The silver specimens from this classic German mine has been known for a long time, but in these specimens silver is included in chrysocolla, of an intense greenish blue colour, and shows a remarkable luster, sometimes with golden iridescence. Under magnification we can see facets of crystals of this metal. We have analyzed these samples and the results indicate that they do not contain other metals detectable by SEM-EDS. These specimens are already a few years old.

Size: 6.7 x 3.6 x 3.4 cm.
Found in ±2000.

Classic locality

Parallel growth of hübnerite crystals, of very good size, with evident reddish reflections. With defined terminal faces, translucent on edges and with brilliance. With hyaline quartz crystals. Excellent old piece from this Peruvian mine.

Size: 5.2 x 4.8 x 3.6 cm.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Old specimen of blue fluorite from this mining area in the central-eastern United States. Fluorite crystals have partially corroded cubic shapes. It is accompanied by a galena crystal covered with tiny cerussite crystals. With an old Enric Kucera label.

Size: 13.5 x 8.5 x 4.8 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm Fl.; 22 mm Gal.
Found in ±1980.

Classic locality

Lanceolated hemimorphite crystals, defined, brilliant, colorless and transparent. They are arranged in a  limonite-goethite matrix. Classic and aesthetic material from this famous Mexican mine, from the E. Nicolau collection (Barcelona).

Size: 8.5 x 6 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 10 mm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

Group of kyanite crystals, of gem quality, with transparency and when light passes through them they offer an exceptional color. They are accompanied on the matrix by brown staurolite crystals and paragonite (Na mica). They stand out on a clear schistose matrix. A quality European piece that is difficult to see today. Classic and aesthetic material from this famous Swiss locality from the E. Nicolau collection (Barcelona).

Size: 8 x 6 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 50 x 0.8 mm.
Found in ±1990.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

On a matrix formed by orthoclase crystals, numerous titanite crystals are arranged, yellowish olive green in color, transparent to translucent, with brilliance and defined faces and edges. A classic specimen from this Moroccan mining area.

Size: 11 x 8 x 4.7 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.

Globular aggregate of variscite crystals, apple green in color and with transparency and shine, aesthetically arranged in a cavity of the matrix. Uncommon and of good quality for a find from years ago.

Size: 6.6 x 5 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 4 mm. glob.
Found in ±1997.

Col J. Viñals. Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

Large group of bournonite crystals, brilliant, with complex and interpenetrated faces. They are accompanied by honey tone sphalerite crystals. The specimen is accompanied by a label that identifies it as from Saint-Laurent-Le-Minier (Sent Laurenç del Minièr), although it is more likely that it is from the Saguinede mine in Montdardier, very close to Saint-Laurent.

Size: 102 x 7 x 4.5 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

Druse of prismatic acicular pyromorphite crystals, transparent, shiny and with the characteristic green color. They are arranged on a quartz matrix. A very aesthetic piece from the Nicolau collection (Barcelona) and with a Joan Viñals label.

Size: 6.8 x 6.8 x 4.4 cm.
Found in ±1990.

Col J. Viñals. Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).
Classic locality

In this specimen, obtained in the Manzanera cemetery area, we can observe numerous calcite crystals with quartz, some hematite crystal and, hidden, a yellowish fluorapatite crystal, well defined and transparent. Unique specimen from a very little-known locality.

Size: 4.3 x 3.6 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 3.2 mm.
Found in 2000.

Drusy crystals of yellow-green (var. cuprian) powellite. Good sized crystals and with rounded faces. Fluoresces bright yellow under SW-UV light. This mine is the Type Locality for szenicsite.

Size: 4.2 x 3.6 x v3 cm.
Main crystal: 1.8 mm.

Col. E, Laskowski (Tucson, USA).
Fluorescent under short wave UV

This Leonese mine is near the Riaño reservoir. In this specimen we can see various radial aggregates of acicular prismatic stibnite crystals, with an intense luster and disposed in a calcite matrix that include them. In 1909 Spanish Mining Statistics, indicates the demarcation of 22 properties in this area with the name of "María Teresa" mine (document Nr. 3,260), of antimony, in the name of Policarpo Herrero, domiciled in Oviedo (FMF). A very fine and representative specimen.

Size: 5 x 4.3 x 2.7 cm.
Found in 2019.

Very rich druse of pseudomalachite crystals of intense green color, forming defined, translucent prismatic tabular crystals. Specimens of this species in this mine are rare. The piece belonged to the E. Laskowski collection (Tucson, USA), with the seller's label. Very interesting specimen.

Size: 7.2 x 3.9 x 3.7 cm.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).
Classic locality

Dadsonite is a rare chloro-sulfoantimonide of lead, compositionally differing from boulangerite by this chlorine anion (1 atom of Cl for 60 atoms of S!). In the "bad-lands" area of Sant Ponç (or Saint-Pons) there are lenticular levels of siderite and calcite. The formation of this rare sulfosalt is based on the redissolution of other sulfosalts in the presence of chlorides.
The fine needles of dadsonite usually appear included in calcite, along with boulangerite. Once the calcite is removed by chemical processes, needles emerge in all their beauty. It can also be found forming radial aggregates in matrix cavities. The dadsonite from Sant Ponç can probably be considered among the best worldwide.

Size: 7.2 x 5 x 3.8 cm.
Found in ±1997.

Analyzed specimen with report

La dadsonita es un raro cloro-sulfoantimoniuro de plomo (1 átomo de cloro por cada 60 de azufre), composicionalmente difiere de la boulangerita por este anión de cloro. En la zona de las "bad-lands" de Sant Ponç (o Saint-Pons) se encuentran niveles lenticulares de siderita y calcita. La formación de esta rara sulfosal se basa en la redisolución de otras sulfosales en presencia de cloruros.
Las finas agujas de dadsonita suelen aparecen incluídas en calcita, junto con boulangerita. Una vez la calcita se elimina mediante procesos químicos als finas agujas afloran en toda su belleza. También se la puede encontrar formando agregados radiales en cavidades de la matriz. Probablemente, la dadsonita de Sant Ponç puede considerarse entre las mejores del mundo.

Size: 6.6 x 5.2 x 4.3 cm.
Found in ±1997.

Analyzed specimen with report

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: 7.8 x 4.7 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.
Found in ±1990.

Cluster of aragonite crystals, very bright and defined. They are known in the area as "sputnik stones" (sic) because of their appearance. They present a color zoning on the surface, between gray and brown. They are floating. A Moroccan curiosity.

Size: 6.7 x 6.5 x 5 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.

Pineapple cluster of aragonite crystals, with transparence, very bright and defined. They are known in the area as "sputnik stones" (sic) because of their appearance. They present a color zoning on the surface, between gray and brown. They are floating. A Moroccan curiosity.

Size: 6.3 x 6 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 16 mm.

Cluster of aragonite crystals, very bright and defined. They are known in the area as "sputnik stones" (sic) because of their appearance. They present a color zoning on the surface, between gray and brown. They are floating. A Moroccan curiosity.

Size: 8.3 x 6.3 x 5.3 cm.
Main crystal: 6 mm.

Group of good-sized sulphur crystals from a classic Spanish locality, but from a little-known mine, showing a great richness of faces, some brilliance and a canary yellow color. It is arranged in a cavity with calcite crystals. A fine Spanish specimen.

Size: 8.6 x 7.5 x 6 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.

Col. E. Nicolau (Barcelona).

Contrasting sparkly dolomite matrix are lustrous, dark green spheres to 1 mm across, of conichalcite. This is an uncommon, calcium, copper arsenate and it is rare in the form of such isolated crystals or crystal aggregates as you see here (forming little ball-shaped growths).This aesthetic specimen is double sided.

Size: 6 x 4.9 x 3.3 cm.

Classic locality

Rich group of orange lenticular crystals of schwartzembergite, analyzed by SEM-EDS, accompanied by seeligerite, of a light yellow color. Both are rare lead cloroiodates. It is one of the several specimens those remembered Dr. Joan Viñals (1951-2013) brought and studied from his trip to Chile in first years of 2000's.

Size: 6.2 x 5 x 4.5 cm.
Found in ±2000.

Very elongated quartz crystal, very rich in faces, with excellent transparence. Rock crystal...

Size: 10.5 x 2.4 x 1.8 cm.

Very elongated quartz crystal with a very uniform and aesthetic smoky tone. Defined faces and edges and good transparence.

Size: 11 x 2.4 x 2.2 cm.

Laminar crystals of kyanite, with a bluish tone, from this deposit located on the road between Canillas del Aceituno and Sedella. This specimen belongs from the Peter Seroka collection and is accompanied by the label.

Size: 8.3 x 5.4 x 4.5 cm.
Found in ±1998.

Col. Peter Seroka (#235).