" For thirty-five years, Pala International Inc. has consistently earned its reputation as the direct source for the finest colored stones.
Numerous annual trips to the world’s major gem-producing centers, as well as an on-site state-of-the-art lapidary enables Pala International’s staff to select from an impressive inventory.
In addition to tapping the world’s resources for fine colored stones, Pala has long been involved with mining tourmaline in San Diego county.
Pala International’s slogan is “The only way to sell quality is to buy it.” That, and the fine customer service we offer, make Pala International your number one source for colored stones. " ... Pala story

" For more than thirty (30) years, Excalibur Mineral Corp. has been providing private collectors, researchers, major universities and museums throughout the world with reliably identified, rare and unusual mineral samples for science and display. In a major expansion move ten years ago, Excalibur's president, Tony Nikischer, purchased the assets of the Cureton Mineral Corporation in 1993. The Cureton firm had been a world leader in supplying rare mineral species since 1950, and the combined inventories of these two former competitors now exceeds 200,000 mineral samples, comprising some 3100 different mineral species.
Since the merger, Excalibur has also opened its own in-house analytical laboratory equipped with a Scanning Electron Microscope and state-of-the-art EDAX detectors utilized for Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy in mineral, gem, and ... " more

" Miners purpose is the courteous and prompt provision of quality products. Items included in this online catalog have been carefully selected for quality and reliability. Changes in their construction are monitored to guard against quality reduction. Equipment of doubtful effectiveness and "gimmickry" are studiously avoided. Items are deleted from our catalog where manufacturer policies and practices impair our service to customers.
Miners guarantees every item sold to be as represented in its catalog. We will accomplish to your satisfaction an exchange or refund for the prompt return of defective merchandise. " ... more

" The principal product of the Mineralogical Record Inc. is The Mineralogical Record magazine, issued six times a year. This is the most authoritative and widely respected mineral collector's journal in the world; no serious advanced collector would be without it. Over the years many newcomers to the field have learned from it the extensive information they need to go from novice to expert—and to have fun in the process. Readers learn about important mineral localities old and new, about the fascinating history of mining and mineralogy, and about new mineral species being described. They see reviews of public and private collections, market reports from contemporary mineral shows, columns on special topics, and oversized special issues devoted to entire mineral-rich states and countries. And all of these articles and features are illustrated by abundant top-quality color photography of fine mineral specimens. (See the Sample Articles page for some typical examples.) Copies of the magazine are never discarded like old newspapers, but are carefully saved and collected as reference works of permanent value... " more