Frequently Asked Questions

No, the Sweet Home Mine was closed in 2004. The portal was removed and the entrance was cemented and reclaimed. Operations taking place at the Detroit City Portal, located above the original mine workings, ceased permanently in September of 2024

No, there are multiple reasons to not pursue mining rhodochrosite in the old workings.

After years of planning, Detroit City Portal mining operations began in 2017. “Detroit City Mine” is the original name of the block of claims containing the Sweet Home Mine. It’s also an homage to Collector’s Edge Minerals founder and President Bryan Lees’ roots in the “Motor City”.

No. The Detroit City Portal closed permanently in 2024 after a 7 year run.

Fully formed, gemmy, lustrous, and deep red rhombohedrons of rhodochrosite are extremely rare and highly sought after by collectors and jewelers alike. The Sweet Home Mine and Detroit City Portal have produced some of the highest-quality specimens in the world.

The mine is strictly off-limits to unauthorized visitors.

Yes! We love visitors! You just need an appointment to make sure someone is here. Email us at: [email protected]

Yes! Though it will be slightly more costly, we will get your specimens to you as safely as possible. Please see our shipping policy

Collector’s Edge Specimen Preparation Standards
Collector’s Edge Minerals Inc. operates its own laboratory for the purpose of processing mineral specimens for cleaning, trimming, stabilization, repair, restoration, and documentation. Our laboratory work has helped set the standards for our industry.  Our laboratory customers have confirmed what we believe; that the quality of the service received from the Collector’s Edge specimen preparation lab is without equal.  We are proud of the superior work done by the Collector’s Edge laboratory staff.    

Collector’s Edge Minerals, Inc. has always taken the lead in documenting and disclosing to customers all stabilization, repair, and restoration work performed or found on specimens coming through our lab. It is our policy to disclose whether a specimen has been stabilized, repaired, or restored in the description of the individual specimens on our website, on our invoice, and on the specimen label.      

Stabilized

The matrix rock or crystal-to-crystal contacts of some specimens are so friable/fragile that the mineral specimen may require reinforcement with an adhesive substance.   Stabilization will help to preserve delicate mineral specimens during shipping and during handling and display in your collection.  When stabilization is performed on a specimen we make every effort to ensure that the stabilizing adhesive is “invisible” on the finished specimen.  Stabilization is disclosed in the description of the individual specimens on our website, on our invoice, and on the specimen label.                    

Repaired

The repair of a mineral specimen can be defined as the simple gluing of broken pieces back together in their original growth positions. No attempt is made to change the orientation of the reassembled pieces in order to enhance the aesthetic appearance of the specimen. Repairs are typically made using long-lasting, high-purity adhesives. When repairs are made, we make every effort to ensure that the areas being repaired are as “invisible” as possible on the finished specimen. Repairs are disclosed in the description of the individual specimens on our website, on our invoice, and on the specimen label. 

Restored

A restored specimen is one of which a high-purity adhesive or other substance has been used to replace a missing crystal fragment during the repair process. Generally, replacement of small fragments lost from an otherwise complete crystal with an adhesive or other substance will be viewed as restoration provided that the area to be restored is constrained by the geometry of the original crystal. When restoration work is performed, we make every effort to ensure that the areas being restored are as “invisible” as possible on the finished specimen. This may include the “carving” of striations into the replaced crystal section that align with the striations observed on the adjoining natural crystal faces. Restoration is disclosed in the description of the individual specimens on our website, on our invoice, and on the specimen label.                

Sure! Depending on the time of year, it may take us a while to get back to you. We get quite busy during shows! Please note that we do not offer appraisal services. 

No, we do not offer pricing or appraisal services.

Yes we do! Please send a list of specimens along with clear photos and/or videos of the collection to [email protected] and someone will get back to you. 

Definitely! Reach out to us on Instagram @collectorsedgeminerals for the quickest response OR feel free to email [email protected] and we will send you whatever information/media you need.

We set up in Tucson every year (Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery and Sun Gemstone) and Denver twice a year (Hard Rock Summit) and April show.

Our high-end material is displayed in the Tucson Fine Mineral Gallery (Room 1), and our Wholesale location is located at Sun Gemstone (Room SG12).

During the Denver fall show, our high-end material is set up at the Hard Rock Summit

Thumbnail < 3 cm
Toenail 3 – 4 cm
Miniature 4 – 5cm
Small Cabinet > 5 cm
Large Cabinet > 10 cm