Fluorite specimens from Sant Marçal mines usually appear as aggregates of cubic crystals, defined, sometimes sprinkled or partially covered by quartz crystals. Yellow to greenish tones are the usual ones. Specimens with violet to bluish or green colors (depending on the type of incident light) are much less frequent and highly appreciated by collectors. These specimens we offer were collected at the beginning of the 70s. In this specimen we can observe cubic crystals with this bluish to greenish tone, translucent and disposed on a characteristic ochy "pegmatite" matrix. They are partially covered with small but brilliant quartz crystals.

The Sant Marçal mines (also known as Matagalls mines) are located in the Montseny massif, on the eastern slope of the Matagalls peak (1,700 m). Mining works were carried out at 1,250 to 1,350 m of altitude. They were mined until the mid-90s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

 

 

Size: 9.3 x 5.1 x 4.9 cm.
Main crystal: 1.8 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Anglesite specimens from this classic Moroccan mine are quite difficult to find. In this piece we can see numerous lanceolated prismatic crystals of this lead sulphate, very brilliant, with well defined faces and edges, transparent and showing the natural yellow colour characteristic of this species and mine. They are disposed filling cavities in a galena matrix.

Size: 6.6 x 6.5 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm.

Various aggregates of quartz crystals, some doubly terminated, with transparence and brilliance, partially dotted with small reddish globules of hematite, which partially cover a matrix with bluish crystals of fluorite. These specimens that we offer were collected at the beginning of the 70s. The mines were exploited until the mid-90s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

Size: 4.4 x 4.2 x 2.6 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Classic locality

Good size specimen formed by a matrix with cubic fluorite crystals, colorless and very transparent. They are partially covered by aesthetic white tabular baryte crystals, peppered with small altered pyrite and chalcopyrite, some of them included in fluorite.

Size: 10.5 x 6.6 x 6.4 cm.
Found in ±1997.

Excol. L. Arguijo (L'Hospitalet de Llobregat).

In this Bolivian Andean mining area, around 2010-2013, a small area with antimony and silver ore was found, highlighting some specimens of stephanite, a silver sulfoantimonide. This floater specimen is formed by a group of interpenetrated crystals, with parallel growth, and showing orthorhombic prism shapes with striations and complex terminal faces. It is distinguished from pyrargyrite by being completely opaque to light, while the latter usually gives red colors (red silvers). An exceptional specimen reminiscent of the best and ancient Mexican stephanite, although this is from the Porco mine, the oldest and most significant silver mine in Bolivia.

Size: 2.2 x 1.4 x 1.1 cm.
Found in 2010-2013.

In this Bolivian Andean mining area, around 2010-2013, a small area with antimony and silver ore was found, highlighting some specimens of stephanite, a silver sulfoantimonide. This floater specimen is formed by a group of interpenetrated crystals, with parallel growth, and showing orthorhombic prism shapes with striations and complex terminal faces, some of them are doubly terminated. It is distinguished from pyrargyrite by being completely opaque to light, while the latter usually gives red colors (red silvers). An exceptional specimen reminiscent of the best and ancient Mexican stephanite, although this is from the Porco mine, the oldest and most significant silver mine in Bolivia.

Size: 1.7 x 1.5 x 1.1 cm.
Found in 2010-2013.

In this Bolivian Andean mining area, around 2010-2013, a small area with antimony and silver ore was found, highlighting some specimens of stephanite, a silver sulfoantimonide. This floater specimen is formed by a group of interpenetrated crystals, with parallel growth, and showing orthorhombic prism shapes with striations and complex terminal faces. It is distinguished from pyrargyrite by being completely opaque to light, while the latter usually gives red colors (red silvers). An exceptional specimen reminiscent of the best and ancient Mexican stephanite, although this is from the Porco mine, the oldest and most significant silver mine in Bolivia.

Size: 2 x 1.7 x 1.4 cm.
Found in 2010-2013.

Aesthetic sprays of acicular transparent natrolite crystals on vuggy basalt matrix. Very unusual specimen on the market fro this locality. Analyzed specimen SEM-EDS.

Size: 12.6 x 8 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 15 mm aggr.

Scolecite and aerinite specimens from this Aragonese area are known worldwide. This specimen shows us groups of acicular crystals forming radiated aggregates in the dolerite and that, when extracted, allow us to see their internal arrangement perfectly. White in color, with iron oxydes patina, and good brilliance. Samples of this quality and size are not common and even less so today.

Size: 10 x 7 x 5.1 cm.
Main crystal: 12 mm. aggreg.

Tabular lanceolated crystals of baryte, translucent in the core and opaline in the outer areas, interpenetrated and brilliant. They are disposed on a matrix formed by small siderite crystals and layering septarian cavities. An Aragonese mineral curiosity.

Size: 7.3 x 6.5 x 6.2 cm.
Found in 08/2014.

Tabular lanceolated crystals of baryte, translucent in the core and opaline in the outer areas, interpenetrated and brilliant. They are disposed on a matrix formed by small siderite crystals and layering septarian cavities. An Aragonese mineral curiosity.

Size: 7.3 x 6.1 x 5.7 cm.
Found in 08/2014.

Twinned cinnabar, with well defined faces and edges, red color slightly silvery, well formed and almost 2 cm in size. It is disposed in a very aesthetic way on dolomite crystals. At the time, this locality produced world-class specimens such as the one we offer. Simply spectacular.

Size: 7.4 x 5.5 x 5.2 cm.
Main crystal: 18 x 10 mm.

This specimen has a bit of history... The piece was acquired in May 1987 at a fair in Segovia that was held in the Lozoya tower. At that time the labels were rather "approximate". This specimen was labeled as "Poitiers" chalcedony. Looking for intertwined information between chalcedony and France, it turns out that there is a locality where similar chalcedonies appear, near Vienne, in Mauprévoir. Curiously, this locality is in a historical region named Poitou-Charentes (Peitau i Charantas in Occitan), which makes us think that the correct locality is Mauprévoir. Old and fine specimen.

Size: 7.6 x 6.4 x 4.5 cm.
Found in ±1987.

Excol. Juan M. Casanova

Very aesthetic specimen formed by several aggregates of vanadinite crystals, labeled as arsenical endlichite. Very well defined hexagonal prisms, beige in color, peppered with tiny but brilliant and well defined crystals of descloizite-mottramite, with dark honey tones. The descloizite-mottramite forms globules but also partially covers vanadinite crystals, especially on the pinacoidal faces and forming "half moons", a curiosity. These specimens from this Moroccan mine are not common.

Size: 6.7 x 5.9 x 3.3 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Smoky quartz crystal with parallel growths, bright, translucent, with intense smokiness and microcline. The quartz crystals from this quarry are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. Currently works are abandoned and it is difficult to find new specimens.

Size: 6.4 x 3.2 x 2.9 cm.
Found in ±2004.

Smoky quartz crystals in parallel growth. Translucent, with a uniform smoky tone, they alternate glossy and matt faces. The quartz crystals from this quarry are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. Currently works are abandoned and it is difficult to find new specimens.

Size: 7.4 x 4 x 3.8 cm.
Found in 04/2001.

Smoky quartz crystal on a microcline matrix. Translucent, with a uniform smoky tone, it alternates brilliant and matte faces. The quartz crystals from this quarry are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. Currently works are abandoned and it is difficult to find new specimens.

Size: 5.1 x 3.1 x 2.8 cm.

Microcline crystals in parallel growth. They show faces of the Baveno twin. The microcline crystals from this quarry are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. Currently works are abandoned and it is difficult to find new specimens.

Size: 5 x 2.6 x 2.4 cm.
Found in ±2004.

Microcline crystal with muscovite inclusions. It presents faces of the Baveno twin. The microcline crystals from this quarry are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. Currently works are abandoned and it is difficult to find new specimens.

Size: 4.5 x 4.3 x 3.2 cm.
Found in ±2004.

Microcline crystal with muscovite inclusions. It presents faces of the Baveno twin. The microcline crystals from this quarry are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. Currently works are abandoned and it is difficult to find new specimens.

Size: 4.7 x 4 x 2.8 cm.
Found in ±2003.

These specimens from the La Viesca mine are very rare and appeared in the middle of the last decade. It is a very bright specimen formed mainly by cubic fluorite crystals with polysynthetic growths on the faces and asymmetrically beveled edges, transparent and colorless. They are accompanied by bright and well-defined chalcopyrite crystals, along with complex and transparent honey-colored crystals of sphalerite. With galena and quartz. Highly prized for their rarity.

Size: 10 x 4.5 x 4.2 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.
Found in ±05/2012.

Group of magnetite crystals with octahedral shapes and polysynthetic growths on the faces, good luster and size. With pyrite crystals on the backside of the specimen. It belongs from the Lluis Manchion collection with a handwritten label.

Size: 6.5 x 6.5 x 5.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.2 cm.
Found in ±1984.

Ex col. Manchion (Barcelona).

Druse of cubic fluorite crystals, with the edges beveled by the dodecahedron, transparent to translucent, with a violet to bluish color depending on the type of light. Presents some exfoliation without affecting aesthetics. With quartz and some inclusions of chalcopyrite.

Size: 7 x 6.2 x 4.5 cm.

In a building works in Cal Gairal street, in the Rocabruna village (Bruguers, Gavà), a few specimens of intense green variscite were found forming veins in grey slates. Unfortunately when we were able to access these works, the exact place where these specimens were extracted from had already been filled and covered with concrete. Variscite had not been found in the Bruguers area for many decades, let alone with this quality. X-ray diffraction results indicated the presence of crandallite. We recommend the recently published book: "Mines i minerals de la serra de les Ferreres. Les mines de Rocabruna, Bruguers, Gavà" (Catalan language).

Size: 7.8 x 6.5 x 5.7 cm.
Main crystal: 7.5 mm. veta/vein.
Found in 18/05/2022.

Analyzed specimen with report

In a building works in Cal Gairal street, in the Rocabruna village (Bruguers, Gavà), a few specimens of intense green variscite were found forming veins in grey slates. Unfortunately when we were able to access these works, the exact place where these specimens were extracted from had already been filled and covered with concrete. Variscite had not been found in the Bruguers area for many decades, let alone with this quality. X-ray diffraction results indicated the presence of crandallite. We recommend the recently published book: "Mines i minerals de la serra de les Ferreres. Les mines de Rocabruna, Bruguers, Gavà" (Catalan language).

Size: 7.8 x 6.7 x 5 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm. veta/vein.
Found in 18/05/2022.

Analyzed specimen with report