What's an Open Adit?

We get asked this question all the time. We had to come up with a name that related to minerals without being synonymous with other online dealers. Something different yet easy to remember - Open Adit! So what does it mean you ask? Here is the "according to hoyle" definition:

In mining, underground passage excavated nearly horizontally, with one end open to the earth’s surface, usually used to service a mine. The adit end is the furthermost end from the surface, i.e., the location where miners work. The adit collar is the area where an adit opens to the surface and must be reinforced against any surface weakness.

Who are you?

We started as kids collecting rocks because they were neat and pretty much everywhere (hey they were cheap too!) Who knew that the really good ones were not just laying on the ground and collecting them was more addicting than Guatemalan coffee? Over the years, collecting and acquiring fine minerals became more than a hobby, it became a way of life. We wanted to provide a means to give anyone who shared our passion for collecting minerals an easy way to get them without having to spend a fortune. We love the internet and we love rocks. It made sense. The internet was the best way to reach virtually anybody and everybody. Open Adit™ officially went online in March 2003. In early 2005, Open Adit™ West was created to handle online auctions for larger, "decorator" specimens. We built the site ourselves, photograph the rocks and don't out-source anything. We believe if you want it done right - Do it yourself.

What is the best way to contact you?

The best way to contact us is by using our contact form or by . You can also call us at (937) 440-9891 or use snail mail by sending inquiries to:

Open Adit
P.O. Box 191
Tipp City, Ohio 45371

What system of measurement do you use?

All of our mineral specimens are measured in inches. Our cabochons and some other polished items are measured in millimeters.

Will you ship internationally?

Yes we will. We use the United States Post Office' Global Priority method for most of our international shipments. For more information visit our International Shipping page.

How can I pay for specimens?

We provide a number of different methods of payment including; Credit Cards, Check or Money Order, and PayPal. Please visit our Payment Methods page for more information.

Do you charge sales tax?

We automatically charge and withhold the applicable sales tax for orders to be delivered to addresses within Ohio. For orders shipped to other states, you are solely responsible for all sales taxes or other taxes.

How do you protect my information?

The Open Adit™ website uses 128 Bit Encryption - Secure Socket Layer (SSL)to process payments. SSL is a method of ensuring that information entered through your web site is protected from prying eyes. With SSL, information submitted on the web site is first encrypted, submitted securely over the Internet, and then decrypted on the receiving end. SSL is most commonly used for credit card transactions but it can be used to collect any sensitive data. By convention, the url’s of web pages that are transmitted using SSL start with https instead of http. During check-out you will notice in the bottom right corner of you browser, a yellow padlock indicating a secure connection. This feature provides privacy, authentication and message Integrity

Do you offer wholesale prices?

No, we are retailers.  We have very competitive prices and often, we are lower in price than distributors.  Instead of having a "brick & mortar" store you would walk into, you order online or call us regarding ordering mineral specimens.  We can sell in larger quantities but if you are looking for wholesale prices we can't help you.

Where do you get your minerals?

About 80% of our mineral stock is acquired directly from the source, handpicked by us. We also extend an invitation for dealers to sell their specimens on our site. For more information, please contact us.

Will you link to my site?

Absolutely. As long as it pertains to rocks, minerals or fossils. However, we only exchange banner links. We require a reciprocal link back to our site from yours. For more information view our link exchange page.

Do you color correct your photographs?

No. We are very meticulous when photographing the specimens. The specimens must match the photograph or we don't upload them to the site. We may, however use Adobe Photoshop® to adust to the levels of the photograph to maintain a balance between the specimen and it's background. Keep in mind that not all monitors are created equal, so some minor color variations may occur. Our goal is to provide the most accurate representation of the specimen possible.

Can I use your photographs?

We do occasionally allow our photographs to be used on other web sites for reference only. All of our photographs are copyrighted and we require full credit be given to Open Adit™. You must ask permission before using any of our photographs on another web site for any reason. We do give our customers permission to copy photographs of specimens they purchase.