We Support the Mineralienatlas

In short: Since 2025, Crystal Paradise has been supporting the Mineralienatlas — the largest freely accessible mineral database in the German-speaking world. Annually, plus additional project-based contributions. The Atlas is non-commercial and is financed through donations and sponsorship funds. We are supporting, of all things, the very platform where you can verify our own origin information.

What the Mineralienatlas is

The Mineralienatlas was founded in 1999 by Stefan Schorn and is today the most extensive freely accessible knowledge collection on minerals, rocks, fossils, and localities in the German-speaking world.

• over 380,000 wiki pages on minerals, rocks, fossils, and localities
• over 8,000 members in the community that maintains the content (as of 2023)
• since December 2022 a project of the nonprofit Geolitho Stiftung gGmbH
• freely accessible — no paywall, no registration required to read

The Geolitho Stiftung was founded in 2021 by Dr. Manfred Seitz and Stefan Schorn. Its purpose is to promote public education in mineralogy, deposit studies, geology, paleontology, and mining. It is based in Kirchseeon — less than half an hour's drive from our showroom in Feldkirchen near Munich.

Why a dealer funds an independent database

That's the obvious question, and it's a fair one.

Part of the mineral trade thrives on vagueness. "From Brazil" with no mine specified. "Collector quality" with no standard. A fantasy name instead of the mineralogical designation. As long as no one can look it up, this works.

An open reference database works directly against that. Anyone who looks something up in the Mineralienatlas finds the actual classification, the documented localities, and the common misidentifications — even when that doesn't happen to suit a dealer at the moment.

We consider this the right direction, and that includes our own self-interest. A market in which buyers can verify things is a market in which careful work pays off. For nearly every piece, we document the country of origin and, where verified, the locality. This effort only pays off if anyone actually notices it.

What we contribute

Since 2025, we have been supporting the Mineralienatlas with an annual contribution, plus project-based donations for individual initiatives of the foundation. We do not publicly disclose the amount — that is the foundation's business, not our marketing's.

Contact runs directly and personally with Stefan Schorn, the founder of the Atlas and managing director of the foundation.

What this explicitly is not

So there are no misunderstandings here:

• No partnership and no cooperation. We are a supporter, not a partner. The Mineralienatlas is an independent nonprofit project.
• No influence on content. We have no influence over what appears in the Atlas — neither regarding minerals we sell nor anything else.
• No advertising space. Our support is not a payment in exchange for links or mentions.
• No confirmation of our claims. The Atlas does not verify what we write. It only enables you to do so yourself.

What this means for you

In very practical terms: you can check up on us.

For every piece in our shop, we state the country it comes from and — where verifiable — the locality. Look up both in the Mineralienatlas. Does the mineral even occur at that locality? Does the stated form match the described formation? Is the name the recognized mineralogical designation or a trade name?

Where we're wrong, we want to know. Write to us at info@crystalparadise.live if you notice something about a piece.

Further reading on our site: Localities – where our minerals come from, Stone types A–Z, and How to recognize real crystals.

Frequently asked questions

What is the Mineralienatlas?

The Mineralienatlas is a freely accessible online database of minerals, rocks, fossils, and localities with over 380,000 wiki pages. It was founded in 1999 by Stefan Schorn and has been a project of the nonprofit Geolitho Stiftung gGmbH since December 2022. It is maintained by a community of over 8,000 members.

In what way does Crystal Paradise support the Mineralienatlas?

Since 2025, with an annual contribution and additionally with project-based donations for individual initiatives of the Geolitho Stiftung. We do not disclose the amount publicly.

Does Crystal Paradise receive anything in return?

No. The support is not tied to links, mentions, or editorial concessions. We have no influence on the content of the Mineralienatlas.

Is Crystal Paradise a partner of the Mineralienatlas?

No. We are a supporter, not a partner. The Mineralienatlas is an independent nonprofit project of the Geolitho Stiftung gGmbH. There is no cooperation or partnership.

Why does a mineral dealer support an independent database?

Because verifiable information benefits the entire market — especially those who go to the trouble of documenting things properly. For nearly every piece, we note the country of origin and, where verifiable, the locality. This effort only pays off if buyers have the ability to check it.

Can I support the Mineralienatlas myself?

Yes. The Geolitho Stiftung gGmbH is a nonprofit organization and accepts donations; donation receipts are issued. More details are available at geolitho.eu. Contributing content to the wiki is also possible — the community has over 8,000 members.