Specimen formed by aggregates of radial aragonite crystals, with very aesthetic bands of delicate blue color. This old specimen (1980s) is labeled as collected in Peñamellera, Asturies (Spain). Other specimens like this and from the same years where labelled as collected in this Asturian locality. A curiosity from the former Joan Astor collection (Barcelona). With original labelled box.

Size: 6 x 5.5 x 4.7 cm.
Found in ±1985.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

Group of analcime crystals, faceted and translucent to transparent. They are disposed on a rocky matrix partially covered by small prismatic prehnite crystals. From a currently restored quarry.

Size: 7.7 x 6.5 x 3.4 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.
Found in ±2017.

This specimen of goethite after pyrite from Pedrera Berta (El Papiol, Barcelona) shows several cubic crystals completely transformed into goethite and limonite. Very brilliant and with fluorite on matrix. A classic of this mine, nowadays not easy to find. It belongs to the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten and typewritten label.

Size: 6.6 x 5.8 x 2.6 cm.
Main crystal: 6 x 6 mm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

On this classic matrix from Pedrera Berta (quarry), with quartz, fluorite, pyrolusite... we can observe some cavities in which some small but brilliant rhombohedral smithsonite crystals stand out, with a golden color. Viewed under magnification they are really aesthetic to take a "microphoto". They are accompanied by malachite aggregates. Collected by the well-known Catalan mineral collector Manuel Moreno "Manolo" and from the Joan Astor collection, with labels.

Size: 8.6 x 5.2 x 3.5 cm.
Found in ±1974.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

Probably čechite specimens from the "Rasa de l'Alzina" open pit works could be considered between the best crystals for the species worldwide. They are brilliant, black color and show a tabular shape defined by different order orthorhombic prisms and developed pinacoidal faces. They are disposed on a fluorite matrix. This finding is close to the Maria Magdalena mine, near of the beautiful town of Ulldemolins (Tarragona, Catalonia).
SEM-EDS and EPMA analysis show that, in some cases, on the čechite crystal surface we found copper content, but inside the crystal is near to pure  PbFe2+(VO4)(OH), with minor Zn(II). In most specimens from other localities the presence of manganese is important, but these specimens are Mn free.

Size: 5 x 3.8 x 3.3 cm.
Found in ±2017.

Analyzed specimen with report

An old piece, showing prismatic cerussite crystals, of a snowy white color and brilliance. Striated faces of the prism and disposed by the matrix. Fluorescent under LW-UV light. The specimens of this classic Catalan mine located in the Vall de Ribes, Catalan Pyrenees, are impossible to find on the mine (almost disappeared) and are only seen in collections from years ago. It belongs to the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten label, collected by himself on 1978, october.

Size: 6.5 x 6.2 x 4.5 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.
Found in 1978.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Fluorescent under long wave UV

These are the most fine quality romanèchite specimens ever found in Spain. These botryoidal aggregates show the velvet surface formed by several small romanèchite/pyrolusite crystals (see SEM photo). These specimens has not been treated, only fresh water. Romanèchite shows in fresh fracture the classic grey color. You can observe small but brilliant crystals of pyrolusite on the stalactitic surface. Analysis will be send to the buyer.

Size: 4.7 x 2.8 x 2.6 cm.
Found in ±2017.

Analyzed specimen with report

Karlsbad twinned orthoclase, from this classic Spanish locality for the species and twin. It belongs to the collection of Joan Astor, with a handwritten label.

Size: 3.4 x 2.5 x 1.4 cm.
Found in ±1973.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

A huge size orthoclase crystal, showing defined prism and pinacoidal faces, with the karlsbad twin. We think it is glued on its place on the matrix, but it is not visible. Crystal is on this porphyry granite-adamellite, part of the potent dykes with large phenocrysts of potassium feldspar (orthoclase) of great perfection. A classic Spanish locality for the species.

Size: 5.5 x 4.8 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 3.4 x 1.9 cm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

Aggregates of palygorskite fibers, of an intense white color, shiny. It is identified as coming from the Núria valley, in the Catalan Pyrenees, at the foot of the Puigmal mountain. A classic locality where this mineral appeared between limestone rocks. It comes from the Joan Astor collection (Barcelona), with a handwritten label and another typewritten.

Size: 9.3 x 4.5 x 2 cm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

And why not? A very brilliant piece of talc from this classic Catalan mine. In the surroundings of the locality of La Vajol there are a series of talc mines that were exploited until 1994. One of the curiosities of these talc mines, close to the France border, is that they were the hiding place, for a time, of the treasure of the Spanish Republic on the route of the main leaders of the Spanish Republic and the Generalitat de Catalunya to exile in 1939, at the end of the Spanish Civil War. It belongs to the collection of Joan Astor, with a handwritten label and another typewritten.

Size: 9 x 6.5 x 2.4 cm.
Found in ±1975.

Col. J. Astor, Barcelona.
Classic locality

Evansite specimens from Santa Creu d'Olorda are a classic of Catalan mineralogy. In this specimen we can see an amorphous mass of this aluminum phosphate with an intense green color and a vitreous luster. It is disposed on a graphite-bituminous shale matrix.

Size: 7.6 x 3.8 x 3.6 cm.

Classic locality

Classic specimen from this Zamora mine, rare to see today, formed by a layer of greenish-yellow segnitite crystals; under the magnifying glass we can see small crystals. It is accompanied by phillipsbornite and hinsdalite, of a more brownish to reddish tone. Good size specimen from this classic Spanish locality.

Size: 6.8 x 5.5 x 4 cm.
Found in 2000

Group of hexagonal pr¡smatic crystals showing a good brilliance, characteristic color and very well defined faces and edges. From a classic Spanish mine.

Size: 12 x 7.8 x3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in 1999.

Druse of very well defined cubic fluorite crystals, transparent to translucent, with luster and a slightly greenish blue color. They are accompanied by small crystals of calcite. From this classic Catalan mines. Acquired by Joan Astor from Joan Montplet, a well-known mineral dealer from Sant Celoni, close to the Montseny massif.

Size: 4.5 x 4 x 3.6 cm.
Main crystal: 1.3 cm.
Found in ca. 1979.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

Many years ago, these crystal aggregates were classified as brushite, but later analysis indicated that it was hydroxylapatite with carbonate groups. Fluorapatite is not common in Bruguers. These globular aggregates are disposed on an upholstered matrix with bright green microcrystals of montgomeryite. The matrix is goethite. From the J. Astor collection, formerly col. Jordi Pi, well-known nature and geological landscape photographer and mineral collector (Barcelona).

Size: 4.2 x 4.1 x 2.9 cm.
Found in ca. 1980.

Col. Joan Astor & Col. Jordi Pi (Barcelona)

Aesthetic miniature of fluorite crystals of a greenish hue with geometric violet colour zoning. Partially covered by various aggregates of hyaline quartz crystals, peppered by small globular hematite that gives them a reddish hue. A piece from this classic Catalan mine, from the J. Astor and collection. by L. Daunis.

Size: 3.8 x 2.9 x 2.3 cm.
Found in ca. 1980.

Col. Joan Astor, Col. Daunis (Barcelona).
Fluorescent under long wave UV

Almost floating druse of quartz crystals forming pineapple growths, with a good luster and a slightly yellowish hue. On the backside, also crystallized, we can see the typical kaolinite layer of this deposit. It is accompanied by a limonite nodule that was probably pyrite.
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: 12 x 9.8 x 5 cm.
Found in 2017.

Group of quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, between transparent to translucent, and with reddish tones due to hematite. 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: 6.8 x 6.6 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 7 cm.
Found in 2017.

Group of quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, between transparent to translucent. With interesting parallel growths. They are disposed very aerially on the matrix partially dotted with kaolinite.
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: 9.3 x 8 x 6.5 cm.
Main crystal: 4.8 cm.
Found in 2017.

Rich group of quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, between transparent to translucent. With interesting parallel growths. They are disposed very aerially on the matrix partially dotted with kaolinite.
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: 12 x 7.8 x 5.5 cm.
Main crystal: 4 cm.
Found in 2017.

Group of quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, between transparent to translucent. They are disposed very aerially on the matrix partially dotted with kaolinite.
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: 7.5 x 6.2 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 3.8 cm.
Found in 2017.

Rich group of quartz crystals, with developed prisms and defined terminal faces, between transparent to translucent. They are disposed very aerially on the matrix partially dotted with kaolinite.
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: 11.2 x 8 x 5.4 cm.
Main crystal: 4 cm.
Found in 2017

Variscite is a hydrated aluminum phosphate present in different Catalan deposits found in the Catalan Coastal Mountain Ranges. Well-known sites are those of the Serra de Miramar, in Tarragona; Bruguers, Gavà and Cerdanyola in Barcelona, along with the well-known site of Montcada i Reixac, close to the city of Barcelona. Less well known are the deposits in the northernmost area of these mountain ranges, between Malgrat de Mar and Pineda de Mar area. This specimen comes from the Malgrat area and was found in surveys near Can Palomeres. The variscite vein shows a green color with yellow to whitish tones. It is included in slates with other phosphates such as phosphosiderite and strengite. We can observe so-called ptygmatic folds produced by the entry of a viscous fluid (variscite) into a less viscous one.

Size: 10 x 7.2 x 6.2 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm. vein/veta
Found in 2018.

Really good sized hydrozincite specimen from this classic Spanish mine, with botryoidal forms and beige tone. The specimens with these sizes are difficult to see today. This one comes from the A. Arguijo collection. The Hermosa or Sel del Haya mine was a lead and zinc exploitation whose activity was carried out mainly between 1855 and 1932, although in the decade from 1950 to 1960 some important works were carried out. Settled on dolomitic limestone from the Aptian, the main mineralization comprises lead and zinc, the latter being the most important, both in the form of carbonates and sulphides [link].

Size: 15 x 13 x 11 cm.
Found in ca. 1980.

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