Piedmont

Italy

Piedmont (Piemonte) is one of the 20 regions of Italy, in the far north west of the country. The region is extremely mountainous, and surrounded on three sides by the Alps.

Mindat lists a huge 714 mineral species found in Piedmont, with the region being the type locality for 55 mineral species, including two relatively well known minerals – diopside and magnesite.

Piedmont is mineralogically significant for its alpine-type deposits, metamorphic terrains, and historic mining districts in the Western Alps and the Po Plain foothills.

The region has produced fine specimens of quartz, smoky quartz, feldspar, garnet, fluorite, baryte, chalcopyrite, pyrite, and rare secondary minerals from alpine fissures and hydrothermal veins. Classic localities include the mines near Traversella, Brosso, and the Lanzo Valleys.

In addition to its mineralogical importance, Piedmont offers numerous geological and tourist sites accessible to the public.

These include the Gran Paradiso National Park, Monte Rosa massif, the Lanzo Valleys, glacial valleys and moraines, and alpine passes with excellent rock exposures.

Visitors can explore hiking trails, alpine museums, and interpretive centers highlighting both the natural and geological heritage of the region.

 

Further reading

 

 

We may have specimens from specific locales around Italy.

Italian locales

 

 

To view all of our Italian stock use the following links:

Italy

Fossils from Italy - Minerals from Italy