Mineral & Fossil Collection Evaluations, Purchasing & Consignment

Rocky Mountain Minerals & Fossils works with collectors, families and estates who would like help understanding, evaluating, selling or consigning mineral and fossil collections.

Whether you have an important individual specimen, a small group, an inherited collection or a lifetime collection, we are happy to discuss what you have and what you would like to accomplish.

COLLECTION EVALUATIONS

We offer evaluations of mineral and fossil collections for collectors, families and estates who would like a better understanding of their material.

An evaluation may be useful if you:

  • Have inherited a mineral or fossil collection
  • Are considering selling or consigning a collection
  • Would like to better understand the quality and collector interest of your specimens
  • Need help identifying important species, localities or collection strengths
  • Have an older collection with limited documentation
  • Simply want a knowledgeable assessment of what you have

An evaluation can consider factors such as specimen quality, condition, rarity, locality, provenance, original labels and current collector interest.

Please note that collection evaluations are not automatically formal appraisals for insurance, tax or legal purposes. If you require a formal written appraisal, please mention this when contacting us so we can determine whether we can assist.

PURCHASING COLLECTIONS

Rocky Mountain Minerals & Fossils purchases individual specimens, groups and complete mineral or fossil collections.

We consider each collection individually. Purchase decisions and values depend on factors including specimen quality, condition, locality, rarity, provenance, documentation and current market demand.

We are interested in both established collections and smaller groups containing particularly desirable or unusual material.

CONSIGNMENT

Consignment may also be considered for suitable specimens and collections.

For some material, consignment can provide an alternative to an outright sale. Suitability and terms depend on the nature of the collection, specimen quality, marketability and the amount of material involved.

Depending on your circumstances, we may discuss purchase, consignment, evaluation, or a combination of these options.

WHAT WE CONSIDER

We welcome inquiries concerning:

  • Important individual mineral or fossil specimens
  • Small groups and complete collections
  • Mineral collections, fossil collections or mixed collections
  • Older collections with original labels or documented provenance
  • Material collected from noteworthy mines or localities
  • Inherited or estate collections
  • Collections whose contents or value are not well understood

Original labels and collection history can be extremely important. Please keep labels with their corresponding specimens whenever possible.

WHAT TO INCLUDE WITH YOUR INQUIRY

Please provide:

  • Your name and location
  • Whether the collection contains minerals, fossils or both
  • The approximate number of specimens
  • Important species, mines, localities or collection strengths, if known
  • The general condition and approximate size range
  • Whether original labels or provenance information are present
  • Whether you are interested in an evaluation, direct sale, consignment, or are unsure which option is appropriate
  • Any relevant expectations or timing considerations

You do not need to know exactly what you have before contacting us. Part of the purpose of an evaluation may be to help you better understand the collection.

PHOTOGRAPHS

Photographs are extremely helpful.

Please include clear images showing:

  • The collection overall
  • Several representative specimens
  • Any particularly important or unusual specimens
  • Original labels, collection cards or other provenance information

Begin with the contact form below. Photographs can be emailed to info@keithrocks.ca.

Please include your name and “Collection Inquiry” in the subject line so we can match the photographs with your message.

WHAT HAPPENS NEXT

We will review the information provided and may request additional photographs, an inventory list or a conversation about the collection.

From there, we can discuss whether an evaluation, direct purchase, consignment or another approach makes the most sense for the material and your circumstances.

Please do not ship or deliver specimens without making arrangements with us first.

Every inquiry is considered individually. Submitting information does not guarantee purchase or consignment.