Breakfast With Minerals Podcast

Breakfast With Minerals

BlueCap Productions LLC, Hawaii
In this podcast we gather some of the most influential people in the mineral-collecting world and we chat about minerals over breakfast. Hosted by Dallas-based mineral collectors Gail and Jim Spann, we get together at the Fine Mineral Show: Tucson (aka The Westward Look Show) and at the Fine Mineral Show: Denver and discuss relevant topics affecting all collectors. To participate in our on-going discussion, please visit us at: Friends of Minerals Forum
Episode 03: Professional Diggers
FOR EPISODE COMMENTS PLEASE VISIT: Friends of Minerals Forum Recorded live at the 2018 Fine Mineral Show: Denver, Gail and Jim sit down with Krystle Dorris-Dinkel, Rick Kennedy, Tom Praszkier, Jeff Swanger, Rod Tyson and James Zigras to get a snapshot of the perspectives of some of the biggest Professional Diggers out there in the field. These are the people who spend their lives running the mining operations that bring us all the great material that we all love. Most often, these people are passionate collectors too and, believe it or not, they are NICE people. Listen to the episode to get a better idea of some of the problems they face and just get to know them better. The next time you're at a show and you see one of these people, go up and introduce yourself to them and tell them that you heard them right here on Breakfast With Minerals. And remember, if you have an idea on a topic you'd like to hear addressed on future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, drop us a line at: [email protected] SHOW NOTES 7:58:04 - The Big Kahuna Pocket - Jeff Swanger The pocket that Jeff is referring to is the Big Kahuna Pocket - one of the biggest and most prolific pockets ever to be discovered at the OceanView Mine. This pocket was discovered in and ended up producing about 1 ton of gem material and specimens. The primary minerals found were Kunzite and Tourmaline. http://www.oceanviewmine.com/page8/page11/ 14:10:12 - Hallelujah Junction - Rick Kennedy One of the world's premiere spots for finding amethyst scepters is Hallelujah Junction on Peterson Mountain just on the border of California and Nevada. About 40 minutes from downtown Reno, Rick and his partners always have some great finds from this classic locale. https://www.mindat.org/loc-235512.htm\ 20:29:17 - The Prospectors television show - Jim Spann The Prospectors was a television show that aired on the Weather Channel from 2013 to 2016. The show followed different Colorado mining families around as they dug in the mountains in search of mineral treasures. The Dorris family - Joe (father), Tim (brother) and Krystle were one of the families the show highlighted. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3216258/ 22:08:11 - Avant Mining - James Zigras Avant Mining operates out of the Blue Springs area of Arkansas - less than 20 miles away from Hot Springs, AR. Since 2014, Avant Mining has produced some of the finest quartz specimens ever seen. http://avantmining.com/ 23:38:12 - The American Museum - James Zigras The Henry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals and the Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems at the American Museum in Manhattan are both undergoing major renovations and are scheduled to reopen in the Fall of 2019. Henry Frank Guggenheim Hall of Minerals https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/harry-frank-guggenheim-hall-of-minerals Morgan Memorial Hall of Gems https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/morgan-memorial-hall-of-gems 25:10:19 - The Rogerley Mine - Tom Praszkier The Rogerley Mine in Northern England is one of the most famous Fluorite mines in Europe. Now operated by Crystal Classics out of the U.K. Crystal Classics President, Ian Bruce, was one of our guests in Breakfast With Minerals - Episode 2. https://www.mindat.org/loc-4995.html 32:56:04 - Hallelujah Junction - Rick Kennedy https://www.mindat.org/loc-235512.htm\ 33:18:15 - HJ Fee Dig - Rick Kennedy Rick Kennedy has set up a Pay-To-Dig site operation on his claim at Hallelujah Junction. If you'd like to visit it, contact Rick Kennedy directly at the following email address:[email protected] 33:33:21 - Jacksons Crossroads - Rick Kennedy The finest amethyst specimens to come out of the United States of America undoubtedly is from Jackson's Crossroads in Wilkes County, Georgia. https://www.mindat.org/loc-59885.html 35:24:19 - Topaz Mountain Gem Mine - Krystle Dorris-Dinkel In addition to owning and running the Smoky Hawk Claim that produces the world's most stunning Amazonite and Smoky Quartz specimens, the Dorris family also own the Topaz Mountain Gem Mine claim in Park County, Colorado. Collecting is STRICTLY PROHIBITED unless you have permission from the Dorris family. If you'd like to visit, contact them through this link: http://pinnacle5minerals.com/GlacierPeakWeb/Visits/TopazVisits.htm https://www.mindat.org/loc-159278.html 37:49:20 - OceanView Pay-To-Dig site - Jeff Swanger In addition to operating the last producing gem mine in the Pala region of north San Diego County, California, Jeff Swanger also has a Fee Dig operation where you can make a reservation to visit and find your own gems. digforgems.com 41:14:07 - Hamilton Hill Mine - James Zigras Begun shortly after the end of the American Civil War, Hamilton Hill Mine is one of the oldest crystal mines in Arkansas. https://www.mindat.org/loc-11725.html 46:58:22 - UK Mining Ventures - Tom Praszkier Formerly owned and run by Cal Graeber and Jesse Fisher (of California), UK Mining Venture is now wholly owned by Ian and Diana Bruce of Crystal Classics in the UK. On FaceBook: https://www.facebook.com/ukminingventures/ 55:04:13 - Society Girl Mine in British Columbia, Canada for Pyromorphites - Rod Tyson https://www.mindat.org/loc-490.html 56:25:13 - Victoria Island - Hematite - Rod Tyson Classic locality for Hematite in Hadley Bay, Northwest Territory, Canada. https://www.mindat.org/loc-191847.html 58:24:17 - Baffin Island - Pyrite - Rod Tyson The Nanisivik Mine on Baffin Island in Nunavut, Canada has produced some incredible pyrite specimens. https://www.mindat.org/loc-514.html 58:15:19 - Smithsoniana Museum - Rod Tyson America's National Museum in Washington D.C. Home of the Hope Diamond and an incredible collection of mineral specimens from around the world. Including, "The Candelabra" - one of the classic and best known specimens of bluecap tourmalines from the Queen Mine. https://www.si.edu/exhibitions/janet-annenberg-hooker-hall-geology-gems-and-minerals-event-exhib-31 58:18:12 - ROM Museum - Rod Tyson The Royal Ontario Museum in Toronto, Ontario, Canada. The largest museum in all of Canada and home of an exceptional collection of fine mineral specimens. https://www.rom.on.ca/en/exhibitions-galleries/galleries/natural-history/teck-suite-galleries-earths-treasures 1:02:02:21 - Sudbury District, Ontario, Canada - Sperrylites - Jim Spann https://www.mindat.org/gallery.php?loc=571&min=3723 1:04:42:02 - The Miner’s Inn - Jeff Swanger In addition to running the OceanView Mine, the Pala Chief Mine AND his Pay-To-Dig site, Swanger also runs a B&B located onsite at the OceanView called the Miner's Inn. This is available for anyone wanting to spend an explore the area. https://digforgems.com/ If you're interested in Sponsoring future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, please contact Bryan Swoboda at [email protected] Guests: James Zigras, Jeff Swanger, Krystle Dorris-Dinkel, Rick Kennedy, Rod Tyson, and Tom Praszkier.
Dec 24, 2018
1 hr 8 min
Professional Diggers - Addendum
FOR EPISODE COMMENTS PLEASE VISIT: Friends of Minerals Forum This episode is a continuation of Episdoe 3 - Professional Diggers. After we wrapped the recording of Episode 3, the conversation around the breakfast table continued and got even more animated. With most of the microphones still hot, we continued the recording becasue there were some great things being shared. We subsequently went out to all the participants and let them listen to a preview of this Addendum BEFORE we released it to the public. So with everyone's permission, we're happy to present our conuation of Breakfast With Minerals - Episode 3 - Professional Diggers. And remember, if you have an idea on a topic you'd like to hear addressed on future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, drop us a line at: [email protected] SHOW NOTES 7:56:07 - Volodarsk - Tom Praszkier The Volodarsk-Volynskii Mine that Tom is referring to is in the North-West part of the Ukraine. Historically, this mine has produced some of the finest heliodor specimens ever discovered. This mine also produced huge amounts of fantastic topaz - including a lot of bi-color ones, smoky quartz and morion quartz (aka black quartz). https://www.mindat.org/loc-11331.html 11:30:08 - Young Mineral Collector Group - Gail Spann Keep checking back with us. We’ll have an upcoming podcast with key members of the Young Mineral Collector Group. 12:29:01 - Perot Museum - Gail Spann The Perot Museum is the newest natural history museum in Dallas, Texas. Their Lyda Hill Gem and Mineral Hall is one of the newest mineral museums in the country and consists, primarily, of specimens loaned to the museum by local collectors. One of the huge benefits of this approach is that the display is constantly changing and specimens are returned and new ones accepted. https://www.perotmuseum.org/ https://www.perotmuseum.org/exhibits-and-films/permanent-exhibit-halls/lyda-hill-gems-and-minerals-hall.html 17:13:04 - Shirley McClain on cover of Time Magazine in 80s - James Zigras Shirley McClain was on the cover of the December 7, 1987 issue of Time Magazine. The article was called, "The New Age." 28:25:17 - Summit Series in LA - James Zigras The world's preeminent ideas festival. Right in the City of Angles. https://2017.summit.co/ 29:56:19 - Fahina in Maiami Beach - James Zigras A high-end luxury hotel overlooking Miami Beach. https://www.lhw.com/hotel/Faena-Miami-Beach-Fl 31:59:02 - Crystal Days in Poland - Tom Praszkier The most important mineral show in Poland. https://www.facebook.com/crystaldayspoland/ If you're interested in Sponsoring future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, please contact Bryan Swoboda at [email protected] Guests: James Zigras, Jeff Swanger, Krystle Dorris-Dinkel, Rick Kennedy, Rod Tyson, and Tom Praszkier.
Dec 21, 2018
40 min
Episode 02: The State of the Mineral World and How to Preserve it for Future Generations - Part 2
FOR EPISODE COMMENTS PLEASE VISIT: Friends of Minerals Forum Recorded at the 2018 Fine Mineral Shows: Tucson (AKA The Westward Look Show), Gail and Jim sit down with Ian Bruce, Alan Hart, Christoph Keilmann, Jolyon Ralph, Peter Lyckberg and John Cornish to address the issue of The Current State of the Mineral Collecting World and How We Preserve it for Future Generations - but this time with a slightly European perspective. This panel represents a good slice of the European mineral-collecting community. We have a Mineral Dealer (Bruce), a former Museum Curator and gem expert (Hart), someone in the mineral media world (Ralph), a Show Promoter (Keilmann) a two great Field Collectors (Lyckberg and Cornish). Lots of great comments, suggestions and ideas. And remember, if you have an idea on a topic you'd like to hear addressed on future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, drop us a line at: [email protected] SHOW NOTES 8:22 - Rod Tyson from Tyson's Fine Minerals - Ian Bruce Rod was the 2018 winner of the American Mineral Heritage Award - the Mineralogical Record's annual award given out to living individuals recognizing their, "field collecting achievements contributing to the heritage of American mineral specimens." Past award recipients include: Edward Swoboda, Bill Larson, Bryan Lees, Wayne Thompson, Terry Szenics and Stanley Esbenshade. Tysons' Fine Minerals - http://www.tysonsfineminerals.com 9:58 - The Munich Show: Europe's largest mineral show - Christoph Keilmann https://munichshow.com 10:53 - MinDat: the largest mineral database in the world - Jolyon Ralph https://www.mindat.org 15:39 - Natural History Museum of London (aka The British Museum) - Alan Hart http://www.nhm.ac.uk 16:53 - Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP) - Alan Hart http://www.smmp.net/ 27:39 - Perot Museum in Dallas, Texas - Gail Spann www.perotmuseum.org 36:09 - Mineral photographer Thomas Spann - Jim Spann https://www.facebook.com/thomas.spann 44:16 - Gem shows in Tucson - Alan Hart AGTA - https://agta.org/ GJX - http://www.gjxusa.com/ 44:28 - The Hope Diamond - Gail Spann Wikipedia page - https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hope_Diamond Smithsonian Museum - https://www.si.edu/spotlight/hope-diamond 45:04 - The Prospectors show on the Weather Channel - Peter Lyckberg https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospectors_(TV_series) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3216258/ 45:18 - The New Crystal Hunters series produced by BlueCap Productions - Peter Lyckberg NCH: The Sterling Mine - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nch04 NCH: Smoky Hawk - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nch03 NCH: Arkansas - https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nch02 52:54 - The Changsha Mineral Show in China - Jolyon Ralph www.changsha-show.com 57:48 - Social media and BlueCap Productions films - Ian Bruce www.bluecapproductions.com https://vimeo.com/bluecapproductions/vod_pages 1:04:25 - The mineral magazines in Europe vs America - Ian Bruce Mineralogical Record - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/ Lapis Magazine - http://www.lapis.de/ 1:11:38 - The Tsumeb Show - a new mini show in Tucson - Ian Bruce http://www.tsumeb.com/en/ 1:13:28 - David Bowie exhibition at the Victoria and Albert Museum - Alan Hart https://www.vam.ac.uk/ 1:13:28 - "It's The Artifacts Stupid!" article by Bill Smith - Alan Hart The Mineralogical Record - Vol.35, No.2 - Mar/Apr 2004 https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=233 https://mineralogicalrecord.com/pdfs/TheMineralogicalRecord_GuestEditorial.pdf 1:15:35 - Houston Museum of Natural Science - Gail Spann http://www.hmns.org/exhibits/permanent-exhibitions/gems-and-minerals/ 1:16:52 - Friday morning at the Tucson Gem and Mineral Society (TGMS) show- John Cornish http://www.tgms.org/show/ 1:21:16 - Society of Mineral Museum Professionals (SMMP) - Jolyon Ralph http://www.smmp.net/ 1:27:56 - A mineral-collecting field trip to the cliffs of Dover, UK - Jolyon Ralph https://www.mindat.org/loc-223577.html 1:29:49 - Digging Arkansas Quartz at the James Zigras Mine - Gail Spann http://avantmining.com/ 1:31:43 - The mineral museums in Madrid, Spain - Peter Lyckberg Museo Geominero - http://www.igme.es/museo/ Museo de la Geología - https://www.ucm.es/cultura/m.geologia 1:35:15 - The Prospectors show on the Weather Channel - Gail Spann https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospectors_(TV_series) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3216258/ 1:45:22 - The Fersman Museum in Moscow, Russia - Jolyon Ralph https://www.fmm.ru/Index.htm https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fersman_Mineralogical_Museum If you're interested in Sponsoring future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, please contact Bryan Swoboda at [email protected] Guests: Alan Hart, Christoph Keilmann, Ian Bruce, John Cornish, Jolyon Ralph, and Peter Lyckberg.
Aug 15, 2018
1 hr 49 min
Episode 01: The State of the Mineral World and How to Preserve it for Future Generations - Part 1
FOR EPISODE COMMENTS PLEASE VISIT: Friends of Minerals Forum Recorded at the 2018 Fine Mineral Shows: Tucson (AKA The Westward Look Show, Gail and Jim sit down with Bryan Lees, Jamie Newman, John Rakovan, Dave Waisman and Stephen Neely to address the issue of The Current State of the Mineral Collecting World and How we Preserve it for Future Generations. This panel represents a good slice of the American mineral-collecting community. We have a Mineral Dealer (Lees), a Museum Curator (Newmann), someone in the mineral media world (Rakovan), a Show Promoter (Waisman) and a Collector (Neely). Lots of great comments, suggestions and ideas. And remember, if you have an idea on a topic you'd like to hear addressed on future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, drop us a line at: [email protected] SHOW NOTES 11:04.804 - Rock Currier series on Being A Collector - referenced by John Rakovan Published in The Mineralogical Record (https://mineralogicalrecord.com) Only a few bound copies left. Otherwise, the articles were printed in the following issues: Vol. 42-3 - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=293 Vol. 40-3 - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=279 Vol. 40-2 - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=277 Vol. 40-1 - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=276 Vol. 39-5 - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=274 Vol. 39-4 - https://mineralogicalrecord.com/detail.asp?id=272 12:23.954 - American Museum renovation - Jamie Newman https://www.amnh.org/exhibitions/permanent-exhibitions/earth-and-planetary-sciences-halls/harry-frank-guggenheim-hall-of-minerals 26:30.236 - Friends of Mineralogy, FMF, MinDat chat rooms - John Rakovan http://www.mineral-forum.com/message-board/ https://www.mindat.org/forum.php 26:59.339 - COLIDO chat room - Bryan Lees http://www.colido.de/en-us 30:17.537 - Jurassic Park interested in Amber - Dave Waisman http://jurassicpark.wikia.com/wiki/Amber 34:34.675 - John Culberson - Congressman from Houston - collector - Steve Neely https://culberson.house.gov 37:45.008 - “Garden of Crystals” book - Steve Neely https://www.amazon.com/Natures-Garden-Crystals-Vandall-King/dp/0983201749 https://kristalle.com/product/natures-garden-of-crystals/ 45:29.000 - Monica Rakovan’s book for children - John Rakovan https://issuu.com/irocks/docs/shiny_purple_crystals_-_mk_final https://www.facebook.com/AppleValleyMinerals/ 45:45.027 - Mineralogical Society of America - Website focusing on minerals for kids - John Rakovan http://www.mineralogy4kids.org http://www.minsocam.org 46:55.970 - Friends of Mineralogy Symposiums - Dave Waisman https://www.friendsofmineralogy.org/symposia/ https://www.friendsofmineralogy.org/ 49:13.776 - NCH: Smoky Hawk - Jim Spann https://vimeo.com/ondemand/nch03 56:02.530 - Triphylite - Rechargable batteris - John Rakovan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triphylite http://www.minerals.net/mineral/triphylite.aspx https://www.britannica.com/science/triphylite 1:06:05.903 - Yale Museum - Jim Spann http://peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/hall-minerals-earth-and-space 1:07:30.905 - Mineral Museums - Dave Waisman Yale Peabody Museum of Natural History - New Haven, CT http://peabody.yale.edu/exhibits/hall-minerals-earth-and-space Perot Museum of Nature and Science - Dallas, TX https://www.perotmuseum.org University of Arizona Gem & Mineral Museum - Tucson, AZ http://gemandmineralmuseum.arizona.edu http://www.uamineralmuseum.org/content/welcome-university-arizona-gem-mineral-museum Rice Northwest Museum of Rocks and Minerals - Hillsboro, OR https://ricenorthwestmuseum.org 1:08:22.483 - SMMP - Bryan Lees http://www.smmp.net 1:10:38.621 - Prospectors & Mineral Explorers - Bryan Lees Prospectors Show https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prospectors_(TV_series) https://www.imdb.com/title/tt3216258/ Mineral Explorers Show https://www.crystalspringsmining.com/season-1_ep_71.html https://www.facebook.com/mineral.explorers/ 1:15:56.229 - OceanView Mine - Dave Waisman http://digforgems.com http://www.oceanviewmine.com https://www.facebook.com/OceanviewMine/ 1:16:21.884 - Arkansas Pay To Dig Sites - Gail Spann Crater Of Diamonds http://www.craterofdiamondsstatepark.com Ron Coleman Mine https://colemanquartz.com 1:17:11.406 - Rocks & Minerals article on fee digging sites - John Rakovan http://www.rocksandminerals.org 1:17:27.465 - Crystal Park near Butte. Montana - Dave Waisman http://southwestmt.com/listings/11967.htm http://ourtravelingtribe.com/2014/10/rock-hounding-prisms-crystal-park-montana.html If you're interested in Sponsoring future episodes of Breakfast With Minerals, please contact Bryan Swoboda at [email protected] Guests: Bryan Lees, Dave Waisman, Jamie Newman, John Rakovan, and Stephen Neely.
May 15, 2018
1 hr 19 min