SAUKTOWN SALES
9387 East 250 North, Mill Creek, IN 46365 USA
We sell mineral specimens in micromount size only.
WHAT IS A MICROMOUNT?
A micromount is a mineral specimen that is permanently mounted in a box and requires magnification for proper observation. The size of the box varies from one country to another, and isn't really important. Better to mount in a "non-standard" box than to risk damaging a fine specimen. Many collectors do not mount their specimens permanently, and are then said to collect microminerals, rather than micromounts. The specimens are the same.
WHY MICROMOUNTS?
Quality-
The smallest crystals are generally the most perfectly formed. This stands to reason. Since the smaller the crystal, the less likely that it would grow into the other side of a vug, or be deformed by some other means.
Rarity-
Some species are known only in micro size.
Cost-
Good micromount material is only a fraction of the cost of cabinet specimens of the same species and quality.
Space-
A micromount collection doesn't take up much room. 1300 specimens, mounted in US standard boxes, will fit in a 25 X 25 X 25 cm cube. Of course, if you accumulate a lot of duplicate material by field collecting, etc., all bets are off!
And-
You don't have to spend a lot on a microscope. Since 30X magnification is usually adequate, you can find a new 'scope for under $500.00, and a used one for less. A binocular scope is best, to get a "3-D" effect. For that matter, you don't absolutely have to have a microscope. A hand-held lens might do for a start (although it sure is tricky to mount a specimen with one hand, while holding the lens with the other). Some interesting ideas on using a hand lens can be found in an article on "Cheap Microscopy". Another good article on micromounting, including techniques, is Micromount? By Pierre Gatel, now available in English. For more on why micromount, see Tim Jokela's "10 Top Reasons…"
WHY SAUKTOWN SALES?
We sell unmounted micromount material, and only micromount material.
We have something for almost everyone- some specimens are priced under US$1.00, for beginners and those who might be interested in different localities for common species. There are also rarer and more unusual specimens, at higher prices. Over 300 items are listed, with more being added all the time. Click here to see the price list
Satisfaction is guaranteed.
Specimens are unmounted and only roughly
trimmed. Size is such that you will get AT LEAST one good mount from it.
Material is listed by the major species present. There may be other species on
the piece.
Satisfaction is guaranteed. If you aren’t
happy, you may return any item for credit, replacement, or refund. We’d prefer
credit or replacement, but the choice is yours. We only ask that any returns be
in the same condition as received, wrapped, and with label. If you question the
identification of any specimen, please let us know- we’re not experts on all
species/localities, and are still learning.
If you don't find what you are looking for,
try MineralFind at crocoite.com. It indexes the lists of many dealers.
ORDERING- Please list name, locality and
(most important) item number. Please also give us a list of alternates, in case
some items are out of stock. Those items marked * are particularly in short
supply. Send your order by E-mail, with payment to follow, in order to be sure
we aren’t out of the items you want. Prices are in US Dollars. Payment may be
made by check or draft on a US bank, or International Money Order, or US
currency. We aren't set up to take credit cards yet, but we're working on it.
US customers please add $3.00 per order for shipping and handling. Overseas
customers please add $4.50. Indiana residents must also add 5% sales tax.
Please let us know if you have any special
interests or needs, so that we can watch for them for you, and check our stock.
We have a lot of material that hasn’t been packaged and added to the price list
yet. We also appreciate ANY feedback, positive or negative.
MICROMOUNTING SUPPLIES
MICROMOUNT BOXES
“US Standard” size (if
there is such a thing)
These are the boxes used by
most of the micromounters I know in the US. They are 7/8 X 7/8 X ¾ inches (22.2
X 22.2 X 19 mm) outside dimensions. Black bottom, clear top.
Price: US$ 0.20 each, in
any quantity, plus actual shipping costs (over the standard S&H charge for
specimens if ordered in combination.
CORKS
We can supply tapered
corks in 3 sizes:
Size Top diam. Bot. Diam Length
0000 3/32 in. 3/16 in. ½ in.
000 5/32
in. 1/4 in. ½ in.
00 7/32
in. 5/16 in. ½ in.
All sizes, plain $ 0.05
each, or black (painted) $ 0.08 each, any quantity.
Standard S&H charges
apply. They don’t weigh much!
PAPER FOLD-UP BOXES
1 X 1 X ½ in. deep $ 0.03 each.
We may have to charge
additional S&H for large quantities. Time will tell.
CLUBS
All the resources of the web can not take the place of a good local club for exchange of both specimens and information.
I've tried to list here all the micromount groups or clubs with micromount subgroups that have either a website or E-mail address. For clubs that aren't on line, check the International Directory of Micromounters, published by the Baltimore Mineral Society, Inc. Contact the editor, Roy I. Grim , 9155A Hitching Post Lane, Laurel, MD 20723-1531 USA
LINKS
We'd like to recommend the following sites:
For background on the Purple Passion Mine
For background on some other Arizona localities, see Steve Decker's site.
For field collectors, Topozone provides free topographic maps of anywhere in the USA. They don't print in the right colors, though.
The Virtual Quarry carries mineral-related classifieds.
Bob's Rock Shop is a good source for other links.
For information on Australian minerals and localities, see Steve Sorrell's Main Adit. Steve also has a new service, MineralFind, on his site. It searches the price lists of many dealers for what you want.
If you like your micros already mounted, check out Tim Jokela's Element 51.
Eureka Minerals sells microminerals to thumbnail size, specializing in European localities.
A good source for non-micro mineral specimens, Canadian & world-wide, particularly Mont Ste. Hilaire, Quebec is Kaygeedee Minerals
Pickens Minerals, in addition to fine mineral specimens, has a mineral-related link exchange on their site.
L.R Ream Publishing has the Mineral News, now available on-line, and also publishes mineral software, including The Mineral Database and the Mineral-Periodical Index.
J. Adam's Mineral Page is a new site dedicated to reports of shows and field trips.
Kreg Ellzey is developing a non-coomercial website with some good photos of micromounts. It's still being developed.
The Mineralweb is a good source for Scandinavian minerals and information about them.
David Jegou lives in Korea, and has some nice pictures on his site, and material for exchange (no micros at this time, but keep watching!)
The French Association of Micromounters (AFM) maintains a directory of micromounters' E-mail addresses.
Geosearch is a search engine specializing in earth science related sites.
John Betts - Fine Minerals site has a lot of great pictures, and very interesting articles.
Canadian Rockhound is a free on-line magazine specializing in Canadian mineral collecting
Alkali-Nuts has a complete listing, with descriptions, of Mont Ste. Hilaire minerals
RBMineral has photos of microminerals from the Clara Mine, Oberwolfach, Germany (text in German)
John Nash is a new dealer on the web, with some very nice photos on his site.