Alpine Treasures 32
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The single isolated, sharp and lustrous titanite crystals are set on a fragile feldspar matrix, associated with chlorite and some black schorl. Miraculously this whole specimen is flawless all around with a filigree three-dimensionally structured matrix. Very attractive in person with crystals up to around 1 cm.
Cavradi, Val Curnera, Tujetsch, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 6.4 x 4.6 x 3.7 cm
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The single hematite aggregate on this specimen shows brilliant luster and characteristic sharp development. There are tiny red rutile crystals present too which is well known from this locale. At the lower end of the rock matrix there is a group of quartz and calcite. The whole specimen is in best condition.
Bruchgraben, Hollersbach valley, Hohe Tauern, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 7.7 x 6.2 x 5.2 cm
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The crystals on this specimen are arranged in a vug that opens in a porous feldspar-rich matrix. Looking in that vug you find absolutely brilliant apple-green titanite with best wet-look luster in combination with white adularia. The largest titanite has a little over 2 cm. It's a very natural looking specimen with high quality crystals!
Erfurter Steig, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 12 x 3.9 x 3.6 cm
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The shape of this single quartz specimen is a patchwork that tells of its history. At some point in its past it must have broken and reattached in an odd angle. The bottom, but also a large part at the upper half, are contacted but fully re-crystallized. This specimen is in overall very fine condition with only a small ding at the tip. Luster and clarity are both very good.
NEAT Tunnel, Central St Gotthard Massif, Leventina, Ticino, Switzerland
Size: 14.7 x 9.1 x 4.9 cm
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While gypsum is not per se a rare mineral I can honestly say that this is the best and most dramatic specimen I have seen coming from the swiss Alps. We received this piece labeled as "mica" but analysis conclusively revealed it to be gypsum.
The crystal is colorless and transparent with a rather distinct architecture. The backside has some rock and is generally more irregular, displaying the layered character of the material.
The whole thing is in great condition. A crack at the front got stabilized but you can see it doesn't run through. A marvelous and totally unique specimen from the very depths of the Swiss mountains!
Styrian Erzberg, Eisenerz, Styria, Austria
Size: 21 x 17 x 12 cm
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This is a massive specimen that combines a brown rock matrix with white curls of aragonite. It is not a piece of distinctive individual crystals but rather a characteristic locality specimen with great showcase presence due to its dominant size and the well emphasized contrast. Naturaly there are many broken curls here which is unavoidable on a large specimen like this.
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The size of this single crystal titanite specimen is absolutely stunning, combined with very good quality and a near-flawless condition! While the inside has some impurities and clouds it also has very good gemmy patches and attractive zones of brown and green color. The surface is lustrous with no chloritization which would be common for this material. It is in overall great condition with minimal edge-wear.
Picture 1 and 2 are taken with artificial light, picture 3 and 4 show the piece in natural light with some indirect sunlight from the back.
Forsterbachtal, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 4.5 x 3 x 1.7 cm
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This small quartz floater is a real jewel in respect of quality and shape. Nice glassy quartz with brilliant luster reflects the light on a multitude of crystal faces. The condition is virtually flawless. Even at close examination you will marvel over the multitude of perfectly crystallized details! Very attractive in person!
Zinggenstock, Grimsel area, Hasli valley, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
Size: 6.1 x 5.1 x 3.5 cm
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A single fluorite octahedron is set on a characteristic granite matrix. The fluorite is in flawless condition, transparent and with very distinctive pink color. With a size of 2.1 cm in diameter it is rather remarkable considering its quality and design. A classic specimen of fluorite on matrix from the legendary Rufibach cleft!
Zinggenstock, Grimsel area, Hasli valley, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
Size: 8.7 x 6.6 x 6.6 cm
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The main crystal at this high quality smoky quartz specimen is a stocky exemplar of best luster and clarity with a distinctive brown color. The growth pattern is rather unusual, two parallelly intergrown crystals forming a single large and dominant quartz. It is prominently nested between a number of smaller crystals that display the same beautiful quality. A brilliant and highly attractive smoky quartz on matrix!
Bad Bleiberg, Bleiberg District, Gailtaler Alpen & Karnische Alpen, Carinthia, Austria
Size: 10.8 x 7.9 x 6.6 cm
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Hexagonal prisms of transparent calcite with nice luster and low pyramidal terminations are set on a grey matrix with a nice association of calcite micro-crystals. All crystals are in very good condition with only peripheral contacts.
Felbertal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 8.2 x 5.3 x 3.4 cm
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This is an unusual combination of jet-black hematite and milky white adularia. The hematite comes as tabular, highly lustrous crystals in overall very good condition. Along the upper ridge is a group of white adularia which provides a very good contrast. The backside and bottom are completely crystallized as well leaving this as a very attractive specimen in best condition!