Mineral systematics and mineral treasures

The two historic rooms with the original mineral classification system according to Tschermak date back to the late 19th century.

In the middle of this richly decorated ambience is a work table several metres long, where visitors can try their hand at identifying minerals at ten stations.

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Exhibition View,

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Exhibition View,

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Over 200 years of growth - the International Systematic Mineral Collection

The International Mineral Classification is often referred to as the ‘nucleus of the Joanneum’ because it emerged from Archduke John's private collection. The presentation was conceived as early as 1811, the year the museum was founded, as a combined display and study collection for teaching at the Joanneum science and technology school of the time.

The first curator and professor of mineralogy was Friederich Mohs, who also developed the Mohs scale of mineral hardnesshere in Graz. Despite many newer hardness measurement methods, which are technically much more precise and comprehensible, this scale is known worldwide and is still meaningful, especially in gemstone science.

Mineral systematics according to Tschermak

The overwhelming impression of the display is created by the large number of objects and their diversity. The 36 showcases display more than 700 types of minerals with around 3,500 mineral specimens from all over the world. In the two historical rooms, the Stucksaal (stucco hall), which was the music hall in the 18th century, and the neighbouring (possibly) billiard room, there is still this original furniture, which the Archduke brought with him from Schönbrunn Palace.

Today, a ‘mineral classification system according to Tschermak’ from the end of the 19th century can be seen in it. This very rare classification system is based on a combination of the chemical composition of the minerals and theoretical considerations on the internal symmetries of the crystal structures. According to the possibilities of the time, several objects of each mineral type shown are always represented.

Starting with beautiful crystals, the range extends to the often completely inconspicuous representatives, which, however, usually represent the ‘normal case’ in nature. This principle illustrates very well the original purpose of the collection - namely its use as a study and reference collection for the Joanneum Teaching Centre.

In the course of the reinstallation following the spectacular remodelling of the Joanneum Quarter, the character of this part of the mineral collections was left completely unchanged, as it is one of the few collections in Europe that can still be admired in its original 19th century ambience. The pieces on display are therefore an excellent illustration of the state of mineralogical discoveries just over 120 years ago, with a focus on the sites and deposits of the former Imperial-Royal Monarchy.

Historische Mineralsystematik: Malachite und Azurite aus Russland und Ungarn

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In the second room there is a historical centre showcase containing a collection of crystal models from the 19th century and a collection of identification marks that were also typical of the time. These include unusual mineral colour designations such as celadon green, crimson red, isabel yellow and sky blue.

A number of the desk display cases also show an interesting selection from the meteorite collection - mostly historical and small but fine. Annual new acquisitions for the Systematic Collection, the majority of which are stored in the collection depot in Graz-Andritz, are presented in constant rotation.

In the Stucksaal (stucco hall), a modern centre installation provides informative information on the aspects under which both the glittering and the inconspicuous minerals can be viewed. This is intended to guide the viewer's gaze through the abundance on display.

At the same time, the contents of the eight small display cases also provide an overview of the examinations required to identify a mineral and categorise it correctly. The other part of this central installation is designed as a multi-part workbench where visitors can familiarise themselves with mineral identification methods and also try them out.

Smoky quartz crystal

In the Glocknerwand, north-west of the Hofmannspitze, East Tyrol, Stefan Obkircher found a large alpine fissure with huge crystal groups at 3,575 metres above sea level in 1994. As part of a scientific national park and salvage project organised by the Austrian Alpine Association in cooperation with the University of Graz (Institute of Earth Sciences, Department of Mineralogy and Petrology) and the Joanneum Universal Museum, a scientific investigation of the site began in early summer 2012 and the crystals were salvaged in order to preserve them for posterity. A large smoky quartz crystal from this find can be seen in the permanent exhibition at the Natural History Museum.

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Mineral treasures of Styria

Iron blossoms

The arrangement within the exhibition of Styrian mineral treasures follows a regional geological principle and not a chemical-crystallographic system.

The visual and mineralogical eye-catcher of the Styrian collection is the largest rock crystal in Styria weighing approx. 90 kg and a cross-section from the associated find complex.

The largest fissure mineral find in Styria also includes the largest titanite crystal aggregate in the Eastern Alps to date.

The iron blossoms from the Styrian Erzberg are the ‘mineralogical landmark’ of Styria. This discovery area in the greywacke zone has probably yielded the world's best specimens of the finely branched growth form of the mineral aragonite.

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Gemstones from all over the world

As a contrasting programme, over 100 cut wonders from the gemstone collection are on display in the same room. This collection dates back to the very beginnings of our museum. As early as 1817, a collection of precious stones was acquired from the estate of Count Brigido.

After sporadic additions in the 19th and 20th centuries, the collection has been expanded in recent decades to include mainly more unusual stones. The constantly growing number of polished fluorites should be emphasised here - together with mineral types such as calcite or natrolite, which are difficult to process due to their low hardness and good cleavage properties. The historical classics, such as olivine from the island of Zabargad, aquamarine and pink tourmaline from Siberia, but also exotics such as sinhalite or diaspore reflect the epitome of the definition of gemstones: hardness, rarity and beauty.

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