florida where mineral deposits are notably sparse, fairly abundant fossils were the focus of my interest and by the age of 8 a small, labeled cluster of bones and sharks teeth occupied my bottom drawer. When I moved to North Carolina to attend college, a whole new world of giant trees, mountains, seasons, snowfalls and an abundance of minerals unfolded.

Rhodochrosite.

North Carolina provides ample opportunity for collecting and rock hounding and for years that constituted my mineral interest. With well over 300 minerals described as occurring in North Carolina, it rates among the best states in America for collecting. When it comes to gold and precious gems, including ruby, sapphire, emerald, garnet, diamonds and hiddenite, it may be the best state in the country.

When I moved to Charlotte and became affiliated with the Charlotte Gem and Mineral Club, the appreciation of truly magnificent specimens was quickly inculcated. The wise and helpful members of the club encouraged and educated me, but above all, inspired me to delve deeper into mineralogy and gemology. Like many others, I received my introduction from the wonderfully thorough book of John Sinkankas, Mineralogy for Amateurs. I received my certification in diamond appraisal from the GIA by correspondence and delved into lapidary work (carving). My collection gradually grew through club-sponsored field trips and a few purchases and swaps. Eventually, though, work and family obligations took over and I phased out of active pursuits, contenting myself with yearly visits to the local club show for about 20 years.

A whole new dimension of mineral collecting has now become available via the Internet. Not only does it provide a wealth of information but also grants exposure to a tremendous diversity of worldwide specimens of varying but often superb quality. No longer is it necessary to rely just on local club shows or to travel widely to participate. This experience has rekindled my interest and, for the last five years, collecting through acquisition has become a preoccupation and is the raison d'être of this Website.

From the outset I have been captivated by the beauty of cabinet sized (7.5-12 cm) specimens. Of course, they weren't nearly so expensive in the 1960's. A custom made cabinet pretty much locked me into this size range. This is the reason that there is only a minor range of sizes available from my Website. I like miniatures, but they don't maintain the symmetry I strive for in my cabinet. Virtually all of my existing specimens when I started the business consisted of upgrades from my collection and cabinet sized specimens constitute the only market I feel that I know well. Thumbnail specimens allow for fascinating variety and extraordinary crystal perfection to a degree rarely seen in larger specimens, but somehow the smaller size lacks the drama and impact of cabinet specimens for me. I have the greatest admiration for the knowledge and patience of micromounters but I don't see this Website engaging in that commerce. Thus, nearly all of my specimens will be boringly similar in size.

I trust that will not be the case for the aesthetics of the specimens offered. I hope to provide a visual smorgasbord of dramatic crystalline and cryptocrystalline specimens of wide variety. The very rare minerals are scientifically interesting but mostly do not have the visual impact of high quality crystals or crystal combinations of the more common minerals. Even these traditional collectible minerals continue to emerge in ever expanding variety from new discoveries and I will endeavor to stay current with these new offerings.

The symmetry, clarity, contrast and color constitute the "splash" of a specimen and it is that dramatic visual impact that draws my attention. Thus, you will find a definite bias in the direction of colorful combinations of supergene minerals such as carbonates and phosphates (and correspondingly fewer oxides and sulfides) in my offerings.

The organization of the Website is by predominate color. While mineralogically naïve, this presentation offers a unique experience, which I hope, will appeal to the serious collector and casual observer alike. (See The Wonder of Color.) The huge number of possible color hues is obviously unwieldy, so some purely subjective divisions have been made utilizing as a basis, the color spectrum, hence the company name. The divisions do not correspond to any scientifically proper color classification but instead represent my interpretation of display effect. For example, brown specimens are included in the Black Room even though brown is correctly a variety of yellow. The following is a general description of the color diversity to be found in my various Rooms:

1. Violet: includes purple, lilac, lavender and magenta
2. Blue: includes indigo, azure, aquamarine, and turquoise
3. Green: includes teal, olive, chartreuse and cyan
4. Yellow: includes gold, brass, lemon and cream
5. Orange: includes rust, apricot, ochre and peach
6. Red: includes pink, scarlet, mauve and maroon
7. Black: includes grey, ebony, brown and tan
8. White: includes colorless, silver, ivory and pearly
9. Mixed: includes two or more predominant colors such as green and blue, etc.
10. Iridescent: includes minerals with a play of colors or schiller
11. Fluorescent: includes minerals which exhibit different coloration under long or short wavelength ultraviolet light

While color impressions and descriptions can certainly vary with the beholder, all specimens are guaranteed to be accurate as depicted in the photographs. Digital photography has some drawbacks though, especially with pastel tints, and also in the appreciation of translucence. When I feel I am unable to depict a specimen accurately, I will address that in the description. The designation of mineral species and the locality will be as accurate as is known to me but will largely reflect the data given to me at purchase. Some specimens have an impeccable pedigree and their identity and locality are beyond question but occasional specimens have been obtained because of their aesthetic appeal and may have absent or incomplete information. I have clarified most of these through expert consultation, but there are a few with imprecise locality information. I strive for accuracy so if anyone questions the identity or locality of a specimen, please bring it to my attention and we will both continue the never-ending learning process. Finally, due to specimen irregularity, the measurements are guaranteed to be accurate only to within 0.5 cm. and are given as width x height x depth in the display position of the photograph.

I hope to be retiring soon from my day job and concentrating exclusively on minerals, offering for sale new material as well as minerals "upgraded" from my personal collection. Minerals from my private cabinet are (mostly) for sale too, although the price will be more dear both because of higher quality and my compensation for the emotional distress of not having them on display in that now 25-year old cabinet. The specimens offered will gravitate toward the "high end" but I will strive to have specimens in all price ranges. It is not my intention to compromise on quality though. Everything in my inventory will be something I have chosen in the same way I select for my own collection.

My interests may not necessarily be yours, of course, so I am always happy to diligently pursue cabinet or miniature specimens that conform to your wish list. You are invited to provide such lists, preferable via e-mail, as well as to request additional information or render comments or questions about the specimens shown on the Website. Realize that what is shown is only a fraction of what is available in my inventory, so please inquire about any specimens you may desire but do not see in the current offerings.

It is my intention that everyone be perfectly satisfied with their purchase and, therefore, all specimens are sold with a guarantee of satisfaction. A full refund is available if, for any reason, you are unhappy with your purchase. Simply return the specimen, undamaged, for a prompt refund. The only question asked will be how I can serve you better in the future. The same thing applies to the Website itself. Please let me know, preferably via e-mail, if there are any improvements I can make to make your visit easier or more to your liking.

Now, welcome to Spectrum Minerals! To learn more about our orientation and philosophy, visit the Inorganic Diversity and Wonder of Color pages.