Rosell Minerales

A really interesting good size and gemmy fluorapatite crystal. We can observe perfectly the combination of the first and second order prisms; very sharp terminal faces, with first order hexagonal dipyramid. A specimen to enjoy crystallography and aesthetics.
Crystal shows excellent brilliance, transparence and a vivid yellow color with green tones. The specimen is from a Moroccan classic mine located in the Imilchil mountains area.

Size: 2.6 x 1.3 x 1.2 cm.
Found in ca. 2012.

Classic locality

Very aesthetic and good sized specimen of hollandite, with stalactitic botryoidal structures, velvety and intense almost black gray. A quality piece from this classic Moroccan mine.

Size: 10 x 6 x 5.5 cm.
Found in 2019.

Curious specimens of vanadinite showing yellow, slightly orange, hexagonal prismatic crystals, on which a thin layer of goethite has been deposited. At the same time, on this layer another generation of vanadinite and calcium-rich pyromorphite (phosphohedyphane), such as the attached analyzes show, we will send to the buyer. They are disposed on a matrix of goethite. Very interesting and different specimen from this classic Moroccan mine. Take a look to the SEM image of second generation crystals with an unusually rich facet...

Size: 8.5 x 7.5 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.2 cm.
Found in 2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Curious specimens of vanadinite showing yellow, slightly orange, hexagonal prismatic crystals, on which a thin layer of goethite has been deposited. At the same time, on this layer another generation of vanadinite and calcium-rich pyromorphite (phosphohedyphane), such as the attached analyzes show, we will send to the buyer. They are disposed on a matrix of goethite. Very interesting and different specimen from this classic Moroccan mine. Take a look to the SEM image of second generation crystals with an unusually rich facet...

Size: 10.5 x 6 c 5.5 cm
Main crystal: 1 cm.
Found in 2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Brilliant botryoidal hematite specimen. In the back side we observe very esthetic concentric growths of different colours, fibrous, of hematite. These pieces have been cleaned in origin with sand which eliminates the surface oxide layer to let us see these spherical forms of good size. Very curious Moroccan novelty.

Size: 7.5 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.
Found in 2018.

Good botryoidal specimen of hematite. In the back side we observe very esthetic growths of different tones, fibrous, of hematite. These pieces are usually cleaned at the origin with sand, but in this case and because of the luster, we do not believe that it was. Very curious Moroccan novelty.

Size: 7 x 3.5 x 3 cm.
Found in 2018.

Excellent stalactitic coronadite specimen, analyzed by SEM-EDS, with rounded shapes, intense gray almost black. Good size. From this classic locality for Moroccan mineralogy. With yellowish goethite matrix. You can find more information about this species and locality in the Rosell Minerals blog.

Size: 10.8 x 6 x 3.5 cm.

This specimen shows an arborescent growth with deformed crystalline forms and other idiomorphic in some areas of the specimen, with well defined faces and edges. With good color and brightness which is not very frequent. With small quartz crystals.

Size: 7.5 x 6.5 x 3.5 cm.

Brilliant botryoidal hematite specimen. In the back side we observe very esthetic concentric growths of different colours, fibrous, of hematite. These pieces have been cleaned in origin with sand which eliminates the surface oxide layer to let us see these spherical forms of good size. Very curious Moroccan novelty.

Size: 7.8 x 6 x 3 cm.
Found in 2018.

Brilliant botryoidal hematite specimen. In the back side we observe very esthetic concentric growths of different colours, fibrous, of hematite. These pieces have been cleaned in origin with sand which eliminates the surface oxide layer to let us see these spherical forms of good size. Very curious Moroccan novelty.

Size: 10 x 6.5 x 5 cm.
Found in 2018.

Aesthetic aggregate of very sharp tabular marcasite crystals, brilliant, with very well defined faces and edges. A couple of breaks that are not easy visible, but complete in my opinion. On quartz matrix.

Size: 8.2 x 6.2 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 17 x 10 mm.
Found in 2017.

Very rich group of pseudorhombohedral and interpenetrated crystals of malachite, very sharp. It would seem to be primary but in my opinion it is a total pseudomorphic substitution after azurite crystals. The brightness is good, intense green color, forming aesthetic aggregates. They are disposed into cavities of the goethite matrix (limonite) with quartz. Excellent specimens rarely seen in collections.

Size: 5.5 x 3.5 x 3.0 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 6 mm.
Found in 02/2018

Aesthetic group of elongated, fan-shaped and very well defined prismatic crystals of malachite, it would seem to be primary but in my opinion it is a total pseudomorphic substitution after azurite crystals. Accompanied by a azurite brilliant crystal. The brightness is excellent, intense green color, forming divergent aggregates. They are disposed filling cavities of the goethite matrix (limonite). Excellent specimens rarely seen in collections.

Size: 6.0 x 5.0 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 2 mm.
Found in 02/2018

Very rich group of elongated and very well defined prismatic crystals of malachite, it would seem to be primary but in my opinion it is a total pseudomorphic substitution after azurite crystals. The brightness is excellent, intense green color, forming divergent aggregates. They are disposed filling cavities of the goethite matrix (limonite). Excellent specimens rarely seen in collections.

Size: 7.2 x 4.8 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 2 mm.
Found in 02/2018

Very brilliant specimen of goethite, from this classic Moroccan mine. It presents an aesthetic botryoidal aggregate, with an intense metallic luster and a deep black color.

Size: 6.7 x 6.0 x 4.8 cm.

Exceptional native copper specimen from this classic Moroccan locality. This piece stands out for the feather formed by elongated crystals. It is accompanied by numerous crystals with deformed and complex cubic habit. A very aerial and aesthetic specimen.

Size: 4.3 x 2.5 x 2.0 cm.
Main crystal: 30 x 6 mm. pluma

Group of barite crystals with parallel growth, between transparent and translucent, with brilliant, honey to yellowish tone and with defined tabular shape. An aesthetic specimen with a minor marcasite matrix.

Size: 4.8 x 4.3 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 3.7 x 2.8 cm.
Found in 2013.

Two generations of vanadinite crystals. A good-sized brilliant crystals, with echeloned growths and defined faces and edges. With good color yellow and peppered by deep black coronadite globular aggregates and covering the matrix. Another generation shows small crystals (<1 mm) but with a nice luster, transparence, and yellowish tone. Both are on goethite with mottramite crystals.

Size: 8.5 x 7.7 x 4.6 cm.
Found in 2012

Group of sharp fluorapatite crystals of good size showing parallel growth, an elongated prism with vertical striations, and multiple terminal faces truncated by the pinacoid. Good brilliance, translucent and a very distinctive greenish yellow color. They present numerous inclusions of flattened prismatic deep black crystals, also vertically striated and opaque. SEM-EDS analyses indicate that they probably belongs to the hornblende group, most likely magnesio-ferri-hornblende. We will send analysis to the buyer. A very aesthetic and aerial shape specimen.

Size: 7.0 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm.
Found in 2016.

Group of sharp fluorapatite crystals of good size showing an elongated prism with vertical striations, and multiple terminal faces truncated by the pinacoid. Good brilliance, translucent and a very distinctive greenish yellow color. They present numerous inclusions of flattened prismatic deep black crystals, also vertically striated and opaque. SEM-EDS analyses indicate that they probably belongs to the hornblende group, most likely magnesio-ferri-hornblende. We will send analysis to the buyer. A very aesthetic and aerial shape specimen.

Size: 7.5 x 4.5 x 2.2 cm.
Main crystal: 13 x 13 mm.
Found in 2016.

Very brilliant specimen formed by numerous polysynthetic growths of octahedral pyrite crystals. The golden color is superior and brilliance, as we said before, is really excellent. With white milky quartz. A fine piece from a not well represented locality.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 6.8 x 5.2 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 9 mm.
Found in 2013.

Pure brilliance, pure aesthetics. Group of tabular crystals of baryte showing curved shape with a slightly yellowish tone. Transparent to translucent, with zoned inclusions. It is accompanied by twinned and brilliant crystals of marcasite. A true delicacy.

Size: 6.0 x 5.2 x 3.0 cm.
Found in 2013.

Very rich group of cubic-octahedral galena crystals, well defined faces and edges, partially covering the rocky matrix. They accompanied by aggregates of marcasite, some baryte, and brilliant chalcopyrite.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 5.5 x 5.0 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 10 mm. galena
Found in 2013.

Group of cubic galena crystals with an exceptional size for the locality, brilliant and very sharp. They are disposed on an matrix partially covered of small quartz crystals. We can observe pyrite and marcasite on the matrix.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 5.5 x 5.2 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 8 mm.
Found in 2013.

Huge size and very brilliant specimen formed by numerous polysynthetic growths of octahedral pyrite crystals. The golden color is superior and brilliance, as we said before, is really excellent. With white milky quartz and some marcasite. A fine piece from this locality.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 9.7 x 8.5 x 7.5 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 10 mm.
Found in 2013.