Rosell Minerales

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

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: 7.5 x 7 x 4.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, this specimen is mainly grossular. It is accompanied by small octahedral scheelite crystals of a white color, highly fluorescent under SW-UV light. The Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 7.2 x 3 cm.6.7 x
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Fluorescent under short wave UV

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. 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 Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 7.2 x 6.2 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 14 mm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Group of good size andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron. Intense color and with quartz crystals. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. 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: 6 x 5.5 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. 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 Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 5.1 x 3.7 x 4.3 cm.
Main crystal: 1.8 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. It is accompanied by small octahedral scheelite crystals of a white color, highly fluorescent under SW-UV light. The Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 6.9 x 5.3 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 3.5 mm scheelite
Found in ca. 1980's.

Fluorescent under short wave UV

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. It is accompanied by small octahedral scheelite crystals of a white color, highly fluorescent under SW-UV light. The Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 6.2 x 4.5 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Fluorescent under short wave UV

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular has been detrmined. It is accompanied by small octahedral scheelite crystals of a white color, highly fluorescent under SW-UV light. The Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 7.7 x 6.4 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Fluorescent under short wave UV

Group of good sized andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron. Intense color and luster. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. The Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 8.4 x 5.2 x 5 cm.
Main crystal: 2 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron, although we can observe some edges finely beveled by the trapezohedron. Intense color and luster. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. The Roca del Turó mine is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, that mined a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 6.6 x 4.8 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

A classic specimen of baryte from Sant Marçal mines, in the Montseny massif, Catalonia. Group of very good size lenticular crystals forming these book-shaped structures. A classic that cannot be missing from any baryte collector.

Size: 9 x 5.7 x 3.7 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

A classic specimen of baryte from Sant Marçal mines, in the Montseny massif, Catalonia. Group of very good size lenticular crystals forming these book-shaped structures. Dotted with small hyaline quartz crystals. A classic that cannot be missing from any baryte collector.

Size: 9.4 x 5 x 4.8 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

A classic specimen of baryte from Sant Marçal mines, in the Montseny massif, Catalonia. Group of very good size lenticular crystals forming these book-shaped structures. Dotted with small hyaline quartz crystals. A classic that cannot be missing from any baryte collector.

Size: 10 x 8 x 5 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

A classic specimen of baryte from Sant Marçal mines, in the Montseny massif, Catalonia. Group of very good size lenticular crystals forming these book-shaped structures. Dotted with small hyaline quartz crystals. A classic that cannot be missing from any baryte collector.

 

Size: 14 x 6.3 x 5.8 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

A classic specimen of baryte from Sant Marçal mines, in the Montseny massif, Catalonia. Group of very good size lenticular crystals forming these book-shaped structures. Dotted with small hyaline quartz crystals. A classic that cannot be missing from any baryte collector.

Size: 9 x 7.2 x 6.2 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

Baryte specimens from the Montseny massif is well known to mineral collectors, especially samples found in the old Sant Marçal mines. Although in other areas baryte has also been collected, that is the case of these specimens, which were collected in the 70s of the last century. Collecting area was located between the Collformic and La Castanya, in the municipality of El Brull, in the same mountain massif. They shows a different appearance, presenting aggregates of thick, tabular crystals with parallel and crisscrossing growths, very unusual, and slight orange tone. Currently this area is included in the Montseny Natural Park.

Size: 9.1 x 6.2 x 5.6 cm.
Main crystal: 6.2 x 4 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Baryte specimens from the Montseny massif is well known to mineral collectors, especially samples found in the old Sant Marçal mines. Although in other areas baryte has also been collected, that is the case of these specimens, which were collected in the 70s of the last century. Collecting area was located between the Collformic and La Castanya, in the municipality of El Brull, in the same mountain massif. They shows a different appearance, presenting aggregates of thick, tabular crystals with parallel and crisscrossing growths, very unusual, and slight orange tone. Currently this area is included in the Montseny Natural Park.

Size: 5.7 x 5.5 x 5.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.