History of the CRYSTAL CAVES
In 1963, when René and Nelleke Boissevain immigrated to Australia from Holland, René worked on a tobacco farm on the Tablelands. In his spare time, a new found Yugoslav friend took him prospecting for agates.
By 1968, now with two daughters, René and Nelleke returned to Holland with over two tonnes of selected agate nodules from Agate Creek. They opened their first Museum in 1969. It was called ‘The Old Earth’ ("DE OUDE AARDE"). This museum displays one of the top mineral collections in Holland. Not to be missed if you go to the Netherlands, this museum is situated in Giethoorn which is a picturesque village well known for all it's waterways and lakes.
René became more and more interested in crystals and minerals and, closing the museum in the bitter Dutch winters, started to research. His first trip was to Mexico, René was headed for the now famous ‘Cave of swords’ in Naica. He returned with three most spectacular selenite specimens for his museum. They have now found a special place in the Fairytale section of his Crystal Caves.
René took several more trips, to Yugoslavia, Mexico, the USA and back to Australia. But often, he went to South America, to Brazil, Peru, Uruguay, Bolivia, and Chile where the mysterious Lapis Lazuli comes from.
Since those first days at Agate creek, René has dedicated his life to
crystals, minerals and fossils. He purchased only the perfect specimens
for his private collection. His fascination turned to obsession as he
sold his house in 1987 to start construction on his lifetime ultimate
dream
- to build a cave to house his collection
for the whole world to see.
During construction of The Crystal Caves, René even turned his wife's
new Suzuki Sierra into a rolling cave car as a promotional vehicle. Now,
the most photographed car in Australia, the rock car is parked on the
main street of Atherton.
A new attraction will
be soon arriving at the Crystal Caves: The worlds largest Amethyst Geode
!!.
Discovered in January 2007 in Uruguay and already on it's way to Australia".
A new section to the cave has to added to house the massive 3 ton - 3.24
meter high basalit...be also amazed on the presentation of this amazing
"Book of Records" Amethyst Geode.
When asked why he built a cave to house his collection, René simply replies “It’s where they belong”
