This is a representative specimen of fissural cinnabar, in which we can observe under magnification small flattened cinnabar crystals, with striated faces, on a druse of quartz crystals. The transparence makes it very brilliant under the light.

Size: 6.4 x 4.7 x 3.5 cm.

Classic locality

As is often the case with old labels, the localities are sometimes discrepant with the data we currently have available on the Internet. This historic specimen of ilmenite, from the Joan Astor collection was acquired in 1976 from Joan Montal (former mineral seller from Vilafranca del Penedés), provides us with a label indicating the locality of Saint-Urbain. At the time of documenting this piece, we have found the photo of an ilmenite from Havre-Saint-Pierre (an area further northeast of Saint-Urbain) with a very similar shape and accompanying species and, most notable, it is indicated that it was collected in situ during a visit in 1979 (view), when our specimen dates from 1976. Furthermore, both specimens are formed by aggregates of ilmenite crystals with a few pyrite crystals embeded.

Size: 8 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm.
Found in ±1976.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

In this specimen we can see a group of bluish fluorite crystals partially covered by a druse of minute but very bright quartz crystals.

Size: 5.3 x 6 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 8 mm. fluorita
Found in ±1985.

Very esthetic specimen of celestine from Morocco. It shows us a large group of prismatic crystals of this strontium sulphate, very well defined and faceted, and with an excellent transparence that allows us to see a soft bluish color. They are disposed on a compact matrix. This locality is northeast of Imilchil town.

Size: 10.2 x 9.5 x 6.8 cm.
Main crystal: 2 cm.

Group of globular aggregates of gyrolite, with a very good size, white and translucent. They are accompanied in the vacuole with fine acicular crystals of okenite. The photos do not do the piece justice. Very aesthetic.

Size: 10.5 x 7.8 x 6.3 cm.

Very rich group of harmotome crystals filling a vacuole in the volcanic rocky matrix. Rich also in faces, with brilliance and between transparent like the smaller ones, and translucent the larger ones. Idar-Oberstein is known as a city of precious stones with traditional workshops those work agate, jasper, quartz, etc. A specimen of very good quality for this locality, nowadays difficult to find. With old label.

Size: 7.7 x 7.3 x 6.3 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.
Found in ±1970.

Ex. Wein Col (Germany) and ex. Erich Laskowski col. (USA).

Very good sized specimen of fluorite from this classic Catalan quarry. On the "old" matrix of orange granodiorite there are various groups of crystals, some of them isolated, with octahedral shapes. They have a semi-matte luster and a uniform green color. Very fluorescent under LW-UV light. Specimens of fluorite from this quarry are highly prized by collectors.

Size: 12 x 6.6 x 5.6 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ±1999.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

In this sample we can observe a large group of prismatic crystals, acicular, bright, with a dark violet to lavender color. The original description of this piece referred to a mineral from the amphibole supergroup called "crossite". This species is currently discredited and it is an intermediate between riebeckite and glaucophane groups. The specimens from this Austrian locality are very characteristic.

Size: 5 x 3.5 x 2.3 cm.

Epidote specimens from this area of Mont-Blanc are not at all common. This specimen was purchased by Joan Astor in Chamonix. It is an idiomorphic crystal, of a good size, with well-defined faces, except for one in the upper part that is fractured. We can also observe growth fissures. This specimen has its history since it was acquired from Francesc Garcia, one of the referents of Catalan mountaineering.

Size: 4 x 2.8 x 1.3 cm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

In this specimen we can observe a group of celestine crystals with a highly developed prism and small but well defined terminal faces. They are transparent, which allows us to observe a marked color zoning with honeyed tones in the lower middle part and colorless in the upper part. They are disposed on a matrix with sulphur. This specimen belongs from the former Joan Astor collection and we will send the handwritten label to the buyer.

Abstract from Gradowski et al. (1992): "Sulphur deposits being surface mined in the Tarnobrzeg area of Poland formed post-depositionally in the vuggy limestone layer above gypsum and anhydrite beds. Sulphur was deposited mostly as powder but also as coarsely crystalline masses and as free-growing crystals. Other materials present in the sulphur-bearing horizon include calcite, gypsum, quartz, aluminum oxide, celestine, and barite. Mineral specimens of these minerals collected at the mine are described."
Gradowski, J. and Kubiak, W.W. (1992) The Machow Mine, Tarnobrzeg, Poland. The Mineralogical Record: 23(1): 29-32.

Size: 4 x 3.9 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 2.3 cm.
Found in ±1990.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Very esthetic miniature formed by a group of quartz crystals covered by beveled cubic pyrite on which various tabular crystals of hübnerite stand out, well defined and with a very visible red transparence. Specimen from the Joan Astor collection, acquired in 1982 from Bailey Minerals (Ángel Jesús Talabán García, Segovia 1942-Madrid 2007).

Size: 3.5 x 2.8 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm.
Found in ±1982.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Druse of pyrite crystals with faces of the cube and rhobododecahedron, striated faces, complex crystallography, which adds interest to the specimen. Back side is curiously flat. The luster is exceptional, not easy to take photos. The crystals are interpenetrated. A classic from the mine from which the bases for the FIFA football award "Ballon d'Or" are obtained...

Size: 6.5 x 5 x 3.2 cm.

These specimens are formed by numerous prismatic crystals of albite, very well defined and interpenetrated. They are accompanied by acicular crystals of actinolite and epidote, and octahedral magnetite. A piece of good size and quality. They were sold as orthoclase but a recent XRD analysis I have done indicates that it is albite (2/15/2024). Maybe more interesting.

Size: 8.2 x 7.7 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.9 cm.

These specimens are formed by numerous prismatic crystals of orthoclase, very well defined and interpenetrated. They are accompanied by acicular crystals of actinolite and epidote, and octahedral magnetite. A piece of good size and quality. They were sold as orthoclase but a recent XRD analysis I have done indicates that it is albite (2/15/2024). Maybe more interesting.

Size: 9.4 x 7.3 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 2.1 cm.

The Matagalls fluorite mines are located in the Montseny massif. They are well known for fluorite, but also for quartz crystals of the amethyst variety like ones shown in this specimen. Numerous amethyst crystals are disposed on a matrix upholstered by yellowish-green fluorite, partially covered by small very brilliant calcite crystals.

Size: 9.6 x 5.4 x 5 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Baryte specimens from this classic Catalan mine are rare on the market. In this piece we can see a large group of interpenetrated crystals, highlighting some of them with clearly visible faces. They have a slightly yellowish color and are translucent. This specimen comes from the Joan Astor collection.

Size: 6.7 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 2.6 cm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Prismatic crystal of elbaite, with an intense green color, which shows a lighter green color on the upper flat face of the pinacoid when light passes through it. It is accompanied by clevelandite crystals. It comes from the Trigo collection.

Size: 2.3 x 2.2 x 1.9 cm.
Main crystal: 2 x 1.5 cm.

Col. Trigo (Mataró, Catalunya)

Elbaite specimen of very good size and thickness, showing us the prisms with vertical striations and well-defined terminal faces. Highlights the brightness and a more intense green color at the top and lighter at the base. A gem from Minas Gerais. It belongs from the Trigo collection.

Size: 4.9 x 2.3 x 2.2 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Trigo (Mataró, Catalunya)

Rich group of velvety globular aggregates of rosasite formed by very fine needles, with a color between blue to light blue. They are accompanied by partially corroded crystals of transparent calcite and contrast in a very aesthetic way in a cavity of the goethite matrix. This specimen belongs from the former Joan Astor collection whose handwritten label we will send to the buyer.

Size: 4.4 x 3.5 x 3.3 cm.
Found in ±1992.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

The Corta Brunita (open pit), in Murcia, is a classic of Spanish mining and mineralogy. This sample shows various globular aggregates of cronstedtite, formed by small crystals with triangular terminal faces. They are disposed on a matrix with smithsonite.

Size: 9.4 x 5 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 14 mm. glob. agr.
Found in ±2015.

Col. M. Marí - A. García (Castelló)

These German mines have produced some of the best specimens of silver and allargentum from European mines. A good-sized piece, we can see aggregates of this silver and antimony species showing rounded forms. Disposed very aerial on a calcite matrix. With good luster and bronze reflections. With safflorite. It belongs from a Spanish collection, and we will send the handwritten label to the buyer.

 

Size: 6.9 x 5.3 x 2.3 cm.

Col. M. Marí - A. García (Castelló)

Near the coast of the Catalan city of Barcelona is emplaced this historical and geologically very interesting promontory such as the Montjuïc mountain. The sample we propose is a xylopal (opal wood) in which we can observe structures of the original wood. These specimens are already as historic as the mountain from which they belong...

Size: 8.4 x 4.3 x 2.7 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

The classic and Mexican Ojuela mine never ceases to amaze us. In this specimen we can enjoy a vug in the limonite matrix completely upholstered by aggregates of arsendescloizite crystals, with a slightly yellowish green color, on which numerous acicular aggregates of green malachite crystals have grown. On the label, they were described as conichalcite, but analysis indicates that it is this copper carbonate. Also accompanied and partially covered by calcite crystals, very transparent and bright, partially corroded naturally. A very aesthetic and unusual specimen for this mine.

Size: 8.8 x 6.8 x 6.4 cm.
Found in ±2020.

Classic locality

Druse of analcime crystals, very brilliant, transparent, and with very well-defined faces and edges. A specimen of fine quality for this Italian locality.

 

Size: 7 x 4.8 x 4.4 cm.
Main crystal: 4.5 mm.

Ex. Max Caldera

Las Cruces mine, northwest of Seville, is an example of mining in the Iberian Pyrite Belt. But it must be said that minerals those have been found there are not at all common in other deposits of this geological megastructure. Exceptional specimens of chalcocite and djurleite stand out from this mine. This specimen we offer is a magnificent specimen of the latter species, djurleite (an orthorhombic copper sulfide). We can observe aggregates formed by several idiomorphic crystals with octahedral shape and a metallic gray luster. They are disposed on a matrix formed by other copper and iron sulfides. As is usual in these specimens and has already been indicated in previous studies, these crystals may correspond to phases of djurleite/chalcocite. In this case we have carried out an X-ray diffraction that confirms it is djurleite. An exceptional piece, for "gray" mineral collectors, that nowadays is very difficult to get.

Size: 8.7 x 6.3 x 5 cm.
Found in ±2011.