Group of pyromorphite crystals with a brownish to green color, with very well defined hexagonal shapes and well defined faces and edges. On rocky matrix. It comes from a classic Spanish mine and from which good quality specimens have come out. An aesthetic miniature.

Size: 3.2 x 2.5 x 2 cm.
Main crystal: 6.5 mm.

Classic locality

Group of pyromorphite crystals with a brownish green color, with very well defined hexagonal shapes and well defined faces and edges. It comes from a classic Spanish mine and from which good quality specimens have come out. An aesthetic miniature.

Size: 3.3 x 3 x 2.4 cm.
Main crystal: 1 cm.

Classic locality

Group of cubic fluorite crystals, brilliant, transparent and with a yellow color with zoning, more orange in the core of some of the crystals. Dotted with small beveled cubic crystals of pyrite. The back side is fully upholstered in pyrite.

Size: 8.5 x 6.6 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 7.5 mm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).

Good size smoky quartz crystal. Defined, bright and with "ghost" shapes inside. An old piece from a classic Catalan locality.

Size: 6.4 x 5.1 x 3.9 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Col. Manchion (Barcelona).

Fehrite is a recent new species found in Almeria (Spain). Some years ago (2012) we identified this species in the Les Ferreres mine (Camprodon) but unfortunatelly we didn't have enough sample to finish detrmination and structural studies. Recently we found some more samples and the characterization was carried out based on the results obtained from the application of various analytical techniques: SEM-EDS, Raman and X-ray diffraction. Les Ferreres mine is the second locality worldwide for the species. We will send all reports to the buyer.
In this Catalan mine, fehrite appears as elongated elongated tabular to fibrous crystals, with a delicate bluish-green tone, and fibrous terminations. Usually, it is accompanied by devilline (blue) and brochantite (green). It is the magnesium analogue of ktenasite.

Size: 3.4 x 2.6 x 2.4 cm.
Found in ±2019.

Analyzed specimen with report

Group of complex sphalerite crystals with striated facets. Bright, translucent and with a toasted honey color. Exfoliated on the back.

 

Size: 5.5 x 4 x 2.9 cm.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Blocky aerinite criptocristalline with fragments of dolerite included. Aerinite was used as a blue pigment in many Romanesque paintings in the Pyrenees between the 11th and 14th centuries. Its characteristic blue color varies from dark to pale blue. In fact, its name comes from a Greek root aerinos meaning "atmosphere" or "sky", as it was only known by that color.

Size: 6.5 x 5 x 3.7 cm.

The schorl specimens from Cap de Creus are well known to Spanish mineral collectors. This specimen from the 70s of the last century shows us a striated prism and defined facets of the terminal faces, something unusual. This area of the NE of Catalonia is now a Natural Park and it is totally forbidden to extract specimens.

Size: 5.9 x 4.4 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 x 1 cm.
Found in ±1970.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

These specimens come from the rocky outcrops that are located near the town of Serveto. These are doleritic rocks in which epidote and these prehnites are found in. Currently it is very difficult to get samples. These specimens we offer date from the years 2005-2006. Prehnite appears as globular aggregates of prismatic crystals, sometimes more developed and visible. The light green color is very uniform. Rare locality not well represented in collections.

Size: 8.9 x 6.9 x 3.3 cm.
Found in ±2005-2006.

These specimens come from the rocky outcrops that are located near the town of Serveto. These are doleritic rocks in which epidote and these prehnites are found in. Currently it is very difficult to get samples. These specimens we offer date from the years 2005-2006. Prehnite appears as globular aggregates of prismatic crystals, sometimes more developed and visible. The light green color is very uniform. Rare locality not well represented in collections.

Size: 8.8 x 5.5 x 2.6 cm.
Found in ±2005.

Group of hyaline quartz crystals, one of them predominant, with excellent transparence, brilliance and sharpness. They come from this Aragonese locality known for its aesthetic quartz specimens, difficult to see with quality today. It comes from the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten and typewritten label.

Size: 4.2 x 4 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 2.8 cm.
Found in ± 1973.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona). cv.

On a microcline-orthoclase-quartz matrix, several laminar aggregates of autunite are disposed, yellow color, transparent to translucent and brilliant. They present, as usual, intense fluorescence under UV light. It belongs to the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten label and typewritten box.

Size: 7.7 x 4.6 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ± 1974.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Presents radioactive activity.

The label of this sample indicates that it is a specimen from Reocín. The matrix is a dolomite, different from the usual matrix of Udías hydrozincite specimens, which is usually limonite. In addition, the piece was acquired from Enric Kucera, who is usually quite precise in the labeling. It comes from the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten label and typewritten box.

Size: 7.2 x 5 x 4 cm.
Found in ± 1974.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Andradite var. melanite (Ti-rich) from this well-known skarn deposit. Sharp, lustrous, black and brown dodecahedrons. From the former Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten label and typewritten box.

Size: 7 x 5.5 x 3.8 cm.
Found in ± 1973.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Sulphur specimens from Conil (Cádiz, Andalucía) are highly valued among mineral collectors on the Iberian Peninsula. In this specimen we can see various sulfur aggregates, one of them in the form of a dipyramidal crystal. They are disposed in cavities lined with calcite. The banding of the matrix is perfectly observed. A classic locality for fine crystallized sulfur specimens since 18th century. Probably the area has been worked since Roman times. Very difficult to see in the market. Interesting video of sulphur mines from Conil [video].

Size: 8.8 x 4.8 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.
Found in ± 1991.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Pyrolusite specimens from Sagides (Soria) are rare on the market. In this specimen we can see bright aggregates of fine prismatic pyrolusite crystals. They are partially covering a goethite matrix.

Size: 5.5 x 4 x 2.5 cm.
Found in ± 1975.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Andalusite specimen from Cap de Creus (Cape), with pink tones and quite crystalline. The Cap de Creus Natural Park was the first maritime-terrestrial park in Catalonia. It was created in 1998 and protects a large part of the Cap de Creus peninsula. Currently totally prohibited to collect minerals in this area.

Size: 6 x 3.4 x 2.8 cm.
Found in ± 1976.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Another well-known locality for celestite specimens in La Segarra (Lleida) is the Tossal Gros quarry (Can Fontanella or Roca quarry). Oligocene lacustrine marls, marly limestones and limestones containing geodes with diagenetic celestite. The grayish matrix is very characteristic. The prismatic, acute crystals, between transparent to translucent, are disposed in the cavities of the marl rock. They are accompanied by calcite crystals. A classic of Catalan mineralogy.

Size: 12 x 9.6 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Another well-known locality for celestite specimens in La Segarra (Lleida) is the Tossal Gros quarry (Can Fontanella or Roca quarry). Oligocene lacustrine marls, marly limestones and limestones containing geodes with diagenetic celestite. The grayish matrix is very characteristic. The prismatic, acute crystals, between transparent to translucent, are disposed in the cavities of the marl rock. They are accompanied by calcite crystals. A classic of Catalan mineralogy.

Size: 12 x 9.3 x 5.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.2 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Rich group of celestite crystals, bright, with transparence and a characteristic bluish tone. They are disposed on a marl matrix upholstered with calcite crystals. This specimen belongs to the first outcrop of the Costa de l'Aguda, in Torà (Lleida).

Size: 12 x 9.2 x 5.7 cm.
Main crystal: 2 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

A good size nodule of celestite from this classic Catalan locality. Well defined prismatic crystals, some brilliant, some of them partially replaced by calcite, also observing calcite perimorphosis, hollow prismatic crystals, some of them with corroded celestite remaining. This specimen is interesting for this substitution. The vug is covered with calcite crystals. This specimen belongs to the first outcrop of the Costa de l'Aguda, close to the town of Torà, Lleida.

Size: 13.5 x 9.6 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 2.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Very "brilliant" specimen in the shape of a druse, with a pegmatitic matrix, accompanied by yellow fluorite crystals and upholstered with really brilliant quartz crystals, with an amethyst tone. These specimens were a rarity then and today.

The Sant Marçal mines (also known as Matagalls) are located in the Montseny massif, on the eastern slope of the Matagalls peak (1,700m). The works are between about 1,250 to 1,350 m of altitude. The municipal term corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas has focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs vein of Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of the extraction of fluorite. Mines were operated until the mid-1990s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

 

Size: 8.2 x 7.7 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 9 mm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

Good sized specimen formed by a druse of cubic fluorite crystals with a yellow, slightly greenish, color. Translucent and with color zoning on some edges. They are partially covered by aggregates of quartz crystals with a soft amethyst tone. These specimens were a classic of this mine, but many years ago. These mines were operated until the mid-1990s and have been partially restored. Currently this area belongs to the Montseny Natural Park, so the collection of specimens is totally prohibited.

Size: 11 x 7.4 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 1.9 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron. Intense color and good size. Partially corroded by fluids. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. Included in the matrix we can see some scheelite crystals. The Fra Joan area is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 8.6 x 6.7 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.6 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality

Group of andradite crystals with the dominant forms of the dodecahedron. Intense color and good size. Partially corroded by fluids. Specimens from this mine have been analyzed indicating that it is andradite, although zonation with grossular cannot be discarded. Included in the matrix we can see some scheelite crystals. The Fra Joan area is a classic of Catalan mineralogy, located at an altitude of more than 1,600 m, a mineralization associated with a skarn. Specimens of this size are difficult to find.

Size: 7.5 x 7 x 4.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1980's.

Classic locality