2. The evils that beset mineral collections: Space

Space, or lack of it, is often a problem for compulsive collectors like me. As zen comedian Steven Wright said, "You can't have everything. Where would you put it?"

Here are some typical space concerns:

Display space: How many of your minerals can be displayed at once? Would you like to display more, and if so, do you rotate the collection so that other specimens are sometimes on display?

What happens when you get new display pieces? Often, the existing display is rearranged to make space for the new specimens. Eventually, display clutter becomes a problem.

Can you see all the specimens on display from one position, or do you have to contort yourself to see what's on a lower shelf, or the items in the corners? If the latter, your display spaces may be too crowded.

Do no specimens touch? Is it clear which label belongs to each specimen? Is every label readable without moving any specimens? If so, you may have enough display space for the specimens you are showing.

Storage space:
Is it archival? Is it secure against rodents, insects, and other pests? Is it secure against theft, weather, and other hazards? These are all reasons that a garage may not be the best place to store some or all of your specimens. Weight and heat may preclude attic storage; water problems may preclude basement storage. You'll have to judge whether any of these will work for you.

For important specimens (or jewelry), you may wish to invest in a box in a bank vault. There are rumors of opals crazing in bank vaults due to lack of humidity, so think twice about storing opals there. You might also wish to save a copy of your mineral records in a remote site such as a bank vault.

Is it accessible? If you need to get access to a particular specimen in storage, it helps to know exactly where it is, and what you need to move to get access to it. It's easy to bury boxes under other boxes, so it's important that every box be labeled on all sides. "This end up" is another important message where needed.

Gemstone storage: For those of you with loose fashioned gemstones, how do you store them? Some people use individual pill-case type containers, some use small plastic bags, and some use stone papers. (Larger specimens or suites are often stored in their own lined cases or Riker Mounts.) Regardless of the storage method, gemstones should not touch each other; even diamonds get "paper wear" from other diamonds in the same stone paper.