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Pala International has consistently earned its reputation as the direct source for the finest colored stones.

Munich 2012

Munich 2012

Photos from Bill and Will Larson, Pala International,
and Jamie Newman, American Museum of Natural History

 

The 49th Mineralientage München international trade fair—Europe’s largest for the mineral trade—took place October 26–28, 2012. Pala’s Bill Larson was there and provided these photos.

 

Ad photo image
Promo. Ads like this were placed in the train station. (Photo: Will Larson)

 

Entrance photo image
Patience, patience. Attendees were barred from entry on set-up day. (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Pyrite photo image
Nice nuggets. A superb lot of pyrite crystals, acquired by Pala International at the show. From TanzaniteOne, in Tanzania. (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Will Larson photo image
Early bird. Pala International’s Will Larson gets a head start on inspection of Chinese minerals at the show. (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Setup photo image
In-progress. Above, one of the display corridors for the special exhibition, “African Secrets.” Below, Munich Show organizer Christophe Keilman shows Pala International’s Bill Larson a specimen during setup. (Photos: Will Larson)
Keilman and Larson photo image

 

Gobin and Snail photo image
Escargot mignon. Christophe Gobin, cradles “The Snail.” Rarely, in a photo, do you get a sense of scale for the little snail. In the collection of Pala International’s Bill Larson, this rhodochrosite on manganese is one of the most famous specimens in the world. (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Will and Bill photo image
It’s a wrap. “The Snail” is installed. (Photo: Will Larson)

 

The Snail photo image
From a snail’s POV. Looking out from the back of the display case. “The Snail” was exhibited as part of the Mineral Show’s special feature, “African Secrets.” (Photo: Will Larson)

 

The Snail photo image
“The Snail” on display. (Photo: Will Larson)

 

The Snail photo image
Cover star. Jeff Scovil’s portrait of “The Snail” is worked into the cover of this year’s theme book. It is available from the show website.

Prehnite photo image
Above, Will Larson’s prehnite, dubbed “deadmau5” after the Toronto-based DJ. Below, Will’s “Mickey Mouse”; olmiite with oyelite. (Photos: Will Larson)
Prehnite photo image

 

O'Seven, Larson and Sacco photo image
Three musketeers. (Or should it be mouseketeers?) Left to right, Double O’Seven, Bill Larson and Desmond Sacco stand before the under-construction Pala International/Christophe Gobin booth. (Photo: Will Larson)

 

Larson and Hart photo image
Brain-picking. Alan Hart, head of mineral collections at London’s Natural History Museum, shares knowledge on a pyromorphite that Will Larson has just purchased. Last April, Hart delivered a short talk on the collection of Sir Hans Sloane, which became the museum’s foundation—available here. (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Hart, Keilmann and Larson photo image
Palling around. Here’s Hart, again, with Christophe Keilmann, Geschäftsführer (managing director of the Munich mineral show), center, and Bill Larson. (Photo: Jamie Newman)

 

Booth photo image
Bring ’em on. Pala International, open for business. (Photo: Will Larson)

 

Larson and Laurent photo image
Taking a break. Laurent Thomas of Polychrome Minerals knows how to play the gracious host, offering chèvre and Burgundy. (If only Bill woud get his finger out of the way…) (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Larson and Laurent photo image
On the prowl. Will Larson with prominent dealer-collector (and What’s Hot in Tucson co-host) David Wilber. (Photo: Jamie Newman)

 

Snow photo image
Too snowy for the Southern Californians. Best to take refuge in the Treasury of the Munich Residenz. (Photo: Will Larson)

 

Fleece photo image
Lambkin. This insignia, only one of several displayed at the Treasury of the Munich Residenz, will be familiar to our readers. In July 2010 we examined the relationship between the stone that would become the Hope Diamond and a ceremonial pendant for the Order of the Golden Fleece. (Photo: Bill Larson)

 

Crystal photo images
Eyes for detail. Three examples of the exquisite, impossibly crafted rock crystal vessels at the Treasury. Above, a goose carved in the late 16th century by the Sarachi Brothers, of Milan. (Photos: Will Larson)
Crystal photo image
Crystal photo image

 

Mask photo image
Clash of civilizations. This werejaguar mask of jadeite was placed in its Sino-setting by German artisans. It is of Olmec origin. (Photo: Bill Larson)