Sphalerite gemmy quality crystals, transparent, shiny and some sprinkled with pyrite. A real gem of this Gipuzkoan mine, nowadays flooded.

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Se trata de excelente cristal de cuarzo que presenta crecimientos en "ventana" (también llamados "esqueletales") muy marcados en las deformadas caras romboédricas. Prisma muy poco desarrollado. Muy buena transparencia, tono ligeramente ahumado, y un brillo más que excepcional. Se observan inclusiones de tono beige muy habituales en este tipo de crecimientos. Estos ejemplares fueron recogidos cerca del embalse de Urrúnaga, en Legutio.

In the eastern part of the beach of Lapari there are the known septaria of Deba. The reef may have about 15 m, but it is not distinguished from the rest of the marly formation of the black flysch of Deba beach. The first publications on the septaria of Deba date from 1958. The upper part of the site has been totally destroyed by works, and in the part of the beach, foreign and local collectors collected numerous specimens. Currently this area has been declared of special protection within the coastal biotope Deba-Zumaia so the collection of septaria is absolutely prohibited [link]. Polished section.

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A very nice specimen of this classic Basque mine. It shows a dolomitic matrix partially covered by brilliant sphalerite crystals, defined faces and slightly curved edges. Excellent transparence and toasted honey color. It is accompanied by some greenish siderite rhombohedral crystals and dolomite crystals. A complete and brilliant specimen from this mine. From the Manchion Collection.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

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Group of calcite crystals showing well defined edges and faces with rhombohedron and prism forms. Between translucent to transparent and disposed in a matrix of greenish-toned siderite. This specimen comes from col. Daunis. It is labeled as Somorrostro, but we think it can be associated with the mining zone associated to the Bilbao anticline, Gallarta-La Arboleda-Somorrostro. A Spanish classic.

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Large group of sphalerite crystals with an exceptional brilliance, honey color and transparency that allows light to play with the honey colors. Peppered on back side by small crystals of baryte showing flattened shapes. A little gemmy miniature. Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

Excellent sphalerite miniature from this Basque classic mine. It shows a group of brilliant crystals, with a good size, defined faces and slightly curved edges. Good transparence with dark toasted honey-colored tones. Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

Large group of sphalerite crystals with an exceptional brilliance, honey color and transparency that allows light to play with the honey colors. Peppered by small crystals of calcite showing flattened shapes of the rhombohedral and prism. A little gemmy miniature. Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

Aesthetic specimen of this classic Basque mine that shows a matrix with numerous small sphalerite crystals, honey to orange color, transparent and brilliant. Partially covered by groups of rhombohedral siderite with a staggered growth. With good size, slightly curved faces and edges and very characteristic green color. A very aesthetic specimen.
Troya mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded.

A very particular quartz crystal that shows a very marked "window" growths (also called "skeletal") in the rhombohedron faces and with a short prism. Very good glassy luster. With inclusions those are very common in this type of quartz crystals. These specimens were collected near the Urrúnaga reservoir in Legutio. Nowadays it is near impossible find these specimens.

Group of crystals, one of them clearly dominant, which shows a very marked "window" growths (also called "skeletal") in the rhombohedron faces. In the prism, underdeveloped, we can see echeloned to parallel growths. Excellent glassy luster. With inclusions those are very common in this type of quartz crystals. These specimens were collected near the Urrúnaga reservoir in Legutio. Nowadays it is near impossible find these specimens.

These malachite specimens come from works those were carried out in the railroad called "Basque Y". During these works, some rocks containing this mineral were extracted. They show prismatic radial aggregates of deep green malachite with an exceptional brilliance. Crystals are flattened due to its growth in fissures. Some transparency could be observed. Its origin is due to alteration of the original chalcopyrite matrix, present as small but brilliant granules, accompanied by hematite. The fibrous shape, color and luster make them very aesthetic.

Groups of very brilliant sphalerite crystals showing complex habitus and twins. With an intense luster and deep brown color, near black, with honey reflections. They are peppered by several small but brilliant chalcopyrite crystals. On a siderite matrix, accompanied by dolomite, galena and defined brilliant chalcopyrite crystals. Nowadays, this mine, in the city of Bilbao, is collapsed and it is impossible to get these classic Spanish specimens.

Nice hemimorphite specimen from a classic Basque mine. Mineral is covering with a crystalline crust the cavities of the carbonated matrix. Color varies between blue, green to colorless.

Botryoidal aggregate of hydrozincite of white color, with yellow and bluish tones. We can observe different layer growths and radiated structures in fracture zones. It comes from a Basque very wide mining area not well represented, in this species, in collections.

A huge size specimen formed by several groups of brilliant sphalerite crystals, showing a perfect brilliance and curved faces and edges. Transparence is quite good and shows toasted honey tones. Accompanied by several dolomite rhombohedrons on matrix.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

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A very brilliant specimen of this classic Basque mine. It shows a sphalerite matrix partially covered with brilliant sphalerite crystals, with slightly curved faces and edges. Good transparency and toasted honey color. It is accompanied by several greenish siderite rhombohedral crystals (up to 9 mm.), with some dolomite. A very aesthetic specimen.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

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A very nice specimen of this classic Basque mine. It shows a sphalerite matrix with vugs layered by brilliant sphalerite crystals, defined faces and slightly curved edges. Good transparency and toasted honey color. It is accompanied by some greenish siderite rhombohedral crystals partially covered by iron oxydes. Also some minute orange dolomite crystals. Different one.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

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Excellent sphalerite specimen from this Basque classic mine. It shows a matrix of sulfides covered by several brilliant crystals, with defined faces and  slightly curved edges. Good transparence with toasted honey-colored tones. It is accompanied by groups of orange color rhombohedral dolomite crystals. Really representative specimen.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

Excellent sphalerite specimen from this Basque classic mine. It shows a matrix of sulfides covered by several brilliant crystals, with defined faces and  slightly curved edges. Good transparence with toasted honey-colored tones. It is accompanied by groups of orange color rhombohedral dolomite crystals. Really representative specimen.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.

This sample shows two mineralized sides. A first one totally covered by brilliant sphalerite crystals, with complex and curved faces and edges. Good transparence with toasted honey tones. Accompanied by few crystals of siderite. The other specimen side is partially covered by several yellowish-white dolomite crystals and flattened, brilliant and defined rhombohedrons of siderite with greenish tones.
Troya Mine was closed in 1993, only a few years before these specimens were collected in 1990. Nowadays the mine is collapsed and flooded. This specimen was in a former German mineral collection since then.