35. A visit with Rob Lavinsky at the 2007 New Jersey Arkenstone Private Mineral Luncheon
Fine Minerals and Interesting ConversationBy: Justin Zzyzx
One of the most active mineral dealers on the internet, Rob Lavinsky, has started to put together private luncheon/showings in New Jersey and San Franscisco, California. Brandy and I went to The Arkenstone’s New Jersey showing and had a great time, chatting with other collectors, meeting some people who use The-Vug regularly and last but not least, checking out each and every eye popping mineral specimen illuminated in the showcases. In addition to showing each of his guests a fine selection of minerals, a wonderful lunch service was provided and the spread of coffee, drinks and pastries was quite welcome! While one normally associates Rob with having fantastic specimens with prices higher than a new car, at this showing there was a great range of minerals, from down payment on a house to flats full of impressive, yet inexpensive crystals.
So, without further wait, here are some pictures I took of specimens available for sale that day. At the bottom of the article you can watch a video of each case, all four of them.
Ok, to start out with...WOW...Look at that large Kunzite from the Bebee hole in Southern California. Quite a treat to see such a large So. Cal Pegmatite specimen!
That Titanite has Great color...could you ask for better matrix placement?
This deep blue Azurite from Morocco is a classic...look at that color glowing from the case lighting! Anyone would be green with envy seeing this in your collection!
What a perfect pink Sapphire crystal! The color and form, what a great find!
Well, that is certainly one crazy large Barite crystal from South Dakota! If they grew like that all the time, it would be a reason to go to South Dakota! =)
Gold from California...yes, this is a good one!
This is a fantastic Fluorite from Walworth! I like it very much!
If I had an extra $10,000 I would have bought this in a heartbeat. A fine blue Tourmaline, along with a copy of the Gemstones of North America Vol #1, in which the specimen is Illustrated. Wowza. That rules.
Did I mention that Rob had quite a spread of yummy pastries and all kinds of drinks. What a host!
That Chrysoberyl is wonderful, is it not?
What a great Pink Fluorite/Quartz combo!
Is this Aquamarine too big? Well, can any Aqua ever be too big?
Monster Russian Datolite cluster.
Monster D.R.C. Dioptase specimen! I love the big crystals seperated on the matrix, so this one get's high recommendations from me!
I'll take a good bright pink Morganite over an Aqua anyday and this one shows you why! Morganite is super fly.
The green Fluorite specimens that came out of South Africa last year are just great! This one is such a great specimen.
WOW.
Nice funky Aquamarine cluster from Namibia.
This picture is worth a thousand words...
Seradnite specimens in this picture may appear smaller than they really are.
A MATRIX Kunzite! That's as common as road in Colorado not made out of potholes!
This Azurite rose on matrix from the Morenci Mine is super fine!
Do you like Zeolites?
Rob has a couple cool Zeolites...
That is one very interesting looking English Fluorite!
This copper should be on my bookshelf.
For a black rock, this one isn't half bad!
This German Fluorite is S-W-E-L-L!
So small and so perfect...
What a great combination specimen!
obligitory Spodumene sword.
This Apatite makes me smile. Look at that juicy color. My my...
That Garnet is so big! What a cool Garnet/Quartz combo!
This one was on the way out the door...have you ever seen a Hematite specimen as cool as this one?
The color on this piece was unreal!
Great Bisbee Azurite Rose!
This fresh Chinese Wulfenite wants to pass itself off as an Arizona born specimen!
This "blister ore" Chalcopyrite is a local specimen, from just around the corner in Boundbrook New Jersey! Later on that day we went collecting Carnelian and Quartz just a few miles away!
Two impressive large cabinet specimens, this LOG of Topaz and a great Azurite cluster!
The great thing about this event is that it was kind of like taking all the best parts of a mineral show and a mineral club meeting and putting them together. We had great conversations with so many interesting people and we saw an array of fine specimens which could outshine quite a few museum displays. Rob is doing a great job of promoting the hobby of mineral collecting!
A double shot of fine African goodness, an Erongo Aquamarine and a bright Wulfenite from Tsumeb!
Attention Fluorite collectors!!! This Fluorite from Uis is a great uncommon addition to your collection and I bet you don't have one! If you do you must feel pretty special!
I love the cut and rough sets! This Kunzite is a pretty sweet example!
This Aquamarine has a hat.
These gem specimens were too big to be on just one picture...I had to do the arial view!
Good Lord, look at that cabinet Dioptase specimen!
That is one very large juicy Demantoid Garnet!
South Africa produced the best Rhodochrosites, sorry Colorado. This wonderful spray of rose colored gemmyness is perfect!
While the gemmy red dog tooth crystals above are more exciting, this habit is really interesting!
Nice gem crystal of Sturmanite!
This Hematite cluster looks so great, like a freakin disco ball!
The elusive gem of Namibia...
Cut and Rough set of Scheelite! How cool!
Cool mint green color, classic Maine Tourmaline!
Great log of "Hexagonite" a variety of Tremolite. These were more common in the past, but only a few of them had color as rich as this one!
So, in conclusion, if you are in the market to add something show stopping to your mineral collection and in the area of one of Rob’s private showing, contact him about paying him a visit, you’ll be glad you did!
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