On this classic matrix from Pedrera Berta (quarry), with quartz, fluorite, pyrolusite... we can observe some cavities in which some small but brilliant rhombohedral smithsonite crystals stand out, with a golden color. Viewed under magnification they are really aesthetic to take a "microphoto". They are accompanied by malachite aggregates. Collected by the well-known Catalan mineral collector Manuel Moreno "Manolo" and from the Joan Astor collection, with labels.

Size: 8.6 x 5.2 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ±1974.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

Evansite specimens from Santa Creu d'Olorda are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. In this specimen we can see an amorphous mass of this aluminum phosphate with an intense green color and a vitreous luster. It is disposed on a graphite-bituminous shale matrix.

Size: 7.6 x 3.8 x 3.6 cm.

Classic locality

Many years ago, these crystal aggregates were classified as brushite, but later analysis indicated that it was hydroxylapatite with carbonate groups. Fluorapatite is not common in Bruguers. These globular aggregates are disposed on an upholstered matrix with bright green microcrystals of montgomeryite. The matrix is goethite. From the J. Astor collection, formerly col. Jordi Pi, well-known nature and geological landscape photographer and mineral collector (Barcelona).

Size: 4.2 x 4.1 x 2.9 cm.
Found in ca. 1980.

Col. Joan Astor & Col. Jordi Pi (Barcelona)

Variscite is a hydrated aluminum phosphate present in different Catalan deposits found in the Catalan Coastal Mountain Ranges. Well-known sites are those of the Serra de Miramar, in Tarragona; Bruguers, Gavà and Cerdanyola in Barcelona, along with the well-known site of Montcada i Reixac, close to the city of Barcelona. Less well known are the deposits in the northernmost area of these mountain ranges, between Malgrat de Mar and Pineda de Mar area. This specimen comes from the Malgrat area and was found in surveys near Can Palomeres. The variscite vein shows a green color with yellow to whitish tones. It is included in slates with other phosphates such as phosphosiderite and strengite. We can observe so-called ptygmatic folds produced by the entry of a viscous fluid (variscite) into a less viscous one.

Size: 10 x 7.2 x 6.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm. vein/veta
Found in 2018.

Hydromagnesite specimens from "Pedreres de l'Àngel" (Angel quarries), in Gualba (Barcelona), are a classic for the Catalan mineralogy. In this specimen we can observe some aggregates formed by radiated crystals, some of them of good size (more than 2 cm.), others smaller (up to 8 mm), very brilliant. Nowadays impossible to be found... This mines are a skarn due to contact metamorphism of Hercynian granodiorite and biotite granite into Cambrian marbles.

Size: 9.4 x 6.5 x 3.5 cm.
Found in 1980's.

Col. Arguijo (Barcelona).
Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of octahedral fluorite crystals, of intense green color and in stepped growths. From the classic Berta Quarry, in which it is now totally forbidden to extract minerals.

Size: 2.8 x 2.4 x 1.8 cm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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.

Size: 6.5 x 4.4 x 4.6 cm.
Main crystal: 0.8 cm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of sharp calcite crystals, with rhombohedral flattened shape, translucent. From a unusual locality not well represented in collections.

Size: 5 x 4.2 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 2.4 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Rich aggregate of diopside crystals, with an intense apple green color. In the cavities we can observe the shapes of the lanceolate prisms. From a classic Catalan mine, from which it is difficult to obtain samples. A local curiosity.

Size: 6.3 x 3.5 x 2.8 cm.

Col. Manchion.

Curious specimen of greenockite of this classic locality of the Catalan mineralogy. Under loupe, aggregates of intense yellow color are observed, with reflections of what could be crystalline faces. This cadmium sulphide is a product of the alteration of rich Cd sphalerite. It is impossible to get specimens today.

Size: 4.5 x 3.2 x 2.8 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Manchion #398.

A group of fluorite crystals those, at first glance, seem just octahedra, but if you take a look carefully you will see complex terminations. Green color and dull luster. Acompanied by small quartz crystals. A classic from the former Manchion (Barcelona) collection, collected by himself in January, 1986.

Size: 7.8 x 6 x 5.8 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 8 mm.
Found in 01/1986.

Fluorescent under LW-UV and SW-UV lights

Rich group of microcline crystals, some of them with the Mannebach twin, well defined. Specimen belonging to the collection of Sr. Manchion, acquired at the Sant Celoni mineral show in March 1985. A piece with history.

Size: 7 x 5.5 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 15 mm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. J.M. Manchion, Barcelona. Num. 159.

Group of smoky quartz crystals on a matrix of microcline crystals covered by albite. They present some nick but for me it is a very good and historical specimen. From a classic Catalan locality and from the Daunis collection (Barcelona).

Size: 10 x 9.5 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 5.5 x 2.8 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Col. Daunis (Barcelona)
Classic locality

Rich cluster of smoky quartz crystals on a matrix of microcline crystals covered by albite. They present some nick but for me it is a very good and historical specimen. From a classic Catalan locality and from the Daunis collection (Barcelona).

Size: 10.5 x 8 x 6 cm.
Found in ±1970

Col. Daunis (Barcelona)
Classic locality

Rich druse of fluorite crystals. This kind of octahedral crystals show a special brilliance due to the multiple growths of small crystals on the faces of the octahedron. This fact gives them a rough surface. Translucent, with good green color and good size. The Berta quarry-mine is in the process of filling and restoration. Not oiled. An old specimen ca. 1985, from Manchion Collection.

Size: 13.0 x 6.5 x 4.4 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 8 mm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. J.M. Manchion (Barcelona).
Fluorescent under long wave UV

Chrysotile fibrous veins in serpentinized marble from this classic Catalan locality.

Size: 5.0 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm.
Found in ±1991.

Col. J.M. Manchion (Barcelona). No. 552.
Classic locality

This specimen is not a "museum specimen" but for the collectors of this "territory" it has a very good memories. It is a tourmaline, sometimes dravite other schorl, of the pegmatites of the Collserola range, in the area of Tibidabo-Sant Pere Màrtir, in the city of Barcelona. It is one of those pieces that we can not do without if we like our mineralogy. With old label.

Size: 4.5 x 3.2 x 3.0 cm.
Main crystal: 9 x 4 mm

Col. J.M. Manchión (Barcelona). No.164. 03/1985.

This kind of specimens are which make the love for minerals is being reinforced. In this piece, three very interesting magnesium species, two hydroxilcarbonates and one hydroxide coexist. On the one hand we observe some aesthetic and brilliant aggregates of foliaceous crystals of dypingite, forming rosettes, of intense white color, although they are colorless. They are accompanied by sheaves of flattened crystals of hydromagnesite, between translucent to transparent, colorless (they are similar to aragonite). All of them are disposed on a rock matrix covered with a layer with botrioidal forms, from blue to gray, of brucite. A Catalan piece that is hard to find today, with unusual species and quality.

Size: 8.5 x 7.0 x 6.0 cm.
Found in 1970's.

Ex. L. Daunis (Barcelona).
Analyzed specimen with report

This is one of the old jasper specimens collected by Mr. L. Daunis on the Montjuïc mountain in Barcelona. A place well known by Catalan mineralogists and geologists for the characteristic variety of mineral species that have been collected during centuries. It is a jasper piece with a slightly polished part that allows to enjoy the nobility of this semi-precious stone, the rest presents the original tone. A classic Barcelona sample and label that should not miss in a quality collection.

Size: 7.5 x 5.0 x 5.0 cm.
Found in 1960's.

Excol. Lluís Daunis & Maria Ruscalleda.

Group of calcite crystals disposed isolated on a matrix of brilliant quartz crystals. These calcite crystals show forms of the prism and rhombohedron in the terminal faces, with a slightly darker core related to the scalenohedron. It is an old specimen from a classic locality for Catalan mineralogy.

Size: 8.5 x 7.4 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 16 x 12 mm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of fluorite crystals with an intense green color, with transparence, brilliance and sharp edges and faces. Transparence allows us to see an opalescent crystal core on which the crystal has grown with greater transparency. They are disposed isolated on the matrix which gives a superior quality to this specimen. It is accompanied by small rhombohedral calcite crystals and some crystals of pyrite totally pseudomorphed by goethite. Very fluorescent. On a matrix with quartz crystals. Samples with this fine quality are very difficult to find, considering that the quarry is closed to the collectors and the works have been interrupted. From a classic locality.

Size: 8.2 x 4.7 x 2.2 cm.
Main crystal: 14 x 14 mm.
Found in 1990's

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Silver specimens from Gualba mines are so appreciated by Spanish collectors due to their scarcity. This specimen shows arborescent and granulated aggregates of native silver emerging from the white matrix of calcite (treated with acetic acid). A unique opportunity to get a silver sample of this historic Catalan mine.

Size: 5.9 x 3.8 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 1 mm aggr.
Found in 1980's.

Calcite is fluorescent under LW-UV.

Group of octahedral crystals of fluorite, nice green color, transparent to translucent and very well defined faces and edges. Peppered by small crystals of pyrite with complex shapes and even tabular appearance. They are disposed on a matrix with calcite and pyrite. From a classic Catalan locality. Fluorescence (UV-LW) is red for calcite and blue for fluorite.

Size: 11.5 x 5.7 x 5.0 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 8 mm.
Found in ca. 2001.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

On a rocky matrix of granite, partially covered by small but brilliant quartz crystals, some groups and isolated fluorite crystals. Good transparence, brilliance and with a intense green color. A mineral classic from Catalonia.

Size: 6.4 x 6.1 x 5.0 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 7 mm.
Found in 1990's.

Fluorescent under LW-UV and SW-UV lights

Curious globular aggregates formed by numerous fluorite octahedral crystals that have grown together, reaching this globular shape. If you look closely under magnification the specimen you can observe different growing phases. Very fluorescent under LW-UV.
This green color is the best ever found for this site, with transparence and brilliance. They are disposed on an matrix of hard porphyry covered by minute quartz crystals, with calcite and goethitized cubic pyrite.

This area is known as Singuerlín (a neighborhood of Santa Coloma de Gramenet city, close to Barcelona) and from 60's collectors has found these globular aggregates with tones between white, yellow or slightly greenish. Then some specimens were analyzed and labeled as gearksutite. More recent analysis did not indicate the presence of this species but only fluorite.

Size: 5.5 x 4.0 x 1.8 cm.
Main crystal: 4 mm. aggreg.
Found in 2014.

Fluorescent under LW-UV and SW-UV lights