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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. In this specimen we can observe crystals with this bluish tone, translucent and well disposed on the "pegmatite" matrix. Peppered by small 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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 6.8 x 5.9 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 1 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. 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 and on with small but brilliant quartz crystals.

Size: 11 x 7.9 x 2.6 cm.
Main crystal: 1.7 cm. edge/arista
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. 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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 6.3 x 5.2 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. 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 and on with small but brilliant quartz crystals.

Size: 4.8 x 4.6 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 8.8 mm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. 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 and on 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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 7 x 5.7 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 1.5 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. 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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 5.1 x 4 x 2.3 cm.
Main crystal: 8.5 mm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. In this specimen we can observe crystals with this bluish tone, with a certain color zoning, translucent and disposed on the "pegmatite" and/or granodiorite matrix.

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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 5.3 x 4.1 x 2.7 cm.
Main crystal: 0.9 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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. Some small nick, very common in these specimens, without affecting the quality. In this specimen we can observe crystals with this bluish tone, translucent and well disposed on the "pegmatite" matrix. Peppered by small 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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 6.9 x 4.9 x 4.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 5.7 x 4.2 x 3.6 cm.
Main crystal: 2.2 cm.
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

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 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 crystals with this bluish tone, with a certain color zoning, translucent and disposed on the "pegmatite" and/or granodiorite matrix.

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. The municipality corresponds to Viladrau. Mining in this type of deposits in this area and surrounding areas had been focused on the extraction of minerals of Pb, Zn, F and Ba. Together with the Osor and Tagamanent deposits, the Rigròs main vein from Sant Marçal mines is one of the most important in terms of fluorite extraction. Although there are other less thin mineralized veins in the area. These veins are embedded in granodiorite rock, which locally present metric dikes with a pegmatite texture. the granodiorites are usually altered to "sauló" (coarse-grained sand with micas, clays and quartz grains) and in some specimens it forms part of the matrix. The paragenesis of these veins: fluorite, baryte, galena, pyrite, chalcopyrite and quartz (often amethyst variety). 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: 5 x 3.9 x 3.7 cm.
Main crystal: 1.7 cm. edge/arista
Found in ca. 1970's.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Doubly terminated quartz crystal of the Compostela hyacinth variety. In a gypsum matrix. It belongs from the former Joan Astor collection (Barcelona). The label indicates locality as Villar del Arzobispo (Valencia), a locality near Domeño.

Size: 6.5 x 5.2 x 3.9 cm.
Main crystal: 2 cm.
Found in ±1978

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Group of cubic crystals of fluorite, of good size, with tile growths on the faces. Good brilliance, transparent to translucent. Pinkish-purple color, more blue under LED light. It shows a marked geometric color zoning on the edges. With a baryte book-shape aggregate.

Size: 8.3 x 4.2 x 6.7 cm.
Main crystal: 2.8 cm.

These mines are near the Matagalls peak, in the Montseny massif, and they are also known as Matagalls mines. This sample shows us a matrix with fluorite on which an aesthetic group of book-shaped baryte crystals is disposed. These pieces appeared in the 80-90s of the last century. Nowadays it is very difficult to find good specimens.

Size: 9.3 x 6 x 5.6 cm.
Found in 1990's.

Very aerial specimen formed by groups of cubic fluorite crystals. Very well defined faces and edges, with polysynthetic growths and disposed on a matrix with quartz crystals. It is accompanied by a tabular baryte.

Size: 8.5 x 5.2 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.4 cm.

Group of interpenetrating fluorite crystals, with an intense coluor that varies according to the type of incident light. From this classic Asturian mining area.

Size: 6.1 x 4 x 3.5 cm.

Very good size specimen, formed by numerous very well defined orthoclase crystals. It was in this classic locality in the community of Madrid where, around the 70s, the Daunis-Ruscalleda family, well-known mineral prospectors and collectors from Barcelona, found quite a few very aesthetic specimens of orthoclase/microcline, accompanied by Enrique Kucera. This specimen is one of these ...

Size: 14 x 12 x 8.5 cm.
Main crystal: 2.3 cm.
Found in 1970's.

Col. L. Daunis (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Floater aggregate of laminar molybdenite crystals. Very brilliant. A piece of a certain size for this classic Catalan mine. From the Trigo collection (Mataró).

Size: 3.4 x 2.7 x 1.5 cm.
Found in ±1984

Col. A. Trigo (Mataró).
Classic locality

Good sized specimen with powdered cinnabar aggregates. Intense red color, with an orange point. From this classic mine in Alt Palància (Castelló). For cinnabar locality collectors.

Size: 7 x 6 x 5.2 cm.
Found in 1990's.

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

Very good size specimen formed by laminar aggregates of stibnite crystals. The San Antonio mine is located in the area called "Quinola" next to the road BA-5001 between the peoples of Alburquerque and The Codosera. This is an important antimony mine closed in 1986, and it was the largest mine of this metal in Spain and Europe. It belongs from the former Arguijo collection and dates from the 90s.

Size: 8.2 x 5.8 x 3 cm.
Found in 1990's.

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

Classic pineapple of hematoid quartz, var. Compostela hyacinth, with good brilliance, complete and in a gypsum crystals matrix.

Size: 7.2 x 4.5 x 4.2 cm.
Main crystal: 3.6 cm. aggr.
Found in ±2016

Classic locality

In this sample we can observe bright and aesthetic aggregates of lanceolated foliaceous hydromagnesite crystals, forming rosettes, of an intense white color, although they are colorless. All of them are arranged on a rock matrix. A Catalan piece that is difficult to find today, with rare species and with quality. Collected by Joan Astor in march, 1976.

Size: 6.2 x 4 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ±1976.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.

A very good size specimen formed by numerous lanceolated baryte crystals, with very good definition of faces and edges. Between transparent to translucent and with a yellowish tone with zoning. They are disposed very aerial on the matrix, with crystals of calcite and fluorite with honey tones. Fluorite is active under LW-UV light. An exceptional specimen for this classic Asturian mine.

Size: 12 x 11.7 x 11 cm.
Main crystal: 2.2 cm.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of doubly terminated quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, translucent. With interesting parallel growths. These specimens were collected in this A Coruña quarry that exploits quartz, one of the main mines in the world due to the quality and quantity of its reserves. The mine was discovered in 1968 by three Galicians who gave their name (from their surnames SEñarís, RAma and BALboa) to the concession and who found it while exploring these mountains in the Pico Sacro area in search of "seixo" (from the Galician: hard white rock) of good quality.

Size: 10.2 x 3.6 x 2.6 cm.
Found in ±2017.

Group of doubly terminated quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, translucent. With interesting parallel growths. These specimens were collected in this A Coruña quarry that exploits quartz, one of the main mines in the world due to the quality and quantity of its reserves. The mine was discovered in 1968 by three Galicians who gave their name (from their surnames SEñarís, RAma and BALboa) to the concession and who found it while exploring these mountains in the Pico Sacro area in search of "seixo" (from the Galician: hard white rock) of good quality.

Size: 7.8 x 4.3 x 3.7 cm.
Found in ±2017.

Aggregates of brilliant and transparent baryte crystals, with a slightly yellow tone. They are accompanied by small crystals of sphalerite, with complex forms, and galena. It comes from the Mines d'Osor, currently closed and from which it is impossible to obtain these specimens. The mine closed in 1979 and had eleven levels, with a 290 meter deep shaft. You can still see the ruins of the old facilities and the well from which sphalerite, galena and fluorite were extracted and treated.

Size: 8.6 x 5.4 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. L. Daunis (Barcelona).
Classic locality