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.

Sold

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.

Sold

An excellent specimen of quartz, with a slight smoky tone, which presents very aesthetic "window" geometric growths. Doubly terminated and with complex crystallography. With inclusions.

The first specimens were found in the mines of Aït-Ahmane between 2014 and 2015. The best ones reached the market around 2017. They are twinned crystals of remarkable perfection for the species, formed by intergrowths of djurleite and chalcocite. No better specimens have been found in the area and probably worldwide.
Although some relatively recent analytical results (see mindat) indicated that they were crystals of djurleite only, others indicated that they were mixtures of both species. Realistically, djurleite and chalcocite often appear together in the same crystal, and one can even transform into the other depending on the physical-chemical conditions present. For this reason I have preferred to preserve the name of both species. Interesting article: Pósfai-Buseck Amer. Min. 1994.

A very faceted tabular crystal of wulfenite. It stands out for its deep blue colour, which is unusual for this species. It belongs from the Bou Skour mine, where crystals of this type have been obtained, but they are usually very small, around a millimetre. This one measures 8 mm...

Floating specimen of copper, formed by dendritic to arborescent aggregates of copper crystals.

Native copper specimen formed by various rounded and flattened copper crystals, in arborescent to dendritic growths. It is accompanied by a minor quartz matrix.

Native copper specimen formed by various rounded copper crystals, in arborescent to dendritic growths.

Very defined barite crystal, with shapes of different orthorhombic prisms truncated by pinacoidal faces. The transparence is excellent. From this classic Moroccan mine for baryte crystals.

A very good sized piece of arsenatian vanadinite. Numerous crystals of very good size, interpenetrated, with good luster. A Moroccan classic not easy to find with this size, from the Cendón collection (Cerdanyola del Vallès).

Excellent specimen formed by a large group of prismatic cerussite crystals completely covered by smithsonite crystals, rhombohedral and very bright. It is a very different piece from what can be seen in this classic Moroccan locality. A display specimen.

Group of prismatic arfvedsonite crystals, with parallel growth, striated faces and polycrystalline terminations, very shiny and dark green, almost black in color. Accompanied by minor feldspar as a matrix.

Group of prismatic arfvedsonite crystals, with parallel growth, striated faces and polycrystalline terminations, shiny and dark green, almost black in color. They are partially covered with feldspar. A curious specimen...

65 €

Buy

Group of prismatic arfvedsonite crystals, with parallel growth, one of them very elongated, striated faces and polycrystalline terminations, shiny and dark green, almost black, on a feldspar matrix.

Group of prismatic arfvedsonite crystals, with parallel growth, striated faces and polycrystalline terminations, shiny and dark green, almost black in color. In feldspar matrix. Nowadays it is difficult to get these samples.

55 €

Buy

Group of prismatic arfvedsonite crystals, with parallel growth, striated faces and polycrystalline terminations, shiny and dark green, almost black in color. In feldspar matrix. Nowadays it is difficult to get these samples.

These hematite crystals from a quarry near Nador are already a classic of Moroccan mineralogy. This specimen is made up of various crystals in parallel growth, with exceptional brilliance, and showing the faces of different crystals. Its size and quality and metallic luster make them a definitive specimen from this locality. These hematites come from a small rhyolite quarry very near the community of Nador, on the road to Melilla.

150 €

Buy

Group of skutterudite crystals of very good size, exceptional brilliance and forming parallel growths that resemble a rosette. An excellent piece from this classic Moroccan locality that surpasses many of the specimens I have seen.

210 €

Buy

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.

Group of fine prismatic crystals of calcite of hexagonal shape, with colour zoning and small recrystallizations of the same calcite in some areas of the piece. The crystals are on a fluorite matrix with quartz and small pyrite crystals. Both calcite (red-pink) and fluorite fluoresce under UV light.

Sold

Group of fine prismatic crystals of calcite of hexagonal shape, with colour zoning and small recrystallizations of the same calcite in some areas of the piece. The crystals are on a fluorite matrix with quartz and small pyrite crystals. Both calcite (red-pink) and fluorite fluoresce under UV light.

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.

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.

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.

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.