Silicon Investor (SI) -- The First Internet Community

STOCKTALK

We've detected that you're using an ad content blocking browser plug-in or feature. Ads provide a critical source of revenue to the continued operation of Silicon Investor. We ask that you disable ad blocking while on Silicon Investor in the best interests of our community. If you are not using an ad blocker but are still receiving this message, make sure your browser's tracking protection is set to the 'standard' level.

Gold/Mining/Energy : Strictly: Drilling and oil-field services -- Ignore unavailable to you. Want to Upgrade?

To: isopatch who wrote (90973)	5/17/2001 11:05:12 AM
From: jim black	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95453

Iso, in response to your observation about gems I venture the following caveat for those maybe less informed than you. Modern gem technology has made the purchase of rubies, sapphires and emeralds exceedingly hazardous. The synthetic stuff is getting so good that it takes a major gem lab to tell the difference between a fine specimen dug from the ground in Sri Lanka and one grown in US firm like Ramaura or Chatham. Ramaura has even gone so far as adding a labelling contaminant to help gemologists verify a given specimen is lab grown. Actually from a scientific and objective point of view a lab grown specimen of all three of these gems can easily be superior, but it is the irrational factor of being "natural" that detemines price. AND I know from personal experience it can be next to impossible to get a return on your money when you choose to sell. During the 70's inflation I became a quick study in rare coins but there it is a MUST to know whom you are dealing with and know what you are doing. For example, some of the current bozos pushing "numismatic" US gold, e.g., US $20 gold double Eagles, dealers will not tell that many of these so-called rare coins were not melted in 1933 but rather shipped out of the country a couple of weeks ahead of Roosevelt's executive order prohibiting private owndership of gold. So my advice to prospects is to stick with US coins both old and truly rare and of the very best catagory, MS-63 (official grading system for coins) or better. Still regret I did not take the advice of an old friend and professor in 1973 and fork over 35k for a US $4 gold Stella, went up to 500-600k in a matter of less then a decade and priceless today. Caveat Emptor jim black

To: isopatch who wrote (90973)	5/17/2001 4:59:38 PM
From: chowder	Read Replies (1) \| Respond to of 95453

Iso! >> Real estate, antique cars, numismatic coins, art, and other "hard assets" like hi quality Persian and Turkish oriental rugs also appreciate in value << Speaking of numismatic coins, I used to be a numismatist. I worked in a coin shop in downtown Boston, for free - no wages. I talked the dealer into letting hang around and help out just to learn the business. I was 16 at the time. I used my paper route money to buy old US coins, uncirculated and proof conditions. He would sell them to me just above his cost. I had a nice collection going until the late 70's when gold went to $800 per ounce and the Hunt's tried to corner the silver market. I sold most of my collection at hugely gross profits. I was dumb and immature at the time. I spent the money. Party hearty was the call of the day at that time and party hearty I did. An interesting tidbit from my working experience at the coin shop, they used to take rolls and rolls of coins each year that were freshly minted and place them in the vault. Twenty years later you have uncirculated coins that are now worth some jingle. How's that for offsetting inflation? dabum