A collector’s life – told by Christl Fürnkranz
It begins with the eye catching a glittering stone on a mountain walk. What is that? A rock crystal! Oh, lovely! And the crystal fever sets in. The enthusiasm grows and is infectious. The partner comes along. And over 50 years of collecting quite a lot accumulates – including an amusing story.
A locality in a wood, an old dump, partly overgrown, partly dug open. Everyone fans out; only the eldest (me) trotted along at the back, because I did not know exactly what the things one can find here look like. I look around, bend down, look through the hand lens – otherwise you can’t make anything out. There is something different from the rest of the rock. I go to my husband and show him the stone. He examines it carefully from all sides, raises his head and says: “Let me give you a kiss.” At that moment heads pop up out of all the pits with a look of “What’s going on?” and come over. It turns out that I have found what everyone is looking for: silver in beautiful strands. It cost me a litre of wine that evening.
And so many trips were made to the crystals, with more or less success. We always enjoyed it, even when it was strenuous. The weather was not always ideal either. Nevertheless it was a lovely time together.
With my husband’s death the hobby has come to an end. As the flat has to be cleared, I am grateful that the collection is being kept in its entirety and does not have to end up in the bin.
With gratitude, all my love – Christl Fürnkranz, in memory of Dr. Heinz Fürnkranz
ADDENDUM The collection came to us on the recommendation of Dr. Uwe Kolitsch of the NHM, Vienna. We collected it in Vienna by van on the weekend of 1 May 2026. Christl Fürnkranz helped us for two days to pack and load the collection. With a total weight of well over a tonne and nearly 30,000 micromounts, this collection is a very special addition to the Lithothek. We have already been able to supplement many Austrian localities in our collection, or even open some up entirely.