My interest in minerals began when I was 13 years old. At 15, I entered a competitive case in the first Tucson Gem and Mineral Society show, which was held at the Helen Keeling grade school. I won a blue ribbon in the junior division for the best self collected minerals. That was when I also met Dick Bideaux who won the red ribbon an the advanced division. At 16 years old, I had already purchased fluorites from Southern Illinois. I made my first trip to Mexico in 1958.

My wife, Jackie, and I began our mineral business in 1965, attending shows throughout the U.S. including federation shows. We also made three or four trips a year to Mexico. Mexican and Arizona minerals were my favorites. Collecting at the Old Yuma, Flux, Glove, Rowley, Red Cloud, and 79, is just a partial listing of the mines that provided beautiful specimens for the business. In 1968, a great pocket of wulfenite and vanadinite specimens was found at the Old Yuma mine, by me, my wife, and John and Karen Cesar. Out of this pocket came the largest and finest Old Yuma wulfenites.

We started participating as dealers in the TGMS show in the 1970's and continue to this day. I feel honored and priviledged to have served on various chairs for TGMS, including President, Vice-President, Board of Directors and Show Committee. Over the years, our many business ventures to Mexico, Canada, Australia and Europe provided a myriad of increases for our minerals, customers, and suppliers. One of the most memorable trips was to the mineral show in Prague, Czechoslovakia while it was still under communistic rule.

Western Minerals has over 40 years of experience as a purveyor of fine specimens to major museums, universities and private collectors, as well as conducting appraisals to meet their current needs. The uniqueness of the mineral world has enabled us to meet people of various professions and nationalities, which has resulted in many wonderful and lasting friendships.

We are full-time mineral dealers.

Mineral collection appraisals with 40 years of experience.

We have a very large inventory supplying beginning and advanced collectors,
as well as museum quality specimens.

Contact us for your specific requirements and we will provide any information
and photos from our inventory.

We thank you for visiting the Western Minerals website.