Acquisition Began August 2026
A lifetime of collecting — our largest acquisition yet. Follow along as we carefully uncover, clean, and share material that has been packed away for decades.
The Collectors
Behind every specimen is the couple who spent a lifetime gathering it — a shared passion for the beauty hidden in the earth.
Behind the Scenes
Today I was back out digging through the mineral collection, digging into old barrels holding material that may have been tucked away for as long as 30 years.
There were cobwebs, dirt, mud, and layers of disintegrated cardboard and newspaper. Packing material that once protected these stones was falling apart around them. Finding out what was underneath meant getting my hands dirty, one piece at a time.
And there was plenty worth digging for.
Today's discoveries included Brazilian agate slabs, both dyed and natural; raw Tiger Iron from Australia; Brazilian amethyst clusters; and multiple pieces of Leopard Jasper from Africa. I also pulled out a huge piece of what I'm hoping is Ocean Jasper. That identification still needs a closer look, but it certainly caught my attention.
That's part of what makes working through this collection so exciting. Until I reach into a barrel and start unpacking, I don't know exactly what I'm going to find. Sometimes the dirt hides so much that the first rinse feels like another discovery.
By sundown, it was time to give these pieces a bath.
That's what you're watching in this video: the quieter end of a messy day, washing away the dirt and seeing the colors and patterns emerge. Turning a wet stone in my hands, looking at its different sides, and finally getting a better look at something that has been sitting packed away for decades.
There's something special about this part of the work. Henry and Patsy gathered an enormous amount of material over the years, and now I get to take the time to uncover it, appreciate it, and help carry its story forward through High Ho Gems and the Mineral Miner.
There are still plenty of barrels to go through. Today, these were the treasures that made it into the evening light.
This collection is still being uncovered
As our largest and most recent acquisition, new specimens are being cleaned and added over time. Check back often, or follow along on our blog for the latest discoveries.
A Lifelong Fascination
Henry had a deep fascination with stalactites — those slow, dripping formations that take thousands of years to grow. Over his lifetime he gathered nearly one hundred different specimens, each one unique. Here is a glimpse into that remarkable collection.
More of Henry's stalactites will be added as we photograph the collection.