122 DSD


China. Once again, Dr. Lavinsky and his clients made contribu- tions to ensure that the museum had quality pieces of “mineral art” to display.


Lavinsky explains that: “For many years, a piece of art like a Picasso or a Van Gogh was seen as something only for the institutional buyer or the very rich. This is where minerals differ. They are truly stunning to look at and bring out the academic, the historian, and yes, the collector in each of us. Also, the entry fee to this type of collectible art can be in the hundreds versus the hundreds of thousands, so more people can enjoy owning these as col- lectibles.”


Dr. Lavinsky’s passion for minerals runs deep and started at a young age. While attend- ing junior high school in Ohio, Lavinsky encountered a group who were collecting minerals and fossils. He was invited to join the group and his passion for minerals was born. The hobby became a busi- ness when Dr. Lavinsky was a student at Rice University in Houston. In the mid 1990s, he started some of the first mineral email groups as well as a website, which enabled him to sell to dealers and collectors all over the world. Today, Dr. Lavinsky owns and operates The Arkenstone, one of the world’s foremost dealers


in fine mineral specimens. Prov- ing his deep love for all things natural, he named his company after a mythical stone from J.R.R. Tolkein’s The Hobbit—a stone that was said to have shone from its own inner light. The Arkenstone showroom, open by appointment only, of- fers an international assortment of the most incredible variety of minerals and gemstones at a wide range of price points. Everyone, from new hobbyists to serious collectors to nation- al-level museums, will be able to locate something they can own and afford. Dr. Lavinsky points out that unlike some collectible mar- kets, which saw their value drift


downward with the advent of the internet, minerals have only grown in value with the increase in availability and transparency of information. “After the explo- sion of eBay, not all collectible markets were able to sustain their ‘rare’ market title. Minerals, however, are truly rare. Each is unique and irreplaceable. The market has continued to grow over time.” 2


THE ARKENSTONE P.O. Box 830460


Richardson, TX 75083 972-437-2492 iRocks.com


Rick Villa is a freelance writer based in Dallas. He can be reached at rvilla19@gmail.com.


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