Mineral Classics

Mineral Classics The company founder, Richard A. Kosnar, was a world renowned mineral collector and dealer. In 1993, a new mineral species, KOSNARITE, from Mt.

est. 1970, we are committed to providing quality mineral specimens, native elements, gemstones and gem crystals to collectors, museums and anyone interested in the hobby Mineral Classics, est. 1970 and located in Colorado, is a family owned company dedicated to supplying excellent quality mineral specimens to collectors, museums and anyone interested in the science and hobby of mineralogy. Mica, A

uburn, Maine was named in his honor for his contribution to the mineralogical community. We are extremely proud to have a mineral bearing the family name. (Ref: American Mineralogist, Vol. 78, No. 5 & 6, pgs. 653-656, May/June 1993). Richard Kosnar is listed in The International Directory of Distinguished Leadership published by the American Biographical Institute, 1992. Sadly, Richard passed away on January 15, 2007. He was incredibly strong, both mentally and physically and fought for many years with his health issues, but his love for minerals was never compromised. Even in the days leading to his death, Richard continued to expand his mineral collection, and studied the minerals that had composed his life's work. Today, Mineral Classics continues the procuring, mining, importing, and sale of fine quality mineral specimens, gemstones, and jewelry. We have always strived to provide not just popular mineral species, but a wide selection of unique and hard to find minerals from classic and contemporary localities. Richard’s son, Brian Kosnar, is now running the company and is following in his fathers’ footsteps traveling to mineral localities in pursuit of specimens. His wife, Angela, works with him photographing the minerals for the website and publication, along with countless other duties for which she never receives enough credit. In 2011 Brian’s son, William, was named the youngest mineral dealer at the Denver Gem and Mineral Show at 10 years old and continues to sell specimens alongside his parents at the various shows around the world. Brian’s brother, Brett Kosnar, and his wife Allyce facet gemstones and create custom jewelry. Their material can be found at www.kosnargemco.com

This stunning “Blood Vessel” Hyalite Opal from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, features glassy, gemmy, spherical crystals with ...
02/26/2026

This stunning “Blood Vessel” Hyalite Opal from San Luis Potosi, Mexico, features glassy, gemmy, spherical crystals with delicate red-orange iron oxide lines that give the piece its unique character. The front is display-ready, and a touch of attached matrix on the back makes it even rarer.

Colorless yet full of life, these bead-like Opals glow brilliantly under SW UV light, showing off their signature green fluorescence. Only minor rough spots, and far finer than most material we’ve seen. This is a true standout for Opal collectors!

Locality: San Luis Potosi, Mexico

A stunning thumbnail specimen showcasing two thin, tabular Brookite blades reaching up to 1.6 cm, perched on top of a de...
02/25/2026

A stunning thumbnail specimen showcasing two thin, tabular Brookite blades reaching up to 1.6 cm, perched on top of a delicate matrix with minor Quartz. The crystals radiate a fiery red-orange hue, with striking internal black phantoms that create depth and an eye-catching pattern.

Undamaged and beautifully composed, this piece stands out for its quality and aesthetics, making it one of the most impressive thumbnails in the group and a must-have for collectors seeking bold, showy display specimens.

Locality: Kharan District, Balochistan, Pakistan

Brilliant golden Chalcopyrite takes center stage, perfectly undamaged, resting on a bed of delicate grey-white Quartz ne...
02/23/2026

Brilliant golden Chalcopyrite takes center stage, perfectly undamaged, resting on a bed of delicate grey-white Quartz needles. Sharp, lustrous black Sphalerite crystals frame the piece, while smaller Chalcopyrites are scattered throughout, adding depth and visual intrigue. This miniature captures the essence of classic Chalcopyrite material — a balanced, showy specimen that’s as striking up close as it is in a display.

Locality: Septemvri Mine (Deveti Septemvri Mine), Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria

This is Aquamarine from Richard Kosnar’s late-1970s Idaho diggings — a source known for producing some of the finest unh...
02/21/2026

This is Aquamarine from Richard Kosnar’s late-1970s Idaho diggings — a source known for producing some of the finest unheated blue color in North America. Crystals from the find are rarely this clean, yet this example shows approximately 90% gem clarity.

The prism is sharp and richly saturated, with subtle hydrothermal etching and a distinctive “snow-capped” zone near the termination. Pieces of this caliber seldom surface today, especially with this depth of blue. This is one of the stronger Idaho crystals we’ve seen — and a standout for serious collectors of American gem minerals.

Locality: Sawtooth Mountains, Idaho

Lustrous and sharp, this Viloco Cassiterite showcases two twinning habits on a single specimen — a rare feature, especia...
02/20/2026

Lustrous and sharp, this Viloco Cassiterite showcases two twinning habits on a single specimen — a rare feature, especially with the inclusion of “drillbit” twinned groups. Black to golden crystals crown a prismatic white Quartz matrix, creating a striking display piece.

Nearly flawless and visually commanding, it’s a standout for collectors of Cassiterites or Bolivian minerals, representing one of the finest examples from the mine that produces Bolivia’s only gem-quality Cassiterites.

Locality: Viloco Mine, Loayza Province, La Paz Department, Bolivia

This is a classic Muddy Creek Baryte showcasing the locality’s signature chalky crystals with a soft silvery sheen. A do...
02/18/2026

This is a classic Muddy Creek Baryte showcasing the locality’s signature chalky crystals with a soft silvery sheen. A dominant 1-inch crystal crowns the piece, framed by delicate bladed crystals on matrix. Crystals of this size are uncommon from Muddy Creek. This is an exceptional display specimen for collectors.

Loacality: Muddy Creek, tributary of Crater Creek, Rio Grande County, Colorado

This is the gold specimen that was taken from our display case yesterday. Please reach out to us if you have any informa...
02/16/2026

This is the gold specimen that was taken from our display case yesterday. Please reach out to us if you have any information.

🚨PLEASE READ🚨Yesterday evening a Gold from Breckenridge (in a riker mount box labeled from the Harvard collection) was s...
02/16/2026

🚨PLEASE READ🚨
Yesterday evening a Gold from Breckenridge (in a riker mount box labeled from the Harvard collection) was stolen from one of our display cases.

We are sharing video footage and screenshots of the individual involved. You can see the person dressed in white take the gold from our display case in the first video (swipe to see the full video). If you recognize this person or have any information, please contact us immediately.

Let’s help keep our community safe and honest.

✨ Last Day at the Tucson Show!Today is your final chance to visit us at the Mineral Galleries on Lester, 501 W Lester St...
02/14/2026

✨ Last Day at the Tucson Show!

Today is your final chance to visit us at the Mineral Galleries on Lester, 501 W Lester St, Tucson, AZ, and experience an extraordinary collection of crystals, gems, and mineral specimens from around the world. From brand-new finds to never-before-seen pieces, it’s a day you won’t want to miss!

🕙 Open today from 10 AM – 5 PM

Stop by, explore, and enjoy one last opportunity to see what makes this show so special. 💎

💎 Fluorescent Gems That light up the room!Come see the magic of fluorescence with green and blue Hauyne, purple Scapolit...
02/13/2026

💎 Fluorescent Gems That light up the room!

Come see the magic of fluorescence with green and blue Hauyne, purple Scapolite, and Ruby crystals on matrix from Afghanistan.

These spectacular minerals practically glow under UV light. Don’t miss them at Mineral Galleries on Lester, 501 W Lester St, Tucson, AZ.

🕙 Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM daily

🌟 New Discoveries, Old TreasuresHundreds of new thumbnail specimens from classic and contemporary localities worldwide j...
02/10/2026

🌟 New Discoveries, Old Treasures

Hundreds of new thumbnail specimens from classic and contemporary localities worldwide join newly acquired Ruby and Spinel specimens from Myanmar, never publicly offered before.

Witness these treasures in person at the Tucson Show!

📍Mineral Galleries on Lester, 501 W Lester St, Tucson, AZ.

🕙 Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM each day

✨ A World of Wonders Awaits!From the Republic of the Congo, discover ultra-rare Silver on Dioptase, gemmy yellow Mimetit...
02/07/2026

✨ A World of Wonders Awaits!

From the Republic of the Congo, discover ultra-rare Silver on Dioptase, gemmy yellow Mimetite on matrix, and the first-ever faceted Mimetite gemstones cut by Will Kosnar. Each piece is a masterpiece of nature—and a collector’s dream come true. Don’t miss it at the Mineral Galleries on Lester, 501 W Lester St, Tucson, AZ!

🕙 Hours: 10 AM – 5 PM daily

Address

3799 Las Vegas Blvd S
Las Vegas, NV
89109

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