Alpine Treasures 48
Törlkopf, Seebachtal, Mallnitz, Hohe Tauern, Carinthia, Austria
Size: 9.5 x 6 x 4.2 cm
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This specimen is dominated by a striking group of lustrous green sphene crystals, accompanied by calcite, adularia and grey chlorite. The thick, richly developed sphene crystal in the upper part immediately draws attention with its size, sharp form and vivid colour, while smaller crystals complete the composition. The contrast between the bright matrix, the soft grey chlorite and the intense green sphene gives the piece a particularly fresh and lively appearance. The association is both natural and well balanced, with attractive depth and numerous details to explore. Some of the sphene crystals show minor abrasions, but the overall condition remains very good and the specimen presents exceptionally well.
Grieswies, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 6.6 x 2.9 x 2.2 cm
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A superb single quartz crystal of exceptional quality. It displays a beautifully developed crystal form with delicate surface textures, outstanding sharpness, and an extraordinary, mirror-like luster. Apart from a few microscopic abrasions, the crystal is in pristine condition. Its combination of elegant form, flawless appearance, and brilliant aesthetics makes this a truly beautiful specimen.
Mörchnerkar, Zemmgrund, Zillertal, Tyrol, Austria
Size: 4.7 x 4 x 3.9 cm
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A highly attractive hematite specimen from the classic Mörchnerkar locality, featuring a well-developed 3.3 cm hematite rosette gracefully perched on a matrix of silvery muscovite with contrasting white adularia. The main hematite aggregate is composed of sharply defined, lustrous metallic blades arranged in an elegant rosette. The combination of dark metallic hematite with the bright muscovite and adularia creates a particularly pleasing natural contrast. Equally impressive is the fully crystallized backside, where additional hematite rosettes and sparkling muscovite crystals provide an attractive display from every angle. A small area of damage is present along the right edge of the main hematite rosette. While this is noticeable upon close inspection and has been reflected in the price, the specimen remains highly aesthetic and displays beautifully.
Galenstock, Rhone Glacier, Wallis, Switzerland
Size: 8.4 x 5.8 x 5.5 cm
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An attractive Alpine smoky quartz specimen featuring a well-developed closed gwindel as its dominant crystal. The gwindel rises naturally from a richly crystallized matrix together with a second prominent crystal and numerous smaller smoky quartz crystals, creating a pleasing and well-balanced composition. The specimen displays the characteristic twisted morphology of the gwindel habit, while the crystals exhibit a pleasant warm smoky color and natural luster. Delicate chlorite coatings on parts of the crystal surfaces lend the piece an authentic Alpine appearance without obscuring its overall aesthetics. The light-colored feldspar matrix is richly decorated with smaller smoky quartz crystals and subtle chlorite, adding depth and visual interest from every angle. Although the crystal quality is more natural than gem-like, the specimen impresses through its harmonious architecture and the presence of the well-formed closed gwindel. A fine and representative Alpine cabinet specimen, appealing for its classic gwindel habit and its attractive, natural character.
Knappenwand, Untersulzbachtal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 6.8 x 4 x 2.1 cm
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A fine epidote specimen from the famous Knappenwand, featuring a substantial main crystal rising from a base of smaller associated epidote crystals. The simple, well-balanced composition gives the specimen a strong and natural appearance. The main crystal is sharp, lustrous, and well developed, while the smaller crystals at its base add depth and character. An additional highlight is the fully crystallized underside, preserving the specimen's natural growth and adding to its overall appeal. The overall condition is excellent. Apart from a few minor contacts and tiny edge nicks on the reverse, the specimen is remarkably well preserved, with the display face remaining pristine. A classic Knappenwand epidote with an imposing main crystal, excellent presentation, and a distinctly natural character.
Grieswies, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 16 x 7 x 4.5 cm
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A magnificent 16 cm quartz crystal of exceptional transparency, displaying a remarkable water-clear appearance and outstanding brilliance. Despite its impressive size, the crystal retains an elegant and refined character, with light beautifully passing through its pristine interior. Rather than standing alone, the crystal is naturally accompanied by several well-placed quartz side crystals and white feldspar, creating a composition that feels authentic and perfectly balanced. These associated minerals enhance the specimen's natural charm without detracting from the beauty of the main crystal. The specimen is essentially a complete floater, crystallized on all sides with no significant point of attachment. Its sharply developed faces, excellent luster, and exceptional clarity are complemented by the untouched, fully crystallized base, making it equally attractive from every viewing angle. An elegant Alpine quartz specimen that combines remarkable transparency with genuine natural aesthetics—a beautifully preserved floater of impressive size and exceptional display quality.
Wageralm, Amertal, Mittersill, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 11.6 x 9.4 x 5.3 cm
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A remarkably aesthetic pericline specimen composed of a dense, sculptural aggregate of snowy-white crystals. The tightly intergrown pericline crystals create a harmonious, almost snowflake-like composition, giving the specimen an exceptionally fresh and elegant appearance.
Subtle traces of pale green chlorite as well as a single grayish calcite crystal near the center provide just enough contrast to emphasize the natural Alpine character of the piece.
The pericline crystals are sharp, well developed, and beautifully lustrous throughout, resulting in a specimen of outstanding overall quality and preservation.
An elegant and highly attractive Alpine cabinet specimen whose beauty lies in its purity, natural harmony, and exceptional aesthetic balance.
Sandkopf, Kleines Fleißtal, Hohe Tauern, Carinthia, Austria
Size: 19.8 x 18 x 8 cm
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An exceptional quartz specimen from the Sandkopf, featuring a remarkably large sceptre crystal rising prominently above a dense aggregate of countless intergrown quartz crystals. While the base has the appearance of a matrix, the entire specimen is composed exclusively of quartz. The backside is also almost completely crystallized. The main sceptre crystal displays razor-sharp edges, highly lustrous faces, and excellent transparency. One side face is somewhat rough but that's contact induced, not broken. Its striking contrast with the intricately crystallized base creates an impressive visual effect, making this a truly outstanding collector's specimen of exceptional aesthetic quality.
Göschener Alp, Göschenen, Uri, Switzerland
Size: 4.7 x 4.7 x 2.2 cm
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This attractive fluorite crystal from the Göschenen Alp is a complete floater. It displays the characteristic silky-matte surface typical of fluorite from this classic Alpine locality, while revealing exceptional internal transparency beneath its delicate outer skin. The crystal is exceptionally well preserved, with well-defined edges and no noticeable damage. Even a section that initially appears to be a small abrasion proves, under magnification, to be a naturally healed growth feature rather than actual damage. Although a single crystal, it possesses an elegant presence and displays beautifully, especially when mounted on a dark base that highlights its delicate pink color and softly lustrous surfaces. A fine example of Alpine fluorite, appreciated for its remarkable preservation, transparency, and understated elegance.
Val Giuv, Tujetsch, Vorderrhein Valley, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 6.7 x 5.3 x 5.2 cm
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A highly aesthetic combination of smoky quartz and adularia, featuring a graceful group of smoky quartz crystals arranged in a gentle, almost semicircular formation.
The smoky quartz is of exceptional quality, displaying outstanding transparency, brilliant luster, razor-sharp edges, and the warm brown color so highly characteristic of smoky quartz from Val Giuv. All crystals are fully developed and free from damage, save for some issues at the lower backside.
Perched delicately on the largest quartz crystal is a finely crystallized group of white adularia. Although the uppermost part of the adularia is naturally somewhat rough in texture, it is entirely undamaged and provides a beautiful contrast to the clear, lustrous smoky quartz beneath.
A refined Alpine specimen that combines exceptional crystal quality with a harmonious composition and the classic association of smoky quartz and adularia.
Cavradi, Val Curnera, Tujetsch, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 5.2 x 1.3 x 1 cm
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A towering cluster of black schorl with some attached white feldspar near the base! The needle thin tourmalines are three-dimensionally arranged along a zentral spine and are in surprisingly well condition. A remarkable piece of Alpine tourmaline!
Cavradi, Val Curnera, Tujetsch, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 5.5 x 2.2 x 1.3 cm
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A particularly elegant hematite specimen featuring a butterfly-shaped cluster of sharply developed black hematite plates perched on an elongated matrix. The matrix is naturally crystallized all around with sparkling quartz and white feldspar, while tiny rutile crystals add another characteristic element to this classic Alpine paragenesis. The hematite displays excellent metallic luster, crisp edges, and an attractive sculptural form. It is in outstanding condition, with only a minute imperfection along the right edge that is barely noticeable from the display side. A very attractive specimen, combining strong contrast, natural growth, and excellent overall preservation.