Alpine Minerals #7
Zinggenstock, Grimsel, Haslital, Berner Oberland, Switzerland
Size: 3.2 x 3.2 x 3.2 cm
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This is a sharp and very gemmy fluorite crystal from the famous "Rufibach" pocket on Vorderer Zinggenstock, discovered by the Rufibach family in 1962. No damage, just small contacts on the rear face, where it got detached from smoky quartz crystals.
Monte Prosa, Prevat Valley, Central St Gotthard Massif, Tessin, Switzerland
Size: 1.6 x 1.6 x 1.4 cm
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Super-fine and super-glossy hematite thumbnail from an old find.
Monte Prosa, Prevat Valley, Central St Gotthard Massif, Tessin, Switzerland
Size: 3.7 x 2.9 x 2.1 cm
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Bright and shiny hematite roses perched on top of a white adularia matrix. The back side is fully covered by hematites also! No damage, what a stunning piece! The luster is indeed bright like a mirror on all crystal faces, a true killer miniature!
Val Strem, Surselva, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 4.2 x 3.6 x 1.4 cm
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This is a superb gwindel in miniature size. Note, the black inclusion on top right is sagenit rutile, what a rare combination! The shape is textbook form, the twist is strong and very well visible.
Schynschlucht, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 5 x 4 x 4.4 cm
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Striking chlorite phantom a a lovely quartz floater group. The back side of the crystal has a small chip (not on top, on the edge between pyramid and prism faces), otherwise the piece is in perfect condition all around. The side crystal on the lower right also shows an equally fine phantom in person, when displayed at another angle.
Ala Valley, Lanzo Valleys, Torino Province, Piedmont, Italy
Size: 3.9 x 2.4 x 2.5 cm
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WOW, what an amazing piece! An elongated diopsite is placed upright in a "matrix" nest of sparkling garnets. Excellent miniature!
Grieswies, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 8.8 x 7.9 x 4.3 cm
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This is indeed a gorgeous alpine killer specimen - one of the very best rutiles i have ever seen from the well-known Rauris valley! Sharp and lustrous rutile crystals to 2.8 cm are resting on a nicely contrasting calcite matrix. All the terminations are pristine and free of damage. The right crystal is twinned and forms a nice rutile "knee" towards the lower termination. The lovely striations even enhance the superb luster and brilliance!
Oberdorf an der Laming, Steiermark, Austria
Size: 8.6 x 3.6 x 4 cm
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Amazingly fine pseudo-hexagonal strontianite crystals covering a dolomite cast! Furthermore, the crystals have the desired "reddish" tips, so typical of these old finds! This is indeed an old classic piece. It was sold by Anton Berger in 1957, as an old label indicates. No damage.
Brand, Felbertal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 17 x 15 x 15 cm
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Amazing combination of clear quartz and 6-sided calcite blades on matrix. Found by the Hofer brothers Hannes and Gerhard, ex Gerd Stefanik collection.
Knappenwand, Untersulzbachtal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 5.2 x 2 x 1.8 cm
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WOW! A lovely cluster of epidote crystals perched on byssolite matrix! Note, the epitote on the right is even doubly terminated. Excellent aesthetics and condition, one of the finest miniatures i have seen on the open market for a long time!
Fibbia, Tessin, Switzerland
Size: 4.6 x 4 x 4 cm
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Uncommonly thick cluster of hematites resting on white adularia crystals. Great contrast and aesthetics!
Auernig, Mallnitz, Kärnten, Austria
Size: 5.6 x 2.4 x 2.3 cm
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Super-lustrous and super-gemmy etched quartz from Carinthia! The crystal is doubly terminated and pristine all around. I have seen many alpine etched quartzes, but the pieces from this pocket on the top of Auernig mountain have the best luster and clarity of all!