What could be more idyllic in the world: sun, sea, great food, excellent wines, southern charm, dolce vita – and beautiful minerals and gemstones to boot...
 The island of Elba and its treasures have attracted collectors and scholars from all over the world ever since the significance of the finds was discovered over 200 years ago. Here are a few key points:
 Monte Capanne: the most important tourmaline deposit in all of Western Europe!
 Elbait, the colorful tourmaline: This gemstone made the island world-famous!
 Pyrite on hematite: still a world-class collector's aesthetic!
 Eight mineral species were first discovered on Elba: Elbaite, Ilvaite, Dachiardite, Pollucite, Uranopolycras, Minguzzite, Bonattite, Rubicline!
 Aleatico: the typical Elban dessert wine that makes every discovery even more beautiful...

 Contents:
 A mineralogical paradise. The mineralogical history of the island of Elba: famous researchers, renowned collectors, important collections / Ancient base – young granites: the geological framework. The formation of the island and its mineral deposits.
 The noble West: Minerals of Capanne/Mineralogical rarities and precious gemstones/Formation and classification of the aplite-pegmatite veins/Map of the main discovery area/The minerals of Monte Capanne/The most famous tourmaline find.
 The Iron East: rich ores, beautiful crystals/Mineral wealth from ore deposits and skarns/Copper and iron from Elba: the mining districts in the east of the island/The minerals of East Elba.
 Discoveries also away from the famous areas/Rare parageneses and exciting minerals/Further discoveries from the island of Elba/101 Dalmatians on Elba.
 Elba in Lapis: further literature

 Published: 2001