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Cube forms, octahedron and dodecahedron.
These specimens from Lục Yên were sold as humite or clinohumite, but later studies have shown that they are chondrodite. Chondrodite is a mineral in the humite group. It is closely related to clinohumite, humite and norbergite, and it is often found with one or more of these minerals. In this specimen the chondrodite shows faces and an orange color that stands out against the marble matrix with small red spinel.
Recently, specimens of scapolite of Moroccan origin have appeared on the market. The analyses we have carried out on several specimens indicate that it is mainly marialite, since the proportion of Na (marialite, Na₄Al₃Si₉O₂₄Cl) is higher than that of calcium (meionite, Ca₄Al₆Si₆O₂₄CO₃), and the presence of chlorine is also detected. We can see that the proportion of Ca is quite high, so we are in the middle of the marialite-meionite series. Crystals appear as tetragonal prisms truncated by the basal pinacoid and the first-order dipyramid. Transparent to translucent and with some inclusions. Fluorescent under SW-UL. We will send the analyses to the buyer.
Recently, specimens of scapolite of Moroccan origin have appeared on the market. The analyses we have carried out on several specimens indicate that it is mainly marialite, since the proportion of Na (marialite, Na₄Al₃Si₉O₂₄Cl) is higher than that of calcium (meionite, Ca₄Al₆Si₆O₂₄CO₃), and the presence of chlorine is also detected. We can see that the proportion of Ca is quite high, so we are in the middle of the marialite-meionite series. Crystals appear as tetragonal prisms truncated by the basal pinacoid and the first-order dipyramid. Transparent to translucent and with some inclusions. Fluorescent under SW-UL. We will send the analyses to the buyer.
Group of pentadodecahedral pyrite crystals on a matrix with small quartz and tennantite crystals. Pyrite shows striated faces and an exceptional luster. In some of the pentadodecahedral pyrite crystals, we can observe edges truncated by the cube faces and some vertices by the octahedron.
These selenite gypsum specimens show the "swallow tail" and reverse twinning. They show a certain transparence, which allows us to see the inclusions, and a good brilliance due to the natural polishing of the gypsum. The most interesting thing, in my opinion, is this rounded appearance due to the erosive action of the sea spray, since they appear in the clays of the Eocene cliffs. A very English curiosity from Jaime Murria's collection.
Tamarugite is a rare sodium aluminium sulphate with the formula NaAl(SO₄)₂·6H₂O, which usually appears as white crusts made up of tiny crystals. In this specimen it is accompanied by kröhnkite, another sodium sulphate but this one with copper Na₂Cu(SO₄)₂·2H₂O, in the form of blue-green, translucent elongated crystals. Both rare species!
NOTE: These specimens are natural, formed in a mine, and have nothing to do with those from mine water rafts that were sold years ago at exorbitant prices.
Tamarugite is a rare sodium aluminium sulphate with the formula NaAl(SO₄)₂·6H₂O, which usually appears as white crusts made up of tiny crystals. In this specimen it is accompanied by kröhnkite, another sodium sulphate but this one with copper Na₂Cu(SO₄)₂·2H₂O, in the form of bluish, transparent and brilliant crystals. Rare species!
NOTE: These specimens are natural, formed in a mine, and have nothing to do with those from mine water rafts that were sold years ago at exorbitant prices.
A very rich specimen in arsenolamprite, a polymorph of arsenic. As a brilliant vein, grey in colour and with a metallic lustre, formed by lamellar crystals. It is surrounded by very dark grey arsenic. A rare species.
Acute, yellow to orange, transparent, dipyramidal powellite crystals. Accompanied by molybdenite in the matrix. Very fluorescent under UV short wave, with yellow tones.
Very good specimen of molybdenite from this locality in Madrid. It appears as well-defined, bright hexagonal crystals with axial growths. It is disposed very aerial on the pegmatitic rock matrix. Very difficult to see and from Joan Viñals col.
These specimens from Lục Yên were sold as humite or clinohumite, but later studies have shown that they are chondrodite. Chondrodite is a mineral in the humite group. It is closely related to clinohumite, humite and norbergite, and it is often found with one or more of these minerals. In this specimen the chondrodite shows faces and an orange color that stands out against the marble matrix with small red spinel.
Very aerial topaz crystal on a matrix of quartz and albite. The crystal has well-developed prism faces truncated by the faces of the dipyramids, with excellent transparency, uniform honey color and good luster. It has a small chip on the top back without affecting the quality.
This specimen was labelled as Directorio 8 mine, Tocopilla, by Dr. Joan Viñals (1951-2013) but in this mindat locality, clinoatacamite is not referenced. In this specimen we can observe several defined lenticular clinoatacamite green crystals, with transparence and brilliance, accompanied by brilliant gypsum and bluish lavendulan aggregates. Lavendulan is described in Directorio 8 mine.
Nice speciemen of callaghanite, a rare copper and magnesium carbonate, with a very characteristic cobalt blue colour. It shows a druse formed by numerous crystals. Accompanied by small orange-brown aggregates of pokrovskite, together with globules of hydromagnesite. It is accompanied by the Joan Viñals handwritten label.
Acute, yellow to orange, transparent, dipyramidal powellite crystals. Accompanied by molybdenite in the matrix. Very fluorescent under UV short wave, with yellow tones.
Specimen formed by interpenetrating cubic fluorite crystals that show well-defined cube faces and bevelled edges, with stepped and tile-like growths. With good luster, transparency and marked geometric colour zoning, ranging from sky blue inside the crystals to violet blue on the outside (very intense on some edges).
Specimen of fluorapatite from the famous Cerro de Mercado mine in Mexico. The main crystal is prismatic, terminating in the faces of the hexagonal dipyramid. The luster and transparency are excellent and the color is very intense greenish yellow. It is arranged on a calcite matrix containing elongated augite crystals.
This remarkable specimen shows a matrix formed by tabular barite crystals, partially covered with aggregates of tetrahedrite-(Zn) crystals, rich in Ag. With well-defined faces and edges, forming globular aggregates on the barite. A rarity.
Specimen of fluorapatite from the famous Cerro de Mercado mine in Mexico. It is presented as a prismatic crystal terminated by the faces of hexagonal dipyramids. The transparency and brilliance are excellent and the color is very intense yellow. It is arranged on a matrix containing hematite and small augite crystals.
Very good sized fluorapophyllite-(K) crystal. It shows prism faces truncated by the dipyramid. Very bright, transparent to translucent. On matrix with stilbite-Ca. A classic from India.
I initially classified this specimen as actinolite, but after some doubts I analysed it using SEM-EDS and X-ray diffraction (XRD). The results indicate that it is an aegirine, probably after arfvedsonite (striated prism...). A very good-sized specimen, with different crystals growing in parallel, shiny, with striated faces, and a clearly visible green colour. Pieces of this quality are almost impossible to obtain today. We will send the analyses to the buyer.
A very brilliant group of epidote crystals with an intense and deep green color. It shows a very rare habit for the species. We can observe psedo-octahedrical forms in one side and a flattened shape generated by a extremely developed frontal pinacoid. To increase its scientific interest we must say that it is magnetic due to magnetite inclusions.