Rosell Minerales

Prismatic crystals of nepheline, associated with a matrix with black schorlomite (garnet group). Although nepheline is a fairly common rock-forming mineral in silica-poor igneous rocks, such as nephelitic syenites, well-formed crystals of this species are rare.

Size: 6.4 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm.
Main crystal: 14 mm.
Found in ±2009.

Col. Peter Seroka (#4875).

Kyanite specimens from this border area between the towns of Montejo de la Sierra (Madrid) and El Cardoso de la Sierra (Guadalajara) have been the subject of discussion for a long time. In the area there are different deposits from which they can belong. In this specimen, the Baltasar Sánchez label is preserved, indicating the specimen from El Zahurdón, in Montejo de la Sierra. In the area we have toponyms such as Corrales de Zahurdón. Peter Seroka, to whom this piece belonged, indicates already in 1973 the presence of kyanite about 1000 m from the milestone of Km 3 of the road from Montejo to El Cardoso (Miguel Calvo's Mines and Minerals of Spain), see discussion in this link.
This specimen shows a group of kyanite crystals on a matrix with quartz, with an intense color. It is accompanied by the two mentioned labels. Very interesting...

Size: 6.7 x 4.5 x 2.2 cm.
Main crystal: 39 mm.

Col. Baltasar Sánchez; Col. Peter Seroka (#604).

Beryl crystal from this classic Spanish locality, very good sized, well defined faces and with muscovite at the base. Translucent in the edges. The specimen belongs from the Peter Seroka collection and due to its number label it can be placed in the 1980s. These pieces are difficult to see today.

Size: 8 x 7 x 5.9 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. Peter Seroka (#482).
Classic locality

Good size specimen from this classic Portuguese mine. On a quartz matrix numerous dipyramidal crystals of torbernite (metatorbernite) are disposed, green in color, opaque. They have a protective treatment to prevent dehydration.

Size: 9.5 x 6.4 x 6 cm.

Col. Erich Laskowski.
Presents radioactive activity.

Druse of small autunite crystals, with a very intense greenish yellow colour, from this Portuguese mine. Under UV light it is spectacular.

Size: 5.5 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm.
Found in ±2018.

Fluorescente bajo LWUV - Fluorescent under LWUV
Presents radioactive activity.

An azurite specimen from this classic German locality, to be enjoyed under magnification. These are aggregates of azurite crystals, some isolated, richly faceted, with transparence, brilliance and the characteristic colour. With globular aggregates of malachite. Very aesthetic.

Size: 4.8 x 4 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 4 mm. agreg.

Classic locality

The silver specimens from this classic German mine has been known for a long time, but in these specimens silver is included in chrysocolla, of an intense greenish blue colour, and shows a remarkable luster, sometimes with golden iridescence. Under magnification we can see facets of crystals of this metal. We have analyzed these samples and the results indicate that they do not contain other metals detectable by SEM-EDS. These specimens are already a few years old.

Size: 6.2 x 4 x 3 cm.

Analyzed specimen with report

The silver specimens from this classic German mine has been known for a long time, but in these specimens silver is included in chrysocolla, of an intense greenish blue colour, and shows a remarkable luster, sometimes with golden iridescence. Under magnification we can see facets of crystals of this metal. We have analyzed these samples and the results indicate that they do not contain other metals detectable by SEM-EDS. These specimens are already a few years old.

Size: 6.1 x 4.8 x 2.1 cm.
Found in ±1995.

Analyzed specimen with report

A Catalan new found. Group of amethyst quartz crystals in parallel growth, transparent to translucent. On quartz matrix. The area is known for historical finds of smoky quartz crystals, not so much amethyst quartz.

Size: 6 x 5.5 x 5.2 cm.
Main crystal: 11 mm.
Found in 2021-22.

A Catalan new found. Group of amethyst quartz crystals in parallel growth, transparent to translucent. On quartz matrix. The area is known for historical finds of smoky quartz crystals, not so much amethyst quartz.

Size: 6.5 x 4.7 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm.
Found in 2021-22.

In this specimen we can observe an idiomorphic good size crystal of tapiolite-(Fe) that shows us different tetragonal faces. Good luster, intense black colour with iridescence on faces. It stands out on a matrix with albite and muscovite. The analyzes carried out indicate the presence of niobium in small proportions. These results will be sent to the buyer of the specimen.

Size: 5.5 x 5.3 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 13 mm.

In this specimen we can observe interpenetrated tapiolite-(Fe) crystals showing different facets. Good luster, intense black color with iridescence on the faces. It stands out on a matrix with muscovite and albite crystals. The analyzes carried out indicate the presence of niobium in small proportions. These results will be sent to the buyer of the specimen.

Size: 5.2 x 4.3 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.

Analyzed specimen with report

In this specimen we can observe a large group of augelite crystals, very brilliant, transparent and with very well defined faces and edges. Under magnification we can see that these crystals are richly faceted and have a pseudorhomboidal shape. They are accompanied on the matrix by small white prismatic crystals of baryte, along with numerous octahedral pyrite crystals. This specimen belongs from the Laskowski collection and is accompanied by various labels.

Size: 6.7 x 5.7 x 2.6 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.

Col. Erich Laskowski.

Fairfieldite is a rare calcium and manganese phosphate of which the best known specimens belong to this North Carolina mine. In this specimen we can observe various aggregates of tabular crystals, transparent, very well defined and with a slightly beige tone. An excellent specimen for the species.
From what we have been able to elucidate, it is an old specimen, which belonged to the collection of Dr. Buford Nichols, a renowned North American pediatrician who is fond of minerals and specialized in phosphates.

Size: 7.4 x 3.8 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.
Found in ±1970.

Excol. B. Nichols (label); Col. Erich Laskowski.

Very well defined microcline crystal that shows us a very clean prism finished in complex shapes among which the Baveno twin can be observed. This specimen comes from the Peter Seroka collection and belongs from the quarries in the Bustarviejo area (Madrid).

Size: 7.8 x 2 x 2 cm.
Found in ±1990.

Col. Peter Seroka (#798).

Old specimen of piemontite from this Swedish classic locality, little represented in collections. They are small burgundy red crystals on a matrix with calcite (fluorescent under SW.-UV). It is accompanied by a label of Lazard Cahn (1865-1940), a renowned American mineralogist about whom you can see more information at this link: Memorial of Lazard Cahn, Amer. Mineralogist Vol. 26, pages 174-177, 1941.

Size: 6.5 x 3.8 x 3.4 cm.
Found in ±1930.

Col. Lazard Cahn (USA) old label 1931.

This specimen may not stand out for its beauty but for us it stands out for its location and the origin of the specimen. It is a chalcedony with opal from the area near Vallecas, in Madrid. Fluorescent under SWUV. The sample belongs from the Bergakademie in Freiberg and due to the attached labels we can place it in the 19th century, when Vallecas was a small village. Through the other labels we can also follow its evolution in collections until a few decades ago. A piece with history, without a doubt.

Size: 5.7 x 4.5 x 2.3 cm.
Found in s. XIX.

Freiberg Bergakademie; Min. Geolog. Inst. Hamburg; Col. M. Ruppe; Col. G. Klimm
Classic locality

Rich aggregates of yuanfuliite needle like crystals, with orange-red color. They are accompanied by globular and brilliant calcite, hematite and yellow color richterite/fluoro-richterite and diopside sharp crystals. From this classic Spanish locality.

Size: 6.3 x 5.3 x 4.3 cm.

Col. Peter Seroka (#614).
Classic locality

Very esthetic specimen of elbaite showing an thick prism with striations, defined terminal faces, translucent and with colour zoning, greenish yellow to pinkish in the top. It is disposed very aerial on a matrix with feldspar and quartz.

Size: 3.2 x 2.6 x 2.3 cm.
Main crystal: 29 mm (16 mm.).

Elongated crystal of elbaite, between transparent and translucent, with greenish-yellow colour zoning, more intense at the base and with well defined and darker terminal faces. It is disposed very aerially on the matrix.

Size: 3.6 x 3 x 1.7 cm.
Main crystal: 21 mm.

Very esthetic specimen of elbaite (var. rubellite) showing an elongated prism with striations, defined terminal faces, good brilliance, translucent and the characteristic color, slightly lighter in the upper part. The specimen has been consolidated without affecting its aesthetics. They are disposed very aerial on a matrix with feldspar and quartz.

Size: 5.2 x 5 x 4.4 cm.
Main crystal: 20 mm.

Superb specimen of cerussite in sextuple reticulated twins with a very good size, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not an easy task to find specimens with such a visible grid and size. They present a very remarkable brightness and definition, translucent and white, slightly pinkish. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. The unusual size of this specimen, added to its quality, make it worthy of the best collections.

Size: 8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm.

This is an excellent specimen of cerussite in reticulated sixling-twin tabular crystals, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not easy to find specimens with such a visible grid. They have a very remarkable brilliance and definition, translucent and snowy white much superior to what is usually seen. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. Good size and excellent aesthetics.

Size: 4 x 3.7 x 2 cm.

This is an excellent specimen of cerussite in reticulated sixling-twin tabular crystals, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not easy to find specimens with such a visible grid. They have a very remarkable brilliance and definition, translucent and snowy white much superior to what is usually seen. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. Good size and excellent aesthetics.

Size: 3.8 x 3.7 x 2.3 cm.

This is an excellent specimen of cerussite in reticulated sixling-twin tabular crystals, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not easy to find specimens with such a visible grid. They have a very remarkable brilliance and definition, translucent and snowy white much superior to what is usually seen. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. Good size and excellent aesthetics.

Size: 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.5 cm.