Understanding Mineral Rights

A mineral right is a right to extract a mineral from the earth or to receive payment, in the form of a royalty, for the extraction of minerals. "Mineral" has a different meaning depending on the context of how the word is used. However, in general, when referring to real estate transactions, a "mineral" generally refers to fossil fuels (oil, natural gas, coal), metals (gold, copper, silver, iron), mineable rock products (limestone, gypsum, salt), as well as sand, gravel, or peat.

A common concern when purchasing a parcel of land is who owns the mineral rights? A mineral right is a part of property rights and may be sold, transferred, or leased in a similar manner as other more familiar property rights such as those associated with dwellings, outbuildings, etc. Mineral Rights are much different than Surface Rights. Surface Rights are the right to use the surface of the land for residential, agricultural, recreational, commercial or other purposes. Mineral Rights may be sold with the land or retained by the seller when a new owner takes possession of the land. Mineral Rights may be owned in their entirety or in fractions. In addition, an owner of mineral rights might own only one or a few of the total minerals on the land or may only own the rights to certain minerals by a specified depth below the ground. When buying land, the ownership of the mineral rights can be determined by examining the deed abstract for the property.

A mineral owner has the right to extract his or her own mineral deposit, though is seldom done due to the high costs associated with exploration and production activities. Typically, a mineral owner leases his mineral rights to a mineral development company through executing a lease which grants the mineral development company the right to develop and produce minerals in the leased parcel of the land containing the minerals. The mineral owner is usually paid a set amount of money, called a bonus, when the lease is signed. The lease outlines provisions by which the mineral owner is paid their royalty, which minerals can be extracted, how much of the mineral can be extracted and how long extraction can take place. In addition, a lease will specify agreements with the land owner on the right to use the land to extract the minerals from the property as well as what the compensation will be if any damage to crops or trees occurs in the process extracting minerals.

Every state has laws which provide for the establishment of drilling for minerals. Tracts of land must be of a specified size, shape and in a specified location for a well or mine to be developed to extract minerals. When a land owner refuses a mineral right owner the opportunity to extract his minerals, the mineral right owner usually petitions the Department of Environmental Quality to compel the non-consenting land owner to participate in the exploration and development of the land's minerals. Special laws provide for fair compensation to the non-consenting land owner for their share of the minerals produced from their land.

Because mineral extraction can generate a great amount of money to a mineral rights owner, a land owner's best interests are served by a thorough understanding of the history and all existing contracts associated with a parcel of land. These agreements are often constructed in legal language that requires a Real Estate and/or Contracts Attorney to interpret and explain all terms to the potential land owner. While legal consultation is never inexpensive, it is the surest way to protect your interests when buying or selling land. When determining whether to enter into a mineral rights agreement or when considering purchasing land, legal consultation is the only way to prevent signing over more rights to your property than you desire and understanding exactly what the sale of a piece of land includes.

How to Invest in Antique, Vintage, or Modern Jewelry

As Antique Jewelry is 'Really' based on the 'Collectability' and Style of an item, it is hard for clients to appreciate the 'Craft' involved in Handmade work, as they only see the Gold value or Diamond Value fluctuate over the years.

If Gold goes up or the older something gets, the value increases, right?

No. Not always. It depends...

Antiques and Collectables are a 'subjective' thing too. Supply and Demand plays an important part in the ways we Invest.

Good quality is always going to be good quality.

Just because something is 'OLD' doesn't make it worth a lot of money. A hundred year old bucket, is still an old bucket - right? Unless it has 'Historical' significance, of course.

Take these for example:

Antique Stickpins in Gold or Silver.

Do they have all the right qualifications. Maybe? They are made of precious metal, may be adorned with gemstones and could be stamped and dated to be more than one hundred years old.

But are they 'Valuable' - 'Collectable' - Are they worth Investing in?

To some people yes, but in general terms they have NOT been the great Antique Investment we would wish for.

There are exceptions to this of course. Certain Stickpins can be very expensive, but the general, run-of-the-mill stuff we see everyday are so common, so profuse, they have hardly shifted in price over many years.

In fact, some have gone backwards, especially since gold dropped from its peak at over $800 per ounce, to the current $420's per ounce (approximate).

It could be argued then, that Stickpins 'SHOULD' be collected, as they are currently undervalued. An Antique Bargain and there is some truth in this.

However...

Our advice has always been to buy what you personally like. Get the very best examples of it, in the very best quality, and hopefully, wear it and enjoy it. It's that simple.

An Antique dealer can Invest in Jewelry because they are 'on the pulse' of what's happening in the world, know what their clients want and can get it for them. They invest Time and Effort but pay lots of incidental costs the general public cannot do.

Why? In the majority of cases, because they love their jobs.

But there are NO Dealers who can devote all their time just to one style or type of Antique Collectable and know as much as the avid amateur collector. They don't have the time.

But know what - YOU DO!

Invest then into something which appeals to you. Become your OWN expert. You will certainly get Bargains that way.

Over the years (remember Antiques are a Time Share Commodity) you will come out on top. Promise...

If you are going into the Buying and Selling (aka Investing) Antique Jewelry, doesn't it make sense you enjoy it too?

You might want to start with - heck, maybe... Stickpins!

There are several other SPECIAL REPORTS available through our eMail-on-Demand subscription box at the website, so please take some time to visit.

There is a timely warning on Security issues. It's good advice, plus there is some great tips on Investing in Jewelry, Insurance guidelines and other notes on selling, Hallmarking tips etc, and they are being added to all the time.

And the best bit is they are FREE....

Thank you for taking the time to read this special report. If you thought it interesting, useful or found it helped you in any way I would appreciate your comments via email at the address shown below.

This is my personal email address and I read every comment - good or bad.

Alternatively: why not pass it on to a friend. I'm sure you can think of someone who might benefit from this useful information. Treat it as doing me a big favor. I will certainly appreciate it.

regards and please watch the road. David Foard F.G.A.A. Fellow of the Gemological Association of Australia and former member of JATVC - The Valuers Council (retired).

P.S. If you administer a website or publish an ezine, please feel free to use this article as long as you leave all links in place, do not modify the content and include our resource box as listed below. Just send me an email at gemmo1@online-jewelry-appraisals.com and let me know if and where you used it. If you need other great content - complimentary of course - then drop me a line at the email address given - 'cause I've got Gallons of the stuff....

Buying the Top 5 Business Magazine at Affordable Cost

Being a good businessperson is no longer sufficient. To become a successful one is what one should aim at. For that, you need innovative and creative ideas and constant innovation. In addition, the ability to change and adapt oneself to the changing world is another important skill for an entrepreneur.

Business magazines provide the relevant information and idea-triggering stimulus that you need. However, as we know no such magazine comes cheap. However, that should not hinder you from subscribing the best at the cheapest rates possible.

Harvard business review

This world-renowned business magazine comes from the best B schools in the world. The information is authentic and the discussions are mind probing. To understand the markets at both the root level and advanced level, this magazine will be an excellent guide. There are 12 issues per year with cover price of $170. Cheapest price can be as low as $80 for 12 issues.

Inc. Magazine

Who play in the field of market and whose moves should you watch. For all the inside stories Inc magazine has been rated the number one. It is almost a business manual for the aspiring CEOs. Ten issues per year with the cover price come to around $50. The cheapest rate you can get is $1 per article. Moreover, if you are lucky, you can get an amazing anti rip off auto renewal price of just 50 cents an issue.

The Economist

This is the best for catching up on weekly news. The Economist is an excellent resource on discussing business and economic issues on an international scale. Weekly issues mean that the news covered in in-depth. Cover price for 51 issues per year is around $350. Cheapest rates come around $2.50 per issue. You can also opt for Half- yearly subscription with 25 issues. You save almost 60%.

BusinessWeek

This weekly magazine covers not just business management, but also on new technology pertaining to businesses and other related fields. Best part of subscribing to BusinessWeek is you get access to articles on their website. This feature is almost not available on most magazines. You can opt for digital or hardcopy. 50 issues per year cost you around $250. With the cheapest price, you can get a yearly subscription at just $50. You can always opt for half- yearly subscription. Calculating the rates, you might save up to 80% off the cover price.

Forbes Magazine

For up-to-date news, Forbes is the best magazine on the shelf. You do not miss one bit of news, however small and insignificant it may seem. The writing style is thought provoking and discusses topics covering business, markets, science, technology and even arts. Save up to 80% from the cover price of $155 for 26 issues by subscribing at $30 for a year.

Look out for offers of the day and free shipping. You can save a lot more on business publications this way.

Your Financial Future Is In Your Hands

All of us have one big transition facing us not that far down the road. Of course life is all about transitions. We make a transition from childhood to adolescence. We transition from being a child of a house to adulthood and independence. And we make big transitions through marriage, parenthood and even becoming a grandparent. But of all of these, maybe the one we need to focus on in terms of preparation is the big transition to retirement.

Moving from the world of work and the active life that all that entails to retirement and your golden years is a huge adjustment for people. There are lifestyle changes, changes to your goals and priorities and even in how people view you. But the changes to your finances are perhaps the ones you will notice the most. When you move from getting a steady paycheck to living on your Social Security and retirement, that is a major shift in your expectations and how you plan your life.

The saddest thing we see when it comes to people in late middle age are those who are depending on Social Security to be the sole means of their support in retirement. While Social Security is a fine program, it has created a false illusion of "security" that somehow the government will take care of you in your old age. The "brass tacks" truth is that if you are depending on any outside agency to be your means of support in your retirement years, your assurance that you will be conformable in your retirement years is not assured.

Even if you are currently working at a job that has a retirement program or a 401K that you put some into, you may still be allowing yourself to "depend" on your job to be there for you when you get to retirement age. And the horror stories of the elderly who finally arrive at retirement age to discover that what they thought they could depend on was not reliable are tragic.

This is why starting now to prepare for you financial future will be the best way you can be absolutely sure you will have what you need as you enter that time when you should be able to relax and enjoy the fruit of your labors. This is a major attitude shift and if you can accomplish it and take charge of your financial future, you will approach retirement with much greater confidence.

The outcome of your decision to take charge of your retirement will be that you won't just let money get put away for you without any oversight on your part. You cannot always trust that the managers of your retirement account at work are handling the money correctly. By staying on top of how those funds are being invested and doing all you can to direct where those funds go, you are making sure that you get maximum return on your investment all along the way. And when its time for you to need those funds, you will be ready to use them because you are acutely aware of their value.

We cannot control Social Security and there is a chance it will be there for you when its time for you to retire. But instead of depending on Social Security, build a financial future that is secure whether it is there or not. Then when you retire and your retirement packages begin to kick and give you that lifestyle of leisure and financial safety that you want, if you do see Social Security add a few dollars to your monthly funds, so much the better.

By taking control over your financial future, you are putting the security of your funds and the planning that you will have what you need when those wonderful years come along. You are depending on the one person you know is in turn with what you will need and has always been abler to plan and provide for yourself and your family and that is you. It's a good feeling to put the management of your financial future in your own hands in preparation for retirement. But it's a wonderful feeling you worked hard to enjoy so you deserve it.

Aromatherapy and Massage -- A Healing Combination

Aromatherapy and massage therapy are often called complimentary sisters. Used individually, they are both extremely effective in stress reduction, relaxation, and improvement of overall well-being. Used together, however, they present a powerful one-two punch working intensely on a combination of body-mind-spirit wellness.

Aromatherapy, the use of essentials oils can easily be combined with massage therapy which generally employs the use of a body or carrier oil. Carrier oils are base oils such as sweet almond, sunflower, safflower, canola, etc, which are safe to sue directly on the skin. Just a few drops of essential oil(s) is added to the carrier oil and this is used for the massage. Essential oils should be used "neat" - directly on the skin. There are a couple of exceptions to this - such as lavender and tea tree.

Judith Jackson, aromatherapist and author of Scentual Touch explains that when combines with massage, essential oils are worked into the skin and breathed in. "the Essential oils trigger responses in the brain though receptors in the nose and the pores. The brain," she continues, "then signals various organs to products chemical s that act on the body in specific ways - such as increasing blood low (which stimulates) or slowing down circulation (which as a calming effect."

Massage therapist Cherri La Porte, incorporates aromatherapy in her practice. She feels it gives another dimension or level to the healing. "My intention when doing a massage," said La Porte, "is to help and allow the body to heal itself." She, like other massage therapists, feel they are facilitators in the healing process and aromatherapy often increases the body's response and it response time.

Due to the direct link between our sense of smell and our brain, in just seconds one may feel the difference or effects of the essential oils, commented La Porte.

La Porte and other holistic practitioners work to educate their clients as well. They often explain to them that the body sores stresses, traumas, and issues. It is thought the release and transfer of energies throughout the body system that the body can heal itself on many levels. Aromatherapy can help establish "body consciousness".

Massage, like aromatherapy, can be for physical as well as emotional healing and release. Many people today need the relaxation and stress reduction that massage brings. Massage can be beneficial in maintaining overall well-being and therefore be helpful in prevention of illness and disease.

Essential oils that La Porte finds most useful combined with massage are:

-- lavender and rose for relaxation

-- tangerine for balancing

--peppermint and the citrus group for stimulation and increasing circulation.

New Products - Leading or Bleeding Edge?

We all love to be at the leading edge of technology.   When you have the confidence of a technology-oriented mind, it is especially nice to try out the latest and greatest network products.   However, ordering new products before they are proven can sometimes be the wrong idea.    It can cost your enterprise, so be cautious!

The leading edge of technology is also known as the bleeding edge.   Manufacturers almost always encounter unexpected design, production and logistical challenges with new product lines, including new network equipment.

Can you imagine a critical switch, router, or firewall that fails due to bad power supply, or reboots continuously.  We see these issues all the time.   Many new products have that same potential and it like a time bomb, meaning your time and energy are wasted on an issue that should have been resolved by the manufacturer and not you.

When are issues fixed?  Many problems with new network equipment are resolved when they first come up.   Some issues are never resolved.     Instead, you may have a work-around or recall.     In the meantime, who knows how many hours, days and weeks will have been lost while dealing with the unknown new network equipment problems?

Unless you absolutely must,  don't go after new network equipment as soon as they are announced.   Give them time to settle down in the market and for the problems to present themselves.

Of course, there may be compelling reasons for you to specify a brand new network equipment product - product features essential to your application and not available elsewhere, for example.   You shouldn't risk becoming a manufacturer's unpaid product tester, especially if you are pressed for time or have limited budgets, a small network team or a mission-critical network.   Let someone else do it.

In all aspects of business, time is one of the most valuable commodities you have at your disposal. And wasting it is one of the most expensive mistakes you can make. Just as jumping on the wrong bandwagon can cost you dear in terms of wasted time, so can specifying an unproven new network equipment product.

We all love to be at the leading edge of technology.   When you have the confidence of a technology-oriented mind, it is especially nice to try out the latest and greatest network products.   However, ordering new products before they are proven can sometimes be the wrong idea.    It can cost your enterprise, so again, be cautious!