John Betts - Fine Minerals, New York, NY  212-678-1942
Dealers of Fine Minerals and Natural Crystal Clusters since 1989.

Sell your old mineral collection -We buy old mineral collections.

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What do you do with an old mineral collection?

Perhaps you are moving to a smaller home and can't keep all of you collection... Or you inherited an old mineral collection and don't know what to do with all the heavy, dust covered boxes... Or you are getting on in years and your children and grandchildren don't show any interest in the collection...

You should consider selling your mineral collection.

We regularly purchase old mineral collections. If the collection is located in the eastern U.S. we will travel to see the collection in person, and assess it's value. If a deal can be agreed to, you will receive immediate payment and we will box up the collection and take it with us.

We also purchase collections without ever seeing the collection. You simply ship the collection, one box at a time, through the mail. As each box arrives we will call you to discuss the price for the contents. If we come to an agreed price, a check will be mailed that day and you can prepare another box of minerals to be shipped.

In the case of large, significant specimens that are valued over $1000, you should contact us via email (jhbnyc@aol.com) with photos, description, and asking price. If we are interested and accept your price it will be pending inspection of the specimen. You will be required to ship the specimen at your expense for our review.

(Remember to keep all the original labels or catalog with the collection - these greatly add to the value of the minerals. It is highly recommended that you take the time to catalog the contents of the collection. This will make it much easier to assess the collection's value. But it is understandable if you just want to sell it quickly, without much effort.)

Note: locality of origin does affect the value of a mineral. Locality is about half the value of good specimens. For example, a tourmaline from California may be worth $300, the same crystals from Brazil may be worth only $150, and the same crystals from Connecticut may be worth $750. Without a label of origin, the lowest price must be assumed.

Please understand, we can only pay wholesale prices. Most often this is one half the retail value. However, if the collection was assembled many years ago, then the actual investment in the collection will be much lower than today's wholesale price. You will still make money. Some items in the collection will be worthless as retail inventory. In this case, we arrange to donate the items to a local mineral museum in your name, so that you can get a tax deduction.

When selling your mineral collection, be prepared to answer these questions:

• How many minerals?

• What size specimens (in general)?

• Are they all labeled?

• If they are not labeled at this time, do you have a catalog or database identifying each mineral?

• Are they on display, loose, boxed or mounted?

• Any historic specimens or with provenance?

• What dealers have you been buying from?

• What is the average price you paid?

• Do you have a price in mind for the whole collection?

• If we reach an acceptable price, can I box the collection and take it with me, or do I have to make a second trip after you shop the collection around?

Are you ready to sell your mineral collection? Then contact John Betts at:

John Betts - Fine Minerals
New York, New York   USA

Phone:
212-678-1942 (9:00 to 17:00 EST)
Email : jhbnyc@aol.com

Or visit me at my next show.

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