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Micromounts SOLD OUT!
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New Policy on Micros:
Minimum order of $50. This includes Micromounts and the
single unmounted micros for $1.
No "On Approval" orders on Micromounts or
unmounted $1 micros. All sales are final.
A Micromount - A natural mineral specimen permanently
and typically mounted in a 1 inch (2.5cm) box, which requires magnification and is properly labeled as to identification and locality. Micromounting is somewhat of an art, since personal attention is given to how well the specimen is mounted. It is also a science in that the proper identification is important as is studying the associations and geologic environment in which the mineral formed.
Why Collect Micro's? There
are many reasons to collect micro-minerals or micromounts. The best
crystals of a mineral species typically occur on a scale less than 1mm.
These crystals are the best in nature for study purposes or for your own
appreciation. Another reason to collect micro-minerals are for size and
space consideration. Hundreds of minerals can be stored in small
cabinets thus taking up little space. The cost of "micros" are
also much less than larger hand sized specimens. Micros will usually
cost between $3 to $15. Studying micros are very rewarding and
micro collectors eventually become very good mineralogists.
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| Typical micromount boxes looks
like these: |
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| The minerals below
are photos of actual micromounts. Photos by Jeff Weissman (MineralPhoto.com) |
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Agardite - Greece |
Gold - England |
Haynesite - Utah |
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We are proud to offer the Boysen micromount collection obtained in
August of 1999. The Boysen's were active field collectors for many years.
They spent over 30 years collecting and mounting micromounts. They were active
in a micromount group in the San Francisco Bay area and were part of the optical
mineralogy study group. Their mounts were carefully prepared with special attention
to quality and meticulous labeling. Some of the mounts, however, were the result
of trading with others such as the well-known German collector Franz Ludwig.
Prices reflect rarity, location, mounting techniques, and of course specimen qualities.
For example a rare specimen from a hard to get locality may cost between $5 and $35.
A relatively common species, well mounted, with good to fair qualities may
cost $3 to $8. Some specimens may not even fit the "pure" definition of a
micromount, but rather be only a small 1-cm piece in a micro-box. These specimens
depending on their qualities and rarity may cost $1 to $35. Since 1999, when we first came onto
the internet scene, we have sold many of Boysen's micromounts. However, about 40% have never
been placed on the internet. These are now contained on these pages.
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In 2003, we acquired the stock of
Robert Eaton, a long time collector and dealer since the 1950's.
Robert, lived in Rochester, New York and through the years collected a wealth of minerals. His stock was well represented by Western US
localities, but was also strong in Mont St. Hilaire, and Eastern States. Robert's stock could be divided
into three categories: rough, unprepared but sorted in flats; unmounted micro pieces in cotton lined micromount boxes;
and micromounts. Here, on these pages, are many of the mounts acquired from Robert Eaton. These mounts,
are of good quality, some rather rare.
In 2004, we acquired the Fred
DeVito collection. Fred was an avid student of mineralogy having
begun his collecting experiences in the traprocks of New Jersey. Fred
later moved west to California. Here he specialized in the Crestmore
Quarry, one of the most mineralogically rich deposits in the world. Fred
became expert at this locality, while continuing his collecting
endeavors throughout the western USA. Fred micromounted thousands of
specimens. A small part of his collection is offered on the Dakota
Matrix website.
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Links to Micromounter's Websites
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Copyright © 2000 -
2012 Dakota Matrix Minerals All photos by Dakota Matrix and are Copyrighted © and may not be used without permission Last modified: February 2, 2012 |
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