Thumbnails – June 17
Thumbnail specimens are small pieces best appreciated without magnification. Sometime in the twentieth century, a trend developed in the United States to preserve small mineral specimens, especially well-crystallized and damage-free examples, often in partitioned wooden boxes. When collectors began showcasing their specimens, such as entering competitions at mineral shows, a uniform set of competition rules became necessary. The American Federation of Mineral Societies (AFMS) developed this rule: A thumbnail mineral is defined as any mineral specimen displayed so that it will fit into a one inch cube.
Thumbnail collecting exploded after the advent of the AFMS rule. One mineral dealer in particular began specializing in thumbnail specimens: Willard Perkin (1907-1991). Perkin developed a colorless and black hinged box, encompassing a cube sized 1 1/4″ on each edge. He inserted styrofoam into the black base and mounted small specimens onto the form, often with the tine of a hair comb. Such boxes, later supplied by Althor Products, became a de facto standard across the United States and are affectionately called “perkies” after their inventor.
This gallery contains 20 specimens.
#1597 Albite |
#1599 Almeidaite |
#1606 Azurite |
#1604 Barrerite on Quartz |
#1596 Cafarsite |
#1595 Chrysoberyl |
#1591 Elbaite |
#1594 Grossular |
#1601 Grossular |
#1607 Malachite |
#1600 Marialite |
#1593 Milarite |
#1609 Paratacamite |
#1590 Pyroxmangite |
#1608 Strontianite |
#1598 Uvarovite (Afghanistan!) |
#1592 Yugawaralite |
#1605 Zirconolite |
#1602 Zunyite |
#1603 Zunyite |