If the Mont-Blanc massif offers the view of all its magnificent glaciers and granite walls, it hides crystals in its bowels.
Mineralogical treasures that only experienced mountaineers, called "crystal makers", can reach.
There were around sixty at most in the Chamonix valley in 2020.
Despite their confidential number, the mayor of Chamonix, Éric Fournier, is worried about certain abuses. “More and more people are improvising themselves as crystal hunters. Some hope to make a fortune, by dint of seeing coins trading at ever higher prices. The problem is that these newcomers are more miners than crystal makers, ”denounces the city councilor.
According to him, regulations must evolve to preserve the resource and the centuries-old tradition of crystal hunters.
“We are thinking with the Regional Directorate of the Environment (DREAL) to set up a
numerus clausus
and prior training.
This would be in addition to a directive from the Ministry of the Environment of 1996 and a municipal decree of 2008. A regulation which prohibits, for example, sampling with machines or transport by helicopter.
Hunters must also present the crystals discovered to the town hall at the end of the year.
"The mountain is big enough for everyone"
“However, we see that parts displayed on the networks are not presented to us, regrets Éric Fournier.
In proven cases, we could in the future suspend authorizations, ”he warns.
The prospect of a more severe framework displeases some crystal makers like Christophe Péray, 67 years old.
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“It is an attack on freedoms! “He protests. “There is no pillaging of minerals nor a gold rush. Indeed, there are more crystals because there are more crystals because of the melting of permafrost and the retreat of the glaciers. But the mountain is big enough for everyone. The activity is also so hard that few newbies persevere. You may come across an exceptional coin worth thousands of euros, but it is extremely rare. Most of the time, the sale just helps cover the costs and materials that enthusiasts incur in hunting for crystals. "
