Alpine Treasures 45
Forsterbachtal, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 5.6 x 4.8 x 4.4 cm
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It's a small beauty, a combination of transparent quartz and white calcite from the Forsterbach valley. While this specimen has a somewhat chaotic look, it really is lovely once you hold it in your hands. An appealing binary presentation of white calcites up to 3.5 cm on the left and transparent quartz' on the right, all associated with white feldspar. The overall condition is very good though perhaps not perfect. There are some damaged patches but you would need a closer look to identify those as all the main crystals are intact and undamaged. Absolutely lovely!
Amertal, Mittersill, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 6.1 x 5.5 x 3.3 cm
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This one is an outstanding sphene from the Amertal, found by Reinhard Heim in 1988. The main crystal is an impressive 2.9 cm twin titanite with a beautiful brown-green color. It is transparent and shiny and completely undamaged. There is some chloritization present but nothing too extensive. The surface is still lustrous and especially on the sides you see the gemminess and the intensive color which is actually a patchy combination of green and brown. There are some side-crystals as well which very much increases the impact of this exceptional specimen. The matrix is crystallized with white pericline and smaller sphenes and it's overall highly appealing.
Arzbachgraben, Felbertal, Mittersill, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 10.8 x 7 x 4.5 cm
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A group of glassy, lustrous and well defined quartz crystals are aesthetically aligned, in it’s bent overall shape almost reminding of a gwindel specimen. The crystal quality is excellent and there is no damage present. A stunning and highly attractive floater specimen from Arzbachgraben, a side valley of the Felbertal.
Oberdorf an der Laming, Steiermark, Austria
Size: 5.3 x 4.1 x 3 cm
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This exceptionally beautiful strontianite features a beautifully shaped, fanned-out strontianite aggregate with a small white feldspar matrix and another strontianite structure growing on top. The intense orange color is due to a fine iron oxide coating. The strontianite itself has the typical cream color. It is in very good condition, with only a small damage on the right side.
Piz Scalottas, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 6.4 x 4.9 x 3 cm
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The main faden-quartz structure on top of this matrix specimen is 3.2 cm long and utterly brilliant. While the matrix itself is nothing special, a natural piece of feldspar rich rock with some sparkling quartz crystals here and there, this main structure is really nice! It is brilliant, flawless, prominently situated and shows the most distinctive white “faden” that runs right up to the tip! It’s a lovely specimen from the lesser known locale Piz Scalottas near Lenzerheide which yielded a small number of fine faden-quartz specimens.
Schiedergraben, Felbertal, Mittersill, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 12.9 x 9.5 x 6.1 cm
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This is a particularly rich specimen, studded with numerous sharp titanites. Granted, those titanites are not the largest you have seen, no more than 9 mm at best. Still, the sheer number, as well as the sparkling quality make this specimen remarkable. The titanites are set on a light rock matrix, all natural and crystallized with white feldspar micro-crystals. Looking at the bottom you will find a nice surprice. Not only is it crystallized as well but it also has some red rutile to accompany the titanites.
Grieswies, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 12.4 x 7.6 x 7.6 cm
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It's a piece of distinct natural character. A vibrant combination of quartz with pericline and calcite, partially tinged with brownish iron oxide. While the backside is largely characterized by contacts, the main view is striking for its rich and well crystallized details. Highly lustrous quartz crystals are embedded between white pericline and grayish calcites. On the right, a single colorless quartz crystal freely stands out. It has a small damage to its tip, but this is not visible from the front. The overall condition and composition are impressive indeed.
Saurüssel, Zemmgrund, Zillertaler Alpen, Nordtirol, Austria
Size: 13.3 x 11.9 x 5.2 cm
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The main crystal is a 12 cm long, completely perfect and doubly terminated. Especially in the upper area it is transparent and shows brilliant luster. Further down, it has an impressive inner life of byssolite and limonite. Attached to the main quartz is a smaller side-crystal (also doubly terminated), as well as a structure of white feldspar. This feldspar is also crystallized all around and overgrown with limonite, chlorite and quartz microcrystals. Fine rutile needles can also be seen. Only the side-crystal has a small chip, but I would say that’s rather insignificant due to the vivid look and the stunning quality of the entire piece.