Rosell Minerales

Floating druse of quartz crystals forming pineapple growths, with a good luster and a slightly yellowish hue. On the backside, also crystallized, we can see the typical kaolinite layer of this deposit. It is accompanied by a limonite that was probably pyrite.
These specimens were collected in this A Coruña quarry that exploits quartz, one of the main mines in the world due to the quality and quantity of its reserves. The mine was discovered in 1968 by three Galicians who gave their name (from their surnames SEñarís, RAma and BALboa) to the concession and who found it while exploring these mountains in the Pico Sacro area in search of "seixo" (from the Galician: hard white rock) of good quality.

Size: 11 x 7.8 x 5.9 cm.
Found in 2017.

Fluorite specimens from Sant Marçal mines usually appear as aggregates of cubic crystals, defined, sometimes sprinkled or partially covered by quartz crystals. Yellow to greenish tones are the usual ones. Specimens with violet to bluish colors (depending on the type of incident light) are much less frequent and highly appreciated by collectors. These specimens we offer were collected at the beginning of the 70s. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. In this specimen we can observe cubic crystals with this bluish to greenish tone, translucent and disposed on a characteristic ochy "pegmatite" matrix. They are partially covered and on with small but brilliant quartz crystals.

Size: 10 x 5.7 x 4.4 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm. edge.
Found in ±1970.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

The Matagalls fluorite mines are located in the Montseny massif. They are well known for fluorite, but also for quartz crystals of the amethyst variety like ones shown in this specimen. Numerous amethyst crystals are disposed on a matrix upholstered by yellowish-green fluorite, partially covered by small very brilliant calcite crystals.

Size: 8.8 x 8.2 x 4 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Fluorite specimens from Sant Marçal mines usually appear as aggregates of cubic crystals, defined, sometimes sprinkled or partially covered by quartz crystals. Yellow to greenish tones are the usual ones. Specimens with violet to bluish or green colors (depending on the type of incident light) are much less frequent and highly appreciated by collectors. These specimens we offer were collected at the beginning of the 70s. In this specimen we can observe cubic crystals with this bluish tone, translucent and disposed on a characteristic ochy "pegmatite" matrix. They are partially covered with small but brilliant quartz crystals.

Size: 6.7 x 6.5 x 3.6 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

These celestite specimens come from a classic locality on the Cantabrian coast such as Langre, together with Laredo. These are idiomorphic crystals formed within a nodule. Very brilliant, defined and transparent, with a delicate bluish color.

Size: 5.2 x 4.2 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.3 cm.

These celestite specimens come from a classic locality on the Cantabrian coast such as Langre, together with Laredo. These are idiomorphic crystals formed within a nodule. Brilliant, defined and transparent, with a delicate bluish color.

Size: 4.9 x 3.8 x 3.1 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm.

The Rubián Magnesite mines are a classic of Galician mineralogy. Currently these mines are active exploiting one of the largest deposits of magnesite in Spain. This specimen, which dates from the late 1970s, shows us a rich aggregate of lenticular crystals of this magnesium carbonate, brilliant, translucent, and with a very aesthetic orange color. It belongs from the Joan Astor collection, with his handwritten and another typed labels.

Size: 5 x 4.8 x 2.9 cm.
Found in ±1977.

Classic 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

This specimen of fluorite from the Berta quarry shows us groups of crystals but also isolated crystals. The matrix is "old" red granodiorite and is lined by tiny, almost colorless fluorite octahedrons. If there is something to be highlighted about this piece, it is that the octahedral fluorite crystals show the faces of the rhombododecahedron, the cube and the tetrakishexahedron at the vertices.

Size: 10.4 x 3.4 x 3.3 cm.
Main crystal: 8 mm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of octahedral fluorite crystals, transparent and showing an intense green color. They are accompanied by small calcite crystals, very faceted, transparent and brilliant. Both fluorite and calcite fluoresce under long-wave ultraviolet light. This type of gray granite matrix is classic for the most modern specimens and comes from the lower levels of the Berta quarry.

Size: 6.3 x 4.5 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 13 mm edge/arista.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of octahedral fluorite crystals, translucent to transparent. They show defined faces and edges and an intense green color. They are accompanied by small quartz and pyrite crystals peppering some of the octahedron faces. This type of gray granite matrix is classic for the most modern specimens and comes from the lower levels of the Berta quarry.

Size: 5.7 x 4.6 x 2.1 cm.
Main crystal: 12 mm edge.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Fluorite specimens from Sant Marçal mines usually appear as aggregates of cubic crystals, defined, sometimes sprinkled or partially covered by quartz crystals. Yellow to greenish tones are the usual ones. Specimens with violet to bluish or green colors (depending on the type of incident light) are much less frequent and highly appreciated by collectors. These specimens we offer were collected at the beginning of the 70s. In this specimen we can observe cubic crystals with this bluish to greyish tone, translucent and disposed on a characteristic ochy "pegmatite" matrix. They are partially covered with small but brilliant quartz crystals.

The Sant Marçal mines (also known as Matagalls mines) are located in the Montseny massif, on the eastern slope of the Matagalls peak (1,700 m). Mining works were carried out at 1,250 to 1,350 m of altitude. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). They were mined until the mid-90s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

 

Size: 5.5 x 3.5 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm. edge.
Found in ±1970.

This is a very good sized specimen of hematite from the group of mines called "Monte de Hierro" (Iron Hill), whose concessions were between the terms of San Nicolás del Puerto and Constantina, although most of the surface is found in the first municipality mentioned. This specimen belongs from the Trigo collection (Mataró) and according to the label it was extracted in 1989 by Julián García.

Size: 9.3 x 7.4 x 4 cm.
Found in ±1989.

These aggregates of hexagonal gmelinite crystals are a classic of Northern Ireland mineralogy. In this specimen we can enjoy a vacuole covered by orange crystals, very well defined and brilliant. They are accompanied by small analcime crystals, richly faceted and transparent. Gmelinite specimens from this quarry were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and SEM-EDS by Stephen Moreton. The results indicated that both gmelinite-Ca and gmelinite-Na are present and even zoned in the same crystal.

Size: 7.9 x 7.4 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 4.3 mm.

Ex. Erich Laskowski col.

Various globular aggregates of smithsonite are disposed in a goethite. They fill the cavities in the matrix. They have a good brilliance along with a slightly bluish gray color. A curious specimen from this classic Mexican mine.

Size: 7.2 x 6.2 x 4.8 cm.
Main crystal: 2.3 cm.

Col. M. Marí - A. García (Castelló)
Classic locality

This is another one of those specimens from old collections, as evidenced by the various accompanying labels, that contain discredited or dubious mineral names. Even so, the historical and scientific interest it presents has made us offer it.
In the piece we observe a core of galena with halos of alteration of the vein in the socket. In the cavities we find numerous well-formed crystals of cerussite. And in some areas we observe greenish and honeyed tones probably corresponding to pyromorphite, but also to possible scorodite. The 'ganomatite' is considered a scorodite with impurities, while the pitticite is a questionable species formed by amorphous hydrated iron arsenate. Although this last mineral is currently accepted, it is questioned.

Size: 5.4 x 4 x 3.9 cm.
Found in ±1977.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

These specimens were extracted in Loma de Hamapega (hill), a short mountain range between the localities of Alanís and Guadalcanal. Various minerals were analyzed, among which we highlight conichalcite, green in color, azurite and some earthy aggregates that turned out to be chenevixite. We will send analyses to the buyer. A sample for local collectors.

Size: 7.3 x 5.7 x 4.6 cm.
Found in 2021.

Analyzed specimen with report

Very interesting combo formed by a tinticite nodule with some calcioferrite small aggregate. Calcioferrite is showing olive green globular aggregates, with radiated crystals, included in tinticite matrix. These specimens have been analyzed by SEM-EDS and XRD and we will send all details to the buyer. From this classic Catalan mine.

Size: 3.9 x 3.4 x 3.2 cm.
Found in 2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Very interesting combo formed by a tinticite nodule with some calcioferrite small aggregate. Calcioferrite is showing olive green globular aggregates, with radiated crystals, included in tinticite matrix. These specimens have been analyzed by SEM-EDS and XRD and we will send all details to the buyer. From this classic Catalan mine.

Size: 3.5 x 3 x 2.6 cm.
Found in 2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

This is one of the rare borates determined in Kohnstein quarry. The crystals, sharp and well defined, are completely transparent, colorless, large for the species and on matrix. It comes from this currently inactive quarry in the Harz mountains.

Size: 7 x 5 x 2 cm.
Found in 2014.

Very rich specimen formed by several hydroboracite crystals, with a very elongated prism and well-defined faces and edges. Totally colorless, transparent and with an extraordinary brightness. A piece of the best quality for the species. It belongs from a currently inactive quarry in the Harz mountains.

Size: 7.3 x 5.7 x 1.7 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm.
Found in 2014.

Specimen rich in Co-ore on which various proustite crystals stand out. Very faceted and transparent, which allows us to see the red color of this silver sulfosalt. A photograph of this specimen, from Volker Betz, was image of the day in mindat (Photo of the Day - 7th Oct 2012). A very remarkable piece for this German mine.

Size: 5 x 4.8 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 4 mm.

Ex. Volker Betz; Ex. Erich Laskowski col.

Hilarionite is a very rare hydrated iron hydroxyarsenate sulphate, unique to this mine in the famous old district of Lavrion. This species was approved at the end of 2011. In this good-sized specimen, the hilarionite appears as botryoidal aggregates formed by small crystals, with a more intense greenish-yellow hue in some areas. The specimen was acquired by Erich Laskowsky from Anastasios Tsinidis, a well-known "strahler" (quartz hunter) of Greek origin. A fine piece from the type locality for the species.

Size: 9 x 7.5 x 5 cm.

Ex. Erich Laskowski col.
Type Locality