Ilmenorutile is a niobium-rich variety of rutile, with the formula (Ti,Nb)O₂. In this specimen, some crystal faces can be observed. It most likely comes from the Diéresis quarry, where, during the 1980s, masses weighing several kilograms with developed crystal faces were found, enclosed in the pegmatite. From the Vilaseca collection, acquired from the well-known Barcelona mineral dealer Marçal Llòria (Lloid).

Reserved

A very rich cluster of well-formed cassiterite crystals, showing twinning and bipyramidal forms. The color ranges from deep honey to lighter shades in some crystals when light strikes them. It comes from a locality in Cáceres that is poorly represented in collections. The deposit is composed of three sub-circular granitic cupolas that host Sn–Nb–Ta–W mineralization. There have been recent initiatives and applications for mining exploration permits (for example, the “Torrecilla”), covering several grid squares in the municipalities of Torrecilla de los Ángeles, Hernán Pérez, and Santibáñez El Alto, indicating interest in exploring the mineral resources. From the Vilaseca collection (Barcelona) and and old label from Joan Montal, a former Catalan dealer.

Reserved

From specimens like these, this very rare species was identified: panasqueiraite. Identifying it in each sample is an almost impossible task. Panasqueiraite is a monoclinic calcium-magnesium phosphate, it would be an hydroxylated analog of isokite. In Panasqueira, its type locality, it is found as massive fine-grained aggregates together with other phosphates (fluorapatite, thadeuite, wolfeite, triplite, althausite and vivianite), with topaz, quartz and sulfides (arsenopyrite, pyrrhotite, chalcopyrite and sphalerite) in veins hydrothermal. The panasqueiraíta closely resembles the thadeuíta and the wolfeíte.
Panasqueiraite crystals are not known, but there are always exfoliation planes {010}, also for thadeuite (Caries Curto, Jordi Fabre: The Panasqueira Mines. The Mineralogical Record, January-February 2014, volume 45, number 1).

Good sized specimen of native copper showing complex crystal faces, typical of these specimens, with good color, brilliance and aesthetics. This specimen is from the findings made in the mid-90 in this American mine. It has not been treated with chemicals, so its color and brightness are natural. From Vilaseca collection, Barcelona.

Group of hanksite crystals, from the type locality for the species. It is one of the few minerals that contain both carbonate and sulfate ionic groups. Hanksite forms large crystals in evaporite deposits. These deposits are found in arid environments where water, which carries dissolved salts, evaporates and concentrates the ions. Halite is one of the first minerals to crystallize. As the water becomes even more concentrated, rare and unusual minerals such as borax and hanksite eventually crystallize as well.

A group of exceptionally sized, translucent, and lustrous tabular crystals of metatorbernite (dehydrated torbernite). The green color displays aesthetical internal reflections. From this classic locality in the Katanga region. Accompanied by two antique labels. An exceptional miniature.

Reserved

Uraninite partially coated with gummite; we can see the inner part of the black uraninite and the gummite surrounding it. The faces of the cube are also clearly visible. Gummite is a yellow amorphous mixture of uranium minerals, oxides, silicates, and hydrates of uranium, derived from the alteration of uraninite. It is named for its gum-like luster. 

190 €

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Euxenite-(Y) is an uncommon oxyde of niobium with tantalum and titanium and Rare Earth Elements (REE), with some calcium and radioactive elements like uranium or thorium. These elements give it a radioactive activity. This specimen we offer you is a cluster of parallel growth crystals, well-formed, with a chisel termination.With the classic ocher patina.

Euxenite-(Y) is an uncommon oxyde of niobium with tantalum and titanium and Rare Earth Elements (REE), with some calcium and radioactive elements like uranium or thorium. These elements give it a radioactive activity. This specimen we offer you is a cluster of parallel growth crystals, well-formed, with a chisel termination.With the classic ocher patina.

Euxenite-(Y) is an uncommon oxyde of niobium with tantalum and titanium and Rare Earth Elements (REE), with some calcium and radioactive elements like uranium or thorium. These elements give it a radioactive activity. This specimen we offer you is a cluster of parallel growth crystals, well-formed, with a chisel termination.With the classic ocher patina.

Euxenite-(Y) is an uncommon oxyde of niobium with tantalum and titanium and Rare Earth Elements (REE), with some calcium and radioactive elements like uranium or thorium. These elements give it a radioactive activity. This specimen we offer you is a cluster of parallel growth crystals, well-formed, with a chisel termination.With the classic ocher patina.

From this classic locality for the species belongs this group of thoryanite crystals, cubic with octahedral shapes at the vertices, twinned and interpenetrated, good size, intense black color, and luster. Thorianite is a thorium oxide, almost always containing some uranium, the variety being uranothorianite.

From this classic locality for the species belongs this group of thoryanite crystals, cubic with octahedral shapes at the vertices, good size, intense black color, and luster. Thorianite is a thorium oxide, almost always containing some uranium, the variety being uranothorianite. This specimen contains around 5-6% uranium by weight. An exceptional piece due to its richness.

From a classic locality for the species is coming this cubic thorianite crystal, good size, intense black color and brightness. The thorianite is a thorium oxide, almost always with some uranium content, the uranothorianite variety. This specimen contains about 5-6% by weight of uranium. 

From a classic locality for the species is coming this cubic thorianite crystal, good size, intense black color and brightness. The thorianite is a thorium oxide, almost always with some uranium content, the uranothorianite variety. This specimen contains about 5-6% by weight of uranium. 

Group of betafite crystals showing defined octahedral faces (triangular), with axial growth. Very interesting for its crystallography and species. An oldie, classic and representative for the species. Although the term betafite was discredited in 2010, many of us still are using this term to define this mineral when we see it. Our specimen is an uranium, calcium, titanium and niobium/tantalum oxide with radioactive activity. Currently the betafite is included as a variety within the pyrochlore supergroup. As a note, the rich uranium term has been only found in the Moon (oxyuranobetafite).

A huge size crystal of betafite showing defined octahedral faces (triangular) and developed dodecahedral ones. Very interesting for its crystallography and species. An oldie, classic and representative for the species.
Although the term betafite was discredited in 2010, many of us still are using this term to define this mineral when we see it. Our specimen is an uranium, calcium, titanium and niobium/tantalum oxide with radioactive activity. Currently the betafite is included as a variety within the pyrochlore supergroup. As a note, the rich uranium term has been only found in the Moon (oxyuranobetafite).

Diopside specimens from Castellaccio are difficult to find today. They show aggregates of radiated prismatic diopside crystals with a lavender hue due to manganese content. It is the best known species found in rodingite (a metasomatic rock) from this Italian quarry. Various analyzes have shown the presence of Co (0.5% by weight in CoO) and Mn (1.5% by weight in MnO). Associated minerals include perovskite, grossular, andradite, magnetite, titanite, apatite, pyrrhotite, and calcite (Bedognè et al., 2006). 

Bedognè, F., Montrasio, A., Sciesa, E. (2006): I minerali della medio-alta Valtellina delle Orobie e della Val Poschiavo. Aggiornamenti sulle altre località della provincia di Sondrio. Tipografia Bettini, Sondrio, 255 pp.

Reserved

This good-sized specimen displays various clusters of crystals of this rare silicate, with parallel growth and a characteristic salmon-pink color. It comes from the Nicolau collection (Barcelona) and was acquired in an old mineral shop in Girona. Serandite was named in 1931 by Antoine François Alfred Lacroix after J.M. Serand, lighthouse keeper of the Island of Roume, Los Islands, Guinea, who assisted in collecting the mineral and who, coincidentally, had a rosy pink complexion (sic).

260 €

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These specimens come from an old find in the Felhuns area, en Prada de Conflent. It was a skarn deposit where garnet veins appeared. Currently, it is completely prohibited to extract specimens, due, as is often the case, to the actions of irresponsible individuals who not only remove specimens but also damage the site. The crystals are dodecahedral, often beveled by the trapezohedron, very brilliant, with a very intense toasted honey color and some transparence. They have been analyzed, and the results indicate an andradite-grossular ratio of approximately 65-35% (RM333A analysis).

85 €

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These specimens come from an old find in the Felhuns area, en Prada de Conflent. It was a skarn deposit where garnet veins appeared. Currently, it is completely prohibited to extract specimens, due, as is often the case, to the actions of irresponsible individuals who not only remove specimens but also damage the site. The crystals are dodecahedral, often beveled by the trapezohedron, very brilliant, with a very intense toasted honey color and some transparence. They have been analyzed, and the results indicate an andradite-grossular ratio of approximately 65-35% (RM333A analysis).

75 €

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These specimens come from an old find in the Felhuns area, en Prada de Conflent. It was a skarn deposit where garnet veins appeared. Currently, it is completely prohibited to extract specimens, due, as is often the case, to the actions of irresponsible individuals who not only remove specimens but also damage the site. The crystals are dodecahedral, often beveled by the trapezohedron, very brilliant, with a very intense toasted honey color and some transparence. Sawed at the back. They have been analyzed, and the results indicate an andradite-grossular ratio of approximately 65-35% (RM333A analysis).

85 €

Buy

These specimens come from an old find in the Felhuns area, en Prada de Conflent. It was a skarn deposit where garnet veins appeared. Currently, it is completely prohibited to extract specimens, due, as is often the case, to the actions of irresponsible individuals who not only remove specimens but also damage the site. The crystals are dodecahedral, often beveled by the trapezohedron, very brilliant, with a very intense toasted honey color and some transparence. Sawed at the back. They have been analyzed, and the results indicate an andradite-grossular ratio of approximately 65-35% (RM333A analysis).

100 €

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A beautiful radial aggregate of boltwoodite crystals, from this classic locality for the species. Good luster and intense color. The original label reads Rössing mine, but they were mislabeled at the time.

Rare specimen of Piemontite from India. With metallic luster braunite aggregates and quartz. From Emili Nicolau col. (BCN) and D. Shannon (adq. 2003), with labels.