Brian Davis passed away in 2025. He had been a country member of the Mineralogical Society of Victoria since 1999. Brian was a keen micromounter. He attended most of the Society field excursions in the early 2000s, as well as general meetings and the Mineral Appreciation Group workshops. Brian was also a highly respected and well-known member of the lapidary community throughout Australia for most of his life, forging links with the VGCA, AFLACA, faceting groups, and numerous lapidary clubs across Victoria and interstate. His vast experience as a cutter, facetor and silversmith enabled him to judge thousands of competition entries for myriad Gemkanas and Gemborees over the years. Brian became one of Australia’s most qualified and recognised lapidary judges.
Brian’s collection recently became available. It has been split up into three parts, micromounts and thumbnails, faceted stones and gem rough, and larger mineral specimens. I acquired his significant micro and thumbnail collection. Almost every specimen is Australian, many having passed through other collectors hands, a veritable who’s who of Australian collectors.
Below: Brian at Dog’s Head Tier, Tasmania, 2006.
Below: Wulfenite, Fornacite, Whim Creek Copper Mine, Whim Creek, City of Karratha, Western Australia. Width of view 9mm.
