FAQ

Inevitably, sometimes things don’t go as expected. Whether the specimen is damaged in transit or the identity is incorrect, we are aware that this can result in the return of a specimen. If your specimen is damaged during shipping, it is vitally important to take a photo of the packaging and specimen in situ. By recording this, we get an idea of the nature and possible reason behind the damage and will be able to process the return much faster. If you discover that the mineral species has been misidentified, we require details of the method of identification in order to understand why you believe this to be the case. If the identity is in question but no formal analysis has been attempted, The Elite Minerals Reserve will assess the situation on a case-by-case basis. In some instances, this may mean the specimen is sent for analysis to determine the identity. In any scenario where a specimen is analysed and the species in question is not present on the specimen, we will provide a full refund. If you feel that the specimen was misrepresented in any way, please ensure you make contact with us within the 30 day grace period for resolution. In all instances, please ensure that you call or e-mail us immediately, prior to the return of a specimen to The Elite Minerals Reserve, so that we can advise regarding the returns procedure. Failure to contact us prior to the return of a specimen may lead to the rejection of your return. Shipping costs of all returns are to be covered by the customer, unless the specimen was damaged in transit or if the identity is incorrect.

We offer a number of different shipping methods, depending on locality and availability. Generally we try to ship using a courier to ensure the speedy and safe delivery of your new mineral specimen, however, other methods are available upon request.

This is a very frustrating scenario; you’ve seen something that you want but you were pipped to the post by another customer. But while it might be frustrating in the first instance, all might not be lost. The Elite Minerals Reserve has one of the world’s largest inventories of fine mineral specimens and there is a possibility we have similar specimens in stock. If you find something you like but it is sold, firstly, add the item to your wish list; this gives us an idea of what our customers are looking for so that we can make sure future updates include similar specimens. But if you simply can’t wait, you can always drop us an e-mail with your special requests and we will try our best to fulfil your needs.

At The Elite Minerals Reserve, we have our own dedicated photography department that are trained in the art of mineral photography. Photographing a mineral specimen is a mixture of technique and practice and like any artist, we are reluctant to reveal all of our secrets. That being said, our basic equipment is Canon based, with an array of flash and static lighting, as well as specialist platforms for photography. But, since every specimen is unique, no one technique works every time so we constantly evolve and adapt our processes to get the best result each time.

One of the most common questions we get is asking whether or not we buy collections or single specimens. The answer is, simply, YES! We are always looking to buy mineral collections or even individual pieces that are of a high quality. If you wish to discuss the possible sale of one or more of your mineral specimens, you can read more about the type of collections and specimens we are looking for in our Sell a Collection section, or drop us an e-mail with a few images and a breakdown of what it is you’re selling and we will gladly discuss this with you.

Generally speaking, we are not able to help with identification, especially based on photos. If you are looking for help with the identification of a specimen, your first port of call should be one of the online mineral communities such as Mindat.org, where you will be able to search for similar specimens and post questions on the forums.

The Elite Minerals Reserve specialises in the sale of single mineral specimens to discerning collectors and institutions, and generally has no requirement for wholesale or bulk material.