Beryl var. Emerald

📍Emerald deposit, Leckbachgraben, Nasenkopf Mountain, Bramberg am Wildkogel, Zell am See District, Salzburg, Austria
Dimensions: 37 / 24 / 14 mm

This specimen from the Leckbachgraben emerald deposit in Salzburg, Austria, features a single isolated emerald crystal exposed on the surface of a dark schist matrix, creating a striking color contrast. The matrix itself is uniquely shaped—somewhat resembling a small shoe—serving as a dramatic and charming natural base for the emerald. Although the crystal is not fully terminated, its vivid green color is highly attractive, giving the piece strong aesthetic appeal.

Emeralds from Leckbachgraben are famous for their rarity and distinctive character, occurring as porphyroblasts within mica- and amphibole-rich schist. These crystals typically contain numerous inclusions, such as fine amphibole needles and biotite flakes, which lower transparency but enhance their geological uniqueness and historical importance. Mining in the Leckbachgraben area dates back to the 19th century and continued intermittently until commercial extraction ceased in 1949. Today, the locality is worked only for specimen recovery, making pieces like this not only beautiful mineral specimens but also valuable artifacts of Austrian mining history.