These specimens of manganite partially replaced pyrolusite, come from a locality not yet described in the mineralogical bibliography. This deposit is located in the province of Boulemane, in the Fez-Meknés region, about ten kilometers from the well-known Aouli mines. It is a formation very similar to that of Imini (near Ouarzazate). These manganese deposits, both in Imini and in the Boulemane area, were formed in a karst system. Associated with shallow marine dolomites of the Cretaceous age and that currently form sub-horizontal mantles cutted by erosion, overlaping areas of volcanic rocks. Manganese minerals are found in dolomite breccia and ferruginous clays. We have carried out X-ray diffraction studies showing us the presence of both species: manganite and pyrolusite.

Group of fan-shaped prismatic epidote crystals, brilliant and with an intense green color. These specimens come from a not well-known quarry, close to Medina de Pomar, in Burgos, from a quarry where the ofites have been mined by the company Minera Ofitas del Norte.

Globular aggregates of malachite, with an intense green color, brilliant and that stand out on a matrix of calcite. A specimen from Tsumeb and belonging from the Manchion collection (Barcelona).

On a recent trip to this mining area, we found these new specimens with incredible aesthetics. They were found in a singular cavity, opened in the depths of a 24-meter well, in Coud'a shafts. They have a more than exceptional brilliance, probably due to a last phase of crystallization in which a thin layer of almost transparent vanadinite was deposited. Crystals are very well defined, with staggered axial growths in the prism and with color zoning, more orange than red. Contrasting on a solid rocky matrix. Vanadinites from the Mibladen area are well known worldwide and although we have seen many of them, they never cease to amaze us. Amazing specimens!

450 €

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On a recent trip to this Moroccan mining area, we found these stalactitic specimens of vanadinite with incredible aesthetics. They were found in a singular cavity, opened in the depths of a 24-meter well, in the Coud'a shafts area. They have a really good brilliance. Crystals show attractive stalactitic growths, also uneven developments in the directions of the prism, very well defined, interpenetrated and with some color zoning. Vanadinite specimens from Mibladen area are well known iworlwide and although we have seen many, they never cease to amaze us. Exceptional specimens.

180 €

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On a recent trip to this Moroccan mining area, we found these stalactitic specimens of vanadinite with incredible aesthetics. They were found in a singular cavity, opened in the depths of a 24-meter well, in the Coud'a shafts area. They have a really good brilliance. Crystals show attractive stalactitic growths, also uneven developments in the directions of the prism, very well defined, interpenetrated and with some color zoning. Vanadinite specimens from Mibladen area are well known iworlwide and although we have seen many, they never cease to amaze us. Exceptional specimens.

190 €

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On a recent trip to this mining area, we found these new specimens with incredible aesthetics. They were found in a singular cavity, opened in the depths of a 24-meter well, in Coud'a shafts. They have a more than exceptional brilliance, probably due to a last phase of crystallization in which a thin layer of almost transparent vanadinite was deposited. Crystals are very well defined, with staggered axial growths in the prism and with color zoning, more orange than red. Vanadinites from the Mibladen area are well known worldwide and although we have seen many of them, they never cease to amaze us. Exceptional specimens!

750 €

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Nigerian topaz specimens are not easy to see. This specimen shows a sharp crystal, transparent, with a delicate bluish tone. With well-defined prismatic faces and dipyramidal and prism terminal faces, curious for their development, which look like a twin. A true gem of this mining area in which there are many dispersed deposits.

Group of elbaite crystals, in parallel growth, with striated prismatic faces, deep green color and good luster. From the former Manchion collection, with the characteristic label.

70 €

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Group of quartz crystals, with defined rhombohedron forms and some with more development faces, poorly developed prisms. Excellent brilliance and transparence. These are specimens from a Moroccan mine that is poorly represented in collections.

Some unusual specimens from the Oujda area, specifically from Touissit. These are aggregates of sphalerite crystals, some of them twinned, of an intense brown color, with reddish transparencies, good luster, which are dotted with small chalcopyrite and pyrite crystals, disposed on a dolomite matrix, with an aesthetic contrast. Just arrived (March 2020) after our trip through Moroccan lands.

Many specimens of aragonite are seen, as "pinecone" shape, also isolated, but this specimen has an "I don't know what" that makes it different for me. An elliptical "pinecone" of prismatic, divergent aragonite crystals, which are grouped around a central axis, with more developed crystals. Different and very aesthetic. A classic from Spanish mineralogy.

Excellent, sculptural, two-sided baryte "rose" from Oklahoma. Oxidized sand grains are included in the baryte crystal structure with colorful effect. Essentially a floater. The hole adds much aesthetics. Baryte was precipitated in interconnected voids in the rock, probably from barium-rich marine waters that covered the Permian Garber Sandstone during or shortly after its deposition about 250 million years ago. The rose-like concretions incorporated the iron-stained quartz sand grains and thus acquired the red color of the host Garber Sandstone (online). These are the official Oklahoma State Rock.
Very interesting article in Mineralogical Record July-August 2008.

Very sharp hexagonal fluorapatite crystal, with visible colour zoning, more intense in the core area and clearer in edges. Bright and defined, with another doubly terminated smaller crystal on one of the pinacoidal faces. It is accompanied by muscovite.

Rich group of so called arsenatian vanadinite showing defined edges and curved faces, barrel-shaped and many of them doubly terminated, with the characteristic color of this variety. These samples appeared on the market in the late 1970s as pyromorphite, until they were correctly determined by XRD and SEM-EDS analysis. This specimen has been analyzed, just for info, showing As 3%weight and 8.7% in V. Old specimen, nowadays rare to find.

60 €

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Druse of very sharp baryte crystals showing developed and striated prismatic faces, truncated by pinacoids. The crystals are translucent, and color varies between colorless to yellowish. Excellent brilliance. Similar specimens were classified, many years ago, as hokutolite (a lead-rich baryte variety) but further analysis showed that there was only a minor lead content.

Druse of small quartz crystals, some doubly terminated, partially covered by white kaolinite. Peppered by several anatase crystals, with dipyramidal faces, truncated by basal pinacoid. Very sharp, translucent and with a toasted honey tone. Very aesthetic and rare in the market.
It is interesting to say that recent analysis of the reddish ashlars of the Torre Nueva (New Tower) of the Astorga cathedral indicated that these building materials were extracted from this Cantera del Moro during XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries.

Group of sharp isolated octahedral fluorite crystals, from translucent to transparent. They show an interesting slight apple green color. They are accompanied by small quartz crystals. On a granite matrix. This matrix is classic for modern specimens and comes from low levels of the Berta quarry.

Druse of fluorite crystals, with cube shapes, translucent and of a green color. They are partially covered by small quartz crystals that show forms of corrosion. With intense fluorescence activity under LW-UV light. Very curious. From the Manchion Collection.

50 €

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Specimen of native copper with arborescent and dendritic growths formed by rounded crystals, partially covered with cuprite. Good size. From this classic Moroccan mine.

Two crystals of elbaite in parallel growth. Intense color, with greenish transparence on the upper part. Striated prismatic faces with very clear terminal rhombohedrons. A little gem...

Curious specimen of a classic locality formed by numerous galena cube octahedrons. They have very defined forms, idiomorphic crystals but hollow inside. They upholster the dolomite matrix. for lovers of the curiosities from Moroccan mines. An old sample.

45 €

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A rich group of baryte crystals, with staggered stalactite growths, intense white, with defined faces and edges and forming a very displayable and aesthetic "crest". A Spanish classic, different from the usual.

45 €

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Rich group of fluorite crystals, cubic, transparent and very brilliant. With a yellow color with greenish tones. They are partially covered by snowy white rhombohedral curved dolomite crystals. From a classic Spanish mine.

Two generations of vanadinite crystals. A good-sized brilliant crystals, with echeloned growths and defined faces and edges. With good color yellow and peppered by deep black coronadite globular aggregates and covering the matrix. Another generation shows small crystals (<1 mm) but with a nice luster, transparence, and yellowish tone. Both are on goethite with mottramite crystals.