Wolfgang Mueller is a retired geologist, mineral collector, and highly regarded lapidary (precious stone cutter) based in the Tucson, Arizona area (specifically in Oracle). He and his wife, Diana Mueller, run the company DiWolf - Fine Stone Emporium.
Internationally recognized for the finesse of his work and his keen knowledge of the field, he embodies the passion for geology and the lapidary art of the American West.
1. A solid scientific background
- Formation and origins : Born in 1942 in Belgrade, Wolfgang Mueller emigrated to the United States where he obtained a bachelor's degree and a master's degree in geology from the University of California.
- Copper career : He worked for many years as a geologist at the San Manuel Magma Copper mine in Arizona. This experience allowed him to develop an intimate knowledge of copper-related minerals (such as chrysocolla, malachite, azurite, cuprite, and native copper). He then worked for the headquarters of Newmont Mining in Connecticut before returning to settle permanently in the American West.
2. Recognized expertise in lapidary
- Iconic creations : In the world of lapidary, Wolfgang Mueller is particularly famous for hand-carving stone spheres and eggs, as well as for creating rare cabochons and unique beads. He especially enjoys working with multicolored copper ore extracted from the Morenci mine in Arizona.
- Passion for Wulfenite : He has an international reputation for his collection and expertise in wulfenite (the official mineral of the state of Arizona). He has even won the (Best-of-Class) award at the famous Tucson Gem & Mineral Show for a wulfenite specimen he extracted himself.
- In the Bobeggs collection : He carved 288 eggs (24%) from Bobeggs' egg collection (Robert Gariépy)
3. An active member of the enthusiast community
- Knowledge sharing : He is very involved locally, regularly gives educational lectures and writes articles for specialist journals such as Rocks & Minerals.
- Field trips : Within reputable clubs such as the Tucson Gem & Mineral Society (TGMS) and the Old Pueblo Lapidary Club (OPLC), he is known for leading mineral prospecting excursions (rockhunting). His geological skills allow him to immediately identify the best veins in the field.