About Us

Boris and I live at Lune River, in the far south of Tasmania, located 100 kms from the capital city of Hobart among the remnants of an Early Jurassic forest, famous for its rare, silicified fern fossils.

Boris began collecting for minerals and gemstones as a teenager and, together with his brother, built up a significant collection of minerals during the 1970’s. During this time he also studied and qualified as a geologist, applying his new knowledge in a number of mining situations around Australia in the following decade. He succeeded in  his  gemmological studies by correspondence, gaining his FGA in 1999 (London).

Having both established an early connection with the bush and exploring the world, it was natural enough that our shared life moved easily into searching for crystals, minerals and fossils.  Our journeys have taken us around Tasmania, with the western coastline, particularly appealing. Not only is that area rich in minerals and full of elemental stories of chemistry, but it contains a spectacular blend of big seas, giant granite boulders and old myrtle forests  – such beautiful country, such a sense of remoteness. For a number of years, we worked a small mining lease near Zeeham, where, amongst early Devonian shales, we cracked rock, hunting for trilobites and other marine fossils.

We take our mineral ‘wares’ to Salamanca Market, held in Hobart every Saturday. This is Australia’s largest outdoor market and attracts many visitors throughout the year.          We provide fossicking information, particularly for the local Lune River gemfields. 

Whilst our time out fossicking has decreased over the past thirty years, our enjoyment and interest in beautiful stones, crystals and fossils has not diminished, nor has our enthusiasm for showing people what our earth is made from - what can be found. 

Chrystine