FAQ’s

How the Club Works
Upcoming Minerals
Past Minerals
What Members Say
Jet Beads
Tube Beads
Trillion Beads
Barrel & Rondell Beads
Past Specials Etc.

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS

How can I be sure I’ll receive a top quality specimen?

Many people join the Club at the Gem and Mineral shows we take part in, where they can see the quality of our specimens.   

We realize you can’t do that through the mail, so we give you a full guarantee.

If you’re not satisfied with your first specimen and write-up, return it and we’ll promptly return all your money, and you may still keep the free book.  (This has never happened yet) Keep in mind that because we have connections with many miners and importers, and that we buy in large quantities for our many Club Members, we can obtain choice specimens at the lowest possible price.   We hand pick all the specimens with loving care for our Club Members, knowing how much they will be treasured.

On what are the write-ups based?
We do extensive research for each write-up. Besides subscribing to all the major mineral publications, we have access to an extensive library covering all aspects of mineralogy. The write-ups are three to six pages in length, telling you just about everything there is to know about each month’s mineral! Note the many references in our sample write-up and you’ll begin to see how extensive our research is.
How long has the Club been in operation?
We began the Club with the March 1996 featured mineral, pyrite from Navajun, La Rioja, Spain.
What if I already have the specimen for that month?
By means of the Club newsletter, we notify Club Members two to three months ahead of time what minerals we are planning on featuring. If there is one on the list that you already have, or simply don’t wish to receive, call or write and we’ll skip you for that month and extend your membership for another month (we’ll still send you your club write-up & newsletter). And of course, any specimen can be returned for a refund.
What will I learn that I couldn’t learn elsewhere?
Aside from summarizing interesting points from the major mineral publications, we are also in touch with miners and mineral experts around the world. These sources frequently generate interesting facts about our featured mineral that are not generally found in the popular press.
What if I’ve missed a mineral that I really love?
Because we’ve had requests from so many Club Members for minerals we’ve featured before they joined the Club, we endeavor to obtain new lots of previously featured minerals and make these available to Club Members.
What if I receive a damaged specimen?
This hardly ever happens because we wrap and ship everything very carefully, but if it does, we send out a replacement right away at no cost to you. All we ask is your assistance if we decide to file a claim with the post office.