Rosell Minerales

In this piece, three very interesting magnesium species, two hydroxilcarbonates and one hydroxide coexist. On the one hand we observe some aggregates of foliaceous crystals of dypingite, forming rosettes, white color, although they are colorless. They are accompanied by sheaves of flattened crystals of hydromagnesite. All of them are disposed on a rock matrix with blue to gray brucite. A Catalan piece that is hard to find today, with unusual species and quality.

Size: 6 x 5 x 3.2 cm.
Found in 1970's.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Hydromagnesite specimens from "Pedreres de l'Àngel" (Angel quarries), in Gualba (Barcelona), are a classic for the Catalan mineralogy. In this specimen we can observe some aggregates formed by radiated crystals, some of them of good size (more than 2 cm.), others smaller (up to 8 mm), very brilliant. Nowadays impossible to be found... This mines are a skarn due to contact metamorphism of Hercynian granodiorite and biotite granite into Cambrian marbles.

Size: 9.4 x 6.5 x 3.5 cm.
Found in 1980's.

Col. Arguijo (Barcelona).
Fluorescent under long wave UV

Rich aggregate of diopside crystals, with an intense apple green color. In the cavities we can observe the shapes of the lanceolate prisms. From a classic Catalan mine, from which it is difficult to obtain samples. A local curiosity.

Size: 6.3 x 3.5 x 2.8 cm.

Col. Manchion.

Chrysotile fibrous veins in serpentinized marble from this classic Catalan locality.

Size: 5.0 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm.
Found in ±1991.

Col. J.M. Manchion (Barcelona). No. 552.
Classic locality

This kind of specimens are which make the love for minerals is being reinforced. In this piece, three very interesting magnesium species, two hydroxilcarbonates and one hydroxide coexist. On the one hand we observe some aesthetic and brilliant aggregates of foliaceous crystals of dypingite, forming rosettes, of intense white color, although they are colorless. They are accompanied by sheaves of flattened crystals of hydromagnesite, between translucent to transparent, colorless (they are similar to aragonite). All of them are disposed on a rock matrix covered with a layer with botrioidal forms, from blue to gray, of brucite. A Catalan piece that is hard to find today, with unusual species and quality.

Size: 8.5 x 7.0 x 6.0 cm.
Found in 1970's.

Ex. L. Daunis (Barcelona).
Analyzed specimen with report

Group of calcite crystals disposed isolated on a matrix of brilliant quartz crystals. These calcite crystals show forms of the prism and rhombohedron in the terminal faces, with a slightly darker core related to the scalenohedron. It is an old specimen from a classic locality for Catalan mineralogy.

Size: 8.5 x 7.4 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 16 x 12 mm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Silver specimens from Gualba mines are so appreciated by Spanish collectors due to their scarcity. This specimen shows arborescent and granulated aggregates of native silver emerging from the white matrix of calcite (treated with acetic acid). A unique opportunity to get a silver sample of this historic Catalan mine.

Size: 5.9 x 3.8 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 1 mm aggr.
Found in 1980's.

Calcite is fluorescent under LW-UV.

These calcite specimens were found in a pocket in the El Americano (Can Sala) mine-quarries, in the Montseny mountains. This big geode was called "Mercedes" due to the curious color zoning that can be observed at the terminal rhombohedrons faces reminiscent of the German automobile company logo.
Crystals appeared partially coated by carbonated iron oxides and sometimes showed a complex prism, sometimes growing on scalenohedral crystals (like this specimen). This calcite shows a intense fluorescence under UV light. These pieces have disappeared from the market.

Size: 11.7 x 6.5 x 6.5 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 12 mm.
Found in ca. 2006.

Calcite is fluorescent under LW-UV.

These calcite specimens were found in a pocket in the El Americano (Can Sala) mine-quarries, in the Montseny mountains. This big geode was called "Mercedes" due to the curious color zoning that can be observed at the terminal rhombohedrons faces reminiscent of the German automobile company logo.
Crystals appeared partially coated by carbonated iron oxides and sometimes showed a complex prism, sometimes growing on scalenohedral crystals. This calcite shows a intense fluorescence under UV light. These pieces have disappeared from the market.

Size: 10.5 x 8.5 x 6.5 cm.
Main crystal: 12 x 20 mm.
Found in ca. 2006.

Calcite is fluorescent under LW-UV.

These calcite specimens were found in a pocket in the El Americano (Can Sala) mine-quarries, in the Montseny mountains. This big geode was called "Mercedes" due to the curious color zoning that can be observed at the terminal rhombohedrons faces reminiscent of the German automobile company logo.
Crystals appeared partially coated by carbonated iron oxides and sometimes showed a complex prism, sometimes growing on scalenohedral crystals. This calcite shows a intense fluorescence under UV light. These pieces have disappeared from the market.

Size: 5.5 x 4.7 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 30 x 25 mm.
Found in ca. 2006.

Calcite is fluorescent under LW-UV.