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About The Mineral Show Thanks for visiting our site! The Mineral Show is the result of our successful operation and a natural extension of our Laurel Maryland Showroom. Like most of you, we too are collectors who enjoy mineral books, field trips, and rock swaps, club associations, and shows. In our travels we have had the opportunity to acquire many fine specimens and suites of specimens from well known and popular mineral producing areas and mines all over the world. As a result, the many fine specimens that you see on the webpage and have an opportunity to purchase represent The Mineral Show that we bring to you. Our goal is to obtain the highest quality specimens and the greatest diversity of rare and common species, at reasonable prices, as well as, services and supplies that will enhance and improve your collections and collecting satisfaction. The Laurel Showroom ~ We have a suite located in the IQ Building at 608 Washington Boulevard Suite 401, Laurel, Maryland. The suite is open for visits by appointment only 7 days a week. Please call either Andy or I for an appointment at: 301-384-2092 Andy 301-793-6053 Gary When visiting you will see many fine mineral specimens and display cases. Mineral collector supplies and tools are also available. Additionally, we have assembled and continue to assemble a fine mineral book reference library to assist in studying and identification of minerals. Mineral Photography Services ~ Gary has located his photography studio in part of out showroom. He offers webpage inventory photography, photography for publication, and collection photography services. Gary is a well-known mineral photographer having been active since 1973 with his camera. He photographs macro and micro and fluorescent minerals using available light or flash techniques on glass or other surfaces. He can shoot slides, prints or digital images as the need dictates. Microphotography is done through 35-mm lens and bellows configurations, as well as through the microscope. Examples of his work have been displayed at the Tucson Gem and Mineral show where he has won 1st place in several mineral photo contests. Gary is also a Staff Photographer for Matrix magazine, Associate Editor and Staff Photographer for The Picking Table an FOMS publication. His mineral photos have been published in Rocks & Minerals and the Mineralogical Record. Prices for services are by individual quote only, so feel free to inquire: Gary_Grenier@mincat.com Mineral Cabinets ~ The Mineral Show offers beautifully hand crafted mineral cabinets from Keith Williams of Rio West Virginia. These cabinets can be seen on display in our showroom or the webpage. Cabinets can be made to order for a specific room or purpose. A variety of top quality woods and stains can be selected to order if stock versions do not match your desire. Feel free to request more information or visit our showroom to see the cabinets and bookcases. Book Binding Services ~ Many collectors have acquired important soft cover books and magazines over the years that remain permanent additions to their personal reference library. After many years of use these important books and magazines are lost or worn. To assist you in preserving your valuable books and magazines we offer bookbinding services at reasonable prices. For example, consider having your Mineralogical Record, Rock & Gem, Rock & Mineral, Lapis, or the Mineral News bound. Please contact us with your book list for an estimate of book binding prices. If you visit us at our showroom you will be able to view or purchase bound copies of many popular soft cover books in our collection. As time permits we will offer our many bound books on the webpage. Books ~ Books are a mineral collector resource that we rely on and use daily. When we have duplicates in our library or an opportunity to offer rare or out of print books on the webpage we will send you an email notice. To sign up for this service please enter your email address in our Guest Book. Collector Aids and Tools ~ This section is reserved for those items that can be used by the collector to build the collection or test the minerals found. It is a broad area that covers boxes, labels, software, hand tools, ultraviolet lamps, hardness points and much more. This section will be among the last to be fully developed and will change often as what we offer changes. Articles and Stories ~ Many of the articles and stories that we have authored are presented here about collecting sites, how to do various collector related things such as cleaning minerals, mounting minerals, fluorescent photography and more. About Andy & Gary ~ Andy Dietz is a graduate of Virginia Tech and has been a mineral collector for over 40 years having specialized in micro minerals, locality collections, and certain species. Andy handles the sales and purchasing side of the business. Gary Grenier is a graduate of the University of Maryland and Capitol College. Gary has been a mineral collector for over 40 years and has been an ardent collector of Franklin and Sterling Hill New Jersey minerals where he was a miner. His current mineral areas of intense interest include Tip Top South Dakota, Garnets of the world, Mont St-Hilaire, Australian and South African minerals. He has expanded his expertise with minerals to include specializing in mineral photography having photographed many private collections and museums over the past 20 years. Both live in the greater Washington DC metropolitan area and are dedicated volunteers in several mineral clubs. Gary Grenier and Andy Dietz |
