Unearthing History: Responsible Garnet Hunting in the Austrian Alps

Unearthing History: Responsible Garnet Hunting in the Austrian Alps

Nestled within the majestic Austrian Alps lies a geological treasure trove: garnets embedded in ancient mica schist. These deep red gemstones have captivated humans for centuries, not just for their beauty but for their storied past.

A Legacy Carved in Stone

Garnets have long been revered across cultures. In the Middle Ages, they were worn as protective amulets, believed to ward off poisons and wounds, and to bring peace, prosperity, and good health to their wearers . Warriors, travelers, and lovers alike cherished these stones, attributing to them qualities of strength, courage, and loyalty.

Austria, has a rich history of garnet mining. In the 18th and 19th centuries, garnet jewelry was highly sought after, being prized for their size and coloration.

Our Ethical Expedition

On our recent journey through the Austrian Alps, we set out not to mine, but to respectfully explore. By traversing rain-washed roads and natural runoff areas, we discovered garnets that had naturally eroded from their mica schist hosts. This method ensures minimal disturbance to the environment, aligning with our commitment to responsible sourcing.

Adhering to the principles of Leave No Trace, we took great care to restore any areas we visited, ensuring that our presence left no lasting impact. Every stone collected was chosen with intention, reflecting our dedication to sustainability and respect for nature.

From the Alps to Canada: A Journey Continues

Bringing these garnets back to Canada marks just the beginning. Our next steps involve cleaning, studying, and potentially crafting these stones into meaningful pieces that carry the essence of their origin.

Stay tuned as we delve deeper into:

  • What We Found: A closer look at the garnets and their unique characteristics.
  • How We Found Them: Insights into our exploration methods and experiences.
  • Cleaning and Preparation: The process of readying the stones for potential use.
  • From Stone to Story: Exploring possibilities for these garnets in our collection.

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