by Robert Kunze

This 2023 Munich show returned to its original time in October. I had the opportunity to attend on Thursday, one of the four days. It was truly an incredible experience, surrounded by a stunning array of minerals and the company of good friends.

Since I wasn’t fully aware of the latest developments in the mineral world, I’ve decided to share my collection of over 120 personally taken photos.

My intention was to present the photos of the fantastic pieces of the show permanently. A counterpart to facebook or Instagram, where many things can only be found for a short time.

I’m sure you haven’t seen all specimens, some of them might have been sold quickly.

These images showcase interesting mineral specimens, collector exhibits, and specimens from the special exhibition. Please note that many photos were taken through glass, which may affect the quality at times.

I hope you enjoy! – Robert

Various specimens (54 photos)

Azurite from Tsumeb, Namibia

Aragonite from Is Zuddas, Sardinia, Italy

Wulfenit & Mimetite from the San Francisco Mine, Mexico

Vanadinite from Mibladen, Morocco

Tourmaline from the Cruzeiro mine, Brazil

Red Sphalerite on Fluorite from the Beihilfe mine, Halsbrücke, Erzgebirge, Germany

Native Silver from the Schlema, Erzgebirge, Germany

Native Silver and Arsenic from Pöhla, Erzgebirge, Germany

Wulfenite & Calcite from Mezica, Slovenia

Quartz from La Gradette mine, France

Display with several copper minerals from central African locations

Malachite, Calcite from the Trenke Fugume mine, Democratic Republic of Congo

Malachite, Calcite from the Trenke Fugume mine, Democratic Republic of Congo

Malachite, Calcite from the Trenke Fugume mine, Democratic Republic of Congo

Pyromorphite from the Les Farges Mine, France

Display with many fine miniatures

Display with many fine miniatures

Fluorite from the Minerva No. 1 mine, Illinios, USA

Display with many fine miniatures

Display with many fine miniatures

Native Silver from Himmelsfürst mine, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge, Germany

Historic specimens with exclusive base

Attractive presentation of silver wires from various locations

Fluorite from the Elmwodd mine, Tennessee, USA

Native Gold from Verespatak, Romania

Very large specimen with Chalcopyrite, Siderite & Quartz from shaft #371, Hartenstein, Erzgebirge, Germany

Native Silver on matrix from Pribram, Czech Republic

Fluorite from the Beihilfe mine, Halsbrücke, Erzgebirge, Germany

Native Gold from the Round Mountain mine, Nevada, USA

Showcase with minerals from Iran

Fluorite from Trusetal, Thurigia, Germany

Calcite from Elmwood, Tennessee, USA

Silver pseudomorph after Dyscrasite from Pribram, Czech Republic

Silver pseudomorph after Dyscrasite from Pribram, Czech Republic

Native Silver from the Wolverine Miner, Michigan, USA

The special exhibtion (40 photos)

Fluorite on Wolframite with Arsenopyite from Yaogangxian, China (Paulwels coll.)

Fluorite (alien eye) from Namibia (Brandstetter coll.)

Fluorite on Smoky Quartz from the Mt. Blanc massive, France – the specimen is called “Frederic” named after the finder (Brandstetter coll.)

Fluorite on Albite and Muscove from Chumar Bakhoor, Pakistan (Wildfang coll.)

Fluorite from Achselalm, Hollersbach-valley, Austria (Fink coll.)

Copper & Malachite from Rudabanya, Hungary

Calcite & Magnesite from Chifeng, China (Wildfang coll.)

Baryte, Marcasite, Quartz from Mina Boldut, Romania (Konczer coll.)

blue Aragonite (var. flos ferri) from the Styrian Erzberg, Austria (Joanneum coll.)

naturally etched Aquamarine from Pedra Azul, Brazil (Budil coll.)

Aquamarine, Quartz & Feldspar from Pakistan

Aquamarine, Tourmaline & Feldspar from Pakistan

Aquamarine, Tourmaline & Feldspar from Pakistan

Amethyst-scepter from Binn-valley, Switzerland (Walker-Planzer coll.)

Amazonite & Smoky Quartz from Teller country, Colorado, USA (Trinchillo coll.)

Wulfenite from Mezica, Slovenia

Blue cap Tourmaline from Tourmaline Queen mie, California, USA (Yampol mineral trust)

Blue cap Tourmaline from Tourmaline Queen mie, California, USA (Houston Museum of Natural Science)

Tanzanite from Merelani Hills, Tanzania

Strontianite from Oberdorf an der Laming, Austria

Spessartine, Muscovite & Quartz from Shengus, Pakistan (Budil coll.)

Emerald from the Rist mine, North Caroline, USA (Houston Museum of Natural Science)

Native Silver from Schneeberg, Erzgebirge, Germany (TU Bergakademie Freiberg coll.)

Native Silver from Michigan, USA (Larson coll.)

Native Silver from Kongsberg, Norway (Fine Art Minerals)

Native Silver from Kongsberg, Norway (Museum Mineralogia München)

Native Silver from Erbisdorf, Freiberg district, Erzgebirge, Germany (Yampol Mineral Trust)

Rhodochrosite from the Sweet Home Mine, Colorado, USA (Budil coll.)

Rhodochrosite and Manganite from the N’Chwaning mine, South Africa (Wildfang coll.)

Malachite from Adolfbanya, Rudabanya, Hungary (Weiland coll.)

Hematite from Wessels Mine, South Africa

Hematite, Rutile and Quartz from the Cavradi gorge, Switzerland

Halite from Hallein, Austria (Museum Mineralogia, München)

Galena, Chalcopyrite & Dolomite from Herja, Romania (Konczer coll.)

carved Aquamarine

McFerrin Aquamarine Tiara made by Fabergé

The collectors showcase of Andreas Bulla (8 photos)

Andreas’ showcase showed a great selection of fluorite from alpine locations. The focus was set on specimens from Austria and Switzerland, but of course also from the french Alps.

The collectors showcase of Levon Strauß (5 photos)

Levon dreesed up his showcase with minerals from the Styrian Erzberg, the largest iron-deposite in Europe. The mine is active since hundeds of years and produced very fine minerals. Levon’s display brings you some unknown specimens that are directly connected to the mining activities: mining objects covered by aragonite.

These were my impressions and highlights of the Munich show 2023, although the selection is of course subjective and I didn’t see the entire range of exhibits.

I hope you enjoyed. Feel free to leave a comment below.

Robert

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