Group of doubly terminated crystals of pseudomorphic hematite after magnetite, elongated and with defined faces and edges. They show exceptional skeletal growths, very marked and partially coated by recrystallizations of small crystals of lenticular hematite. The crystals were formed in the fumaroles of this enormous Argentinian volcano. The Payún Matrú is a large volcano with an intermediate morphological type between a volcanic shield and a stratovolcano, that is located 530 km from the oceanic fosa and marks the subduction zone of the Nazca plate. Currently this area is a national park and collecting minerals is prohibited.

These specimens of orange-colored baryte are a classic of the mineralogy of the La Unión-Cartagena area. This piece stands out for the intense brightness and a marked color zoning, which shows banded zoning on the tabular crystals, those form aesthetic rosettes. Very elegant specimen.

Group of very well defined cuprite crystals showing very unusual facets both for the species and for this classic locality for the species. They have very well defined faces of the cube and the octahedron, together with those of the dodecahedron. Under intense light the red transparency is observed, but the surface shows a gray patina, the years have passed away. They are placed on a cavity of brilliant calcite crystals. An interesting rarity.

Very rich group of pseudorhombohedral and interpenetrated crystals of malachite, very sharp. It would seem to be primary but in my opinion it is a total pseudomorphic substitution after azurite crystals. The brightness is good, intense green color, forming aesthetic aggregates. They are disposed into cavities of the goethite matrix (limonite) with quartz. Excellent specimens rarely seen in collections.

Aesthetic group of elongated, fan-shaped and very well defined prismatic crystals of malachite, it would seem to be primary but in my opinion it is a total pseudomorphic substitution after azurite crystals. Accompanied by a azurite brilliant crystal. The brightness is excellent, intense green color, forming divergent aggregates. They are disposed filling cavities of the goethite matrix (limonite). Excellent specimens rarely seen in collections.

Very rich group of elongated and very well defined prismatic crystals of malachite, it would seem to be primary but in my opinion it is a total pseudomorphic substitution after azurite crystals. The brightness is excellent, intense green color, forming divergent aggregates. They are disposed filling cavities of the goethite matrix (limonite). Excellent specimens rarely seen in collections.

Rich group of galena crystals those show facets of the cube, octahedron and dodecahedron in the edges. Very bright and interpenetrated, with a good size. They are accompanied by small crystals of quartz and pyrite. Specimens from these classic mines are difficult to see today. These mines are located in the mining area of La Carolina; the village of El Guindo is located about 8 kilometers from La Carolina, on the road to the also mining town of El Centenillo. The town is located next to the mine shafts of El Guindo and La Manzana, which constituted two of the most important works in the area.

Nowadays galena specimens from this Catalan mine are very difficult to be found. This piece of good size is formed by a compact group of galena crystals, with dominant octahedral faces very visible, together with some of the cube. It shows fissures due to the own tensions of the specimen, but that do not affect (they even add interest) to the sample. It is accompanied by dolomite and calcite. A Spanish classic from a classic collection.

A rich group of baryte crystals, with staggered stalactite growths, intense white, with defined faces and edges and forming a very displayable and aesthetic "crest". Really good size.

A huge size and aesthetic native copper, which shows an arborescent growths formed by copper crystals. They are partially covered by copper salt species, together with cuprite and quartz. A very displayable piece.

Well crystallized colorless to slightly pink spodumene crystal, with well defined terminal faces and parallel growths. The crystal is translucent with marked transparent areas. A good size gemmy specimen.

Specimen formed by a large group of aggregated nodules of variscite with concentric growths and apple green color. They are enclosed in a matrix with limonite. We can see the concentric structures in the natural fracture. Since its discovery in 1970, the Palazuelo de las Cuevas deposit became the "source" of variscite for the NW of the Iberian peninsula.

Very bright specimen formed by numerous hexagonal shape pyrrhotite crystals, accompanied by pyrite. A pyrite mine owned by Solmine. Closed before 1984. An old specimen from an Italian locality from where it is very difficult find specimens.

Specimen formed by a large group of aggregated nodules of variscite with concentric growths and apple green color. They are enclosed in a matrix with limonite. We can see the concentric structures in the natural fracture. Since its discovery in 1970, the Palazuelo de las Cuevas deposit became the "source" of variscite for the NW of the Iberian peninsula.

Specimen formed by a large group of aggregated nodules of variscite with concentric growths and apple green color. They are enclosed in a matrix with limonite. We can see the concentric structures in the natural fracture. Since its discovery in 1970, the Palazuelo de las Cuevas deposit became the "source" of variscite for the NW of the Iberian peninsula.

Well crystallized colorless to slightly pink spodumene crystal, with well defined terminal faces and parallel growths. The crystal is translucent with marked transparent areas.A gemmy specimen.

A huge size and aesthetic native copper, which shows an arborescent growths formed by copper crystals. They are partially covered by copper salt species, together with cuprite. A very displayable piece.

An aesthetic native copper of good size and very aerial, which shows an arborescent growth formed by flattened crystals. It is partially coated with copper salt species, together with cuprite. A very displayable piece.

Excellent specimen of vanadinite formed by several medium-sized crystals, on which groups of larger crystals have been grown. They show the shapes of the hexagonal prism, with slightly striated faces, and with smooth pinacoidal faces. The brilliance and color are more than exceptional. It presents a very intense garnet red color in the central areas of the prism and a redder tone in the pinacoids. Under the incident light it is spectacular. This specimen comes from the ACF shaft, in Mibladen, and was mined on February 6, 2018 and we were very lucky to be there. Pieces with this crystal size and quality are very unusual...
Enjoy the specimen in YOUTUBE: https://youtu.be/pmpvMTamxPU

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Very esthetic and historical specimen formed by crystals of cerussite, transparent to translucent, with an unusual brightness, elongated prisms, rich in faces and some twins. Closely observed, it becomes a crystallographic pleasure. From a classic Moroccan mine from where nowadays is not easy to find samples with this quality.

Aesthetic and historic specimen of anglesite, formed by a well developed tabular crystal, lanceolated, very rich in faces, with various rhombic prisms facets and striated pinacoids. It presents an excellent transparence and good brilliance. It is disposed on a galena matrix accompanied by other crystals of the same species. A pleasure to enjoy the crystallography of the piece. An ancient specimen of the former Manchión collection.

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Very esthetic good size specimen of native silver from Imiter. Interesting for its quality, brightness and because it is not acidified, as is usual in many specimens of this type. It is formed by numerous wire and filiform aggregates of native silver, in a loop, with a slightly bronze color and accompanied by metallic gray acanthite. An excellent piece that shows us the silver of Imiter in its most natural state.

Novelty obtained on my last trip to Morocco (02/2018). These are brilliant aggregates of gold formed by numerous crystals rich in faces, curved faces and disposed on a matrix of quartz. The SEM-EDS analyzes show that this gold contains a small percentage of silver (<1% weight). They are accompanied by fibrous aggregates of malachite and gray bornite crystals. This specimen stands out for the contrast between the brilliant gold and the green/gray matrix. An exceptional piece. Bleida is a mine located on the eastern rim of the Bou Azzer district.

Novelty obtained on my last trip to Morocco (02/2018). These are brilliant aggregates of gold formed by numerous crystals rich in faces, curved faces and disposed on a matrix of quartz. The SEM-EDS analyzes show that this gold contains a small percentage of silver (<1% weight). They are accompanied by fibrous aggregates of malachite and gray bornite crystals. This specimen stands out for the contrast between the brilliant gold and the green/gray matrix. An exceptional piece. Bleida is a mine located on the eastern rim of the Bou Azzer district.

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Montejícar is located midway between Granada and Jaén, in the northern limit of the province of Granada. This area is known among mineral collectors for the excellent quartz, smoked to morion, doubly terminated and with very poorly developed prism faces, which gives them a characteristic dipyramidal shape. These specimens are found in banded gypsum and marl from the Trias in a Keuper facies characteristic of the Cortijo Cañadas, in the N of the Montejícar municipal district. In the area there are some interesting ruins of plaster kilns.