A rich group of quartz crystals, brilliant, transparent and with a very delicate and aesthetic smoky tone. They show well-defined prism and complex forms in top faces. They are disposed on a rocky matrix with albite. Talèfre glacier is located in the heart of the Mont Blanc massif.

Size: 9.5 x 7.3 x 4.6 cm.
Main crystal: 23 x 8 mm.
Found in 07-08/2014.

Globular growths of barrel-shaped orange yellow to green crystals with a good luster. The crystals are on a matrix with small crystals of quartz.

Size: 7.6 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 5 x 5 mm. aggr.
Found in 2010.

In this floater specimen we can observe a group of quartz crystals, two of them clearly dominant, with well defined faces and edges. We see a well-developed prism with rhombohedral terminal and trapezohedron faces. Transparence and brilliance are both excellent and with a very uniform smoky tone.

Size: 6.2 x 4.7 x 4.3 cm.
Main crystal: 35 x 28 mm.
Found in 2014.

In this specimen we can observe a group of quartz crystals with well defined faces and edges. We see a well-developed prism with rhombohedral terminal and trapezohedron faces. Transparence and brilliance are both excellent and with a very uniform smoky tone. It is not easy to find specimens from this Alpine quartz locality.
Note:  Le Règne Minèral. Minèralogie du Massif du Mont-Blanc. Hors Sèrìe V, 1999.

Size: 8.4 x 5.4 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 50 x 32 mm.
Found in 2014.

A very aesthetic group of very sharp quartz crystals with a uniform smoky tone, more intense in terminal rhombohedron, well developed prism followin main axis. From a classic Mont-blanc area for this species.

Size: 7.4 x 6.5 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 72 x 25 mm.
Found in 2014.

In this floater specimen we can observe a rich group of quartz crystals, one of them dominant, with well defined faces and edges. We see a well-developed prism with rhombohedral terminal and trapezohedron faces. Transparence and brilliance are both excellent and with a very uniform smoky tone. It is not easy to find specimens from this Alpine quartz locality.
Note:  Le Règne Minèral. Minèralogie du Massif du Mont-Blanc. Hors Sèrìe V, 1999.

Size: 7.2 x 7.3 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 74 x 41 mm.
Found in 2015.

Very rich group of azurite crystals, with deep-blue color and very bright. Disposed on the matrix as isolated crystals or in rosettes. Good luster and transparence. Observed under the microscope they show an excellent composition. This specimen is from a classic French mine: Cap Garonne. This mines are well known for the rich paragenesis of rare species. Today it is impossible to collect specimens as closed as mining museum.

Size: 4.8 x 4.0 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 3 x 2 mm.

Druse formed by a rich group of cubic fluorite crystals with a yellowish tone, with geometrical zoning color, more violet in some outer edges. Noted for its definition. Translucent and dull luster. This deposit has some similarities with those of Asturias in Spain. A representative and quality specimen for this not well represented in collections French locality.

Size: 9.3 x 7.4 x 6.0 cm.
Main crystal: 27 x 25 mm.

Botryoidal aggregates formed by goethite microcrystals, with a delicate velvety appearance with color zoning that varies between brown garnet to dark gray. In section we can observe the radial arrangement of goethite crystals. The matrix is a mixture of goethite with some siderite rhombohedrons and quartz. These specimens are from a recent find in the Mont-Roc mine, that is known for the French mineralogy for its brilliant goethites and fluorite.

Size: 11.5 x 7.5 x 5.0 cm.
Found in 2014.

A very aesthetic stalactitic specimen formed by a rich group of metatorbernite crystals. They present polysynthetic and echeloned growth of well-defined tetragonal crystals, with the characteristic green color. Under LW-UV we can observe the presence of a greenish-yellow intense fluorescence that indicates the presence of other species. SEM-EDS analysis have characterized this species as meta-autunite. We can say that the metatorbernite species is replacing the meta-autunite, as we can observe as a color gradation in some tabular crystals or in fresh fracture. This specimen come from late 90's finds in this classic French mine. Ex-col. A. Pouget.

Both, meta-autunite and metatorbernite, are dehydrated phases of the autunite and torbernite. The loss of water molecules, those are present in the crystal structure of these species, is a common fact when the specimen is extracted from the mine.

Size: 6.2 x 3.5 x 2.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1997.

Especies analizadas/Analyzed species
Fluorescent under long wave UV

A stalactitic shape specimen formed by metatorbernite crystals. They present polysynthetic growth of tetragonal crystals, with the characteristic green color. Under LW-UV we can observe the presence of a greenish-yellow intense fluorescence that indicates the presence of other species. SEM-EDS analysis have characterized this species as meta-autunite. We can say that the metatorbernite species is replacing the meta-autunite, as we can observe as a color gradation in some tabular crystals or in fresh fracture. We will send analysis to the buyer. This specimen come from late 90's finds in this classic French mine. Ex-col. A. Pouget.

Both, meta-autunite and metatorbernite, are dehydrated phases of the autunite and torbernite. The loss of water molecules, those are present in the crystal structure of these species, is a common fact when the specimen is extracted from the mine.

Size: 5.7 x 5.0 x 4.3 cm.
Main crystal: 6 x 5 mm.
Found in ca. 1997.

Especies analizadas/Analyzed species
Fluorescent under long wave UV

A very aesthetic specimen formed by a rich group of metatorbernite crystals. They present polysynthetic and echeloned growth of well-defined tetragonal crystals, with the characteristic green color. Under LW-UV we can observe that the yellow crystals show a greenish-yellow intense fluorescence. SEM-EDS analysis have characterized this species as meta-autunite. We can say that the metatorbernite species is replacing the meta-autunite, as we can observe as a color gradation in some tabular crystals or in fresh fracture. We will send analysis to the buyer. This specimen come from late 90's finds in this classic French mine. Ex-col. A. Pouget.

Both, meta-autunite and metatorbernite, are dehydrated phases of the autunite and torbernite. The loss of water molecules, those are present in the crystal structure of these species, is a common fact when the specimen is extracted from the mine.

Size: 6.5 x 6.0 x 5.7 cm.
Main crystal: 7 x 6 mm.
Found in ca. 1997.

Especies analizadas/Analyzed species
Fluorescent under long wave UV

A very aesthetic specimen formed by a rich group of metatorbernite crystals. They present polysynthetic and echeloned growth of well-defined tetragonal crystals, with the characteristic green color. Under LW-UV we can observe the presence of a greenish-yellow intense fluorescence that indicates the presence of other species. SEM-EDS analysis have characterized this species as meta-autunite. We can say that the metatorbernite species is replacing the meta-autunite, as we can observe as a color gradation in some tabular crystals or in fresh fracture. We will send analysis to the buyer. This specimen come from late 90's finds in this classic French mine. Ex-col. A. Pouget.

Both, meta-autunite and metatorbernite, are dehydrated phases of the autunite and torbernite. The loss of water molecules, those are present in the crystal structure of these species, is a common fact when the specimen is extracted from the mine.

Size: 7.2 x 4.8 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 9 mm.
Found in ca. 1997.

Especies analizadas/Analyzed species
Fluorescent under long wave UV

A very aesthetic specimen formed by a rich group of metatorbernite crystals. They present polysynthetic and echeloned growth of well-defined tetragonal crystals, with the characteristic green color. Under LW-UV we can observe the presence of a greenish-yellow intense fluorescence that indicates the presence of other species. SEM-EDS analysis have characterized this species as meta-autunite. We can say that the metatorbernite species is replacing the meta-autunite, as we can observe as a color gradation in some tabular crystals or in fresh fracture. We will send analysis to the buyer. With smoky quartz as host rock and matrix. This specimen come from late 90's finds in this classic French mine. Ex-col. A. Pouget.

Both, meta-autunite and metatorbernite, are dehydrated phases of the autunite and torbernite. The loss of water molecules, those are present in the crystal structure of these species, is a common fact when the specimen is extracted from the mine.

Size: 8.7 x 4.8 x 3.8 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 9 mm.
Found in ca. 1997.

Especies analizadas/Analyzed species
Fluorescent under long wave UV

A very aesthetic specimen formed by a rich group of metatorbernite crystals. They present polysynthetic and echeloned growth of well-defined tetragonal crystals, with the characteristic green color. Under LW-UV we can observe the presence of a greenish-yellow intense fluorescence that indicates the presence of other species. SEM-EDS analysis have characterized this species as meta-autunite. We can say that the metatorbernite species is replacing the meta-autunite, as we can observe as a color gradation in some tabular crystals or in fresh fracture. We will send analysis to the buyer. This specimen come from late 90's finds in this classic French mine. Ex-col. A. Pouget.

Both, meta-autunite and metatorbernite, are dehydrated phases of the autunite and torbernite. The loss of water molecules, those are present in the crystal structure of these species, is a common fact when the specimen is extracted from the mine.

Size: 7.2 x 5.5 x 4.0 cm.
Main crystal: 13 x 12 mm.
Found in ca. 1997.

Especies analizadas/Analyzed species
Fluorescent under long wave UV

Very exceptional group of bastnäsite-(Ce) crystals. Good size, defined faces and edges, transparence, brilliance... And perfectly disposed on a dolomite crystal matrix with talc. A rare opportunity to obtain a top quality specimen of this REE carbonate from this classic French talc quarry.

Size: 7.0 x 4.1 x 4.1 cm.
Main crystal: 8 x 7 mm.

It shows Pleochroism

Very exceptional group of bastnäsite-(Ce) crystals. Good size, defined faces and edges, transparence, brilliance... And perfectly disposed on a dolomite crystal matrix. A rare opportunity to obtain a top quality specimen of this REE carbonate from this classic French talc quarry.

Size: 7.0 x 6.5 x 5.7 cm.
Main crystal: 10 x 8 mm.

It shows Pleochroism

This specimen shows stalactític aggregates of rhodochrosite with a pink color. They are accompanied by brilliant botryoidal kentrolite, with a deep black color. It is a rare lead and manganese silicate. Nice specimen for the species and dedicated to systematic and French collectors.

Size: 6,5 x 5,5 x 3,5 cm.
Found in 11-2008.

This specimen is showing a very rich group of allanite-(Ce) crystals, disposed randomly on a cavity covered by dolomite and calcite. This mineral with Rare Earth Elements (REE) is a classic for this French quarry, in the Pyrenees. It shows very elongated prismatic crystals, with transparence and brown to toasted honey tones.

Size: 9,2 x 6,5 x 5,5 cm.
Main crystal: 6 x 1 mm.
Found in ±2004.

In this specimen we can observe a group of quartz crystals, one of them dominant, with well defined faces and edges. We see a well-developed prism with rhombohedral terminal faces and a possible small trapezohedron face. Transparence and brilliance are both excellent and with a very uniform smoky tone. It is not easy to find specimens of alpine smoky quartz at reasonable prices, without nicks, and less with this size.

Size: 9,2 x 9,0 x 6,0 cm.
Main crystal: 6,8 x 4,3 cm.
Found in 2012.

Group of very sharp flattened parallel growth of quartz crystals. Very transparent, with an excellent brilliance, transparence and with a visible "faden" growth that crosses it tip to tip.
It comes from a very recent find in the alpine valley of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, in France, near Italy and they could be considered between the best faden quartz crystals in Europe.

Size: 5,4 x 3,1 x 1,4 cm.
Found in 08-09/2013.

Group of very sharp flattened parallel growth of quartz crystals. Very transparent, with an excellent brilliance, transparence and with a visible "faden" growth that crosses it tip to tip.
It comes from a very recent find in the alpine valley of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, in France, near Italy and they could be considered between the best faden quartz crystals in Europe.

Size: 5,3 x 3,4 x 0,7 cm.
Found in 08-09/2013.

Group of a parallel growth of very sharp flattened quartz crystals. Very transparent, with an excellent brilliance, transparence and with a visible "faden" growth that crosses it tip to tip.
It comes from a very recent find in the alpine valley of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, in France, near Italy and they could be considered between the best faden quartz crystals in Europe.

Size: 5,0 x 2,9 x 0,7 cm.
Found in 08-09/2013.

Group of very sharp flattened parallel growth of quartz crystals. Very transparent, with an excellent brilliance, transparence and with a visible "faden" growth that crosses it tip to tip.
It comes from a very recent find in the alpine valley of Saint-Jean-de-Maurienne, in France, near Italy and they could be considered between the best faden quartz crystals in Europe.

Size: 7,4 x 2,0 x 0,8 cm.
Found in 08-09/2013.

No, it is not a Spanish aragonite, it is French. This specimen shows various crystals twinned and interpenetrating each other. They have a good brilliance and some transparence and color varies between from brown, reddish to colorless. With small red quartz crystals (Jacinto de Compostela), giving it a distinctive touch.  Dedicated to aragonite collectors.

Size: 4,4 x 3,9 x 3,7 cm.
Found in 1980's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV