Large group of bournonite crystals, brilliant, with complex and interpenetrated faces. They are accompanied by honey tone sphalerite crystals. The specimen is accompanied by a label that identifies it as from Saint-Laurent-Le-Minier (Sent Laurenç del Minièr), although it is more likely that it is from the Saguinede mine in Montdardier, very close to Saint-Laurent.

Size: 102 x 7 x 4.5 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

These fluorite specimens from the classic Valzergues Fluorite mine, in France, are highly prized among collectors. This specimen shows a group of cubic crystals with a beautiful golden hue inside and a violet "phantom" zoned line following the edges. The front of the specimen is undamaged, the back shows contact with the vein wall from which it was removed, as is the case with all specimens from this mine. It fluoresces under ultraviolet (LW) light.

Size: 5.6 x 4.7 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 22 x 22 mm.
Found in ±1996.

Classic locality

These fluorite specimens from the classic Valzergues Fluorite mine, in France, are highly prized among collectors. This specimen shows a group of cubic crystals with a beautiful golden hue inside and a violet "phantom" zoned line following the edges. The front of the specimen is undamaged, the back shows contact with the vein wall from which it was removed, as is the case with all specimens from this mine. It fluoresces under ultraviolet (LW) light.

Size: 5.7 x 5 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 14 mm.
Found in ±1996.

Classic locality

A good quality cubic specimen of fluorite from the classic Yellow Vein in the Fluorite Mine, Valzergues, in France. The crystal shows a beautiful golden hue in the interior with a purple "phantom" zone line that immediately transitions into a blue-green color on the exterior faces. The front side of the specimen is in great shape, but it is contacted on the back where it was removed from the pocket wall. A very interesting piece since it shows an internal green reflection due to a planar fissure and that produces this strange effect. Fluorescent under LW-UL.

Size: 4.7 x 3.3 x 2.6 cm.
Found in ±1996.

Classic locality

This specimen shows various groups of prismatic pyromorphite crystals, with terminal faces of the dipyramid, brilliant, colourless and transparent. They stand out on a matrix of goethite with orange tone. This locality is not one of the most common for this species. This specimen from Le Kaymar can be considered among the best seen for the mine.

Size: 7.2 x 5 x 5 cm.

These specimens, although not remarkable for their great beauty, do present historical interest to many collectors. According to the old label that accompanies it, the place where it was collected indicates that it is the "pic d'Espada" (Sword peak) and in French territory. After several inquiries, we can place this peak in the Varètja area, in the French High Pyrenees, in Occitania, north of the Spanish border with the Ordesa y Monte Perdido National Park. We can observe numerous black dodecahedral crystals of andradite-grossular, melanite variety, which in the past were given the name "pyreneite". It is accompanied by the 19th century handwritten label of Dr. Hugo Francke (Dresden).

Size: 4 x 3.6 x 3.4 cm.
Found in ±1890.

Freiberg Bergakademie - Dr. Hugo Francke
Analyzed specimen with report

Globular and radial aggregates of alumohydrocalcite crystals, white to cream in color and with a silky luster. They contrast on the brown siderite. They come from this classic French mine, nowadays partially restored.

Size: 4.4 x 4.1 x 1.4 cm.

Goethite specimen from this classic French mine, now closed and partially restored, which shows druses of goethite small crystals, defined and very, very bright. Under loupe is incredible. The sparkles of the crystals in the light are spectacular. The specimen was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy to confirm the species.

Size: 6 x 6 x 5 cm.

Classic locality

Goethite specimen from this classic French mine, now closed and partially restored, which shows druses of goethite small crystals, defined and very, very bright. Under loupe is incredible. The sparkles of the crystals in the light are spectacular. The specimen was analyzed by Raman spectroscopy to confirm the species.

Size: 9.8 x 7 x 5.6 cm.

Classic locality

These tspecimens from Les Malines are very rare today. Twinned aggregates of bournonite crystals, partially covered by cube octahedral galena, pyrite and sphalerite. They are disposed on a matrix of baryte crystals. These are classics of the largest deposit of lead and zinc in France, whose exploitation dates back to Roman times.

Size: 5.6 x 4.5 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm. aggr.
Found in ± 1974.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality