The important mineral collection of Werner Kogler from Eastern Styria, comprising approximately 3,000 pieces, was acquired in 2024 with co-financing from the Universalmuseum Joanneum and the Joanneum Verein. This acquisition represents a significant enrichment for the museum’s holdings, as the collection is recognized for both its scientific and aesthetic value. The diversity of specimens reflects decades of meticulous fieldwork and a deep personal dedication to the world of minerals.

Werner Kogler began collecting minerals in the 1970s and continued this passion for decades, exploring both local and international sites. His work focused on Styrian volcanic rocks, the Rabenwald talc deposit, and notable Alpine deposits. However, his curiosity and expertise also led him far beyond Austria, to Greek locations such as Crete, Lavrion, Serifos, Naxos, and Thassos, where he sourced remarkable specimens. The collection is not only a geological archive but also a testament to the perseverance and skill of a dedicated collector.

Today, a representative selection of these crystalline treasures is on display in the Mineral Halls. Carefully arranged and illuminated, the exhibition allows visitors to appreciate the variety of forms, colors, and textures that nature creates over millennia. Through this presentation, the museum invites the public to explore both the beauty and the geological significance of these rare finds, while also honoring the lifelong commitment of Werner Kogler to the preservation of mineral heritage.