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" Exceptional specimen and collecting minerals"
Interview with Stuart Wilensky, aesthetic
mineral dealer (USA)
Everyone knows the
scientific definition of mineral, but what is it a mineral for
you?
For me minerals transcend their scientific
definition. They are natures sculptures, they are art to me.
To break down a mineral into chemistry and atoms is no different then
saying a Van Gogh is only oil, pigment and canvas. The technical
side of mineralogy is an important science to understand but in no way
does one have to be scientifically oriented to appreciate minerals.
Minerals represent the beauty of the Earth. I often compare minerals
to flowers, tropical fish, or sea shells. These are all Earth's
art.
You have touched with
your hand probably almost all the most beautiful specimens of the world,
could you describe us the most beautiful you have ever
seen?
I have been most fortunate to have had the
privilege to handle and to see many of the most wonderful minerals ever
found. To pick one, or even ten, would be difficult. I can say
that some of the most memorable were; The great Phosphophyllite (shown on
page 169, Gem & Crystal Treasures, by Peter Bancroft). This is a
specimen that is both mineralogically amazing and stunningly
beautiful. It has an inner glow and a color that is rarely seen in
nature. The Phosphophyllite crystals almost look as if they are
filled with beautiful clear green sea water. Its rarity, its
enormous size, perfection and beauty makes this one of the most
significant specimens I have ever known. The Gold, known as the "Dragon",
from the Colorado Quartz mine, California. This is one of the most
majestic and sculptural pieces I have ever seen. The luster and
perfection, as well as the size, of the crystals was a sight to
behold. When this piece was put into my hands I was truly at a loss
for words (which, as you read on, you will see is not normally a problem
for me). It is truly breathtaking. I immediately felt
compelled to make a cash offer, a sum that had never before rolled off my
tongue. I even shocked myself. Unfortunately (or, maybe,
fortunately?) it was not accepted. Another Gold, the famous "Harvard
Wire" rams horn from Colorado, is not to be believed. It is truly
one of the most elegant pieces I have ever seen. It has perfect
proportions and a wonderful flowing form. It begins at the base with
a thick curving wire and the branches off into delicate but bold curls at
the very top. It looks like a fountain of water which has been
frozen in time and cast into pure gold. One of the few times in my
life I admit I was tempted to grab the piece and run. Unbelievable!
I do have two very special favorites, which for nearly 20 years I dreamt
of owning, and finally my dream came true. When I attended my first
Denver Mineral show I spotted a Tourmaline on Quartz in a showcase,
privately owned, that struck me as one of the most beautiful minerals I
had ever seen. That image stuck with me all these years. About
two years ago I was actually offered that very Tourmaline. It is
known as "Excalibur". It has been illustrated in more publications
then I have even been able to track down (probably the easiest place to
see it would be the cover of Lapis magazine, Jg. 25, Nr. 3, Marz,
2000). It has also recently appeared in The Robb Report Collection
magazine (Sept. 2002, pg. 52 or on the web at http://www.robbreport.com/page_monthly_article.asp?article_id=14553
). My other "dream" mineral also came to me about two years ago. It
is considered to be the finest Purple Apatite in the world. It is a
single deep purple barrel shaped gemmy crystal sitting on a matrix of
Cookeite. I spotted this wonder many years ago in my copy of
Bancroft's Gem and Crystal Treasures (pg. 18, bottom photo). From
that moment on I knew I had to own that piece
someday!
In Italy young people
dreams to be a famous football player or a singer or an astronaute; when
and why did you decide to become a collector and dealer of minerals
instead to be an NBA player?
Well, first of all, I
was not a very good basketball player. But, I was a good Tennis
player. I honestly didn't see myself ever being good enough to win
Wimbledon so thought I should consider another line of work. In
truth, my Father was, and still is, an art and antique dealer. I
grew up in a home where art was everywhere. My parents took me
around the world visiting museums and art collections. I worked with
my Father for many years and graduated with a masters degree in Art
History. My major was Byzantine Art. I was heading towards a
career in the art market when one day my wife, Donna, and I stumbled
across a man selling Arkansas Quartz at a flea market. We were so
taken with its beauty that we bought a piece for $50.00 which, for us as a
newly married couple, was a decent sum of money. It was love at first
site. From that day on I pursued minerals as my
life.
I love minerals and i would
like to have a collection, do you have any suggestions for
starting?
I have always advocated educating your
eye before purchasing your first mineral. My favorite book for
beginners is of course Bancroft's Gem & Crystal Treasures (as if you
couldn't already tell). Unfortunately the book is out of print but
can still be found with some book sellers and on Ebay. I read the
book cover to cover and memorized the photos. It taught me more then I
could have ever learned on my own. Visit as many museums as
possible, read as many magazines as possible and go to as many shows and
speak to other collectors. Follow your inner feelings. When
you see a specimen that makes your pulse race - buy it. Always keep
that in mind. I always think of that when I first see a
specimen. Did it make my heart skip a beat? It's a lot like
falling in love. There are beautiful minerals in all price
ranges. Do not be intimidated by high prices. It is better to
buy one mineral that you absolutely love then to buy five that are not as
good. Better to spend all of your money on one killer piece then to
spread it out over mediocre specimens. You will enjoy your
collection more and over time it will become more valuable as well. Try to
imagine the piece sitting with your other specimens as well. Ask
yourself if it fits. You will over time develop a style or
"look". Stick with this. It will become the strength of your
collection. Speak to dealers and show them what you like. A
good dealer will show you pieces that suit your collection and often will
save them for you.
A guy
asked me "when i will have to work, i would like to be a mineral dealer,
do you think is a good idea? If yes why? And if not why?"; i didn't know
how reply to him, could you help him?
This is a
very personal and individual decision. I have always believed that
if you do what you love you will be successful. I grew up with a
father who was a dealer so it came very easy to me. I can imagine if
this is not the case you wonder where to begin. There are of course
many levels of mineral dealing. I know many "weekend" and part time
mineral dealers and only a few true full time dealers. It is at once
the most rewarding and difficult job I can imagine. I must be
honest, I wake up every morning and look forward to my work. I know
so many people who dread their jobs. I am thankful I found something that
I love to do and can make a living at. I am not sure it is for
everyone. The hours and days are crazy. I make my own schedule
but in truth it is dictated by what must be done that day. As a dealer I
must keep a valuable and costly inventory at all times. This can be
quite stressful. I am always spending money, sometimes more then I
have, to acquire great pieces. I then must turn around and figure
out who will buy them from me at a profit. This is not as easy as it
sounds. My clients must always come first and I need to be "on call"
most any day of the week. I am often buying and selling minerals 18
hours a day. I love handling and enjoying my minerals, even if I
must sell them. I do not like the mundane paperwork and bookkeeping
that goes along with running your own business. In truth, I would not want
to be doing anything else with my life. For me, this is the perfect
"job".
My wife told me "why
we have to keep these heavy and unuseful rocks in our house? You have to
decide: me or your stupid rocks". I love my wife and i want to live with
her, do you know a perfect speach to convince her in keep my minerals with
us? (without paying for her an expansive
dinner)
Ahhh, yes, the "wife". Well, I am
one of the fortunate ones who's wife actually likes minerals. Most
of the collectors I know have spouses who more or less look upon minerals
as a nuisance. Proving to your wife that you can actually make money
with "rocks" is often a positive tactic. If you prefer to be a pure
collector then I suggest you find some way to integrate her into the
collection. If she has no interest in minerals you may want to try
jewelry or beads, maybe even polished stones. I often suggest that
husbands ask their wives opinions before buying a piece. This
doesn't always work as many wives only see this as their husband spending
more money. I am not sure there is any answer to this dilemma.
I guess keeping your minerals out of her way, spending more time with her
then your collection and, maybe, an expensive dinner now and again
wouldn't hurt.
I have problems in
conserve minerals, which are the principal minerals that can easily
alterate and which the solutions?
I
have experienced only a few collectible minerals wherein this is a
problem. I have seen Pyrite (and Marcasites) actually disintegrate
if kept in poor damp conditions. Overall I think most finely
crystallized Pyrites will out last their owners. The sharper the
crystals and the less cracking seems to be a good indicator of a solid and
lasting example. I have heard that the British Museum has methods of
extending the life of pyrite but have not personally seen them used.
Realgar is an interesting species in that it actually alters to
Para-Realgar if left in the light or heat. Realgar can be one of the most
beautiful species and it is truly one of natures practical jokes on
collectors. I have personally been running a test on a very fine
Realgar that has been kept in a cardboard box for about 10 years
now. It is as red and perfect as the day I bought it. It seems
that kept under these hidden conditions it is much more stable. Put
out in a showcase it would have lasted about 1 year. I have worries
about Vivianite. I have seen ones that have been on display for many
years and have turned dark, changed color and begun to split apart.
It is not a species I feel is stable. I am a staunch believer that
minerals should be basically kept in the dark and under stable temperature
conditions. Minerals have spent there entire life, hundreds of millions of
years in total darkness. This is their natural environment. As
collectors we need to understand and respect this fact. Subjecting
them to light, heat, and chemicals is endangering there
existence.
Mostly of italian
liking mineral people will read this interview, now you have three lines
to say everything you want.....
Minerals are a
gift from the earth. They were here before man and will be here long after
man. Enjoy them and respect them.
I'm looking for a really fine mineral specimen, how can I
enter in touch with you?
The best place to start
is at our web site: http://www.wilenskyminerals.com/
Collectors
can contact us at:
Stuart & Donna Wilensky,
Wilensky
Minerals 14 Longview Ln., Middletown, NY 10941
TEL: 845-695-1550
FAX: 505-213-2433
stuwil@aol.com
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