A personal report by Christian Neumayer, crystal expert & founder of Crystal Paradise
I'm currently in Indonesia, searching for rare minerals and crystals. In this post, I'll show you 10 fascinating finds that captivated me on this trip—with tips on their origin, authenticity, and care. Perfect for collectors and aesthetic lovers.
1. Amethyst – Violet Power from Java
My first find was a deep purple amethyst from Central Java—intense, clear, and perfectly crystallized. What's particularly exciting is that many of these crystals are found directly in small quarries near Yogyakarta.
💡 Collector's tip: Pay attention to natural color shades and crystal structure – excessively uniform color can indicate heat treatment. Particularly striking are the large, pronounced crystals, which are often only found in amethyst from Brazil or the Congo.
→ Discover Amethyst in our shop now
amethyst-Indonesia
2. Citrine – Sunlight from Sumatra
Genuine citrine is rare—I found a naturally grown specimen in Sumatra, with a warm golden hue and a smoky base. Most citrine in markets is burnt amethyst—so be careful. I've also seen small ametrines. These are cut locally, however.
💡 Collector's tip: Natural citrine appears softer and more organic. Light, transparent stones are often genuine.
→ Discover citrine in our shop now
3. Aragonite – mineral with an organic soul
Aragonite often grows in calcareous soil—as I saw on Sulawesi. Particularly beautiful are the star-shaped clusters in white or light blue.
→ Discover Aragonite in our shop now
4. Grape Agate – Sulawesi’s Violet Wonder
One of my favorite stones from Indonesia is grape agate. It's found on Sulawesi. These lavender-colored crystal spheres look like frozen grapes—unique!
💡 Collector's tip: Don't let the name fool you. Grape agate isn't agate, but a form of chalcedony!
→ Discover grape agate in our shop now
5. Azurite-Malachite – Colourful splendour from Timor
This copper mineral duo fascinates with its rich blue-green color. These copper minerals are found in West Timor.
→ Discover Azurite-Malachite in our shop now
6. Calcite – The underrated classic
Borneo is home to calcite, including orange and fluorescent calcite. The cactus-like crystals with numerous crystal points are always eye-catching.
→ Discover Calcite in our shop now
7. Rainbow Pyrite – Colorful Shine from Kalimantan
A piece of rainbow pyrite with an iridescent surface—a true rarity. Hard to find and extremely collectible. Beautiful specimens come from Kalimantan.
💡 Collector's tip: Rainbow pyrite is often counterfeited. You can recognize genuine rainbow pyrite by its naturally iridescent, uneven surface that changes depending on the light – not by the shiny, smooth, rainbow-colored coatings found on artificial products that remain the same regardless of the light. Acid can dissolve the surface of artificial stones.
→ Discover rainbow pyrite in our shop now
8. Rock Crystal – The pure soul of quartz
In Indonesia, rock crystals are usually found only in smaller crystal structures, often in combination with pyrite.
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9. Smithsonite – Delicate carbonate from Papua
Smithsonite is rare in Indonesia. Deposits are found in West Papua. It is soft, glassy, and delicate. Ideal for experienced collectors.
💡 Collector's tip: Some varieties of smithsonite contain heavy metals (e.g., zinc, cadmium, or lead), which can be harmful if handled improperly—for example, by grinding, inhaling dust, or prolonged skin contact with liquid.
→ Discover Smithsonite in our shop now
10. Pyrite – Fool’s gold with structure
Pyrite from Java, mostly small, cube-shaped crystals – a visual highlight.
💡 Collector's tip: Caution: Pyrite can oxidize, so store it carefully!
→ Discover Pyrite in our shop now
Indonesia is a paradise for mineral collectors. I personally selected many of these finds—with an eye for quality, authenticity, and energy. If you'd like to own a piece of these islands for yourself, you can find selected specimens in my online shop here .
About the author
Christian Neumayer is a crystal expert, collector, and founder of Crystal Paradise. For over 15 years, he has traveled the world in search of exceptional minerals and authentic finds – with knowledge, heart, and intuition.
