Media Advisory: Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum unveils rare mineral donation to permanent collection

Jan. 22, 2024

Media Advisory: Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum unveils rare mineral donation to permanent collection

Who: World-renowned mineral collector Robert Lavinsky joins interim Senior Vice President of Research, Innovation & Impact Elliott Cheu and Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum Director Violetta Wolf for remarks during this press event.
What: A media preview before a private unveiling of one of the world's largest stibnite specimens to be housed at UArizona's Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum.
When: Thursday, Jan. 25, 3:30 p.m.
Where: Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum. 115 N. Church Ave., Suite 121, Tucson, AZ 85701
Why: Just in time for the largest and longest-running gem show in the world, this private event precedes the public display of this specimen. The donated mineral is in pristine condition and is expected to attract enthusiasts from around the world.
RSVP: Please RSVP with name, media outlet and email address to Nick Prevenas at nprevenas@arizona.edu by 5 p.m. on Jan. 24.

TUCSON, Ariz. – As tens of thousands of gem and mineral enthusiasts travel to Tucson for the world's largest and longest-running gem and mineral show, the University of Arizona Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is proud to announce its permanent collection's latest addition – a rare stibnite specimen donated by Robert Lavinsky.

Stibnite crystals are not often found complete, which makes a specimen of this size, intricacy and quality especially rare. This exceptional piece of the opaque, gleaming metallic gray mineral with long, spearlike, prismatic crystals was extracted from the Wuling Mine in the Jiangxi Province of southeastern China in 2003.

Lavinsky, a world-renowned mineral dealer, collector and consultant, is a longtime supporter of UArizona through programs such as the RRUFF Project. He is the owner, founder and president of The Arkenstone and of the Dallas Mineral Collector Symposium. His donation to the Alfie Norville Gem & Mineral Museum is sure to inspire interest in the fields of geology, chemistry and natural history.

Following podium remarks, individual interviews and b-roll opportunities will be available. Media interested in attending this event must RSVP with name, outlet and email address to Nick Prevenas at nprevenas@arizona.edu by 5 p.m. on Jan. 24.

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Media contact:
Nick Prevenas
University Communications
520-621-2194
nprevenas@arizona.edu