Italy Adventure: Fluorite, Quartz and Pelligrino Field Day trip hosted by Pezzotta lab

Item Description

This trip is a true experience of minerals combined with extraordinary Italian Hospitality care of the team at Mineral Collection Professionals laboratory and Dr. Federico Pezzotta of the Museum of Milan, one of our former Symposium speakers! This is three trips in one" a visit to the Zogno fluorite mine underground; Selvino "diamond quartz" locality for a chance to collect on the surface; and then a drink at the famous mineral waters of San Pellegrino! At the core of the "Prealpi Orobiche", Bergamo (Italy), this is a tour of Italy, with fluorite as a bonus. We asked Dr. Federico Pezzotta for a donation of a trip underground at his fluorite mine in Zogno, and he added the rest for the lucky winners. Please note - this is a trip for 2 adults or a family (maximum 4 with kids over age 10), and each traveler must travel to Milan at their expense and purchase standard travel insurance (Trawick International policies are under $100); sign a waiver; and agree to plan the trip at a time mutually agreeable to all parties. In Pezzotta's own words: "It is no problem for us to bring the winner (or winners) from Milan center to the Zogno mine for a trip visiting the fluorite-rich tunnels of the mine. I would suggest doing a double program such as a first part of the day with a trip of 2 or 3 hours in the mine (3 hours if they would like to really hammer on some rocks); and a second part moving from the mine by car to Selvino (20 minutes drive, through very nice lands including a small rocks canyon). Along the drive, we could do a short stop in San Pellegrino which is a deviation of only 3 kilometers (the famous village of the famous mineral water), and then go straight to Selvino. Selvino is a place with a geology similar to the Herkimer area where loose gem quartz crystals can be found in the ground. Nothing crazy, but some fun mostly if there are kids (or collectors who act like kids when they find crystals). This place has unfortunately no organized parks like Herkimer, but stones can be found in natural lands. For such reason the expected discoveries are limited, but I believe that people would be very happy to spend a couple of hours there." WHAT A FANTASTIC TRIP! This is the first time such a thing has been offered, and this mine has produced beautiful fluorite. Specimens found can be purchased from MCP for a nominal agreed value of less than retail value, but the thrill is in the visit itself.

This trip is part of the 2022 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 22, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.