Don't Miss Out on the Opportunity for Adventure with Ivan Pojarevski at the 2026 RMGM Tucson Mineral & Fossil Tent Show

Don't Miss Out on the Opportunity for Adventure with Ivan Pojarevski at the 2026 RMGM Tucson Mineral & Fossil Tent Show
By Rachel Ford

At the 2026 RMGM Tucson Mineral & Fossil Show, collectors and enthusiasts will have an opportunity to meet a scientist whose passion for minerals extends far beyond display cases and into the very heart of their geological formation. Ivan Pojarevski, a retired mineralogist and Honoured Doctor in Gemology of the Balkan Academy of Sciences, will be exhibiting in Booth 6A with material from his company, Bulgarian Gems & Minerals Co.

Pojarevski, now retired, has spent more than 45 years studying minerals through the study of crystal morphology. Crystal Morphology is the external shape, form, and growth pattern of a crystal, determined by its internal atomic structure and influenced by growth conditions like temperature, pressure, and additives, resulting in characteristic features like faces, edges, and angles that dictate its physical properties. "I am not a collector in the traditional sense," Ivan explains, "but a researcher who has spent decades assembling minerals to understand their formation and history." Pojarevski's lifelong curiosity has taken him deep underground and across the surface of mineral localities in Bulgaria and its surrounding regions, always driven by the scientific mysteries locked in stone.

Rare multicolored cleophane (transparent sphalerite) from the Androvo Mine, Bulgaria. A highly collectible zinc sulfide mineral prized for its exceptional dispersion, nearly 20% higher than diamond, and occasional use as a faceted gemstone. The rarest cleophane color is green.

Exceptional giant ruby crystal from the Republic of North Macedonia, featuring a perfect hexagonal form and weighing 1.2 kg (2.65 lbs). This crystal will be exhibited alongside several other outstanding ruby specimens this year.

Collectors and Resalers visiting Booth 6A will see firsthand the unique specimens that have been the focus of Pojarevski's research and discuss them with Ivan himself, who knows the specimens inside and out. Among these are rare and stunning examples of galena with dramatic skeletal and cascading growth, rare sparkling orange thulite, highly aesthetic rainbow chalcopyrite, and a newly discovered transparent green sphalerite. The highlight of Bulgarian Gems and Mineral Co.'s exhibit this year is a truly extraordinary ruby crystal from North Macedonia, weighing 2.6 pounds and exhibiting an elegant hexagonal form. This exceptional ruby specimen will be part of a rather exclusive lot of ruby crystal specimens.

What truly sets Bulgarian Gems and Minerals Co. apart from other exhibitors is not just the material Pojarevski brings to shows; it is the story of the specimens' discovery and the experiences he offers others who wish to discover that story for themselves. About fifteen years ago, Ivan began inviting mineral enthusiasts to join him in the field on what he calls "collecting tours" aimed at "the curious people who like adventures, minerals, and gemstones." "My interest is always in research, and I need new specimens to study," he says. Out of that need grew a series of guided mineral-collecting adventures through Bulgaria and now into North Macedonia. These are not your typical itineraries or pre-set tourist outings. Pojarevski tailors each tour to individual participants' interests, preferences, and physical abilities. Whether a participant is a seasoned collector or someone who has never held a geological hammer, Ivan designs the tour for his participants.

Close friends from the Netherlands during one of their visits to Bulgaria. This group has visited twice, and their most recent trip included an unforgettable adventure and a visit to the famous 9th of September Mine.

Good friends from Bergamo, Italy. In the red jacket is Marko Sturla, President of the Mineralogical Association of Bergamo and a close friend for over seven years.

Over the years, Ivan has led 46 successful excursions with participants from 14 countries, exploring abandoned underground mines and diverse surface-collecting localities. "Each journey has yielded significant finds of galena, sphalerite (including black marmatite and transparent cleophane), pyrite, rhodochrosite, pink manganocalcite, quartz, and gemstones such as amethyst, opal, and varieties of agate and jasper," says Pojarevski. Collectors on these tours do more than gather specimens; they learn the science behind them as Ivan explains what makes each piece unique and how geological processes have shaped it over millions of years.
​
"Part of my hobby," he says with a grin, "is to explain and discuss with people how and why the minerals look the way they do, and what their specific history is." Pojarevski curates more than just collecting trips; these tours are immersive opportunities to see geology in action, to learn from a lifetime of study directly in the field, and to connect with like-minded explorers who cherish both adventure and understanding. In addition to the educational aspect of the tours, participants enjoy the local landscape, visit historical and archaeological sites, and enjoy the balanced flavors of traditional Bulgarian food and drink. Participants are encouraged to immerse themselves in the culture that shapes the people of the landscape.

A special memory with longtime friends from the USA at a traditional country-style restaurant in Bulgaria, following a winery visit in Plovdiv. From left to right: Pat and Zelda (Sedona, Arizona) and Anne and Cortney (Taos, New Mexico).

Peter Knaus, and old collector and Swiss banks auditor. Peter is in love with Bulgarian tomatoes. He is pictured with some here named Pink Magic – which are "extremely tasty" according to Pojarevski.

For showgoers at Tucson, meeting Ivan at Booth 6A will be an experience beyond the typical dealer interaction. It is the opportunity to encounter someone whose life's work bridges science and exploration, someone who finds joy not in owning specimens (he is not a collector, he admits), but in a unique passion for understanding them and sharing that understanding with others. Whether you come to admire the exceptional specimens he brings, to hear the stories behind them, or to ask about joining one of his upcoming tours, Ivan's booth promises to be a destination for anyone who loves minerals, adventure, and discovery
.
The RMGM Tucson Mineral & Fossil Tent Show runs daily from January 30 through February 14 in the Tent Show at 1920 N. Oracle Road in Tucson, Arizona. Hours are 10 - 6 daily, with the final day closing at 4. Admission and parking are free, food trucks are on-site, and the event continues RMGM's tradition of bringing together quality vendors and world-class materials for a family-friendly celebration of minerals, fossils, gemstones, meteorites, and more.

Visit Bulgarian Minerals & Gems in Booth 6A of the RMGM Tucson Mineral & Fossil Tent Show.