In this specimen we can observe white massive-crystalline aggregates of picromerite K₂Mg(SO₄)₂·6H₂O, along with colourless halite, with iron oxides that give red colors. This is old material so nowadays, it is very difficult to find. Comes from the Nicolau collection (Barcelona).

The specimens that we often see on the market as sylvite or carnallite are usually halite with inclusions of iron minerals. In this case, the specimen has been analyzed indicating that it is mainly sylvite (KCl) with some halite (NaCl) included. The red color is due to inclusions of iron oxydes (hematite). Although it is a salt long exploited in these mines in the Catalan potassium basin, it is a mineral that is sometimes missing from collections.

A very good representative of the rare parisite-(Ce) specimens from the Snowbird Mine in Montana. Several crystals of dark golden-brown, pseudohexagonal parisite-(Ce) with a good size are sitting on feldspar matrix. These pieces came out ca. 1955-56, and are very difficult to find on the market, more in matrix! Parisite is a rare, rare-earth carbonate and the Snowbird Mine is a rare earth pegmatite. With a cluster of gersdorffite. From E. Nicolau collection and purchased to Joan Viñals.

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Old specimen of rhodonite from this Peruvian mine. Formed by parallel growths of tabular crystals, with a soft pink color and shine. With pyrite in matrix.

Group of fluorite crystals with curved edges and faces with tiled growths. Transparent to translucent and with a soft bluish violet zoning. An old sample from this classic Asturian mine.

This interesting sample of kyanite is accompanied by a small label indicating that it is from Santa Marta, in Lugo. The only town like "Santa Marta" would be Santa Marta de Fixós, but we cannot confirm that it comes from that area. Similar pieces have been collected in Muras, also in Lugo.

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Group of neptunite crystals, well developed and rich in faces, bright and arranged on a matrix with white natrolite. The contrast is very aesthetic. It belongs from the Nicolau collection (Barcelona). The formula of neptunite indicates its chemical complexity: KNa₂Li(Fe²⁺)₂Ti₂[Si₄O₁₂]₂

A novelty from Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2022. These specimens come from a recent find in this mining area of the Black Forest and are reminiscent of those found decades ago in this area. They show radial aggregates of extremely brilliant pyrolusite crystals that partially replace manganite. By X-ray diffraction we have been determined the presence of both species, even with a certain predominance of manganite. They usually appear on a matrix of pink granite or as groups of large crystals in parallel growth. In the specimens we can observe the inclined flattened terminal faces. They are highly aesthetic pieces those will become part of the best specimens of these species for European mineralogy. We will send the XRD to the buyer.

470 €

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This is a rich and a huge size specimen of one of the most unique species in all the mineral kingdom. Cylindrite is a lead, iron, tin, antimony sulfosalt that forms in "cylinder" or "tube" shaped crystals, hence the name. In fact, this species belongs to the only group of minerals that naturally forms rounded, curved or tubular shaped crystals. This specimen is especially nice considering that it is loaded with crystals. The mine at Poopo is the type locality for the species. A museum specimen.

Very good size specimen of dioptase. It is a druse of small but very bright and defined crystals. They stand out from the matrix. From a classic town like Tsumeb. *Getting a camera to extract the color of dioptase is an arduous task...

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Very good-sized specimen of autunite/meta-autunite from this Portuguese locality, formed by numerous crystals of this phosphate that partially cover the quartz matrix. The fan-shaped autunite crystals and have a striking yellow-green color. Under long-wave UV light the fluorescence is intense. A display piece.

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Amazing aggregate of prismatic pyromorphite crystals on a baryte matrix. Many of the crystals are doubly terminated and have a good size. They shows slightly curved faces and edges, are a very brilliant olive-green color on the prism with intense yellow tips. On a baryte matrix with galena (not in quartz as the label indicates). This shape is highly appreciated by collectors. This classic French specimen was purchased by a collector to Fabre Minerals.

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Classic and colorful large "kidney ore" hematite from this well-known iron mine in Cumbria, in the United Kingdom. Very brilliant brick-red to milky-chocolate (sic) botryoidal aggregates that make up this sculptural specimen. Dotted with small hematoid quartz crystals. An old classic that must belong from the late 19th till mid 20th century, but certainly not found in recent decades.

Very rich specimen in small cinnabar crystals, well defined, intense color, shiny and transparent to translucent. Under the magnifying glass it is spectacular. Both sides are mineralized. It is accompanied by dolomite and quartz.

In this small specimen we can see several well-formed cinnabar crystals, bright and transparent, with an intense colour. They are dotted with small rhombohedrons of dolomite, with quartz and pyrite. A very aesthetic miniature.

Old specimen that shows numerous aggregates of nickelskutterudite crystals, formerly called chloantite. Bright globular aggregates stand out against the metallic matrix. It is accompanied by the handwritten label of Joan Viñals and comes from the Nicolau collection (Barcelona).

110 €

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On the compact quartzite there is a druse of small hyaline quartz crystals, on which various cinnabar crystals have grown. As they are fissure crystals, the largest ones appear flattened, but shiny and with red transparencies. With small drops of liquid mercury.

Almadén cinnabar specimens are well appreciated worldwide. In this specimen we want to highlight the numerous drops of mercury that are deposited (without falling) on the cinnabar and the matrix rock. Also noteworthy are the numerous cinnabar crystals, transparent and defined, with a very intense vermilion color.

Group of galena crystals with very rounded cube-ocathedral shapes and dotted with numerous brilliant sphalerite crystals with hexagonal very rare shape. Very curious.

Massive specimen of dialogite, former name for rhodochrosite. This specimen is of historical interest along with the old label that accompanies it. The sites of the old mines are now largely obscured, but there are some overgrown dumps remaining in the forest.

Very complex specimen formed by various species such as stannite, kesterite, arsenopyrite, muscovite... A very interesting combo from this Chinese mine.

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Good-sized specimen of kermesite from this classic Slovak locality. It shows us the characteristic acicular aggregates of kermesite, with reddish reflections on a matrix with stibnite. The specimen comes from the E. Nicolau collection (Barcelona) and was acquired from Joan Viñals (Vilanova i la Geltrú).

150 €

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Aesthetic group of very bright vesuvianite crystals, with striated prisms truncated by pinacoidal faces. They are disposed very aerial on the matrix with grossular. From a Spanish locality known for its skarn (skarnoid) minerals. Prospecting works has been carried out in the area to investigate the possibilities of exploiting tungsten (scheelite).

Good size heliodor crystal. With a greenish yellow color, transparent to translucent, with some faces, some rounded and others more defined. A gem with the old label of former Lloid, by Hortensia Durán y Marçal Llòria (Barcelona). Photo is not very representative of the brilliance and transparence.

240 €

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Group of kyanite crystals, of gem quality, with transparency and when light passes through them they offer an exceptional color. They are accompanied on the matrix by brown staurolite crystals and paragonite (Na mica). They stand out on a clear schistose matrix. A quality European piece that is difficult to see today. Classic and aesthetic material from this famous Swiss locality from the E. Nicolau collection (Barcelona).