This specimen belongs from a very rare location from an active quarry in Northern Ireland. It consists of a druse of white analcime with minor amounts of basalt as a matrix. Very unusual in the market. With an old label from Mikon.

Size: 5.9 x 4.4 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 8 mm.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

An old-time pseudomorph from the St. Austell District of Cornwall. A very sharp, doubly terminated, Carlsbad-twinned orthoclase crystal has been pseudomorphed by kaolinite. Great old classic material from Cornwall. The piece, adquired to Bailey, is from the collection of Joan Astor and comes with his label.

Size: 6.2 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

These aggregates of hexagonal gmelinite crystals are a classic of Northern Ireland mineralogy. In this specimen we can enjoy a vacuole covered by orange crystals, very well defined and brilliant. They are accompanied by small analcime crystals, richly faceted and transparent. Gmelinite specimens from this quarry were analyzed by X-ray fluorescence and SEM-EDS by Stephen Moreton. The results indicated that both gmelinite-Ca and gmelinite-Na are present and even zoned in the same crystal.

Size: 7.9 x 7.4 x 3.2 cm.
Main crystal: 4.3 mm.

Ex. Erich Laskowski col.

This specimen is a fine sample of harmotome from the Bellsgrove quarry in Scotland, a locality that has produced excellent pieces of this zeolite. On a calcite matrix with honey to greenish tones, several richly faceted crystals of harmotome are disposed. Between transparent and translucent, and of a remarkable size for the species. Exploitation of a notable baryte vein (Strontian Main) destroyed the Middleshop mines and was renamed as Strontian Barytes Mine, now called as Bellsgrove Quarry. It is accompanied by the seller's label.

 

Size: 8 x 4.7 x 4.7 cm
Main crystal: 10 mm.

Ex. Erich Laskowski col.

Group of cubic fluorite crystals with transparence and a very aesthetic yellowish-green tone. This specimen is tagged as belonging from Wales, but we have not found information on similar specimens. The piece, from the Joan Astor collection, dates from 1975 and was acquired from Sr. Montal. It is most likely an ancient specimen from the Weardale mines.

Size: 7.3 x 4.7 x 5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.7 cm.
Found in ca. 1975.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Fluorescent under long wave UV

An interesting specimen of turquoise (variety rashleighite) from the Cornwall mines. Formerly, rashleighite was an approved species, now it is defined as a turquoise with a certain iron content, intermediate between chalcosiderite and turquoise. This sample shows a sky blue crust aggregates, with cavities with crystals and a quartz matrix. A Cornish classic from the collection of Joan Astor (Barcelona) and, previously, from Martín Oliete (Madrid), a well-known systematic collector.

Size: 4.7 x 4.1 x 3.2 cm.
Found in ± 1984.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona). Col. Martín Oliete (Madrid).
Classic locality

Group of fluorite crystals from this classic English mine, presents the shapes of the cube, interpenetrated and some twinned. Good transparence and very characteristic green color. This sample is photographed in some books that Joan Astor published in issuu [online pág. 34]. It was acquired in 1980 from Bailey Minerals (Ángel Jesús Talabán García, Segovia 1942-Madrid 2007). A very aesthetic piece.

Size: 6.8 x 3.5 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm. edge/arista
Found in 1970-80's.

Col. Joan Astor.
Fluorescent under long wave UV

Rich group of prismatic pyromorphite crystals, of an intense green color and forming radial aggregates. This specimen comes from this not well-known mine, one of the most remote in central Wales. The first works date from 1854, and continued to be exploited intermittently until 1896. Total registered production is 3271 tons of lead ore. Sphalerite and marcasite are relatively common species, while pyromorphite is rare. The specimen comes from the former Joan Astor collection and was purchased from Montal in 1977. With old labels.

Size: 5 x 4 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.
Found in 1970's.

Col. Joan Astor.

Group of volkovskite crystals in parallel growth, colorless, transparent, with inclusions of hilgardite providing a bit of red color to the edges. This specimen comes from a finding that was recovered by a worker in the mine a years ago. Volkovskite is a very rare potassium and calcium chloroborate. Specimens of this size are very rare. Undoubtedly it is the best locality. We have analyzed by SEM-EDS this sample and we will send the results to the buyer.

Size: 4 x 2.2 x 0.4 cm.

Analyzed specimen with report

Rich group of tabular hematite crystals, very brilliant and forming very aesthetic rosettes. Pepper by small quartz crystals. They are disposed on a matrix of solid hematite. This hematite mine is located southeast of Egremont and was operated from 1903 until its closure in 1973. This aesthetic piece comes from an unidentified German collection.

Size: 4.6 x 4.5 x 2.4 cm.

Very rich hilgardite specimen showing a reddish-colored sharp crystals. They are covering a layer of boracite crystals, as a matrix. Both boracite and hilgardite, are magnesium and calcium chloroborates respectively. This mine, which is located east of Loftus, near Easington, is worked to obtain sodium and potassium salts. When miners find veins of these borates, the rock becomes very hard, which is a problem for exploitation and a joy for collectors. This English mineral classics are not usual in the market.

Size: 4 x 3.2 x 3 cm.

Classic locality

Specimens of boracite from this English mine show a pale bluish tone, with complex forms of the tetrahedron, modified by the cube and the dodecahedron, and stepped growths. Between transparent to translucent. They are accompanied by colorless hexagonal tabular crystals of magnesite and aggregates of reddish-colored hilgardite crystals. Boracite shows reddish hues due to hilgardite inclusions.
Both boracite and hilgardite, are magnesium and calcium chloroborates respectively. This mine, which is located east of Loftus, near Easington, is worked to obtain sodium and potassium salts. When miners find veins of these borates, the rock becomes very hard, which is a problem for exploitation and a joy for collectors. This English mineral classics are not usual in the market.

Size: 5 x 4.6 x 4.4 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.

Classic locality

Specimens of boracite from this English mine show a pale bluish tone, with complex forms of the tetrahedron, modified by the cube and the dodecahedron, and stepped growths. Between transparent to translucent. They are accompanied by colorless hexagonal tabular crystals of magnesite and aggregates of reddish-colored hilgardite crystals. Boracite shows reddish hues due to hilgardite inclusions.
Both boracite and hilgardite, are magnesium and calcium chloroborates respectively. This mine, which is located east of Loftus, near Easington, is worked to obtain sodium and potassium salts. When miners find veins of these borates, the rock becomes very hard, which is a problem for exploitation and a joy for collectors. This English mineral classics are not usual in the market.

Size: 7.8 x 5.2 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 4 mm.

Classic locality

Specimens of boracite from this English mine show a pale bluish tone, with complex forms of the tetrahedron, modified by the cube and the dodecahedron, and stepped growths. Between transparent to translucent. They are accompanied by colorless hexagonal tabular crystals of magnesite and aggregates of reddish-colored hilgardite crystals. Boracite shows reddish hues due to hilgardite inclusions.
Both boracite and hilgardite, are magnesium and calcium chloroborates respectively. This mine, which is located east of Loftus, near Easington, is worked to obtain sodium and potassium salts. When miners find veins of these borates, the rock becomes very hard, which is a problem for exploitation and a joy for collectors. This English mineral classics are not usual in the market.

Size: 7.5 x 6 x 2.4 cm.
Main crystal: 3 mm.

Classic locality

Specimens of boracite from this English mine show a pale bluish tone, with complex forms of the tetrahedron, modified by the cube and the dodecahedron, and stepped growths. Between transparent to translucent. They are accompanied by colorless hexagonal tabular crystals of magnesite and aggregates of reddish-colored hilgardite crystals. Boracite shows reddish hues due to hilgardite inclusions.
Both boracite and hilgardite, are magnesium and calcium chloroborates respectively. This mine, which is located east of Loftus, near Easington, is worked to obtain sodium and potassium salts. When miners find veins of these borates, the rock becomes very hard, which is a problem for exploitation and a joy for collectors. This English mineral classics are not usual in the market.

Size: 8.4 x 5.2 x 2 cm.
Main crystal: 2 mm.

This English specimen shows us a group of calcite crystals, one of them of larger size, interpenetrated, twinned, with a color between honey to white. With defined faces and edges, translucent. In the back it shows a exfoliated part. A sample from a mine not well represented in collections. From the Adrian collection, a dealer and collector from the United Kingdom. Label will be send with specimen.

Size: 9 x 6.4 x 6 cm.
Found in 09/1982

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Brewsterite belongs to the group of zeolites, but it is an unusual species. This specimen comes from the type locality for the species. The sample is partially covered with prismatic crystals, transparent to translucent (a wonder under magnifying glass), very defined and forming aesthetic aggregates.

Found in ±2009

Rich group of pyromorphite crystals, of intense color with hexagonal forms in barrel. It comes from an English mine not well represented in collections. ittle is known about the early history but it was connected to the Boat Level by a shaft for drainage so was probably first worked in the early 19th Century. There is a reference to it working in 1866. In the 1960s, 7 levels by the road were being worked on a small scale for barite.

Size: 6,5 x 4,6 x 3,8 cm
Main crystal: 3 mm

Excol. Paul Nicholson #2237

Very curious specimen of hydroxylapophyllite-(K) formed by numerous crystals inside a geode resembling a nodule. They are accompanied by small needles of calcite very fluorescent (bluish).

Size: 6.5 x 3.8 x 3.5 cm,
Main crystal: 6 x 6 mm.
Found in 2017.

Calcite is fluorescent under LW-UV.

The Greenlaws mine is located in Weardale, in the northern Pennines of England, south of the small town of Daddry Shield. Around we find famous mines such as Rogerly, Boltsburn or Heights... This Greenlaws mine was worked for the galena between 1840 and 1901, being one of the most important lead mines in the area. In 2009 a group of collectors started the "Greenlaws mining project". After almost 5 years digging out the vertical shaft over 80 meters (270 ft) appeared the first specimens of fluorite, ending 2013.
This specimens we propose has been extracted from vugs found in a new connecting tunnel at 270 ft, between main shaft to a second contiguous adit. Good brilliance, transparence, with geometric color zoning that varies between purple to blue according to the incident light. With defined faces and edges and these characteristic whitish internal structures. Extremely fluorescent.

Size: 11 x 10.5 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 14 x 12 mm.
Found in 07/2018.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

This specimen was worked from the area known as Great Limestone Flats. Crystals of good size, brightness, with intense geometric color zoning, that varies from purple to blue according to incident light. With defined faces and edges and these characteristic whitish internal structures. Accompanied by samll siderite crystals and galena. Extremely fluorescent.
The Greenlaws mine is located in Weardale, in the northern Pennines of England, south of the small town of Daddry Shield. Around we find famous mines such as Rogerly, Boltsburn or Heights... This Greenlaws mine was worked for the galena between 1840 and 1901, being one of the most important lead mines in the area. In 2009 a group of collectors started the "Greenlaws mining project". After almost 5 years digging out the vertical shaft over 80 meters (270 ft) appeared the first specimens of fluorite, ending 2013.

Size: 8.8 x 6.5 x 4.2 cm.
Main crystal: 25 x 22 mm.
Found in 2017.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

The Greenlaws mine is located in Weardale, in the northern Pennines of England, south of the small town of Daddry Shield. Around we find famous mines such as Rogerly, Boltsburn or Heights... This Greenlaws mine was worked for the galena between 1840 and 1901, being one of the most important lead mines in the area. In 2009 a group of collectors started the "Greenlaws mining project". After almost 5 years digging out the vertical shaft over 80 meters (270 ft) appeared the first specimens of fluorite, ending 2013.
This specimens we propose has been extracted from vugs found in a new connecting tunnel at 270 ft, between main shaft to a second contiguous adit. Good brilliance, transparence, with geometric color zoning that varies between purple to blue according to the incident light. With defined faces and edges and these characteristic whitish internal structures. Extremely fluorescent.

Size: 7.5 x 6.5 x 6.4 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 16 mm.
Found in 07/2018.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

The Greenlaws mine is located in Weardale, in the northern Pennines of England, south of the small town of Daddry Shield. Around we find famous mines such as Rogerly, Boltsburn or Heights... This Greenlaws mine was worked for the galena between 1840 and 1901, being one of the most important lead mines in the area. In 2009 a group of collectors started the "Greenlaws mining project". After almost 5 years digging out the vertical shaft over 80 meters (270 ft) appeared the first specimens of fluorite, ending 2013.
This specimens we propose has been extracted from vugs found in a new connecting tunnel at 270 ft, between main shaft to a second contiguous adit. Good brilliance, transparence, with geometric color zoning that varies between purple to blue according to the incident light. With defined faces and edges and these characteristic whitish internal structures. Extremely fluorescent.

Size: 6.7 x 6.2 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 14 mm.
Found in 07/2018.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

The Greenlaws mine is located in Weardale, in the northern Pennines of England, south of the small town of Daddry Shield. Around we find famous mines such as Rogerly, Boltsburn or Heights... This Greenlaws mine was worked for the galena between 1840 and 1901, being one of the most important lead mines in the area. In 2009 a group of collectors started the "Greenlaws mining project". After almost 5 years digging out the vertical shaft over 80 meters (270 ft) appeared the first specimens of fluorite, ending 2013.
This specimens we propose has been extracted from vugs found in a new connecting tunnel at 270 ft, between main shaft to a second contiguous adit. Good brilliance, transparence, with geometric color zoning that varies between purple to blue according to the incident light. With defined faces and edges and these characteristic whitish internal structures. Extremely fluorescent.

Size: 7.5 x 5 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 14 x 12 mm.
Found in 07/2018.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

An aesthetic fluorite specimen showing a violet tone turned to pink, crystals very clear, transparent and arranged on tiny quartz crystals. But what makes this piece special is the triple interpenetrating spinel twin that shows the largest group of crystals. Others crystals show double interpenetration of two individuals. Very fluorescent under LW-UV. A more than remarkable piece.

Size: 8.2 x 6.3 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 12 mm.

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