Alpine Minerals #2
Cavradi, Val Curnera, Tujetsch, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 9.5 x 6.9 x 5.5 cm
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Smoky quartz is very rare at the famous Cavradi, and this specimen comes from the best pocket of smoky quartz ever found there. It features a main crystal in a cluster of smaller ones, a little bit of the typical Cavradi schist matrix is attached on the back. There are a few contacts at the sides, but there is no damage on any of the main crystals.
Planggenstock, Göschenertal, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 6.4 x 4.2 x 2.2 cm
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Very nice crystals of Rosafluorit up to 20 mm on edge forming a well balanced aggregate.
Furkatunnel, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 3 x 2.8 x 0.7 cm
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Sharp and lustrous cluster of pyrrhotite crystals from an old find in Furka tunnel. A reddish rusty patina adds colour and some more interest.
Val Giuv, Surselva, Kanton Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 6.7 x 5.8 x 4.9 cm
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This specimen features a top quality smoky quartz crystal surrounded by smaller ones and small adularia crystals on the bottom side. All crystals are in pristine condition and have the very best colour, lustre and transparency! The back side is crystallized also.
Erfurter Steig, Rauris, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 6 x 5 x 2.7 cm
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A well shaped 4 mm euclase crystal perched on quartz matrix! Euclase is extremely rare in alpine clefts, and fine samples are very hard to come by. This crystal is freestanding and free of any damage!
Col de Rochefort, Mont Blanc, Aosta, Italy
Size: 6.4 x 5.1 x 4.5 cm
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This specimen features a freestanding, sharp and pristine closed gwindel on a group of regular smoky quartz crystals. The colour is a yellowish slight smoky tone, typical for this Italian locale. Great aesthetics and condition!
Planggenstock, Göschenertal, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 6.5 x 4 x 2.8 cm
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A 4 cm pink fluorite octohedron perched on smaller fluorite crystals! Small chlorite inclusions in places add a nice contrast. The crystal grew on a quartz crystal and became detached during growth, a small shard of that quartz crystal is still attached to the back side. The entire back side is re-crystallized and free of any damage or new contacts. Great aestetics and impact!
Schönachtal, Zillertal, Tirol, Austria
Size: 10.4 x 7.9 x 7.8 cm
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Slightly coloured smoky quartz crystals forming a highly attractive cluster. No damage, tiny little anatases are attached on top and back sides.
Feldschijen, Kanton Uri, Switzerland
Size: 8 x 8 x 4.2 cm
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What a fantastic gwindel specimen! It has morion colour and a wonderful deep reddish brown when backlight. There are a few small contacts on the base side (these are well visible on the pictures, but they are all small and insignificant). There is no damage, no edge wear and no chips! The luster is exceptionally bright on all sides! Internal gemminess is amazing also, no cracks and no inclusions from top to bottom! One of the very best small cabinet sized smoky gwindels we have ever had!
Piz Miezdi, Valsertal, Graubünden, Switzerland
Size: 12.3 x 11.9 x 5.6 cm
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Several dozen quartz crystals on matrix forming a specimen of great aesthetics and quality.
Saukopf, Untersulzbachtal, Pinzgau, Salzburg, Austria
Size: 6.2 x 5.1 x 3.3 cm
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Sharply formed, twinned titanite crystals measuring to 25 mm across perched on white adularia matrix! Great colour and aesthetics!
Schlegeis, Zillertal, Tirol, Austria
Size: 7.8 x 4.6 x 1.4 cm
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WOW! What a HUGE alpine apatite crystal! This is a sharp, tabular, single apatite crystal of pale yellowish colour. Calcites that have been etched away in the pocket add a funny surface structure on the top and back faces. The front side is smooth and shiny. Transparency is great in big portions, there are only a few little clouds inside. The bottom side is partially contacted and damaged, all other sides are in great condition. From a new find in 2013. A great addition to any alpine collection!