Tysons' Fine Minerals Inc.
Rod and Helen Tyson have been collecting minerals together since their undergraduate days in Geology at the University of Toronto (1970-74).  After moving to Edmonton for Helen's graduate work, Tysons' Fine Minerals began to develop as a business: first as partnerships, then as a corporation in 1988.  Re-locating to Nova Scotia in 2007, Tysons' opened a retail store in Parrsboro, on the Bay of Fundy, along with a building for the contents of the Edmonton warehouse.

There are five of us now on Team Tyson, including Erika White and Ralph de Smit, who keep the gardens, as well as doing lapidary work.  Currently we are preparing stock, mining new minerals and expanding our on-line presence through Tysons' web site, Facebook and Instagram pages.
 

Helen Tyson, cleaning the store in Parrsboro, 2020Helen Tyson


Helen found minerals through a love of fossils.  While studying geology/zoology at the University of Toronto, she and Rod collected minerals on the weekend.  In 1974, they moved to Edmonton for Helen's graduate work.  Tysons' Fine Minerals started during that time, finally incorporating in 1988.  Since 1987, Helen has worked full-time at Tysons', making jewellery and mobiles, taking photographs and stocking the web site and the store.  Helen also helps people design their own stone bead jewellery (by e-mail/photographs), either with their own material or choosing from our extensive collection of beads, findings and custom work.
 

Rod Tyson, collecting barite in Nova Scotia, 2020Rod Tyson


Rod has been collecting minerals since he was twelve years old.  Graduating from the University of Toronto in Geology, in 1973, currently Rod is a Professional Geologist in the province of Nova Scotia.  Rod heads our field crews, prepares mineral specimens for sale and does lapidary work.  His expertise and love of geology is the foundation of Tysons' Fine Minerals.  Rod also lectures, writes articles and helps identify specimens (if possible!).
 

Anthony working on the Celtic knot for Tysons’ new entryway (April, 2020)Anthony Thibeault


Anthony joined us in 2019, bringing a wide range of skill sets to Tysons', from cabinetry to silversmithing.  We are benefiting from his years of experience making gadgets for engineering projects, most recently in the form of a new ultraviolet light cabinet for displaying fluorescent minerals.  Tysons' offers jewellery manufacture, repair and design from several people, including Anthony.
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Banner photo courtesy Larry Peyton.