The Gem & Mineral World Lost A Legend, John Veevaert

rt395 (65)in #life • 6 years ago

I am pretty broken up about this. While researching benitoite today I came across the following message:

John Veevaert was a well-respected collector and dealer of some of the finest minerals in the world, especially benitoite. He was one of the authorities on the gem. I learned how to etch benitoite from his tutorial. In fact, I learned a great deal about benitoite from his website, http://www.benitoite.com .

His business, Trinity Minerals Company, was one of the first to sell mineral specimens on the internet in 1996.

As I mentioned, he was one of the top benitoite dealers in the world. I purchased many specimens from him over the years and had been inquiring about getting some of his remaining rough to etch.

Whenever he was at a mineral show I was attending I would make his booth a priority to visit. I purchased many benitoite specimens from him including my most prized one 2 years ago, which was also etched by him.

Last time I saw him was at the Tokyo Gem and Mineral Show in Dec. 2017. I was only an acquaintance, but I always had chats with him when I purchased specimens. Life is short, be sure to live it!

Here is his obituary: http://www.trinityjournal.com/obituaries/article_356e9cbc-7f26-11e8-9221-4fbc0a36ab91.html