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.
Ritterkopf, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 14.8 x 3.7 x 3.7 cm
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Quartz from this remote locale is rather rare so it is even more impressive to find this doubly terminated 14.8 cm exemplar! The crystal is clear with only slight clouds towards the lower end. The tapered shape results in delicate striations from bottom to top which are especially beautiful on the highly lustrous front! The bottom itself is crystallized and shows beautiful structure. Very nice and of best quality with no damage anywhere!
Brand, Felbertal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 15 x 6.5 x 6 cm
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The quality of this quartz is really like glass, highly lustrous and completely transparent. Looking inside through the large front face you look at beautiful inclusions of chlorite and rock but you can also see the backside where the quartz becomes more irregular. Turning the piece around you will find this irregular backside to be completely crystallized as well, resulting in this amazing landscape. This is a highly impressive quartz specimen in near flawless condition!
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: 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.