Alpine Treasures 47
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This is truly a wonderful little marvel. A brilliant high quality fluorite from the new Gotthard tunnel. The specimen has a miniature size of 4 cm with a single 1.5 cm fluorite octahedron. The quality of this fluorite is absolutely stunning and can only be found in specimens from the tunnel works. It has fantastic luster and glassy clarity. It is sharp and complete and has lovely pink color which contrasts with the white matrix. The way this single fluorite is set on the crystallized feldspar matrix is aesthetic to the point.
Grieswies, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 8.5 x 5.1 x 4.1 cm
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A lovely combination specimen of quartz and pericline accented by warm limonite from the renowned Rauris valley. What makes this piece particularly striking is the way the glass-clear quartz crystals protrude between the pericline crystals like sharp spikes. This growth habit creates a vivid, dynamic appearance and gives the specimen remarkable three-dimensionality and presence. Upon closer inspection, delicate rutile needles can be seen within the quartz, adding another refined detail for the attentive collector. A lively and highly aesthetic piece of great quality and in virtually perfect condition.
Knappenwand, Untersulzbachtal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 8.4 x 2.1 x 1 cm
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This impressive single epidote measures 8.4 cm in length and forms a perfect doubly terminated specimen. The crystal shows complex growth with multiple well-defined terminal faces, giving it remarkable character and sculptural presence. The upper termination is partially overgrown with white Adularia, reminiscent of snow-capped alpine peaks — an especially aesthetic feature that is mainly visible from the reverse side, leaving the overall form of the crystal beautifully exposed. The specimen is in pristine condition, undamaged and unrepaired.
Kleines Fleißtal, Hohe Tauern, Carinthia, Austria
Size: 13 x 8 x 5 cm
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A fine smoky quartz from the Austrian Alps — attractive, characterful, and a wonderful addition to any alpine mineral collection. The individual crystals are beautifully transparent, displaying an unusually deep brown color combined with an excellent, lustrous surface. The overall condition is surprisingly good. Although one crystal is broken, the damage is only visible from the side and does not detract from the overall aesthetic presence of the piece.
Röhre Böckstein, Gasteinertal, Pongau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 4.6 x 2.9 x 3 cm
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Fluorite specimens from the Gastein Valley are highly sought after and exceptionally rare. The delicate pastel green hue, characteristic of this region, exudes an elegant charm, with the translucent crystals gleaming even in ordinary ambient light. The solitary octahedral fluorite in this specimen stands out with its distinctive shape, showcasing remarkable luster and transparency. It is beautifully set upon a white matrix, which is intricately covered in quartz microcrystals.
Pizzo Centrale, Gross Satz, Unteralptal, Andermatt, Uri, Switzerland
Size: 9.5 x 6.2 x 6 cm
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A striking and highly uncommon specimen of rutile on quartz from Pizzo Centrale. Comparable pieces from this locality are exceedingly rare.
What makes this specimen truly special is the well-developed sagenite grid dramatically covering the front face of the white quartz crystal. The intergrown rutile needles form a dense, geometric network that reflects a fresh reddish-brown metallic luster, creating an eye-catching contrast against the light quartz background.
The quartz crystal is natural and lustrous on the front and along one side, showing attractive surface quality where the rutile is best displayed. The reverse side and the termination, however, are irregular, contacted and somewhat damaged.
Despite these imperfections, this is a remarkable and characterful piece. Sagenitic rutile grids of this intensity and coverage are exceptionally rare in Switzerland, making this specimen a noteworthy addition for collectors of Alpine minerals and rutile associations alike.
Grieswies, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 9 x 8.3 x 5.6 cm
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A highly attractive and aesthetic mineral specimen featuring a beautiful paragenesis of transparent, sharply terminated quartz crystals complemented by snow-white pericline, delicate silvery chlorite, and numerous small anatase crystals scattered gracefully across the piece. The quartz crystals are exceptionally clear and well-formed, with the longest crystal rising 3 cm, creating a striking visual focal point at the center of the specimen and giving the entire composition balance and presence. The contrast between the glassy quartz, bright white pericline, subtle metallic shimmer of chlorite, and the tiny accenting anatase crystals makes this piece particularly appealing to collectors. The whole piece is in excellent condition. An elegant and harmonious display specimen.
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The 8 mm rutile knee-twin crystal is exceptionally well formed, with sharp edges, a brilliant luster, and no damage. It is attractively set on contrasting crystallized calcite, which in turn coats a silvery, shimmering schist matrix.
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An exceptional quartz floater specimen featuring a striking double-terminated main crystal accompanied by numerous equally high-quality side crystals. The harmonious arrangement of the crystals creates a superbly clear and refined aesthetic with strong visual balance. All quartz crystals are highly lustrous, transparent, and beautifully defined, showcasing sharp terminations and excellent clarity throughout. As a true floater, the piece is fully crystallized all around, enhancing its display appeal from every angle. The condition is near perfect, with only microscopic signs of wear. A highly aesthetic specimen from this remote locality — combining elegance, quality, and natural perfection in one outstanding piece.
Planggenstock, Göscheneralp, Göschenen Valley, Uri, Switzerland
Size: 4.5 x 3.2 x 2.8 cm
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A nice little pink fluorite specimen from the classic alpine locality of Planggenstock, that features strong color, transparent crystals and sharply developed octahedral form. The fluorite crystals display an intense, saturated pink hue and excellent transparency. The surface is delicately frosted, which gives the piece a soft, velvety luster. The main crystal measures 2.7 cm on edge and forms the striking centerpiece of the group. The upper edge is slightly rounded — not due to damage, but as a result of natural erosion, underscoring the specimen’s authenticity and natural history. At the base of the fluorite group, small feldspar and quartz crystals are present. These lower crystals are entirely natural and recrystallized after the specimen detached from the host rock. A highly attractive alpine fluorite combining strong color, transparency, classic crystal form, and completely natural condition.
Galenstock, Rhone Glacier, Wallis, Switzerland
Size: 10.4 x 7.2 x 6.6 cm
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This smoky quartz is really spectacularly good! What makes it special is the impressive dark smoky color and quality as well as the incredible composition. The piece is completely perfect all around, even the bottom is crystallized. It’s almost pure quartz with only a small patch of feldspar rich matrix on its right end. The quality of the main quartz crystals is outstanding. Adding some direct backlight you can see the amazing warm brown color that occupies the transparent main crystal. That main crystal, as well as several smaller ones, are perched on a massive quartz matrix that again has a lustrous, well defined upper surface. A wonderful specimen of utter perfection!
Zinggenstock, Grimsel area, Hasli valley, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
Size: 6.5 x 6 x 4 cm
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A striking 2.6 cm fluorite aggregate perched elegantly on a light-colored granite matrix. The fluorite displays an intense pink color combined with excellent transparency and is 100% damage-free, with all crystal surfaces in pristine condition. The crystal form is strongly modified, giving the fluorite the fascinating appearance of being composed of numerous small intergrown octahedrons. This complex structure creates exceptional depth and texture, enhancing the specimen’s visual appeal. Many of the individual octahedral tips show delicate violet zoning, which becomes especially noticeable upon closer inspection and produces a beautiful optical effect as the light interacts with the crystal faces. An eye-catching and high-quality specimen, combining vivid color, intricate form, and perfect condition.