Information for collectors of minerals:
The Laacher See is located at the centre of a geologically young volcanic field with about 100 eruption spots in eastern Eifel, most of them being concentrated in a relatively narrow area between Andernach-Kempenich and Mayen-Brohl, both places respectively 20km away. Being named after the most important but also most scenic volcano, this area is usually referred to as the “Laacher-See-Gebiet” or “Laacher Vulkangebiet”.
For collectors of minerals, this area is a rich source.
Especially the sites “In den Dellen” and “Wingertsberg”, both situated near Mendig, are known for their unique findings of hauyne. It occurs as a single crystal or together with other crystal in the so-called Laacher Trachyt (volcanic bomb). Some of these hauynes are even cutable.
Other volcanic cones with eruptions that happened several hundred thousand years ago are now exposed, which means that they are mined. Exposures such as the Ettringer Bellerberg, which is one of the best known exposures, the Rothenberg near Bell, the Wingertsberg near Mendig, the Dachsbusch near Wehr, the Wannenköpfe near Ochtendung, the Nickenicher Weinberg, the Nickenicher/Eicher Sattel or the Schellkopf near Brenk are all accessible by car within few minutes. A magnifying glass or a stereomicroscope is needed because of the size of the crystals.
Sanidine, however, can be found on fields around Volkesfeld, Weibern and Wabern. Here, the sanidine can be found in bigger crystal fragments. Among those are also crystals that can be cut in clear and smoky quality.
For collectors of minerals we provide expert information about minerals of the Eifel, a map of sites, a stereomicroscope and a “stone cracker” in the holiday flat. In addition to that, micromounts as comparison samples of many minerals of the individual sites are available.
As I collect minerals myself, it would be a pleasure to accompany you on your excursions to the various sites. Please note that you have to have permission from the owner before entering the corresponding premises. Corresponding addresses of the sites can be given to you on demand.