Mont Blanc Crystals

An unimaginable amount of crystals is hidden in the Mont Blanc Massif. The treasures are normally not easy to find. However, the beautiful, clear gem that I’m holding in the lead photo was just laying around on a small ledge on a steep rock face. A friend of mine found it last year while climbing above the Bionnassay glacier. And this summer, I got lucky myself: I spotted a tiny crystal between the rocks on the Plan d’Aiguille above Chamonix. It’s pretty small and a bit damaged, but I don’t care, I am so excited that I found a hidden gem!

Many different types 

Crystals were once formed about ten kilometers beneath the ground. Due to the rise of the Alps, the minerals where pushed upwards. Nowadays, many different types of crystals are found in the Mont Blanc region, like a wide variety of quartz, amethysts and fluorite, but our mountains are especially known throughout the world for its smoked quartz and pink fluorite.

Where to see them

You might get lucky too and find a crystal in the mountains while trekking the Tour du Mont Blanc. However, the gems are generally well hidden, but don’t worry, there are some wonderful places where you can admire the local diversity of crystals:

•  Chamonix has a beautiful museum,  le Musée des Cristeaux – Espace Tairraz. This local museum is responsible for preserving the most beautiful pieces discovered in the massif and is certainly worth a visit.
• In Courmayeur (Italy) – day 5 of your Tour du Mont Blanc – you have the opportunity to visit the Skyway Monte Bianco. This technological cable car rotates while reaching over 11,000 feet in elevation (3,466 meters). At the top of Punta Helbronner, you will find mesmerizing views of the Italian side of the Mont Blanc Massif, but also a permanent crystal exhibition showing the beautiful varieties of quartz and other minerals typical of the area.

Read More

This blog is the first part of a series about the crystals and gem hunters of Mont Blanc:

• Crystals of Mont Blanc
• Crystal Hunters of Mont Blanc
• Portrait of a Crystal Hunter
• The Secrets of Crystal Hunting 

• Author
• Recent Posts

Simone van Velzen

In her work as an alpine naturalist Simone adds an exciting new dimension to your Tour du Mont Blanc trek with insights into the incredibly rich flora and fauna of the Alps. Simone studied Wildlife Management at the Van Hall Institute in the Netherlands. After her studies she left her home country (which is flatter than a pancake) and moved to British Columbia. In the Canadian Rockies, she discovered the astonishing richness of mountain environments. Her passion for mountain nature was born. And when she returned to Europe, she based herself in Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, the perfect setting for exploring and studying the natural history of mountain environments. As an alpine naturalist she writes for outdoor magazines and leads excursions in the natural world.

If you step into the natural world with Simone, her passion for all living things—wild flowers to lichen, birds to mammals—can’t help but rub off on you. She’s excited to meet you on your Tour du Mont Blanc and share the amazing natural wonders in the Alps.

Latest posts by Simone van Velzen (see all)

• The Alps: A Biodiversity Treasure Trove - December 10, 2020
• Flora in the Alps – Spotlight on the Alpenrose - June 25, 2020
• Tour du Mont Blanc Hightlight: The Contamines-Montjoie Nature Reserve - May 21, 2020