Need Advice For Gem or Crystal or Mineral Photography

A forum to ask questions, post setups, and generally discuss anything having to do with photomacrography and photomicroscopy.

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lonepal
Posts: 322
Joined: Sat Jan 28, 2017 12:26 pm
Location: Turkey

Need Advice For Gem or Crystal or Mineral Photography

Post by lonepal »

Hi!
I want to try gem or crystal or mineral photography.

Where can I get the samples?
Which one should I start with?
Anybody has experince can lead me?
Thanks.
Regards.
Omer

zzffnn
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Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
Contact:

Post by zzffnn »

Omer,

I don't have much experience and don't live near a mineral production site.

So I use eBay and started with reasonably priced samples. Such as amethyst, rainbow fluorite or lace agate.

http://www.architecturendesign.net/45-e ... nd-stones/

On that list, I have #14, 15, 19, 21 and 22, plus vanadinite, citrine and and a few others that I cannot remember. I am traveling, but can get you a more complete favorite list on next Wednesday.

With my small but not tiny crystals, I use 1x on sensor magnification most. And 4-6x on sensor magnification sometimes.

ChrisR
Site Admin
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Joined: Sat Mar 14, 2009 3:58 am
Location: Near London, UK

Post by ChrisR »

I thought these were the "reasonably priced from ebay" samples you'd bought, until I saw the kids in hard hats! :shock:
Chris R

Harald
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Joined: Fri May 13, 2011 10:33 am
Location: Steinberg, Norway
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Post by Harald »

Hi there Omer,
I buy some from eBay.com. If you go to Collectables, rocks, fossils and minerals, and the go to "Display Specimen"

https://www.ebay.com/sch/Display-Specim ... ml?_fsrp=1
you have a lot to chose from.
When it comes to photographing, I would recommend a light tent to start with. Gives you good control over the light.
Don´t buy a big one....
Something like this: http://www.ebay.com/itm/NEW-Camera-Trip ... SwayZXjc1y
But drop the tripod in this kit..
I have an 30x30x30cm tent

Just something from my own experience

Good luck :D
Kind Regards
Harald

Lier Fotoklubb / NSFF
AFIAP / CPS
BGF / GMV
http://www.500px.com/blender11

zzffnn
Posts: 1896
Joined: Thu May 22, 2014 1:25 pm
Location: Houston, Texas, USA
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Post by zzffnn »

ChrisR wrote:I thought these were the "reasonably priced from ebay" samples you'd bought, until I saw the kids in hard hats! :shock:
:lol: That was why I did not say I have #5.

When buying minerals from eBay, I usually spend less than $35 USD per sample (most reasonably sized micro mount samples can be bought for that much, including shipping). I have covered the color spectrum with the very most popular minerals, for around $300 USD.

Crinnis
Posts: 1
Joined: Sun Jan 07, 2018 1:42 pm
Location: Dolton, Devon.

Photographing minerals you buy....

Post by Crinnis »

Look on facebook at the pictures displayed on the pages of the British Micromount Society. Many of the members will post pictures of the setups they use to record images. You could try e-rocks mineral auctions to buy your specimens.

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