Frequently asked questions
Information and FAQ
Minerals A-Z Section
In our "Minerals A-Z" section, most entries do not include images. With over 20,000 entries and more than 5 million variants, it is unfortunately not feasible to provide individual images for each item.
If you need visual references, we recommend the platform www.mindat.org. There, you will find numerous images uploaded by collectors worldwide, likely including specimens similar to those in our inventory.
Thank you for your understanding!
Abbreviations
Crystal Descriptions
- “xx”: Clearly visible, more or less undamaged crystals (no size indication).
- “(xx)”: Embedded, damaged, or non-freestanding crystal formations.
- “X”: Single crystal (not necessarily without matrix).
- “Derb”: Massive or amorphous pieces (no additional description).
Special Features
- “TYP”: Type locality (site where the material for the original description was found).
- “KWUV”: Fluorescent reaction under shortwave UV radiation.
- “UV”: General UV activity (short or longwave).
Size Designations
The following table provides general information and guidance; actual sizes may vary. Additionally, size classifications may differ regionally.
| Abbreviation | Description | Meaning | Approximate Size |
|---|---|---|---|
| MM | Micromount | Fits in a Perky box | max. 2–2.5 cm |
| KS | Small specimen | Smaller than a palm, larger than a Perky box | approx. 4–5 cm |
| NS | Normal specimen | About half a palm size | approx. 7–9 cm |
| HS | Hand specimen | Fits in the palm | approx. 11–15 cm |
| GS | Large specimen | About two palm sizes | approx. 20–30 cm |
| MS | Museum specimen | Larger, no upper limit | - |
Additional Identifiers
- “E”: Self-collected.
- “U”: Unique.
Geographical Abbreviations
- “GB”: United Kingdom.
- “CH”: Switzerland.
- “F”: France.
- “H”: Hungary.
- “AZ”: Arizona.
- “CA”: California.
- “NH”: New Hampshire.
Order Process
Most online visible items are in stock and available for delivery, either directly from our inventory or through our suppliers. As a collaboration between two companies based in the USA and Germany, with three warehouses in Germany, minor delays between order receipt and shipment may occur.
Goods from the USA
Items from the USA are typically shipped separately as quickly as possible. If products are part of a consolidated shipment (about every three months), we will notify you in advance.
Manufacturer Lead Times
Popular items, such as Geiger counters or Zeiss microscopes, may have lead times of up to 8 weeks.
Availability of Small Items
Smaller items that are temporarily out of stock are removed from the online shop and made visible again once available.
Order Processing
Once all items in your order are available, your package is carefully packed. After the invoice is created, no changes can be made to the order.
Payment Method and Delivery Time
- Credit Card or PayPal: Immediate shipment.
- Prepayment: Shipment after receipt of payment (can take up to 8 business days, longer for international transactions).
About Prices and Shipping
Weights
The shipping weights listed in the online shop are used for postage calculation and do not correspond to the actual item weight.
Prices
Gross prices in EUR include statutory VAT:
- 19% on minerals.
- 7% on books.
- 19% on accessories and equipment.
Customers outside the EU or with a valid VAT-ID are exempt from VAT.
Wholesale Offers
All images show sample lots, as we cannot photograph each individual unit.
Frequently Asked Questions
What happens if packaging or brand names change?
Packaging or brand names may change from time to time, but the product remains the same.
How can I pay?
- Credit Card: Mastercard and Visa. Payment is only charged upon shipment.
- Prepayment: Bank transfer after receiving an invoice via email.