Garnet v. Spessartine

Domestic Shipping

All domestic web purchases are shipped via USPS Priority at a rate of $10 for the first mineral and an additional $3 for each mineral beyond the first, regardless of the weight and size of the package.

International Shipping

All international web purchases are shipped via USPS Priority. We charge a rate of $60 for the first mineral and an additional $15 for each mineral beyond the first, regardless of the weight and size of the package.

Shipping Disclaimer

All specimens valued at $500 or above will be shipped requiring signature upon delivery. Signature upon delivery may also be requested for specimens valued below $500 on buyer’s request. Signature requirements may be waived in writing at time of purchase, however, recipient assumes all risk of non-receipt of shipment.

When we are able to pack multiple items in one box, we will do so; however, if that is not possible due to size and weight limitations, we charge the same flat rate for all separate shipments. Specimens may be shipped via a different carrier, i.e. Fed Ex or UPS at their respective rates, which can be quoted by request.

The minimum insurance value is $100 per shipment. If you desire insurance of more than $100, please request that at the time of order. Additional insurance is at Purchaser’s expense and is the Purchaser’s responsibility. Upon the parcel’s arrival scan at the post office, Collector’s Edge releases all ownership and liability to the contained minerals.

We want you to be delighted with your purchases from the Collector’s Edge Minerals, Inc. Any specimens purchased on our website may be returned within 14 days of receipt of the specimen. If you intend to return any of the pieces you requested, you must notify us by email within the 14 calendar day period informing us of which specimen(s) you plan to ship back to us. After 14 days, all sales are considered final.

When returning specimens to the Collector’s Edge:

1. Pack the specimen(s) carefully, utilizing the original packaging methods and materials and include all cards and specimen labels.
2. Please understand that you are responsible for all shipping costs related to the return shipment of minerals to the Collector’s Edge.
3. We recommend that you insure the shipment for the full value of the specimens being returned. You are responsible for the full value of any specimen(s) lost or damaged in the return shipment.
4. Make sure that the pieces are back to us within 10 calendar days after your email notice informing us that you are returning the specimen(s).
5. If the returned specimen(s) are received more than 10-calendar days after your email notice was received, a restocking charge of 20% of the net cost of the returned mineral specimen(s) may be applied.
6. The full net cost of the returned mineral specimen(s) will be credited in a timely manner to your account or Credit Card, whichever method of payment used initially when specimen(s) are received on-time and in good condition.

Damaged in Transit 

Please notify us immediately if any specimens arrive damaged in transit. Please take photos of the original packing material, indicating where and how the damage occurred in transit, and retain all original packaging and all pieces of the damaged/broken specimen. This will assist in any claims made for the damage.

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.