Build your collection with confidence

At Cross Minerals, my goal is to support clients in building a lifelong appreciation for the mineral collecting hobby. As a collection evolves, parts of that collection may periodically require deaccession to make room for new or more valuable specimens. Deaccession can be a challenge for many collectors. To assist in this process, I am pleased to offer a Lifetime Trade-In Policy. If you purchase a specimen from Cross Minerals, you may trade it in at any time—at your original purchase price (excluding shipping, taxes, and transaction fees)—toward a more valuable specimen in my inventory. This policy remains valid for as long as you retain ownership of the specimen.

I take pride in every mineral I offer, and I do not buy or sell pieces I wouldn’t be glad to own again.

Example
In 2025, you purchase a specimen for $4,000 (exclusive of shipping or fees). In 2026, you discover a specimen in my inventory priced at $10,000. You may trade in your original $4,000 specimen and pay the remaining $6,000 to acquire the new one.

Terms and Conditions

  1. Trade-In Value
    The trade-in value is equal to the amount paid to Cross Minerals for the original specimen, in USD, excluding any taxes, shipping, fees, or third-party charges.

  2. Minimum Upgrade Thresholds

    • For specimens originally purchased at $5,000 or less, trade-in value may be applied toward a specimen priced at least $2,500 more than the original.

    • For specimens originally purchased at over $5,000, trade-in value may be applied toward a specimen priced at least 50% more than the original.

    Example: A $2,000 specimen may not be traded for another $2,000 specimen. However, it can be applied toward one (or multiple) specimen(s) totaling $4,500 or more.

  3. Condition Requirements
    To retain full trade-in value, specimens must be returned in the same condition as at the time of original sale. Any subsequent damage, repair, restoration, lab work, or alteration may reduce the trade-in value. If a specimen is damaged beyond repair, it will not be eligible for trade-in.

  4. Return and Inspection
    All trade-in specimens must be returned to Cross Minerals for inspection. If damage or changes are identified, I will notify you of any adjustments to the trade-in value. You may then choose whether to proceed. Clients are responsible for return shipping and insurance, if desired.

  5. Policy Limitations

    • Only one specimen may be used as trade-in per transaction.

    • Trade-ins cannot be combined with other discounts or promotional offers.

    • Availability of eligible specimens is subject to current inventory.

    • Clients assume all shipping risk for trade-in items.

  6. Discretion and Fair Use
    While I aim to honor all good-faith trade-ins, I reserve the right to decline any trade-in request if there is evidence of policy misuse or manipulation. Exceptions to this policy may be granted at the sole discretion of Mark Cross / Cross Minerals.