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The Habach Valley in Austria\'s Salzburg province is one of the most historically celebrated emerald localities in the world — mentioned in written records as far back as 1797 and linked by isotopic analysis to emeralds found in European royal collections dating to the medieval period. The deposit sits high in the Hohe Tauern range, where emerald-bearing biotite-chlorite schist forms at elevations above 2,100 meters, accessible only during summer months. Material from Habachtal is genuinely scarce on the market; the mine is privately owned and worked by a small team seasonally, with collector-quality matrix specimens produced in very limited quantities each year.
This miniature offers exactly what Habachtal is known for: a prismatic emerald crystal — teal-green with natural translucency — seated in the characteristic silvery, sparkle-flecked biotite schist that makes Austrian emerald specimens instantly recognizable on any shelf. The crystal shows the typical complex growth habit of the locality, with partial matrix encrustation that is inherent to how these crystals form, not a detraction from them. Acquired from ViaMineralia, a well-regarded Austrian dealer based in Engerwitzdorf known for carefully sourced and accurately represented specimens.
Austrian emeralds in matrix at any price are increasingly difficult to come by. This comes with a professional label and is #444 out of my personal collection.
Size: 4.7 x 3.4 x 2.6 cm
Weight: 52g
Location: Habach Valley, Bramberg am Wildkogel, Zell am See District, Salzburg, Austria
Fluorescent? No
Item comes professionally labeled and is out of my personal collection.
