Our Mission

We are dedicated to providing our clients with high-end mineral specimens to build a collection focused on artistic aesthetics, visual beauty, and overall excellence. Our primary goal is to curate collections that embody these traits, and to build relationships with our clients on a foundation of trust. We were brought into this collective world with morals of honor, transparency, and fairness, and we strive to offer the same degree of integrity.

We believe that this is more intimate than just business; the art of collecting high-end minerals is deeply personal. We extend this relationship to our clients, as we want to see our clients' collections evolve into a reflection of their taste, refinement, and growth.

Our Focus

We are known particularly for our very fine selection of highly aesthetic specimens. We place emphasis on this focus in our displays, inventory, and branding. We have handled many noteworthy specimens, and placed them in elite collections.

Ford Minerals - East Coast Gem, Mineral, & Fossil Show - Fine Minerals - Andrew K. Ford

Crocoite - Red Lead Mine - Ford Minerals

Meet Our Team

A dedicated and experienced group of professionals dedicated to curating your next, premier acquisition. Please feel free to contact us at anytime.

Founder & President

Andrew K. Ford

Andrew began collecting minerals at only three years old, digging for rocks in a cracked portion of his father's new black-top driveway. A $5 weekly allowance and a trip to a local rock shop solidified his journey in the industry. Andrew knew he had a unique ability to recognize spectacular specimens, and appreciate their uniqueness.

At the age of 18, Andrew began Ford Minerals, which had its opening on Instagram, with a specialty in Illinois Fluorite. 6 years later, Ford Minerals is a premier dealer of world class mineral specimens for the elite collector or museum.

Social Media Administrator

Angelea M. Collins

Angelea has always had a strong sense for marketing, sales, and business administration. As a child, Angelea began building a business known for producing competition level confections for weddings, private events, and high-end catering.

Years later, Angelea founded the Entrepreneurship Association at St. John Fisher University in Pittsford, NY, and grew the association to one of the largest campus groups. Angelea was recruited, and joined Ford Minerals. Angelea has run bustling and leading social media accounts with tens of thousands of daily followers.

Lead Sales Associate

Alissa A. Tucciarone

Alissa is a friendly face easily recognized at shows. With her discerning eye for spectacular specimens, attention to important details, and her friendly demeanor, she is the go-to contact for our clients.

Alissa quickly climbed the steep learning curve of the complex mineral world, and is a knowledgeable, seasoned expert concerning aesthetics, visual beauty, and overall excellence and presentation of world class minerals. Alissa is enthusiastic, and is dedicated to helping our clients obtain their next specimen for their collection.

Photographer

Katelyn J. Mootz

Katelyn is an accomplished, award winning photographer with a specialty in portrait and still-life projects. Joining our team in 2024 for a massive rebrand and collection photography project, she is the newest addition to the Ford Minerals team.

Katelyn quickly realized that there was much lacking from the world of mineral photography, and went to work coming up with a new style entirely. Her photographs are easily recognizable for the quality, sharpness, and overall beauty of her work, and we are thrilled to continue to produce incredible photographs for our clients' pieces.

Creative Lead

Jeremy M. Skiechs

Jeremy partners up with our photographer, Kate, to create masterful shots that not only capture the objective beauty of the specimens, but also to create stunning macro-style photographs that are unlike anything else in the industry.

Jeremy's current project is creating and developing our first line of museum-style, wall hanging art that fits beautifully into any home or gallery setting. Jeremy also will be bringing something exciting to Ford Minerals in January of 2025, that will create an entirely new way to appreciate world-class minerals.