FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

Dany Mabillard · Joined: 01 Jul 2019 Posts: 346 Location: Valais

Last Sunday I went to the 2019 Binn Mineral Show (21. Binner Mineralienbörse) in the beautiful Valley of Binn, one the most preserved lateral valley of the Rhone Valley in Switzerland. It also the region where the famous Lengenbach Quarry is situated.
It was a small show where they sold more homemade cakes and “raclette” than minerals. Friendly atmosphere with music and a fantastic weather.
I wanted to publish some photos of a new “find”, beautiful quartz – variety amethyst.

swisstal · Joined: 27 Dec 2019 Posts: 9 Location: Oxford County, Maine

Hi Dany , Great to see some light shed on this little jewel of a mineral show in the Binn Valley. Two years ago, with some free time on my hands, I went to visit this show for the first time. I was so thrilled to be attending that I did not properly check the PostAuto Bus schedule and got stranded in Ernen, with no bus to take me up. Forgetting to schedule a PostAuto ride was a rookie mistake and I surely will never make that again! A car full of nuns (headed to Kirche Ste. Michael in Binn) showed up with one seat free, and they picked up this American hitch hiker and dropped me off right in front of the tent that covers the Borse. Most of my time after this was spent carefully observing the small town (I arrived 1.5 hours early) and the minerals offered at the show. Surely I also dedicated some time to enjoy the fabulous cooking they were offering in the eating area. I too, would agree that they are selling more raclette and cakes than minerals! But, I got a few photos from the Sonderschau, and Bruno Muller allowed me to photo an immaculate Smoky Quartz cluster he was offering for sale. I ended up getting a fine Gwindel from his brother Kurt, at this show. I will upload these photos shortly.