Rosell Minerales

The Sant Fost willemite appears in small crystals with a pseudohexagonal prismatic habit (twinned), with striated faces. All of them are sub-millimetric in size and form druses of crystals with a resinous or adamantine luster, with colors ranging from dark brown to honey-yellow, or they may appear colorless and transparent. In Sant Fost the willemite appears associated to a sphalerite vein together with silicates (quartz and clays), calcite, fluorite, and baryte. Willemite is fluorescent under SW-UV light. Very unusual locality for the species.

Size: 3.8 x 1.7 x 0.9 cm.
Found in 2021.

Con análisis / With analytical report
Fluorescent under short wave UV

This is one of the few samples obtained in our last studies in this quarry. We saw a mica-like platy crystals, with a pearly luster and hexagonal form. The results of the different analytical techniques indicated that it was surite (SEM-EDS, EPMA, XRD, Raman). It is accompanied by cerussite, fluorite (purple), baryte and galena.
Surite is a very rare species based on a cerussite-like layer intercalated with a 2:1 layer of smectite. Can Rovira is the second locality in Europe and one of the few localities worldwide.

Size: 3.9 x 3.7 x 2.5 cm.
Found in ±2020.

Analyzed specimen with report

Fehrite is a recent new species found in Almeria (Spain). Some years ago (2012) we identified this species in the Les Ferreres mine (Camprodon) but unfortunatelly we didn't have enough sample to finish detrmination and structural studies. Recently we found some more samples and the characterization was carried out based on the results obtained from the application of various analytical techniques: SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray diffraction. Les Ferreres mine is the second locality worldwide for the species. We will send all reports to the buyer.
In this Catalan mine, fehrite appears as elongated elongated tabular to fibrous crystals, with a delicate bluish-green tone, and fibrous terminations. Usually, it is accompanied by devilline (blue) and brochantite (green). It is the magnesium analogue of ktenasite.

Size: 2.3 x 2.2 x 1.7 cm.
Found in ±2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Fehrite is a recent new species found in Almeria (Spain). Some years ago (2012) we identified this species in the Les Ferreres mine (Camprodon) but unfortunatelly we didn't have enough sample to finish detrmination and structural studies. Recently we found some more samples and the characterization was carried out based on the results obtained from the application of various analytical techniques: SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray diffraction. Les Ferreres mine is the second locality worldwide for the species. We will send all reports to the buyer.
In this Catalan mine, fehrite appears as elongated elongated tabular to fibrous crystals, with a delicate bluish-green tone, and fibrous terminations. Usually, it is accompanied by devilline (blue) and brochantite (green). It is the magnesium analogue of ktenasite.

Size: 2.9 x 2.1 x 0.8 cm.
Found in ±2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Fehrite is a recent new species found in Almeria (Spain). Some years ago (2012) we identified this species in the Les Ferreres mine (Camprodon) but unfortunatelly we didn't have enough sample to finish detrmination and structural studies. Recently we found some more samples and the characterization was carried out based on the results obtained from the application of various analytical techniques: SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray diffraction. Les Ferreres mine is the second locality worldwide for the species. We will send all reports to the buyer.
In this Catalan mine, fehrite appears as elongated elongated tabular to fibrous crystals, with a delicate bluish-green tone, and fibrous terminations. Usually, it is accompanied by devilline (blue) and brochantite (green). It is the magnesium analogue of ktenasite.

Size: 1.4 x 1.2 x 0.8 cm.
Found in ±2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

These celestite specimens are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. They were found decades ago in fissures in the carbonate marls of Els Esbornacs area (Catalan word meaning fissures produced by landslides), in the Plana de Vic. They occur as orthorhombic prismatic crystals, transparent to translucent, bright and with a very characteristic greyish-blue color.

Size: 6.4 x 5 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.
Found in ±1980.

Classic locality

These celestite specimens are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. They were found decades ago in fissures in the carbonate marls of Els Esbornacs area (Catalan word meaning fissures produced by landslides), in the Plana de Vic. They occur as orthorhombic prismatic crystals, transparent to translucent, bright and with a very characteristic greyish-blue color.

Size: 8 x 3.5 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.
Found in ±1980.

Classic locality

These celestite specimens are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. They were found decades ago in fissures in the carbonate marls of Els Esbornacs area (Catalan word meaning fissures produced by landslides), in the Plana de Vic. They occur as orthorhombic prismatic crystals, transparent to translucent, bright and with a very characteristic greyish-blue color.

Size: 9 x 6.2 x 4.6 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.
Found in ±1980.

Classic locality

These celestite specimens are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. They were found decades ago in fissures in the carbonate marls of Els Esbornacs area (Catalan word meaning fissures produced by landslides), in the Plana de Vic. They occur as orthorhombic prismatic crystals, transparent to translucent, bright and with a very characteristic greyish-blue color.

Size: 6 x 4.4 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 4 mm.
Found in ±1980.

Classic locality

Specimens of huntite from this classic Catalan locality are hard to see. Huntite occurs by filling cavities in a matrix of ampelitic shales. It is a carbonate of calcium and magnesium, powdery in appearance, snowy white in color. It is accompanied by small acicular crystals of very bright aragonite. Huntite was identified by XR diffraction in Montcada hill quarry in the late 1990s (Cendón et al. 1997; link).

Size: 9 x 8.5 x 6.7 cm.

Classic locality

Specimens of huntite from this classic Catalan locality are hard to see. Huntite occurs by filling cavities in a matrix of ampelitic shales. It is a carbonate of calcium and magnesium, powdery in appearance, snowy white in color. It is accompanied by small acicular crystals of very bright aragonite. Huntite was identified by XR diffraction in Montcada hill quarry in the late 1990s (Cendón et al. 1997; link).

Size: 10.5 x 5.4 x 5 cm.

Classic locality

This old specimen belongs from the classic Atrevida mine, in the south of Catalonia. It is a botryoidal concretion of aragonite with a slight greenish blue hue. Nowadays is strictly forbiden collect minerals in this Natural Park. From the Manchion collection (Barcelona), with handwritten label of Soler i Pujol old label.

Size: 6.1 x 4.2 x 2.9 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Good size smoky quartz crystal. Defined, bright and with "ghost" shapes inside. An old piece from a classic Catalan locality.

Size: 6.4 x 5.1 x 3.9 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).

Fehrite is a recent new species found in Almeria (Spain). Some years ago (2012) we identified this species in the Les Ferreres mine (Camprodon) but unfortunatelly we didn't have enough sample to finish detrmination and structural studies. Recently we found some more samples and the characterization was carried out based on the results obtained from the application of various analytical techniques: SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray diffraction. Les Ferreres mine is the second locality worldwide for the species. We will send all reports to the buyer.
In this Catalan mine, fehrite appears as elongated elongated tabular to fibrous crystals, with a delicate bluish-green tone, and fibrous terminations. Usually, it is accompanied by devilline (blue) and brochantite (green). It is the magnesium analogue of ktenasite.

Size: 2.8 x 1.7 x 1.6 cm.
Found in ±2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Fehrite is a recent new species found in Almeria (Spain). Some years ago (2012) we identified this species in the Les Ferreres mine (Camprodon) but unfortunatelly we didn't have enough sample to finish detrmination and structural studies. Recently we found some more samples and the characterization was carried out based on the results obtained from the application of various analytical techniques: SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray diffraction. Les Ferreres mine is the second locality worldwide for the species. We will send all reports to the buyer.
In this Catalan mine, fehrite appears as elongated elongated tabular to fibrous crystals, with a delicate bluish-green tone, and fibrous terminations. Usually, it is accompanied by devilline (blue) and brochantite (green). It is the magnesium analogue of ktenasite.

Size: 3.4 x 2.6 x 2.4 cm.
Found in ±2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

The schorl specimens from Cap de Creus are well known to Spanish mineral collectors. This specimen from the 70s of the last century shows us a striated prism and defined facets of the terminal faces, something unusual. This area of the NE of Catalonia is now a Natural Park and it is totally forbidden to extract specimens.

Size: 5.9 x 4.4 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 x 1 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Groups of fan-shaped epidote crystals, very bright and with transparency and disposed very aerial on the ophite matrix. Intense green color, brightness and transparence. It is currently prohibited to collect in this area. A sample with a good size and excellent quality, from the classic town of Casterner.

Size: 11 x 7 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 2.2 cm.

Andalusite specimen from Cap de Creus (Cape), with pink tones and quite crystalline. The Cap de Creus Natural Park was the first maritime-terrestrial park in Catalonia. It was created in 1998 and protects a large part of the Cap de Creus peninsula. Currently totally prohibited to collect minerals in this area.

Size: 6 x 3.4 x 2.8 cm.
Found in ± 1976.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Another well-known locality for celestite specimens in La Segarra (Lleida) is the Tossal Gros quarry (Can Fontanella or Roca quarry). Oligocene lacustrine marls, marly limestones and limestones containing geodes with diagenetic celestite. The grayish matrix is very characteristic. The prismatic, acute crystals, between transparent to translucent, are disposed in the cavities of the marl rock. They are accompanied by calcite crystals. A classic of Catalan mineralogy.

Size: 12 x 9.6 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Another well-known locality for celestite specimens in La Segarra (Lleida) is the Tossal Gros quarry (Can Fontanella or Roca quarry). Oligocene lacustrine marls, marly limestones and limestones containing geodes with diagenetic celestite. The grayish matrix is very characteristic. The prismatic, acute crystals, between transparent to translucent, are disposed in the cavities of the marl rock. They are accompanied by calcite crystals. A classic of Catalan mineralogy.

Size: 12 x 9.3 x 5.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.2 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Rich group of celestite crystals, bright, with transparence and a characteristic bluish tone. They are disposed on a marl matrix upholstered with calcite crystals. This specimen belongs to the first outcrop of the Costa de l'Aguda, in Torà (Lleida).

Size: 12 x 9.2 x 5.7 cm.
Main crystal: 2 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

A good size nodule of celestite from this classic Catalan locality. Well defined prismatic crystals, some brilliant, some of them partially replaced by calcite, also observing calcite perimorphosis, hollow prismatic crystals, some of them with corroded celestite remaining. This specimen is interesting for this substitution. The vug is covered with calcite crystals. This specimen belongs to the first outcrop of the Costa de l'Aguda, close to the town of Torà, Lleida.

Size: 13.5 x 9.6 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 2.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Very "brilliant" specimen in the shape of a druse, with a pegmatitic matrix, accompanied by yellow fluorite crystals and upholstered with really brilliant quartz crystals, with an amethyst tone. These specimens were a rarity then and today.

The Sant Marçal mines (also known as Matagalls) are located in the Montseny massif, on the eastern slope of the Matagalls peak (1,700m). The works are between about 1,250 to 1,350 m of altitude. The municipal term corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas has focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs vein of Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of the extraction of fluorite. Mines were operated until the mid-1990s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

 

Size: 8.2 x 7.7 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

Good sized specimen formed by a druse of cubic fluorite crystals with a yellow, slightly greenish, color. Translucent and with color zoning on some edges. They are partially covered by aggregates of quartz crystals with a soft amethyst tone. These specimens were a classic of this mine, but many years ago. These mines were operated until the mid-1990s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

Size: 11 x 7.4 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 1.9 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron. Intense color and good size. Partially corroded by fluids. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. Included in the matrix we can see some scheelite crystals. The Fra Joan area is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 8.6 x 6.7 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.6 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality