A lot has been happening in the mineral world these last few weeks — here’s everything you need to know.

Auctions have been active, new collectors are entering the hobby, and excitement is building as Tucson approaches. But behind all of that, something even more meaningful has been taking place: the EarthWonders community has grown faster and stronger than ever.

Collectors — new and experienced — have been joining the platform, sharing their collections, uploading specimens, and helping shape what we hope becomes the largest, most organized mineral community online.

Let’s catch up.

WIKI UPDATES — A BETTER KNOWLEDGE HUB FOR EVERYONE

Over the last month, the EarthWonders Wiki has received some of its most important upgrades yet:

• new localities

• updated mineral pages

• newly added specimens

• cleaner structure

• easier navigation

• better organization for beginners

One of the standout contributions comes from Hannah Brodhagen, who created a fantastic new page on Rhodochrosite.

It’s clear, informative, and beautifully structured — a strong example of what the Wiki can become when the community contributes.

If you want to add a mineral, a locality, or expand an entry, you’re welcome to do so.

Just reach out, and we’ll guide you through it.

EarthWonders is built by collectors, and the Wiki is proof of that.

COLLECTOR SPOTLIGHT — CELEBRATING WHAT MAKES THIS COMMUNITY SPECIAL

This month, we want to thank someone who has contributed enormously to the platform: David Lucas

David added more than 300 specimens to his collection on EarthWonders — an exceptional group that ranges from clean thumbnails to striking cabinet pieces. His uploads highlight crystallography, color, context, and diversity in a way that helps teach and inspire collectors at every level.

His collection has already become one of the most explored on the platform.
Take a tour, mark your favorites, and leave a comment — the work he has shared is truly worth seeing.

EarthWonders grows because collectors like David choose to share their passion.

LOOKING AHEAD — TUCSON IS COMING

With Tucson just around the corner, the community is already preparing:

• dealers curating their best material

• collectors planning their trips

• conversations forming around what might debut

• pre-Tucson trades and uploads increasing

• newcomers getting ready for their first real mineral show

There’s more energy than usual, and Tucson 2025 is shaping up to be one of the most exciting shows in recent years.

Many collectors will be using their profiles and shops on EarthWonders to showcase what they’re bringing.

THE MARKET: A GROWING WAVE OF ENERGY IN THE MINERAL WORLD

The mineral world has felt unusually active over the last few weeks. Interest is rising, auctions are bringing strong participation, and collectors across all levels are paying close attention to major pieces hitting the market. One of the events that captured this momentum most clearly was Dan Kennedy: Fine Minerals Part II, a sale that delivered both excitement and high-level competition.

Nic, the director at HA for minerals had the following to say...

“Dan Kennedy: Fine Minerals Part II was an outstanding success. For this sale, we strategically held back a number of Dan’s most niche and coveted specimens—most notably selections from his exceptional sulfide collection. One piece in particular, the chalcopyrite from Füsseberg, Germany, captivated me from the moment I began cataloging it. I couldn’t take my eyes off it, and on auction day even our auctioneer, Mike Sadler, was taken aback by its presence. Another specimen that was truly mind-blowing was the acanthite from Fresnillo, Mexico, which sold for $50,000—the crystallization on that piece is absolutely incredible.”

“We also had a strong showing in Denver this year during the HardRock Summit show, where we displayed several top highlights from the collection. The turnout was terrific, and the pieces attracted nonstop attention from collectors and enthusiasts throughout the show.”

“By the time auction day arrived, bidding was already heating up. Activity surged hours before the sale even began, and once the auction opened, the excitement in the room—and online—was palpable. Several lots sparked intense bidding battles, a thrill to witness as the market determined fair values for these remarkable specimens in real time.”

“Working with the Kennedy collection has been a true pleasure, and we’re looking forward to presenting the final chapter this January—a special showcase auction tracing his journey as a collector from childhood through adulthood.”

Find the full Auction Results here.

A FINAL WORD

These last few weeks were about real, community-driven growth.

New collectors joined, major updates rolled out, the Wiki expanded, and the platform became richer with knowledge, stories, and mineral history.

EarthWonders was always meant to be more than a site. It’s a living archive of minerals, collectors, and the journeys of the pieces we love.

Thank you to everyone who has uploaded, contributed, read, and shared.

There’s much more coming.

See you soon,

The EarthWonders Team