We have a number of clubs spread across the country, South Africa, and when I was editor of the Southern African Gems and Minerals magazine, club newsletter editor for a Gem and Mineral club, as well a host of an annual mineral fair, trying to attract new blood led me to the metaphysical collectors and dealers.

I encouraged them as these are 2 parallel universes; they collect the same thing, but refer to it differently. What a mineral collector may find of value in a "rock or crystal" shop, may have little value to an esoteric person, so inviting them, provided opportunity for mineral collectors.

Of our 3 online stores, over 70%  of our buyers are metaphysical.  It is simple economics.  When I have a number of similar items, I spread their description across several fields, and that works for different people, different audiences.  In other words, I have learned to speak rock, crystal and mineral.

Many of the top dogs have others buy on their behalf, a geology professor here and a young buck, who's daddy has too many pennies and has taught the son some rocky info. These travelers buy at the top international shows for those who don't have the time, knowledge or even those who don't want to be exposed.

There are others who have mining rights only for specimens, tucked away in dreadful places like KMF.  Wherever, whichever, there is always a pecking order... the various dealers we buy from, for resale, have standing orders for certain grades; the top of this goes to a certain person for Tucson, another miner cum dealer give first pick to the chap in the mansion with a mineral museum in the basement, then the 2nd picking goes to the next echelon or the big boys club, and the mid-range then is only available to select dealers.

A challenge with localities such as the Congo is, that few with knowledge have been there. Very few blogs, articles and studies are available online.  The miners themselves would never give a precise locality, as that would be slaughtering their golden goose, so their pickings are moved to the first or 2nd rough market, and then on to those who have the means or connections to move the stuff to the next level of dealers / buyers etc.  Many suppliers depend on third party transportation.  The truckers are clueless about minerals, and at least a third of the loot is spoiled by the time it reaches Johannesburg.  Not good economics.

There are wholesalers who sell the bottom end to small rock shops , who in turn don't understand the difference between that and hand picked, trimmed, cared for specimens.  It's a viscous cycle.

Being at the end of the world in Southern Africa, yes - we are close to the treasure, but we have to put in a lot of work before we present out goods at a fraction of the Northern Hemisphere market value.

The cartwheels we have to spin to get small parcels to their intended recipients, you would likely find beyond believable.

At the end of the day, these are all toys for grown ups and generally, people have short arms and deep pockets, yet they'd pay many times more if we were down the road or at a local show.

There are many challenges, and finding regular as well as reliable suppliers is the search for the Unicorn... but on we go.