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Mineral of the Week
#75920, Fluorite with minor Sphalerite, Weardale District, England (lc) $225
News and CommentsOnce again visitors to the big East Coast Gem & Mineral Show last weekend were talking about irrational mineral pricing. I have written many commentaries here addressing the many reasons for escalating prices (inexperienced dealers, better quality minerals, professional preparation, Internet access in third world countries, etc.) The latest observation I made last weekend is that the collector-dealer relationship allows some dealers to sell to high-end collectors, while inexperienced dealers cannot "break the ice" with those collectors. When I first started selling at the East Coast Gem & Mineral Show 28 years ago I was in a booth back-to-back with Dick Willis of Willis Earth Treasures. Dick had a long relationship with many high-end collectors. Ed David, one of the best collectors of his time, would always visit and buy from Dick. But he would not even look at my minerals. More than once Dick would sell one of my minerals to Ed at higher than my price. Why wouldn't Ed buy from me at a better price? Dick could sell a mineral that I could not. I did not have the relationship with Ed, and he was not comfortable buying from me. In the 1960s to 1980s all dealers were amazed at the prices Lawrence (Larry) Conklin would charge for his minerals. Larry's minerals were good, but not so exceptional to justify his higher-than-high prices. But Larry had the relationships with serious collectors with money. Again, Larry would buy my minerals and mark up the price to sell to his customers. I may have wanted to charge his prices, but I could not - nobody would have taken me seriously. Of all the 75,000 minerals specimens I have sold, I estimate 40% were sold to other dealers for resale. At the East Coast Gem & Mineral Show this year were many young dealers asking Larry Conklin-like prices because they saw high prices from the high-end dealers and assumed that prices were prices, regardless of who the dealer is. They were wrong. These inexperienced dealers will learn this lesson the hard way. They will have to reduce prices if they ever want to sell their minerals - at least until they are better known. In the meantime, it is these inexperienced dealer's prices that were the talk among the collectors at the show. Their high prices are what sticks in the mind. John H. Betts, 8/14/2018 Click here to read past news and commentaries...
Customer Comments:"Some months ago, we asked if you could obtain for us a specimen of Fluorite from Illinois. We left you to it knowing that sooner or later you would come up with the goods. And you certainly have. It is an absolute magnificent Fluorite and we can't thank you enough for going to all that trouble to obtain it for us." Marie... "Thank you John! I just added two nice Diamonds from the North Cape Province, South Africa to my collection. John's service is impeccable! My new prized specimens were described honestly and photographed perfectly. I am a very happy collector! For everyone seeking to buy collection grade (or jewelry grade) Diamonds, John Betts fine minerals in New York is the place to go!" Michael P. "I'm very happy with the beautiful calcite on dolomite mineral I purchased from you. The fluorescence is awesome! As always,it was superbly packed and delivered, and the price very fair. I look forward to my next transaction with you. "G. Tucker "I just received my order of beautiful Copper from the Ray Mine in Arizona and Native Silver with Acanthite from Batopilas, Chihuahua Mexico. Both arrived in perfect condition and I am thrilled & honored to add these awesome minerals to my Native Elements section of my collection. These beauties will add much "spice" to that group. These and all your minerals are "show worthy" pieces at bargain prices. Thank you a million times! 5 stars +++++ for this dealer!" M.P. "Thanks, John. The sapphire just arrived in fine shape. Very nice and the color and clarity were well-represented by your photographs. Another satisfied customer!" D.D.
Click here to see other comments about this site by customers. Also add your feedback...
Pledge to My Customers:Customer satisfaction is my primary goal. I pledge:
John H. Betts, owner
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