| 22hhdr.xx ((HEMATITE pseudomorph after MAGNETITE)), $50 MINIMUM BID, Payún Matrú volcano, Altiplano de Payún Matrú, Mendoza Province, Argentina, 5 x 4 x 3 cm, Miniature | |
_small.jpg) | This appears to be a floater like many of these. After years of searching an Argentinian finally discovered where in the Volcano they occurred. The Volcano is in a national park and collecting and exporting prohibited. This collector got special permission someway from the government. They showed up in Tucson at the executive inn in about 2001. They were unpriced and spread out loose on 4 eight foot tables. You picked out from the masses. Thumbnails ended up being $50 each and miniatures were $250. Cabinets were $500 to $1500. There were 10 to 20% discounts for large purchases. He had no credit card merchant or bank account. It was cash only. Every hour he was heading to the motel safe to put all the money in. Business was tremendous and he paid for 4 years of college for his son. It was the first time they were seen and the excellent form with towers and hoppered crystal shape was a huge success even though a black mineral. Over the next 10 years they unexpectedly more specimens were collected in smaller quantities by this dealer/collector. There were also at least one other novice collector the illegally collected a quantity of them and smuggled them out of Argentina in his suitcase making several trips. He went to Tucson one year to make his fortune. His prices were too high and expenses of plane tickets and show fees were alot higher than sales even with him sleeping in his car at at the show. Several days after the end of the show, Top Gem Wholesale bought the lot for a fraction of the prices he thought he could sell them. ex Dave Richerson collection. |
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