Rosell Minerales

Cuprodongchuanite is a mineral species with the formula Pb₄CuZn₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂ that has been approved very recently (IMA No. 2021-065); is the copper analogue of dongchuanite (IMA No. 2021-058) with the formula  Pb₄ZnZn₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂. Both species form a series and belong to the dongchuanite group, together with the zheshengite Pb₄ZnZn₂(AsO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂ and the cuprozheshengite Pb₄CuZn₂(AsO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂. Distinguishing one species from another is only possible by elemental analysis. For this reason these specimens have been analyzed by SEM-EDS.

In this specimen we have determined the cuprodongchuanite. The presence of As is detected in all the specimens studied, which would indicate that we are in a term of the series with cuprozheshengite. It would be correct to label it cuprodongchuanite-cuprozheshengite. It appears as light green globular aggregates on the colorless hemimorphite. The bluish color on the specimen is veszelyite.

 

Size: 2.2 x 2.1 x 1.2 cm.

Type Locality

Cuprodongchuanite is a mineral species with the formula Pb4CuZn2(PO4)4(OH)2 that has been approved very recently (IMA No. 2021-065); is the copper analogue of dongchuanite (IMA No. 2021-058) with the formula Pb4ZnZn2(PO4)4(OH)2. Both species form a series and belong to the dongchuanite group, together with the zheshengite Pb4ZnZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2 and the cuprozheshengite Pb4CuZn2(AsO4)2(PO4)2(OH)2. Distinguishing one species from another is only possible by elemental analysis. For this reason these specimens have been analyzed by SEM-EDS.

In this rich specimen we have determined cuprodongchuanite aggregates. The presence of As is detected in all the specimens studied, which would indicate that we are in a term of the series with cuprozheshengite. It would be correct to label it cuprodongchuanite-cuprozheshengite. It occurs as light green globular aggregates on very well defined veszelyite crystals and on a matrix with hemimorphite.

Size: 3 x 2.2 x 1.4 cm.

Type Locality

Cuprodongchuanite is a mineral species with the formula Pb₄CuZn₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂ that has been approved very recently (IMA No. 2021-065); is the copper analogue of dongchuanite (IMA No. 2021-058) with the formula  Pb₄ZnZn₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₂. Both species form a series and belong to the dongchuanite group, together with the zheshengite Pb₄ZnZn₂(AsO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂ and the cuprozheshengite Pb₄CuZn₂(AsO₄)₂(PO₄)₂(OH)₂. Distinguishing one species from another is only possible by elemental analysis. For this reason these specimens have been analyzed by SEM-EDS.

In this specimen we have determined the cuprodongchuanite. The presence of As is detected in all the specimens studied, which would indicate that we are in a term of the series with cuprozheshengite. It would be correct to label it cuprodongchuanite-cuprozheshengite. It appears as light green globular aggregates on the colorless hemimorphite. The bluish color of the specimen is due to the fact that the hemimorphite covers veszelyite crystals.

Size: 6.2 x 4 x 2.8 cm.

Type Locality

These fluorite crystals have a cubic appearance with growths in tiles on the surfaces of the faces. In this specimen we observe a more intense violet to purple color on the edges and on the outside of the crystals, while inner core has a soft green color. They are disposed on a matrix with quartz crystals. Under shortwave ultraviolet light they fluoresce bluish.

Size: 6.8 x 5.5 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 2.1 cm. edge/arista.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of slightly beveled cubic fluorite crystals with polysynthetic growths on the faces and edges. They have a more intense purple color on the edges, very characteristic of these specimens from the Qinglong mine in China. Between translucent to transparent. They are disposed on a matrix with calcite and quartz.

Size: 7.8 x 7 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm edge/arista.

Group of fluorite crystals with a cubic shape, but with the edges and vertices beveled by forms of the trisoctahedron. These beveled edges display a deep purple color that contrasts with the rest of the crystal. They are translucent and stand out on a matrix with small quartz crystals. Under long-wave ultraviolet light they emit a bluish to violet color. A very aesthetic specimen.

Size: 8.2 x 5 x 5 cm.
Main crystal: 8 mm edge/arista.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Rich aggregates of laminar and tabular roweite crystals, with an exceptional quality for the species. The crystals of this rare calcium and manganese borate show very well defined forms, with a light brown color and excellent definition. The quality of these specimens is far superior to that previously known for the species. Along with them, and giving a very aesthetic touch, a group of olshanskyite crystals, a calcium borate, of a snowy white and with parallel growths. There is no doubt that this specimen is very worthy in any mineral collection and display.

Size: 5.5 x 4.5 x 4 cm.

Fan-shaped aggregates of excellent roweite crystals, beige orange colour, defined, good size and with quality for this species. Roweite is a rare calcium and manganese borate. They are accompanied by white hexagonal prismatic crystals of johnbaumite, up to 7 mm, excellent for the species. Johnbaumite is a very rare calcium arsenate, the arsenic analog of hydroxylapatite. In a matrix with green andradite and transparent colorless pentahydroborite. A very complete specimen, with very rare and well crystallized species.

Size: 5.5 x 4.5 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm (Roweite)/ 7 mm (Johnbaumite)
Found in 2017.

Fluorescent under short wave UV

Rich group of  spessartine crystals, well defined, with faces of the trapezohedron and dodecahedron. Transparent, gemmy and with the characteristic orange colour, on matrix.

Size: 13 x 7 x 2.4 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.

Rich group of hexagonal prismatic pyromorphite crystals. Some of them with hoppered forms and marked color zoning. Excellent green color, brilliance and with translucent crystals. A specimen of good size and exceptional quality. Today it is difficult to find them in the market, if we take note that they were seen more often years ago.

Size: 7.5 x 6.5 x 6.8 cm.

Classic locality

Excellent group of prismatic, slightly barrel-shaped crystals of pyromorphite. They show defined faces, with parallel growths and hoppered terminations, very brilliant. The green color is very good. Very aerial, skeletal, a first class piece. Nowadays it is not easy to find samples with this quality, remembering past times in which they were seen more often.

Size: 5.4 x 3.3 x 2.5 cm.
Main crystal: 11 mm.

Group of cubic fluorite crystals, with defined edges and faces with tiled growths. Good brilliance, translucent to transparent and intense violet-purple color with marked geometric zoning. When the light passes through them, a purple tone is shown and the lines of growth are observed. On one of the crystals there is a small group of calcite crystals. A fine quality fluorite.

Size: 10.8 x 9 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 28 x 25 mm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of very sharp and tabular wulfenite crystals, with an excellent brilliance, color varies between orange to red and from translucent to transparent. They are disposed as rossettes very aerial on a matrix of goethite. Main crystallographic forms we can be observe are the first and second order tetragonal pyramids, truncated by the pinacoidal faces.

Size: 6 x 4.8 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.

Good sized specimen formed by well developed prismatic crystals of stibnite, with striated faces and well defined terminations; some of these crystals show very visible curved forms. They are partially covered by calcite, of an intense orange color, together with yellowish tone stibiconite aggregates.
Stibiconite was for a long time an acknowledged species, but is now questionable, in line with the revised nomenclature of the minerals of the pyrochlore supergroup (Atencio et al. 2010).

Size: 9.5 x 7 x 5 cm.
Main crystal: 5 x 0.8 cm.

Col. C. Manresa (Balaguer)

These fluorite specimens are particularly interesting as they show dodecahedral crytals, which is an uncommon habit for fluorite, with minor octahedral and cube faces. To give a touch of aesthetics, crystals have a marked geometric color zoning, revealing a purple replica of the larger crystal inside. Good transparence and brilliances. They are disposed on a quartz matrix. Really aesthetic.

Size: 6.3 x 5.0 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 20 x 15 mm.
Found in 2017.

Veszelyite specimens from these mines were known since 2008, but the quality of the crystals of this new and very unique finding (2017) is exceptional. They form rosettes of very sharp, transparent lanceolate crystals of intense blue color, some of them doubly terminated. They contrast very aesthetically on a matrix with rosasite and quartz.

Size: 4.5 x 3.3 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 3 mm.
Found in 2017

Analyzed specimen with report

Veszelyite specimens from these mines were known since 2008, but the quality of the crystals of this new and very unique finding (2017) is exceptional. They form rosettes of very sharp, transparent lanceolate crystals of intense blue color, some of them doubly terminated. They contrast very aesthetically on a matrix with hemimorphite and quartz.

Size: 3.5 x 2.9 x 2.9 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm ross.
Found in 2017

Analyzed specimen with report

Very rich group of cinnabar crystals, well defined, rich in faces, with a really intense red color that grows when the light crosses them. They are accompanied by several crystals of dolomite. Very aesthetic specimen.

Size: 8.0 x 4.6 x 2.5 cm.
Main crystal: 11 x 11 mm.

Very aesthetic group formed by sharp cubic crystals of fluorite, some of them interpenetrated, very transparent and with an excellent brilliance. They show a very uniform apple green color. They are disposed in an matrix of quartz crystals

Size: 11.7 x 5.8 x 5.8 cm.
Main crystal: 21 x 17 mm.

Rich group of lanceolate baryte crystals, with well defined faces and edges, brilliant and transparent. We can see a certain color zoning. The exact location of these specimens is not known since, according to the information available, they appeared in 2007 as coming from Xichang, sure from the mining works in the area. A brilliant and aesthetic specimen.

Size: 9.0 x 6.0 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 15 x 8 mm.
Found in ±2006

On a solid matrix of feldspar, several groups of spessartine crystals partially covering it; with an intense orange-red color, very brilliant and with transparence. Well defined faces and edges. Some of them are disposed on a remarkable group of well developed quartz crystals with very intense smoke tone. A good sized specimen, perfect for any display case.

Size: 13.5 x 10.5 x 7.2 cm.
Main crystal: 4 x 14 mm (qz) - 7 x 6 mm (spes.)

Group of very sharp and tabular wulfenite crystals, with an excellent brilliance, red color and from translucent to transparent. They are disposed as rossettes on a matrix of goethite. Main crystallographic forms we can be observe are the first and second order tetragonal pyramids, truncated by the pinacoidal faces.

Size: 7.5 x 5.5 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 5 x 5 mm.

Group of very sharp and tabular wulfenite crystals, with an excellent brilliance, color varies between orange to red and from translucent to transparent. They are disposed as rossettes very aerial on a matrix of goethite. Main crystallographic forms we can be observe are the first and second order tetragonal pyramids, truncated by the pinacoidal faces.

Size: 6.5 x 5.8 x 3.3 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 5 mm.

Group of very sharp and tabular wulfenite crystals, with an excellent brilliance, color varies between orange to red and from translucent to transparent. They are disposed as rossettes very aerial on a matrix of goethite. Main crystallographic forms we can be observe are the first and second order tetragonal pyramids, truncated by the pinacoidal faces. These specimens often have some crystals with small breaks. 

Size: 6.8 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 6 x 6 mm.

Group of very sharp and tabular wulfenite crystals, with an excellent brilliance, color varies between orange to red and from translucent to transparent. They are disposed very aerial on a matrix of goethite. Main crystallographic forms we can be observe are the first and second order tetragonal pyramids, truncated by the pinacoidal faces. These specimens often have some crystals with small breaks, in this sample there is only a small fractured crystal, not visible. It is one of the most complete and damage free specimen I found.

Size: 4.0 x 2.5 x. 2.0 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 7 mm.