Rosell Minerales

Sphalerite gemmy quality crystals, transparent, shiny and some sprinkled with pyrite. A real gem of this Gipuzkoan mine, nowadays flooded.

Size: 4 x 3.2 x 1.4 cm.
Found in ca. 1991.

Col. J. Astor (Barcelona).

In the eastern part of the beach of Lapari there are the known septaria of Deba. The reef may have about 15 m, but it is not distinguished from the rest of the marly formation of the black flysch of Deba beach. The first publications on the septaria of Deba date from 1958. The upper part of the site has been totally destroyed by works, and in the part of the beach, foreign and local collectors collected numerous specimens. Currently this area has been declared of special protection within the coastal biotope Deba-Zumaia so the collection of septaria is absolutely prohibited [link]. Polished section.

Size: 5 x 4.8 x 1 cm.
Found in ±1970

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de L.)

A very nice specimen of this classic Basque mine. It shows a dolomitic matrix partially covered by brilliant sphalerite crystals, defined faces and slightly curved edges. Excellent transparence and toasted honey color. It is accompanied by some greenish siderite rhombohedral crystals and dolomite crystals. A complete and brilliant specimen from this mine. From the Manchion Collection.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

Size: 7.8 x 6.8 x 3 cm.
Found in ±1989

Col. Manchion #479, Expominer 1989.

Excellent sphalerite miniature from this Basque classic mine. It shows a group of brilliant crystals, with a good size, defined faces and slightly curved edges. Good transparence with dark toasted honey-colored tones. Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

 

Size: 3.5 x 3.0 x 1.8 cm.

Large group of sphalerite crystals with an exceptional brilliance, honey color and transparency that allows light to play with the honey colors. Peppered by small crystals of calcite showing flattened shapes of the rhombohedral and prism. A little gemmy miniature. Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

Size: 3.6 x 3.4 x 1.8 cm.

Aesthetic specimen of this classic Basque mine that shows a matrix with numerous small sphalerite crystals, honey to orange color, transparent and brilliant. Partially covered by groups of rhombohedral siderite with a staggered growth. With good size, slightly curved faces and edges and very characteristic green color. A very aesthetic specimen.
Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

Size: 4.8 x 4.8 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 15 x 15 mm.

Botryoidal aggregate of hydrozincite of white color, with yellow and bluish tones. We can observe different layer growths and radiated structures in fracture zones. It comes from a Basque very wide mining area not well represented, in this species, in collections.

Size: 5,0 x 4,0 x 2,8 cm.

A huge size specimen formed by several groups of brilliant sphalerite crystals, showing a perfect brilliance and curved faces and edges. Transparence is quite good and shows toasted honey tones. Accompanied by several dolomite rhombohedrons on matrix.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

 

Size: 10,4 x 9,3 x 3,5 cm.
Main crystal: 4x4 mm.
Found in ±1990

A very brilliant specimen of this classic Basque mine. It shows a sphalerite matrix partially covered with brilliant sphalerite crystals, with slightly curved faces and edges. Good transparency and toasted honey color. It is accompanied by several greenish siderite rhombohedral crystals (up to 9 mm.), with some dolomite. A very aesthetic specimen.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

 

Size: 5,0 x 3,3 x 3,2 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 9 mm.
Found in 1990.

Num. col. 129.

A very nice specimen of this classic Basque mine. It shows a sphalerite matrix with vugs layered by brilliant sphalerite crystals, defined faces and slightly curved edges. Good transparency and toasted honey color. It is accompanied by some greenish siderite rhombohedral crystals partially covered by iron oxydes. Also some minute orange dolomite crystals. Different one.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

Size: 5,5 x 4,3 x 2,6 cm.
Main crystal: 5 x 4 mm.
Found in 1990.

Num. col. 854.

Excellent sphalerite specimen from this Basque classic mine. It shows a matrix of sulfides covered by several brilliant crystals, with defined faces and  slightly curved edges. Good transparence with toasted honey-colored tones. It is accompanied by groups of orange color rhombohedral dolomite crystals. Really representative specimen.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

Size: 6,3 x 5,2 x 3,7 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 8 mm.
Found in 1990.

Num. col. 50.

Excellent sphalerite specimen from this Basque classic mine. It shows a matrix of sulfides covered by several brilliant crystals, with defined faces and  slightly curved edges. Good transparence with toasted honey-colored tones. It is accompanied by groups of orange color rhombohedral dolomite crystals. Really representative specimen.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

Size: 6,1 x 5,0 x 3,5 cm.
Main crystal: 5 x 5 mm.
Found in 1990

Num. col. 137.

This sample shows two mineralized sides. A first one totally covered by brilliant sphalerite crystals, with complex and curved faces and edges. Good transparence with toasted honey tones. Accompanied by few crystals of siderite. The other specimen side is partially covered by several yellowish-white dolomite crystals and flattened, brilliant and defined rhombohedrons of siderite with greenish tones.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

Size: 8,0 x 7,5 x 4,0 cm.
Main crystal: 5 x 4 mm.
Found in 1990

Num. col. 159.