Fine quality specimen that shows aggregates of tabular crystals of baryte, with a slight bluish tone, brilliant and with defined faces and edges. Accompanied by several marcasite crystals showing various twins, such as "cockscomb", as aggregates or very aesthetic individual crystals. On a quartz crystal matrix.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 6.8 x 5.4 x 5.3 cm.
Main crystal: 12 x 10 mm.
Found in 2013.

Huge size parallel growth of tabular crystals of barite, very sharp and with very well defined faces and edges. They are translucent and very bright and have flattened crystals of marcasite showing the twin known as "cockscomb".
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 10.7 x 7.3 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 34 x 27 mm.
Found in 2011.

Rich group of galena cube-octahedral to octahedral crystals, some of them complex, with natural luster, defined faces and edges, and with a better quality than usual for the locality. They are disposed on a matrix covered by small and brilliant quartz crystals. Accompanied by several aggregates of golden pyrite sharp crystals, brilliant, with chalcopyrite and tabular baryte. Really excellent specimen.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 9.2 x 6.7 x 5.8 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 7 mm.
Found in 2013.

Rich group of galena cube-octahedral crystals, some of them complex, good luster, defined faces and edges, and with a better quality than usual for the locality. They are disposed on a matrix covered by small and brilliant quartz crystals. Accompanied by several aggregates of golden pyrite sharp crystals, brilliant, with chalcopyrite. Very brilliant specimen.
These mines are located approximately 50 km south of Alnif, near the border with Algeria. This area was already mined in medieval age for the extraction of copper. In the 60s of the last century, French companies expanded shafts and mineral extraction.

Size: 6.5 x 6.3 x 3.6 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 7 mm.
Found in 2013.

In this huge size specimen we observe groups of tabular lenticular aggregates of barite with a delicate reddish tones, along with gray galena that has been almost completely substituted and covered by nice cerussite crystals. Taking a look under the microscope, cerussite shows long striated prisms terminated by pyramidal faces. Also note several cyclic star twins, well defined and spectacular. Different specimens from Mibladen.

The large mine of Les O is mined under the town of Mibladen. It has been worked during generations of miners in search of specimens, usually galena cerussite, barite and some wulfenite. Few weeks before my visit in February 2013 were found some mineralized veins and vugs with the specimens we offer. When those cavities were formed they had been filled by cube octahedral crystals of galena and barite. Due to the hydrothermal fluids galena was partially or totally corroded to favor the formation of cerussite.

Size: 14.0 x 10.5 x 9.5 cm.
Main crystal: 14 x 12 mm. twin
Found in 01/2013.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Excellent specimen of galena that shows a group of sharp cubic crystals, brilliant, interpenetrated and which are peppered by small crystals of honey color sphalerite. Partially covered by sharp, brilliant quartz crystals and minor calcite. This deposit has been operated by several french compagnies from 1923 to 1960. A quality specimen for this Moroccan locality.

Size: 7.8 x 7.6 x 4.3 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 18 mm.

Excelent group of vanadinite crystals showing a defined hexagonal shape, with very well defined faces and edges, intense red color. Good brilliance and some transparence, with internal reflections between red and orange. Main crystals size and thickness are remarkable. They are disposed very aerial and isolated on a lenticular baryte matrix. The presence of this baryte matrix is highly appreciated by collectors and gives to the specimen a special aesthetics.

Size: 6.7 x 5.0 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 9 x 8 mm.

Spectacular specimen with a very good size formed by several vanadinite crystals, with an intense red color and translucent. Very aerial disposed on a rocky matrix. Very displayable and unusual specimen.

Size: 9.0 x 6.5 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 6 mm.

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed) which are disposed on a matrix of goethite. The green yellowish color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly. A nice miniature.

They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens have been presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

Size: 4.0 x 2.3 x 2.2 cm.
Main crystal: 3 x 2 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed) which are disposed on a matrix of goethite. The green yellowish color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly.

They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens have been presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

Size: 5.3 x 3.5 x 3.0 cm.
Main crystal: 3 x 2 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed) which are disposed on a matrix of goethite. The green yellowish color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly.

They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens have been presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

Size: 5.5 x 4.8 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 2 x 1 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed) which are disposed on a matrix of goethite. The green yellowish color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly.

They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens have been presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

Size: 5.7 x 4.0 x 2.9 cm.
Main crystal: 2 x 1 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed) which are disposed on a matrix of goethite. The green yellowish color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly. They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens were presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

Size: 7.4 x 5.4 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 3 x 2 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed), some individualized, which are disposed, with a very aesthetic contrast on a matrix of goethite. The yellowish green color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid, some of them insinuate the hexagonal dipyramid faces. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly.

They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens have been presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

Size: 6.5 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm.
Main crystal: 3 x 2 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

Groups of pyromorphite crystals (analyzed), some individualized, which are disposed, with a very aesthetic contrast, on a matrix of goethite. The yellowish green color is very intense, exceptional brilliance, translucent to transparent. They show defined hexagonal prisms truncated by the pinacoid, some of them insinuate the hexagonal dipyramid faces. Under magnifying glass transparency we can be seen perfectly.

They come from a Moroccan locality that once was known by the presence of pyromorphite, but not with this quality and less represented in collections. Few specimens have been presented at Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines 2015.

 

Size: 7.0 x 5.7 x 4.3 cm.
Main crystal: 2.5 x 2 mm.
Found in 04/2015.

Analyzed specimen with report

In this huge size specimen we observe groups of tabular lenticular aggregates of barite with a delicate reddish tones, along with gray galena that has been almost completely substituted and covered by nice cerussite crystals. Taking a look under the microscope, cerussite shows long striated prisms terminated by pyramidal faces. Also note several cyclic star twins, well defined and spectacular. Different specimens from Mibladen.

The large mine of Les O is mined under the town of Mibladen. It has been worked during generations of miners in search of specimens, usually galena cerussite, barite and some wulfenite. Few weeks before my visit in February 2013 were found some mineralized veins and vugs with the specimens we offer. When those cavities were formed they had been filled by cube octahedral crystals of galena and barite. Due to the hydrothermal fluids galena was partially or totally corroded to favor the formation of cerussite.

Size: 9.0 x 6.8 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 4 mm.
Found in 01/2013.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Specimen with a really good size formed by several groups of vanadinite crystals, with an intense red zoning color, translucent, very brilliant and showing a defined prism truncated by pinacoidal faces. On a solid rocky matrix. A fine specimen from this classic locality.

Size: 12.7 x 8.0 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 12 x 12 mm.

Spectacular specimen with a very good size formed by several and isolated vanadinite crystals, with an intense red color, with zoning, translucent and showing a defined prism truncated by pinacoidal faces and complex aggregates. Very aerial disposed on a rocky matrix and on the barite which forms aggregates in a book shape. Very displayable and unusual specimen.

Size: 11.7 x 7.5 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 13 x 12 mm.

Specimen with a very good size formed by several groups of vanadinite crystals, with an intense red to brownish red zoning color, translucent, very brilliant and showing a defined prism truncated by pinacoidal faces. On a rocky matrix. Different than usual.

Size: 13.0 x 12.4 x 3.0 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 6 mm.

Specimen with a very good size formed by several vanadinite crystals, with an intense red color, translucent and showing a defined prism truncated by pinacoidal faces. On a rocky matrix and peppering developed barite aggregates in a book shape. Very brilliant specimen.

Size: 12.5 x 8.5 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 9 x 7 mm.

Very rich group of vanadinite crystals showing a parallel growth, with defined hexagonal forms and short prism. The color varies between an intense red to the orange. Very brilliant and translucent, which reveals its spectacular color. Less common for the species. This specimen is from ACF mine, near to the Coud'a puits, in Mibladen mining area.

Size: 4.7 x 3.7 x 2.0 cm.
Main crystal: 14 x 10 mm.
Found in 2013.

A really interesting gemmy fluorapatite crystal. We can observe perfectly the combination of the first and second order prisms; very sharp terminal faces, with first order hexagonal dipyramid, truncated by the pinacoid. Crystal shows good brilliance, transparence and a yellow color with green tones. With some prismatic black inclusions (epidote?). The specimen is from a Moroccan classic mine located in the Imilchil mountains area.

Size: 6.1 x 4.1 x 4.0 cm.
Main crystal: 20 x 14 mm.

After a trip to Morocco in 2013, we analyzed few samples of a mineral similar to mimetite species. Results indicated that it was phosphohedyphane. From the same mine we have obtained some specimens of the zone in which came out in 2013 original ones, but now they showed marked differences. After a careful analysis, results indicate that these were also phosphohedyphane, but with a different shape but similar to the pyromorphite appearance. They are covering cavities of the limonite matrix, small hexagonal crystals slightly barrel-shaped, with green to a yellowish tones. Accompanied by brilliant quartz and vanadinite, some rich in arsenic. It seems that they form part of a pyromorphite-phosphohedyphane series. Analysis results will be delivered to the buyer.

Size: 4.5 x 3.6 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1 x 1 mm aggr.
Found in 2014.

After a trip to Morocco in 2013, we analyzed few samples of a mineral similar to mimetite species. Results indicated that it was phosphohedyphane. From the same mine we have obtained some specimens of the zone in which came out in 2013 original ones, but now they showed marked differences. After a careful analysis, results indicate that these were also phosphohedyphane, but with a different shape but similar to the pyromorphite appearance. They are covering cavities of the limonite matrix, small hexagonal crystals slightly barrel-shaped, with green to a yellowish tones. Accompanied by brilliant quartz and vanadinite, some rich in arsenic. It seems that they form part of a pyromorphite-phosphohedyphane series. Analysis results will be delivered to the buyer.

Size: 5.2 x 3.8 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 2 x 2 mm. aggr.
Found in 2014.

A very curious copper specimen pseudomorphed by secondary copper minerals such as malachite and azurite. In this sample we can find a layer of small but brilliant azurite crystals and larger ones very well defined and isolated. Accompanied by small quartz crystals. A piece to enjoy under the magnifying glass.

Size: 6,5 x 4,5 x 3,0 cm.
Found in 2008.