JOHN SINKANKAS

Award-Winning Mineralogist, Gemologist, Mentor, and Military Veteran

- BOB JONES

During the 80 odd years I’ve enjoyed an extensive appreciation of minerals, I’ve had the good fortune to meet thousands of mineral collectors and lapidaries. I’ve become friendly with hundreds of professionals in the gem and mineral world, including curators of many major mineral museums and universities in America, Europe, and beyond. Among this vast group are individuals who profoundly influenced me and the science and hobby of mineral collecting.

Within this group of inspiring people, John Sinkankas ranks above all. Dr. John Sinkankas was not only a good friend but a mentor who had the most substantial influence on me in terms of mineral activities. For the science and hobby, John undoubtedly made a more significant contribution to amateur mineral collecting than anyone else I know. He was a skilled writer-teacher whose writings on complex mineral subjects made them understandable to the average rockhound.

Many a mineral collector and lapidary artist can attest to learning a great deal from various books he’s written about minerals, gem cutting, and the lapidary arts. Additionally, he also wrote field guides on mineral collecting and prospecting and a series of catalogs providing data minerals and gem materials. He began his writing career in 1951, with a column about amateur lapidary. Then in 1964, he penned the history-making text, Mineralogy for Amateurs. The book made the science of mineralogy more accessible and understandable, and as such, became a popular choice for college syllabuses everywhere. He followed this with many other books including, Emeralds and Other Beryls, which combined his interest in gems and minerals and his strong interest and investigation of pegmatite deposits.