Tuesday Update – Rare Species

Tuesday Update – Rare Species

Thomas Cotterell

AS a business, rare species is an area in which we excel. This is due in part to our regular purchasing of fine old-time collections, but also a targeted approach of modern exploration in famous mining regions of the world. This is supported by the many decades of mineral identification experience our team of staff have.

It is unusual for collectors to jump straight into collecting rare species, instead, it is usually an advancement made when collectors begin to want to expand their horizons.

Rare minerals can be a challenge to some collectors, especially those species whose chemistry requires an in-depth knowledge of the periodic table. Then there are the unpronounceable names, or those seemingly designed to trip up those with dyslexia.

Take today’s update for example, and Eudialyte, Epididymite and Elpidite are just waiting to confuse you, or I in writing about them.

Amongst our listings for today are new finds of rare borates from Charcas in Mexico, centuries-old classic rarities from Germany and Eastern Europe, and a selection of unusual species from Tsumeb mine in Africa. On top of that are a swath of rare species from sites collected during the 1980s and 1990s, coming from the many wonderful collections we have purchased recently.

Elsewhere we'd like to say thank you to everyone who came and supported us at the Hardrock Summit Show in Denver. Shows like this are always a whirlwind of preparation, setup, full-on days of customer engagement, and then take down and move on, but Ian, Debbie and Stew love it, and most of all love seeing YOU there!

Our next major outing on the world scene is the Munich Show, in Germany, running from Thursday, October 22 to Sunday, October 25. There is still time to put in requests if you would like to see individual specimens brought over from our USA or UK showrooms so please don’t be afraid to ask.

For those in the UK, we will also be exhibiting at the famous Bakewell Show (The Rock Exchange) in Derbyshire on Saturday and Sunday, October 10-11. Likewise, if you are planning on being there and would like specific specimens brought along to view, then do please ask.

Next week we head to a regional update, one featuring Asian minerals. So, you could say that it will be a feast from the Far East. I’m looking forward to it and hope you are too.

Please note: Today's featured specimens are situated at both our US and UK showrooms

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Upcoming Events

 
October
 
Oct 10 - Oct 11
2026 BAKEWELL ROCK EXCHANGE
Lady Manners School, Bakewell, Derbyshire DE45 1JA UK
 
Oct 22 - Oct 25
THE MUNICH SHOW - MINERALIENTAGE MÜNCHEN 2026
Munich Trade Fair Center/Entrance East, Munich, Germany
 
November
 
Nov 13 - Nov 15
THANKSGIVING SHOWCASE 2026
Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery, 465 W St Marys Rd, Tucson, AZ 85701 USA
 
Nov 14 -
SUSSEX MINERAL, CRYSTAL & FOSSIL SHOW 2026
Haywards Heath College, Harlands Rd, Haywards Heath RH16 1LT UK
 
December
 
Dec 05 - Dec 06
CRYSTAL CLASSICS WINTER OPEN DAY 2026
No. 1, The Old Coach Yard, East Coker, Somerset, BA22 9HY UK