The Crystal Garden of Gut Guntrams – Collector Stefan M. Gergely on the importance (and exploitation) of minerals

partner Gut Guntrams in Austria, you will not only find sustainable accommodation, but you can also marvel at the collection of Stefan M. Gergely of crystals, fossils and petrified wood. ?Gergely
In the crystal garden at Gut Guntrams you will find about three dozen large exhibits. There is a 5.40 meter amethyst from Uruguay, a 1.40 meter rock crystal point from Zimbabwe, massive rose quartz (both rough and polished), fuchsite, petrified wood and a large fossilized ammonite. The exhibition is complemented by a display case in the Orangery. There are about sixty fossils from all over the world. All these treasures were collected by Stefan M. Gergely.

Interview with collector Stefan M. Gergely

Stefan M. Gergely is a science journalist, non-fiction author and entrepreneur. Since the 1980s he works in organic farming, nature and species protection. In 2015 he founded Gut Guntrams near Vienna on land he inherited from his mother. Gut Guntrams is a combination nature hotel and organic farm with a farm shop, orangery, café and his art collection.

GTB: I would like to start with the most difficult question: human rights and their violation often come up in the context of gemstones and minerals. Are there certain seals or structures that you can rely on as a collector?

Stefan M. Gergely: I think first we have to answer if humans have the right to extract natural resources. Some would say “plunder the earth”?

GTB: And what is your response?

SG: One might object that the crystal does not come to the fore as long as it is hidden in the rock.

GTB: This reminds me of Dschelal-eddin Rumi, who attributes to God the statement (as the reason for the creation of man): “I was a hidden treasure and wanted to be known.”

SG: Yes, you can philosophize about it for hours! In any case, it is remarkable what beautiful crystals are hidden deep in the earth.

GTB: What do you know about stone mining?

SG: As often criticized in the media, regulations are often not followed in the mining industry. Whenever possible, I visit the site or mine. When that’s not possible, I ask specialists who know the area how things are there. But as far as I can tell, transparency leaves a lot to be desired. In recent years, businessmen from Asia, many from China, have been buying up crystals like crazy, and they probably don’t care about the conditions under which the minerals were mined.

Pyrite mining in Spain

GTB: Do you buy the exhibits on site? I thought that most collectors walk around the mineral show in Munich in suits.

SG: Whenever possible, I like to visit the sites in person, most recently special pyrites in La Rioja, Spain. They are mined in open-cast mines. But I’ve never been down into the depths of a mine; it’s just too scary for me. The shows in Munich, Alsace and Tucson in Arizona are also interesting because you can network there.

GTB: Have you ever looked for (and found) crystals or fossils?

SG: Yes, pyrite on Elba and rock crystals in Engadin! I started collecting crystals when I was still in primary school. Fossils came much later.

View of the Crystal Garden and Gut Guntrams.

“Fossils are a cautionary tale for humanity”

GTB: Fossils and petrified wood tell us stories from tens to hundreds of millions of years ago – what do you find most exciting?

SG: To me, fossils are witnesses to past catastrophes. You can find giant fossilized ammonites that were wiped out by a meteorite impact or devastating volcanic eruptions. This is not only fascinating, but also a warning to modern humans, who are responsible for the disappearance of many species in the so-called Anthropocene.

“When will we stop plundering nature?”

GTB: Some geologists suggest that the Anthropocene should be dated not from the beginning of humanity, but from the beginning of industrialization. After all, humans have been largely responsible for species extinction, global warming, and other catastrophes for about 200 years.

SG: The Anthropocene Working Group (AWG) suggests 1950 (which, by the way, is the year I was born). In my opinion, however, it is not so important when the Anthropocene began; much more important is when we will stop the overexploitation of nature and the loss of biodiversity. In this sense, I hope that visitors will reflect on what they see in my exhibits.

Stefan Gergely with guests in the Crystal Garden in 2019. In the background the 5.4 meter high amethyst.

GTB: Which exhibit in your collection gets the most attention from your guests?

SG: The large amethyst is a popular photo subject for guests, as is the colorful labradorite.

GTB: Personally, I am also interested in the meteorite on display at the Café-Restaurant Veranda. Is a rock from outer space different from a rock from Earth?

SG: Yes, of course! The meteorite in the Veranda was found in southern Argentina. Impacts from the asteroid belt are found there. The meteorites from there consist of iron and nickel, which is why they are so heavy and different from the stones on our Earth.

GTB: One last question: Do you offer personal tours?

SG: I am happy to give private tours (for groups).

GTB: Thanks for the interview!

Service-Info: The Crystal Garden is open on Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays from 8:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Admission is €5 per person and is donated to the Arche Guntrams Nature Museum, which is dedicated to the protection of endangered species.