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Following is a small sampling of gallery photos from our collections. Most images are linked to blow-ups. Click on the small image to view the latter
on a new page. Close that page to return
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 Australite flanged buttons are the
most coveted tektite morphology in the world. There is a particular size range wherein spherical tektites re-entering
the atmosphere melt on the frontal surface, and the viscous liquid streams back and curls into the pressure eddy
at the shoulders, forming the distinctive flying-saucer rims. Rarely, these rims survive impact. A small fraction
of this small fraction (of the small fraction that were the right size to begin with---) endure the nearly 800,000
years of abuse on the earth's surface unscathed. These are the trophies. I had to trade my youngest daughter's hand in marriage for the one on the left. No kidding.
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 Here is an absolutely flawless, stunning
Moldavite from Besednice, Czech Republic.
The Besednice Moldavites are widely held to be the finest found and the beautiful emerald-green glass is sometimes
faceted as a gem---but with natural ornamentation like this, I find it hard to consider that an improvement. The
Moldavites are considered to be related to meteorite impact at the Ries crater in Germany at about 15 million years.
Moldavites were found in association with the famous Venus of Willendorf (Austria) archaeological site dated at
about 29,000 years. Tektite collecting is an ancient tradition!
Many years ago, I saw this one for sale in a nature shop, but couldn't afford it at the time. I called my family
over to view it, and remarked that it was probably the finest moldavite that they would ever see. I also added
some comment to the effect that not buying it would probably haunt me . It did. One year later we visited the same
shop again, and it was still there. I told the shop owner that I couldn't believe it had not yet sold. She suggested
that it was still waiting for its "real" owner, and had made itself invisible to everyone else. I replied
that the "real" owner was back to claim the prize, and started counting out the money--- Today I wouldn't
accept 10 times what I paid for it.
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Georgiaite! Easily one of the finest Georgiaites
known, this spectacular teardrop is a flawless 17.9 gms. It has been featured in two textbooks. I bought it directly
from the finder a couple of years ago. The total known number of Georgiaites in captivity is fewer than 1500. These,
along with Texan Bediasites are related to a 34.5 million year impact in Chesapeake Bay. Be sure to click the image
for a larger view of this beauty.
Central Stone of King Tut's Breastplate!
Libyan Desert Glass is another uniquely beautiful material. Found in one of
the most remote and inhospitable regions on earth, collection requires a journey of 1000 kilometers across billowing
sand seas from the nearest roadways. If you carry enough fuel and water for 2500 kms, you might get out alive.
Somehow, the ancient Egyptians found and retrieved this magical glass. Related to meteorite impact about 28.5 million
years ago, this exceptionally high-silica content glass has been sculpted and polished by eons of wind-blown sand.
We've had the chance to personally collect heaps of Australites in the stinking hot, fly-infested, remote, blindingly-white dry lakes
and salt flats of the Kalgoorlie region of Western Australia (about as close as you can get to heaven on this planet!).
This is recommended as a great way to gain a first-hand understanding of the reason why Australites are so expensive
and rarely found on the market. That's also a feeble explanation for the fact that we've not yet listed many Australites
for sale, despite a stock of several thousand. I couldn't possible charge what they're worth to the finders (us)!!!
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Brought to you by Norm & Cookie Lehrman,
who's manic collecting habits have resulted in a host of eccentric mannerisms and peculiar facial tics. It remains
to be seen if a venture into commerce such as this can effectively counter or even postpone significantly the necessity
of their move into a tent in the backyard in order that there might be adequate space for the burgeoning collections
indoors.
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our email address remains nlehrman@nvbell.net
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