Dundasite is an unusual lead and aluminum hydroxycarbonate, which is formed as a secondary mineral in the oxidation zone of lead deposits. This Pyrenean locality is very interesting for its diverse paragenesis. In this specimen we observe under the magnifying glass numerous and aesthetic aggregates of dundasite as acicular crystals of silky luster, some slightly bluish due to their Cu content, contrasting on the matrix.

Size: 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.4 cm.
Found in 2018.

Analyzed specimen with report

Rich group of dolomite rhombohedral crystals, very well defined faces and edges, with luster on the faces not covered by a thin patina of dolomite with a more brown tone. Presents some exfoliated crystal, when mined. A piece of good size and aesthetics from this classic Spanish locality.

Size: 9.5 x 8 x 7 cm.
Main crystal: 2.3 cm.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Rich group of cubic fluorite crystals, very sharp, transparent and with a greenish to yellow tone very characteristic of these fluorites. This specimen is from the mines of Sant Marçal (also called of the Matagalls Mt.), located in the massif of El Montseny. Nowadays not many samples are seen with this quality. A classic of the Catalan Mineralogy.

 

Size: 9 x 8 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 2.7 x 2.3 cm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Rich group of sharp fluorite crystals, cubic, with polysynthetic growths on the faces. The colour between violet to bluish-grayish, unusual in this mine. Translucent, allowing to see the color zoning. Good size.

Size: 8 x 7.5 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 22 mm.

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat).

This specimen is interesting because of the cavity in the matrix, where bright red cinnabar crystals stand out. They are accompanied by lenticular baryte crystals. An old specimen from the Arguijo collection.

Size: 8 x 5.7 x 3 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat).

Tyrolite specimens from the Amorosa mine are a classic of Spanish mineralogy. In the cavities of the dolomitic matrix we find esthetic and brilliant aggregates of tabular, foliaceous crystals of tyrolite. The SEM-EDS analysis of this sample are consistent with those of other deposits, showing the presence of S and Zn in its composition. It is accompanied by chenevixite, an arsenate of copper and iron, olive green colour. We will send detailed analysis to the buyer.

Size: 8.3 x 5.5 x 3.8 cm.

Col. M. Marí y A. García (Castelló).
Analyzed specimen with report

Almandine crystal, faceted, with forms of the dodecahedron, and rounded edges. The back side is the contact with matrix or other crystals. A classic of Spanish mineralogy, nowadays very difficult to see.

Size: 5.5 x 5 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 2.8 cm. arista/edge
Found in ±1975.

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat).
Classic locality

An esthetic specimen, cubic fluorite crystalsfluorite, with beveled edges, of blue to purple tone according to the incident light. They present some nips when extracted. Disposed on a matrix of baryte crystals covered by small brilliant quartz crystals.

Size: 7.6 x 5 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 20 x 19 mm / 18 x 15 mm.

Very rich specimen formed by several rosettes of tabular to lenticular azurite crystals, intense color and contrasting on the matrix, with quartz. Its origin is due to the alteration of the chalcopyrite and are disposed on a silicified limestone matrix. Very good piece for the locality.

Size: 8 x 5.4 x 4.4 cm.

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat)

Radial aggregates of ferro-pargasite with an intense luster and very deep green colour. Accompanied in the granatite matrix with epidote crystals and orange calcite. The ferro-pargasite of this deposit is the dominant amphibole in the granatite fissures, although it was classified as hastingsite according to data provided by the exploiting company (according to Miguel Calvo in Minerales de España, vol. IX); for this reason surely the label that accompanies this sample classifies it as hastingsite.

Size: 10 x 8.5 x 2.5 cm.
Main crystal: 35 mm fibr.
Found in ±1988

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat)

Fibrous aggregate of tremolite crystals, very brilliant and with an olive green colour. They are accompanied by prismatic crystals of darker green actinolite and orange calcite. Good size and representative for the locality and the species. The Manuel-Mercedes open pit is embedded in the granitic intrusions that were accompanied by contact metamorphism and gave rise to the formation of the skarn, with important deposits of magnetite.

Size: 8.5 x 7 x 5.2 cm.

This sample has, for me, both a collection and scientific interest. It is a sample of cinnabar "veins" in its host rock, which has been perfectly polished to be able to see the structures of this breccia. Intense red colors of cinnabar snaking between fragments of quartzite impregnated with cinnabar, isolated crystals of pyrite and veins of dolomite. A true curiosity from Almaden to study under the magnifying glass.

Size: 6.5 x 5 x 1.4 cm.

This specimen shows an interesting group formed by a bluish, very bright botryodal chalcedony, which is partially covered by aggregates of calcite crystals, flattened, in axial growth, and with an excellent transparency and brightness. A worthy specimen of this near to disapeared quarry, close to the San Valentín quarry. A very aesthetic piece of this classic Murcia mining area.

Size: 7.8 x 6.4 x 4.6 cm.
Found in ±1988

Group of fluorite crystals showing sharp edges and cube faces with polysynthetic growths. Good color, intense between purple to violet, depending on the incident light and with geometric colour zoning.

Size: 7.5 x 3.7 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 3.7 cm.
Found in ±1980

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat)

Group of fluorite crystals showing sharp edges and cube faces with polysynthetic growths. Good color, intense between purple to violet, depending on the incident light and with geometric colour zoning.

Size: 6.2 x 6 x 4.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm.

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat)

Very curious specimen formed by several cubic crystals of halite, some with hoppered growth forms, bright and translucent. A very aesthetic neoformation of these "salinas" (saltworks). Although it is believed that the Romans, in the s. I AD, they already extracted salt from the area, the saltworks of Imón were built in the 10th century and have been exploited intermittently for centuries. In 2015 they returned to production with the construction of new pools of enormous dimensions.

Size: 9 x 5.5 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 20 x 15 mm.
Found in ±2014

In the eastern part of the beach of Lapari there are the known septaria of Deba. The reef may have about 15 m, but it is not distinguished from the rest of the marly formation of the black flysch of Deba beach. The first publications on the septaria of Deba date from 1958. The upper part of the site has been totally destroyed by works, and in the part of the beach, foreign and local collectors collected numerous specimens. Currently this area has been declared of special protection within the coastal biotope Deba-Zumaia so the collection of septaria is absolutely prohibited [link]. Polished section.

Size: 5 x 4.8 x 1 cm.
Found in ±1970

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de L.)

In this specimen, we observed some sulfide aggregates very characteristic of Las Cruces mine. They were partially covered with calcite and under it appear groups of very brilliant chalcocite crystals. But the most interesting part of this specimen are the small, very brilliant crystals those cover sulphides. It is an unusual species: Luzonite. Luzonite is a rare copper sulfoarsenide. I have made the relevant analysis that yields consistent results: S 35.19%, Cu 41.82%, As 22.99% (%wt). You can find more information at espiadellabo.com.

Size: 8 x 6.5 x 4.7 cm.

Analyzed specimen with report

Druse of very sharp baryte crystals showing developed and striated prismatic faces, truncated by pinacoids. The crystals are translucent, and color varies between colorless to yellowish. Excellent brilliance. Similar specimens were classified, many years ago, as hokutolite (a lead-rich baryte variety) but further analysis showed that there was only a minor lead content.

Size: 10.2 x 6.5 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.
Found in ±1975

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de L.)

Druse of very sharp baryte crystals showing developed and striated prismatic faces, truncated by pinacoids. The crystals are translucent, and color varies between colorless to yellowish. Excellent brilliance. Similar specimens were classified, many years ago, as hokutolite (a lead-rich baryte variety) but further analysis showed that there was only a minor lead content.

Size: 7.5 x 6 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 6-7 mm.
Found in ±1975

Col. A. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat).
Analyzed specimen with report

Druse of small quartz crystals, some doubly terminated, partially covered by white kaolinite. Peppered by several anatase crystals, with dipyramidal faces, truncated by basal pinacoid. Very sharp, translucent and with a toasted honey tone. Very aesthetic and rare in the market.
It is interesting to say that recent analysis of the reddish ashlars of the Torre Nueva (New Tower) of the Astorga cathedral indicated that these building materials were extracted from this Cantera del Moro during XVIIth and XVIIIth centuries.

Size: 10 x 9 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 mm.

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

Aesthetic vanadinite specimen, really good for the locality. We can observe crowned prismatic crystals with color zonació and intense brightness. An interesting article on MR: Leon, M. and Liso, M.J. (1996): Vanadinite from the Gerty Mine Badajoz Spain. Mineralogical Record, 27(5), 381-384.

Size: 5.5 x 4.8 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 3 mm.

Specimen formed by small rounded crystals of smithsonite, with an intense pink color. These specimens stand out for the town and its intense color. The mine is now closed and in the process of restoration to make a part visitable.

Size: 8.8 x 4 x 3.4 cm.
Found in 2018.

A historical specimen of this classic mine. Various tabular baryte crystals peppered by small but brilliant and well-shaped cinnabar crystals. These specimens are very difficult to find today.

Size: 6.5 x 5 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ±1984.

Col. Manchion #97, 04/1984, J. Viñals.
Classic locality