Adularia and Schorl crystals from Binntal, Valais in Switzerland. One unique flat.
This flat contains a varied selection of specimens featuring Adularia crystals together with black Schorl. The Adularia crystals occur in different habits and sizes, displaying cream-white to honey-coloured tones with a vitreous lustre. The black Schorl provides an attractive contrast and occurs both as individual crystals and crystal groups on the matrix. Each specimen presents its own unique combination of crystal growth and host rock.
Geology & Locality
The Binntal in the Swiss canton of Valais is one of the most famous classic mineral localities of the Alps and is renowned for its exceptional mineral diversity. Adularia formed in alpine fissures from mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids, while Schorl, the iron-rich variety of Tourmaline, crystallised in pegmatitic and alpine geological environments. Binntal is internationally recognised for its outstanding alpine mineral specimens and remains one of Europe's premier collecting localities.
Abbreviations commonly used in mineralogy.
| Abbreviation | Meaning |
| xl | single crystal, possible with matrix |
| xls | noticeable crystals |
| (xl) | embedded or damaged |
| (xls) | embedded or damaged |
| MASS | massive and/or amorphous pieces |
| TYP | type locality of the original description |
| SWUV | shortwave-UV-reaction |
| UV | ultraviolet reaction |
| SC | self-collected |
| U | unique (single unique piece) |