Paul
starting to shine!
Member since April 2015
Posts: 38
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Post by Paul on May 12, 2015 23:46:33 GMT -5
I wasn't sure where to ask this so I guess it goes here. My daughter and I went to our first "gem and mineral show" this weekend. It was pretty cool but I was disappointed that only one person was selling tumbling rough. I'll save that for another post. Anyway, one of the tables had these grab bags for $2.00. My daughter bought one and got a kick out of the discoveries inside. Some pretty neat (but small) stuff like sapphires from Montana, copper, pyrite, rose quartz, turquoise, mica, stuff like that. So... she bought 5 more bags, lol. We ended up with 30 distinct minerals and gems. Some duplicates but with 8 or 9 small items per bag she got a pretty cool haul I thought. She wants to display them with the little name tags in a case so she can take them to school for show and tell. I thought we'd go to a local craft store maybe and look for a flat glass or plastic case to put them in but I have no idea how we'd "mount" them inside the case. I looked online but I didn't really see anything that stuck out to me as something that would be durable for trips on a school bus and that wouldn't have the items bouncing around and breaking. I was thinking if we had a big flat case we could attach the minerals to the backing or something but like I said, not sure how that would work. Any suggestions would be very welcome. Thanks! Paul
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Fossilman
Cave Dweller
Member since January 2009
Posts: 20,709
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Post by Fossilman on May 12, 2015 23:57:06 GMT -5
Buy a "Riker" did I spell it right guys? they have a tight fit............Great display cases....
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Post by orrum on May 13, 2015 10:21:38 GMT -5
Yep that's it. You can get them with a fluffy mat that the glass top presses the stone into so it doesn't move. Or you can get one that has individual segments.
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Paul
starting to shine!
Member since April 2015
Posts: 38
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Post by Paul on May 13, 2015 13:53:51 GMT -5
Get a Riker?! Make it so Number One! Sorry, couldn't resist. I looked up rikers and that seems like it will fit the bill. Need to see if they have them at our local craft store or if I'll have to order online. Thanks!
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Post by gingerkid on May 13, 2015 14:42:35 GMT -5
Sounds like fun! There are a few members that self-collect and collect mineral, fossil, and meteorite specimens on the forum. You may want to check out some of the posts in the Specimens and Fossils forum to get some ideas for displaying, especially jakesrocks Thumbnail thread. There's a lot of different ways you can display them. Here's something I found earlier, Paul, although it does not have a top. Don purchased a black box that has drawers that holds thumbnails. www.ebay.com/itm/like/131498987231?lpid=82&chn=psGreat South Gems and Minerals has the cardboard boxes that you may place the specimens. You wouldn't need to use any tacky for the cardboard boxes unless you wish to use it. Recommend not gluing the specimens. If you purchase tacky, please look for mineral specimen tacky that does not have any oil in it. www.greatsouth.net/item/MC416/Box-Specimen-DisplayYou may also print your own labels (specimen and locality). I usually create a number for each specimen, write it on the back of the label, and stick a self-adhesive label with the specimen's number on the bottom of the specimen. Each specimen is entered into a spreadsheet with it's corresponding number, size (in mm's), locality, and list any special notes, such as if a specimen has been repaired or came from an ex-collector. Some also weigh their specimens. There's also mineral collecting software that you may want to check into. Collecting mins is addicting...and Have fun!!
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Post by gingerkid on May 13, 2015 14:58:07 GMT -5
Forgot to mention that you may purchase perky boxes in an assortment of sizes with/without the styrofoam-like base in the bottom of the perky box. Here's a vanadanite TN with the label in the bottom of the perky box. The lid fits on top. You can also use other materials, such as granite scraps that make nice bases. stibnite
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Post by jakesrocks on May 13, 2015 15:09:17 GMT -5
Welcome aboard Paul. Mineral collecting ? DON"T !! It's addicting. Soon your whole house will be overrun with shelves and boxes of minerals, and shelves full of mineral books. Just ask my wife about my collection. It sounds like your daughters specimens are all small (for now). I'd suggest Getting her A couple ounces of mineral Tac / Museum tac, and a dozen or so of the thumbnail specimen boxes. They're plastic cube shaped boxes slightly over an inch on a side. I'll edit my post with links to a couple of my favorite sellers of these supplies. Encourage your daughters new hobby. She could be collecting worse things. I get my mineral tac from these folks. I buy the kilo amount, but until you know your daughter is going to stick with collecting, I'd get the little pack. www.shannonsminerals.com/shop/index.php/shannonsminerals/dosen-faltschachteln/terostat-befestigungskitt.htmlThis guy has the best prices that I've seen on the little plastic Perky boxes that I've seen in a long time. If you're only buying small amounts at a time, most places want $1.00 or more per box. www.rockboxes.com/perky.html
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Post by captbob on May 13, 2015 15:10:19 GMT -5
What a nerd... Get a Riker?! Glad to know I wasn't the only one to think the same thing!!
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Deleted
Deleted Member
Member since January 1970
Posts: 0
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Post by Deleted on May 13, 2015 23:19:14 GMT -5
Uranium 238 space modulator.....
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