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A curious specimen composed of prismatic microcline crystals, some interpenetrated, and with parallel growth. They are partially coated by globular aggregates of opal, which fluoresce strongly under SW ultraviolet light.
A historic millerite specimen from this classic Czech mining locality, known in German as Räpitz —as noted on the antique label affixed to the piece. On a matrix with dolomite crystals (often described as ankerite), numerous bright, acicular millerite crystals are perched, displaying their characteristic brassy-golden color.
According to the original label, this is an old-time specimen; it might have been collected in the early 20th century from what was later designated as the Gottwald III mine, though this remains conjectural. A piece steeped in history, nowadays rarely seen on the market.
Very good specimen of samarskite-(Y) formed by several crystals, interpenetrated, showing defined faces and edges, which is quite uncommon. It is covered by a beige to light brown patina that has been identified as ilmenorutile. The original label states the locality as 'Aparaky'; however, this word is not a locality—in Malagasy it translates to 'depending on the site', indicating that the earliest label originally meant 'somewhere in Anjoma Ramartina'. It shows an adhered numerical label reading #345, and the classic label from Z. Gabelica (Belgium) has been preserved.
uxenite-(Y) is a niobium oxide containing titanium and tantalum, along with rare-earth elements (REE) such as yttrium and cerium, calcium, and radioactive elements like thorium and uranium, which give it detectable radioactivity. This specimen shows a group of parallel-growth crystals displaying the typical ochre-toned patina. Gamma-ray spectrometer measurements have been performed and are attached.
Superb scheelite specimen from this classic Korean mine. It shows two defined crystals of this calcium tungstate, exhibiting striated octahedral faces, fine luster, and a characteristic brown to honey color. Disposed prominently on a matrix with hexagonal aggregates of muscovite crystals, accompanied by lenticular calcite.
As is well known, scheelite fluoresces a characteristic bluish-white under short-wave UV light, while calcite fluoresces pink-red under long-wave UV. An outstanding piece from the A. Vaquero collection (Barcelona).
Euxenite-(Y) crystals from this classic Malawian locality are not commonly seen on the market. In this specimen, we can observe numerous prismatic aegirine crystals of an intense green color, highly lustrous, and arranged in divergent aggregates. The euxenite-(Y) crystals display a grayish color and exhibit polysynthetic growth patterns on their faces. This piece comes from the Rolando collection, and the original label is included.
A classic fluoro-richterite specimen from this well-known Canadian locality in Wilberforce. The world's finest fluoro-richterite specimens have been collected in this area. It is a rare species of the amphibole group. On the white calcite matrix, offering a sharp contrast, several well-defined crystals can be seen. Analyzed specimen. Adquired by H. Lasch in 1971.
Azurite specimen from this classic Moroccan locality. It shows a group of good-sized, defined, interpenetrating azurite crystals, with several standing out for their luster and characteristic color. A very elegant piece.
This is a superb specimen of jamesonite from the classic San José Mine in Oruro, Bolivia. Specimens from this locality rank among the world's finest for this sulfosalt. The piece features hundreds of fine acicular to prismatic crystals displaying a brilliant silvery-gray color and exceptional metallic luster.
Although originally labeled as zinkenite, our SEM-EDS analysis confirmed the specimen to be jamesonite, with the stoichiometric iron content consistent with its chemical formula. Distinguishing between acicular Pb-Sb sulfosalts by sight alone often leads to mislabeling, making analytical confirmation essential, a crucial verification that is all too often overlooked in the market. The report of the SEM-EDS spectrum and analytical data will be provided to the buyer.
On a rock matrix, this specimen displays numerous hematite crystal aggregates forming aesthetic rosettes, highly lustrous, and with a characteristic metallic gray color. This specimen belonged to the German collector Uwe Janouch. This locality is formed by a quartz vein zone known for excellent and large tabular hematite crystals. For access to the area, one needs authorisation by AAMPEF (Association des Amateurs de Minéralogie et de Paléontologie de l'Est de la France).
A very aesthetic chalcopyrite crystal displaying a tetragonal habit (tetragonal scalenohedron), partially covered by crystalline malachite. It is prominently perched and contrasts nicely with the matrix of dolomite rhombohedra. These specimens were found around 1995, and today it is virtually impossible to find them. A classic from Nafarroa mineralogy.
A very good-sized variscite specimen of uniform green color, nicely contrasting with the light gray quartz matrix. The Lucin area is a popular stop for rockhounds looking for an apple-green, chert-like phosphate mineral variscite, also known as 'utahlite' and 'lucinite'. Variscite is definitely one of my weak spots.
A rich cluster of magnesioferrite crystals, intensely black with a metallic luster, exhibiting octahedral forms and rounded edges. They are accompanied on the calcite/dolomite matrix by litharge, which appears as an orange to reddish microcrystalline powder. This mineral, which forms a series with magnetite, is strongly magnetic.
In this specimen, several surfaces are coated with pink layers corresponding to this rare cobalt sulfate. It comes from the classic Bastnäs mine, the type locality for the species.
In this specimen, several surfaces are coated with pink layers corresponding to this rare cobalt sulfate. It comes from the classic Bastnäs mine, the type locality for the species.
This specimen stands out for several reasons. On the one hand, it is an antique specimen of teruelite—an iron-rich variety of dolomite that was first described from this area of Teruel. The specimen displays several pseudo-octahedral crystals embedded in a detrital rock matrix.
On the other hand, the piece is accompanied by a handwritten label bearing collection number #7318 and the code G.18, which we believe refers to the drawer (tiroir) where it was stored.
By comparing the handwriting style with other cataloged labels, we can confirm that this label and specimen originate from the collection of the renowned French mineral collector Jean Chervet (1904–1962).
Chervet served as head of the mineralogy department at the French Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA) throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. He played a pivotal role in the survey and prospecting of uranium deposits in France and African territories such as Gabon and Madagascar. The mineral chervetite, discovered at the Mounana mine in Gabon and formally described in 1963, was named in his honor.
"Imerinite" is a name given by Lacroix (ca. 1913) to an amphibole supergroup member, ranging from blackish-blue to lavender-blue, which occurred as acicular crystals in a metamorphic limestone near Ambatoarina (Madagascar). Lacroix (following the amphibole nomenclature of the time) determined it to have an intermediate composition between richterite and glaucophane. He named it "imerinite" after the ancient Merina Kingdom on the high plateaus of Madagascar, Imerina.
The name was discredited in 1978, being regarded as a synonym of magnesio-arfvedsonite. Magnesio-arfvedsonite was later redefined/renamed by the IMA in 2014.
A specimen labeled "Imerinite, Imerina, Madagascar" consisting of deep blue to nearly black bladed single crystals embedded in dolomite, was analyzed by RRUFF and identified as ferri-winchite (RRUFF ID: R060038).
Adding further provenance and historical interest to this specimen, it is accompanied by two old labels: one from the renowned French natural history shop Deyrolle, and a handwritten one from the collection of Jean Chervet (1904–1962). Chervet served as head of the mineralogy department at the French Commissariat à l'Énergie Atomique (CEA) throughout the 1950s and early 1960s. He played a pivotal role in the survey and prospecting of uranium deposits in France and African territories such as Gabon and Madagascar. The mineral chervetite, discovered at the Mounana mine in Gabon and formally described in 1963, was named in his honor.
In this specimen we can observe several andradite crystals, highly lustrous, with an intense brownish-orange color, showing some transparency when examined under a loupe. What makes them remarkable is their sharp contrast against the matrix and the perfection of some of the crystals. They are accompanied by small hexagonal hematite crystals. From an area near Nador and not previously seen in collections.
Aggregates of tabular crystals of abernathyite, a rare uranyl and potassium arsenate, exhibiting yellowish tones and surrounding a light green heinrichite core. Abernathyite belongs to the meta-autunite group. Chemically, it is the As analogue of meta-ankoleite.
Lulzacite is a very rare complex strontium phosphate, found only in this French quarry and described in the year 2000. It is isotypic (similar to isostructural) with jamesite and désorite. Specimens are very difficult to find. Grayish-green nodules of lulzacite can be observed embedded in a matrix with quartz and siderite.
Jamesite: Pb₂Zn(Fe²⁺,Zn)₂Fe³⁺₄(AsO₄)₄(OH)₁₀
Désorite: Pb₂(Fe³⁺₆Zn)O₂(PO₄)₄(OH)₈
A fine specimen of this lithium-aluminium member of the kaolinite-serpentine group. This phyllosilicate occurs as off-white to pale yellow, fan-like lamellar aggregates and globular clusters of platy, pseudohexagonal crystals with a greasy lustre. On a microcline matrix. The piece comes from its type locality.
This pegmatite It is one of the most famous pegmatites in the Sahatany pegmatite field, but administratively, the locality is located just outside the border of the Vakinankaratra Region and the Antananarivo Province (where the Sahatany Valley and most of the other localities in the pegmatite field are located).
A fine specimen of this lithium-aluminium member of the kaolinite-serpentine group. This phyllosilicate occurs as off-white to pale yellow, fan-like lamellar aggregates and globular clusters of platy, pseudohexagonal crystals with a greasy lustre. On a microcline matrix. The piece comes from its type locality.
This pegmatite It is one of the most famous pegmatites in the Sahatany pegmatite field, but administratively, the locality is located just outside the border of the Vakinankaratra Region and the Antananarivo Province (where the Sahatany Valley and most of the other localities in the pegmatite field are located).
A fine specimen of this lithium-aluminium member of the kaolinite-serpentine group. This phyllosilicate occurs as off-white to pale yellow, fan-like lamellar aggregates and globular clusters of platy, pseudohexagonal crystals with a greasy lustre. On a microcline matrix. The piece comes from its type locality.
This pegmatite It is one of the most famous pegmatites in the Sahatany pegmatite field, but administratively, the locality is located just outside the border of the Vakinankaratra Region and the Antananarivo Province (where the Sahatany Valley and most of the other localities in the pegmatite field are located).
Group of good-sized, interpenetrated, and well-faceted londonite and rhodizite crystals, lustrous and arranged on the matrix. The difference between the two lies in their chemical composition: in londonite, cesium predominates over potassium. This specimen belongs from the first pieces brought from Madagascar in the 1990s and is from a locality situated 25 km S of the type locality for the species. With label #240.