About us - We the people ...
Synergy – A sum of the lesser parts equals a greater whole and that is how we see ourselves. We trade in crystals and like their various elements, when combined the outcome is something much better. We can’t see Dark Star having reached this fortunate place without each other and the separate skills we as individuals each bring to the table.
Mick has years of experience as a ‘rockhound’ and his education as a geographer and a gemologist are crucial in the finding and procurement of crystals (We call him the “Chief Science Officer). Mick understands the technical “boots on the ground” aspects of geology and already having a reputation on YouTube (caver461) and through his books, the 3-part Rockhound Series, he is a crucial element in Dark Star’s success.
As to be expected in any such undertaking, success is more than just hard work, it requires a suite of skills and the ability to hear the views of the others, one individual is unlikely to possess everything that is needed.
Mark sees opportunity and fills the gap around innovation, he is unquestionably our business mind and without dispute our foremost digger of fissures (We call him ‘Chief Extraction Officer’) – he’s a human mole. With a sharply honed instinct around the handling of assets; our Dark Star partnership is motivated by Mark’s enthusiasm and he helps us keep both our standards and the goal in view. Both Mark and Mick are licensed prospectors and they are increasingly educated on the “Mining Act”. “Staking a Claim” is but the first part of what is now apparently an increasingly complex process.
Cem is raw intellect; he curbs our enthusiasm with reality and is a master of the cyber world. Extraction being just one part of the formula to bring you crystals, an internet presence is everything in our marketing. We have a belief and we have a stellar product, but without Cem (ironically pronounced “Gem”) getting the word out onto our website we would remain mining in obscurity and piling untraded crystals in our basements.
Between us we developed consensus in what we believed (see our philosophy) and also in our shared direction and roles. When we discussed our intention to bring our “Bear Lake II” claim to lease the Government geologist expressed surprise. We were an unlikely trio, 3 guys who came from apparently unrelated professions. We had big dreams and many false assumptions. Thank you Andrew for guiding us in the initial phases. You have no idea how overwhelming the MLAS system can be to a newbie.
Well there certainly were misfortunes and we are likely to experience more, but we had a secret weapon, the synergy of our combined enthusiasm for what we loved doing – harvesting crystals. Every time we find an outstanding specimen (several times a day), a great cheer can be heard. There are several areas near our claim in which we can be found. Our focus is on vein-dyke fissures.
To us it’s more than just money; we appreciate the beauty and struggle with temptation. Each one of us has a crystal collection of our own and there’s the tendency to want to divert the better finds to our cabinets. We collect all over, not just in our claims. Don’t worry, our cabinets are full and our wives are out of patience, admittedly they too are rockhounds, but no more piling ‘speccies’ in the garden. What we had accumulated in the region must now go up on the site. Maggie, Kathy and Gill have had enough of our hoarding. Old Bear Lake 1 material will soon be up for public purchase, what we have on our claim we are hoping to bring to lease, but for now we’re expecting to entertain mineral clubs for amateur rockhounding experiences - education and guidance is how we’ll spend most of our time.