A very aesthetic specimen of andradite, a variety of melanite, formed by numerous, well-defined, idiomorphic crystals, with the dodecahedron faces truncated by the trapezohedron ones. They are lustrous and shows greenish reflections and transparencies when light hits them. They are disposed in a very aerial way on a matrix formed by numerous elongated, prismatic crystals of green pargasite, one of the first historically described amphiboles.

190 €

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A rich group of hexagonal prismatic pyromorphite crystals, slightly barrel-shaped, with luster and a color that varies from yellowish green in the middle to light green at the ends. This specimen comes from a German collection.

A group of cubic fluorite crystals, ranging in color from purple to violet depending on the incident light. Well-defined faces and edges, luster, and transparency. On the back, they are partially covered with quartz microcrystals.

From a classic German locality and well-known collectors such as Joan Viñals and Emili Nicolau, belongs this specimen of native bismuth, weighing 293 g. We can see numerous indentations formed by tree-like bismuth crystals on its surface. A specimen with history, recommended for collectors of "gray" minerals.

Reserved

Idiomorphic cerussite crystals, rich in faces, lustrous, translucent, and with intense UV-LW light response. On a matrix of baryte crystals.

Reserved

Several well-defined tabular wulfenite crystals are disposed on a dolomite matrix, showing faces of the dipyramid and basal pinacoids. Orange-yellow in color. From this classic Moroccan locality. It belongs from the J. Murria collection (Barcelona).

Recently, specimens of scapolite of Moroccan origin have appeared on the market. The analyses we have carried out on several specimens indicate that it is mainly marialite, since the proportion of Na (marialite, Na₄Al₃Si₉O₂₄Cl) is higher than that of calcium (meionite, Ca₄Al₆Si₆O₂₄CO₃), and the presence of chlorine is also detected. We can see that the proportion of Ca is quite high, so we are in the middle of the marialite-meionite series. Crystals appear as tetragonal prisms truncated by the basal pinacoid and the first-order dipyramid. Transparent to translucent and with some inclusions. Fluorescent under SW-UL. We will send the analyses to the buyer.

Reserved

Recently, specimens of scapolite of Moroccan origin have appeared on the market. The analyses we have carried out on several specimens indicate that it is mainly marialite, since the proportion of Na (marialite, Na₄Al₃Si₉O₂₄Cl) is higher than that of calcium (meionite, Ca₄Al₆Si₆O₂₄CO₃), and the presence of chlorine is also detected. We can see that the proportion of Ca is quite high, so we are in the middle of the marialite-meionite series. Crystals appear as tetragonal prisms truncated by the basal pinacoid and the first-order dipyramid. Transparent to translucent and with some inclusions. Fluorescent under SW-UL. We will send the analyses to the buyer.

Reserved

Monazite crystals from Madagascar are world-famous, with many representative localities. This specimen we offer is accompanied by a Deyrolle (Paris) label. The Deyrolle company began its business in 1831, led by Jean-Baptiste Deyrolle, with the production and sale of materials related to the natural sciences. This specimen is accompanied by a label handwritten on both sides. The specimen is exceptional. It consists of twinned monazite crystals, with well-defined faces and edges, lustrous, and a brown color, darker on the prisms. On one of the faces, there is a stepped growths. The size is quite remarkable. Specimens of this magnitude are not often seen...

550 €

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The tinticite nodules from the Bruguers mines are perhaps the most characteristic of the species. They are found in two forms: sometimes in the hard dolomitic rock, which allows sections to be seen, and sometimes in a limonite matrix, which allows their kidney-shaped shape to be observed and even easy to extract. We recommend visiting the book I recently published about this famous Catalan mine: : Mines i minerals de la serra de les Ferreres. Les mines de Rocabruna, Bruguers, Gavà, el Baix Llobregat, Catalunya.

The tinticite nodules from the Bruguers mines are perhaps the most characteristic of the species. They are found in two forms: sometimes in the hard dolomitic rock, which allows sections to be seen, and sometimes in a limonite matrix, which allows their kidney-shaped shape to be observed and even easy to extract. We recommend visiting the book I recently published about this famous Catalan mine: : Mines i minerals de la serra de les Ferreres. Les mines de Rocabruna, Bruguers, Gavà, el Baix Llobregat, Catalunya.

The tinticite nodules from the Bruguers mines are perhaps the most characteristic of the species. They are found in two forms: sometimes in the hard dolomitic rock, which allows sections to be seen, and sometimes in a limonite matrix, which allows their kidney-shaped shape to be observed and even easy to extract. We recommend visiting the book I recently published about this famous Catalan mine: : Mines i minerals de la serra de les Ferreres. Les mines de Rocabruna, Bruguers, Gavà, el Baix Llobregat, Catalunya.

This specimen was thought as Bourg d'Oisans sample, although, based on its appearance and paragenesis, it is most likely one of the specimens from the La Gardette area, close to Bourg d'Oisans. It shows a rich group of very elongated, hyaline quartz crystals with the "dauphiné" habit. It is accompanied by various pyrite crystals. A highly aesthetic piece from a classic locality that should be a must-have in any collection.

220 €

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On a goethite matrix, with stalactitic and botryoidal forms, various aggregates of tabular to prismatic vivianite crystals. Very aerial, with a very intense green, almost black, color, with green luster and reflections. A very good specimen for the species.

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A very rich specimen formed by numerous prismatic vesuvianite crystals, lustrous, transparent, and with a soft greenish hue. A very aesthetic specimen and of good size. This famous open-pit asbestos-chrysotile mine, approximately 2 km in diameter and up to 350 m deep, began exploitation in 1879. Global demand for asbestos dropped dramatically in the 1980s when its carcinogenic properties became known, and its use as a construction material was banned worldwide. In 1996, in an attempt to exploit a high-quality zone at the bottom of the mine, another attempt was made to switch to underground methods, but government subsidies dried up in 2001, and the mine has remained inactive ever since.

A specimen of stibnite from this classic German locality. The specimen belongs from the F. Coune collection (Belgium) and was adquired in the early 1970s. It shows a radial aggregate of acicular crystals of this antimony sulfide. It is arranged on a matrix with pyrite, quartz, and calcite crystals.

An amazing sized specimen of the rare REE silicate chevkinite-(Ce) from the finest discovery in the world for the species. This obscure Pakistan locality started producing these superb specimens in the late 1990s. This group hosts rather lustrous, sharp, euhedral, jet-black terminated crystals measuring up to 4.5 cm on chevkinite-(Ce) matrix. From A. Petrov.  

Reserved

Small orange to yellow kasolite crystals, very aesthetic under magnification. They are disposed on a sandstone matrix with malachite. A Musonoi classic.

Uranium specimens from this Mexican mine located in northern Chihuahua are rare on the market. This specimen shows numerous acicular crystals of this uranyl silicate, brilliant, transparent and intensely colored. They are disposed in vugs within the calcite matrix.

A very aesthetic specimen composed of very lustrous, dark green primary malachite crystals. The crystals have a triangular to rhombohedral appearance due to the way they have intergrown and are brighter green at the edges. It is quite rare to find primary malachite crystals, especially with well-defined crystals, and this mine is known for producing these malachites. The specimen was labeled "libethenite" (sic), and of course we analyzed it (analysis RM308), although a drop of HCl would have ruled out the phosphate, but...

130 €

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Malachite specimens from this mine typically appear without matrix. This specimen shows a botryoidal aggregate of intense green color arranged very airily on a quartz matrix. Very aesthetic.

Very interesting specimens where kyanite replaces chiastolite, a variety of andalusite, in a graphitic matrix. The specimen shows characteristics associated with the pre-existing andalusite, such as twinning, indicated by the two different orientations of the kyanite replacing it. It is accompanied by prismatic honeyed chiastolite crystals.They have been analyzed. For lovers of rare pseudomorphoses. Very fluorescent (orange) under UV-LW light.

Reserved

Very interesting specimens where kyanite replaces chiastolite, a variety of andalusite, in a graphitic matrix. The specimen shows characteristics associated with the pre-existing andalusite, such as twinning, indicated by the two different orientations of the kyanite replacing it. It is accompanied by prismatic honeyed chiastolite crystals.They have been analyzed. For lovers of rare pseudomorphoses.Very fluorescent (orange) under UV-LW light.

Reserved

Very interesting specimens where kyanite replaces chiastolite, a variety of andalusite, in a graphitic matrix. The specimen shows characteristics associated with the pre-existing andalusite, such as twinning, indicated by the two different orientations of the kyanite replacing it. It is accompanied by prismatic honeyed chiastolite crystals.They have been analyzed. For lovers of rare pseudomorphoses. Very fluorescent (orange) under UV-LW light.

Reserved

These specimens come from the type locality for kolwezite, a copper-cobalt carbonate. Most of the "kolwezite" pieces seen on the market don't have the 1:1 Cu:Co ratio required to call them that; they usually have a 2:1 Cu:Co ratio. Of all the ones I've analyzed (and there are quite a few), even the olive-green ones maintain this ratio. In this case, we can say, to be honest, they're cobalt-rich malachite specimens. Even so, the specimens are very aesthetically pleasing. If I ever find a 1:1 Cu:Co kolwezite, I'll probably find the grail...

75 €

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