The minerals on the western side of Elba

The western side of the island has never been subject to mining exploitation as the minerals in the granodiorite of Monte Capanne are quite scarce. However, in the pegmatitic veins found on its slopes, it is possible to find minerals and crystals of exceptional beauty and rarity, displayed in the world's most important mineralogical museums (New York, London, Paris, Moscow, etc.). Among these are:

• Tourmalines, with Elbaite and Celleriite being the most famous varieties. Elbaite was discovered in the last century and was named after Elba; it appears in prismatic crystals of varying lengths and bright shine, with colors ranging from black to transparent, from pink to green. In 2020, another species of tourmaline was discovered, considered a new global species, and it was named "Celleriite" in honor of San Piero's Luigi Celleri (1828-1900), who is also commemorated at the [page id="574"]MUM of San Piero.
• Beryl, one of the most beautiful minerals of Elba. The crystals are usually prismatic or stubby, with a vitreous shine, and can range in color from whitish, to blue (aquamarine), to pinkish (morganite).
• Orthoclase, the most common mineral in the Elban pegmatitic veins, appears in prismatic, columnar, or tabular crystals, with colors ranging from ivory white to pink-violet. Due to its light color, it creates a wonderful contrast that enhances the other variably colored pegmatitic crystals.
• Quartz, with crystals usually less than 3 cm in size, presents a prismatic shape and colors ranging from transparent to whitish, smoky, and black. It is found in large quantities on the granite promontory of Monte Capanne and forms quartzite, which, following long erosion processes and downhill slippage, creates the sandy beaches of Cavoli, Seccheto, and Fetovaia.

The minerals in the photos are from the Collection of Sarah Sudcowsky