Collecting Principles

My primary focus is on the aesthetics of each specimen. From shape, grouping, color, and contrast, to the relationship with the matrix, there are countless elements that contribute to a specimen’s visual impact. Because these aspects are too rich and nuanced to be captured in a single paragraph, I’ve dedicated an entire section of this website to my personal standards of aesthetics in mineral collecting. There, you’ll find the principles and reflections that have guided me throughout more than four decades of collecting.


 

An unattractive specimen doesn’t become appealing to me simply because of its provenance—no matter how significant it might be. Aesthetic quality remains my foremost priority.

That said, provenance can be the “cherry on the cake”—adding historical, scientific, or personal value to an already beautiful piece. It can enhance a specimen’s story, making it even more compelling and desirable, but never at the expense of visual impact.


 

Does size matter? To some extent—yes. While I don’t follow strict size categories like thumbnail, toenail, or miniature, I naturally gravitate toward “palm-sized” specimens—somewhere between small cabinet and cabinet size. That said, my collection includes a few larger pieces (large cabinet) and some smaller ones (miniatures), which add diversity and visual rhythm to the overall display. After all, some minerals simply don’t occur in larger sizes, and forcing a size standard would mean missing out on remarkable material. For me, size is a consideration—but aesthetic impact always comes first.

I’m not a cool-headed investor in minerals—I collect them out of love for their beauty, not their market value. While it’s true that beautiful things can occasionally become quite expensive, my priority has always been the joy of holding and admiring a remarkable specimen, not its potential for future gain. For me, the emotional and aesthetic reward far outweighs any financial return.


 

Admittedly, I tend to favor colorful minerals over black ones—or even gold. I’m something of a rainbow-addict, which naturally draws me to species like Beryls, Fluorites, and especially Tourmalines—they’re among my absolute favorites. That said, I do have a few “black beauties” in my collection that I wouldn't want to part with. Even outside the spectrum, some specimens simply have a presence that commands admiration.