Mineralica 2025 - 3 (english)

Sometimes it is not the most valuable or rarest pieces that captivate us, but those that tell stories. Stories of wonder, discovery, passion, patience, luck, setbacks, and sometimes even a little deception.

In this issue, we take you to four places that show in very different ways why the world of minerals is more than just geology or a passion for collecting.

First, there is the impossible crystal: a fluorite dodecahedron that simply cannot exist in nature. And yet there it lies, perfectly cut and dipped in sulfuric fluoric acid, as a tongue-in-cheek curiosity in Herwig Pelckmans' collection. Not as a deception, but
as a conversation piece. And what a conversation piece it is! A piece that reminds us that even a fake can tell a real story.

The story of Karl Wanek, one of Austria's most impressive mineral collectors, is quite different. In his portrait of Wanek, Johann Zenz recounts the more than 50 years he spent traveling in tunnels, on mountain peaks, in Alpine valleys, and in Greek mines. Thousands of sites, thousands of tours, a collection consisting almost exclusively of his own finds. And always: respect for the stone, for the moment, for the experience. Karl Wanek's philosophy that the true value of a find lies not in carats or market price, but in the moment of discovery itself, is more relevant today than ever.

One place where the magic of discovery becomes tangible is the Red Cloud Mine in Arizona. World-famous for its bright red wulfenite, it has captivated collectors for over 140 years. From the first finds in the 19th century to spectacular discoveries such as the “Red Gem Pocket” to modern excavations worth millions, this mine tells a story of lucky finds, scientific curiosity, and an unbroken fascination with the bright orange color. Gerd M. Wiedenbeck was also right in the middle of it, with sweat, a hammer, and, in the end, a pocket full of crystals and a heart full of joy. Wulfenite is love... and we understand why.

And finally, Maissau, the city of violet light. Who would have thought that a single quartz vein could display so much color: amethyst, citrine, smoky quartz, iron quartz, morion, all united in one place. Gerald Knobloch describes what was once almost forgotten. The Maissau quartz vein was rediscovered with scientific meticulousness and tourist courage and turned into an adventure space. Today, the Amethyst World Maissau is not only a paradise for collectors, but also a place where mineralogy becomes visible and alive.

Four stories, four facets of our passion. They show that minerals are not just objects. They are experiences, encounters, identity.

I hope you enjoy reading this – and perhaps nod your head in recognition of one thing or another.