In this specimen we can observe interpenetrated tapiolite-(Fe) crystals showing different facets. Good luster, intense black color with iridescence on the faces. It stands out on a matrix with muscovite and albite crystals. The analyzes carried out indicate the presence of niobium in small proportions. These results will be sent to the buyer of the specimen.

Size: 5.2 x 4.3 x 3 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.

Analyzed specimen with report

In this specimen we can observe a large group of augelite crystals, very brilliant, transparent and with very well defined faces and edges. Under magnification we can see that these crystals are richly faceted and have a pseudorhomboidal shape. They are accompanied on the matrix by small white prismatic crystals of baryte, along with numerous octahedral pyrite crystals. This specimen belongs from the Laskowski collection and is accompanied by various labels.

Size: 6.7 x 5.7 x 2.6 cm.
Main crystal: 5 mm.

Col. Erich Laskowski.

Fairfieldite is a rare calcium and manganese phosphate of which the best known specimens belong to this North Carolina mine. In this specimen we can observe various aggregates of tabular crystals, transparent, very well defined and with a slightly beige tone. An excellent specimen for the species.
From what we have been able to elucidate, it is an old specimen, which belonged to the collection of Dr. Buford Nichols, a renowned North American pediatrician who is fond of minerals and specialized in phosphates.

Size: 7.4 x 3.8 x 2.8 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.
Found in ±1970.

Excol. B. Nichols (label); Col. Erich Laskowski.

Very well defined microcline crystal that shows us a very clean prism finished in complex shapes among which the Baveno twin can be observed. This specimen comes from the Peter Seroka collection and belongs from the quarries in the Bustarviejo area (Madrid).

Size: 7.8 x 2 x 2 cm.
Found in ±1990.

Col. Peter Seroka (#798).

Old specimen of piemontite from this Swedish classic locality, little represented in collections. They are small burgundy red crystals on a matrix with calcite (fluorescent under SW.-UV). It is accompanied by a label of Lazard Cahn (1865-1940), a renowned American mineralogist about whom you can see more information at this link: Memorial of Lazard Cahn, Amer. Mineralogist Vol. 26, pages 174-177, 1941.

Size: 6.5 x 3.8 x 3.4 cm.
Found in ±1930.

Col. Lazard Cahn (USA) old label 1931.

This specimen may not stand out for its beauty but for us it stands out for its location and the origin of the specimen. It is a chalcedony with opal from the area near Vallecas, in Madrid. Fluorescent under SWUV. The sample belongs from the Bergakademie in Freiberg and due to the attached labels we can place it in the 19th century, when Vallecas was a small village. Through the other labels we can also follow its evolution in collections until a few decades ago. A piece with history, without a doubt.

Size: 5.7 x 4.5 x 2.3 cm.
Found in s. XIX.

Freiberg Bergakademie; Min. Geolog. Inst. Hamburg; Col. M. Ruppe; Col. G. Klimm
Classic locality

Rich aggregates of yuanfuliite needle like crystals, with orange-red color. They are accompanied by globular and brilliant calcite, hematite and yellow color richterite/fluoro-richterite and diopside sharp crystals. From this classic Spanish locality.

Size: 6.3 x 5.3 x 4.3 cm.

Col. Peter Seroka (#614).
Classic locality

Very esthetic specimen of elbaite showing an thick prism with striations, defined terminal faces, translucent and with colour zoning, greenish yellow to pinkish in the top. It is disposed very aerial on a matrix with feldspar and quartz.

Size: 3.2 x 2.6 x 2.3 cm.
Main crystal: 29 mm (16 mm.).

Elongated crystal of elbaite, between transparent and translucent, with greenish-yellow colour zoning, more intense at the base and with well defined and darker terminal faces. It is disposed very aerially on the matrix.

Size: 3.6 x 3 x 1.7 cm.
Main crystal: 21 mm.

Very esthetic specimen of elbaite (var. rubellite) showing an elongated prism with striations, defined terminal faces, good brilliance, translucent and the characteristic color, slightly lighter in the upper part. The specimen has been consolidated without affecting its aesthetics. They are disposed very aerial on a matrix with feldspar and quartz.

Size: 5.2 x 5 x 4.4 cm.
Main crystal: 20 mm.

Superb specimen of cerussite in sextuple reticulated twins with a very good size, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not an easy task to find specimens with such a visible grid and size. They present a very remarkable brightness and definition, translucent and white, slightly pinkish. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. The unusual size of this specimen, added to its quality, make it worthy of the best collections.

Size: 8 x 5.8 x 4.6 cm.

This is an excellent specimen of cerussite in reticulated sixling-twin tabular crystals, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not easy to find specimens with such a visible grid. They have a very remarkable brilliance and definition, translucent and snowy white much superior to what is usually seen. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. Good size and excellent aesthetics.

Size: 4 x 3.7 x 2 cm.

This is an excellent specimen of cerussite in reticulated sixling-twin tabular crystals, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not easy to find specimens with such a visible grid. They have a very remarkable brilliance and definition, translucent and snowy white much superior to what is usually seen. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. Good size and excellent aesthetics.

Size: 3.8 x 3.7 x 2.3 cm.

This is an excellent specimen of cerussite in reticulated sixling-twin tabular crystals, a highly appreciated classic of Iranian mineralogy. It is not easy to find specimens with such a visible grid. They have a very remarkable brilliance and definition, translucent and snowy white much superior to what is usually seen. They are also known as "snowflake" cerussite. Good size and excellent aesthetics.

Size: 4.9 x 3.9 x 2.5 cm.

Aesthetic stalactitic aggregates of malachite, with brilliance and uniform green color. Very aesthetic.

Size: 12 x 11 x 8.5 cm.

Malachite specimens from this Upper Katanga mine are notable for radial aggregates of fine crystals that, taken together, have a velvety appearance and excellent brilliance. Intense green colour, good size and fine aesthetics.

Size: 11 x 8.7 x 3.3 cm.

Malachite specimens from this Upper Katanga mine are notable for radial aggregates of fine crystals that, taken together, have a velvety appearance and excellent brilliance. Intense green colour, good size and fine aesthetics.

 

Size: 10.4 x 8.2 x 5 cm.

Malachite specimens from this Upper Katanga mine are notable for radial aggregates of fine crystals that, taken together, have a velvety appearance and excellent brilliance. Intense green colour, good size and fine aesthetics.

Size: 9.1 x 8.6 x 4.2 cm.

Agatized coral with marked bands. In a very visible coral matrix. Filled inside with botryoidal and banded chalcedony. The sparkly, translucent botryoids and banding have a pleasing variety of honey-brown and creamy colors. Very aesthetic and unusual in the marked. Fluoresces in a light-blue color under a long wave fluorescent light. From Joan Astor (Barcelona) collection.

Size: 6.4 x 6.3 x 2.3 cm.
Found in ±1988.

Fluorescent under long wave UV

This specimen from Mali shows us three doubly terminated epidote crystals, with well defined faces and edges and an intense green color. It is accompanied by sheaf aggregates of stilbite, a presentation different from the usual one for the deposit. Very aerial and aesthetic.

Size: 7.5 x 4.4 x 3.5 cm.
Main crystal: 4.8 x 1.5 cm.

Grube Clara baryte specimens are a classic for the species in Europe. In this specimen we can enjoy numerous crystal aggregates, some isolated, presenting a rich complexity of facets. They are mainly formed by faces of orthorhombic prisms and curiously some are translucent while others are totally transparent. The brilliance, transparence and contrast on the matrix add aesthetics to this specimen.

Size: 7 x 4.4 x 2.5 cm.
Main crystal: 7 mm.
Found in ±2020.

Classic locality

An old-time pseudomorph from the St. Austell District of Cornwall. A very sharp, doubly terminated, Carlsbad-twinned orthoclase crystal has been pseudomorphed by kaolinite. Great old classic material from Cornwall. The piece, adquired to Bailey, is from the collection of Joan Astor and comes with his label.

Size: 6.2 x 3.3 x 1.5 cm.
Found in ±1980.

Col. Joan Astor (Barcelona).

These specimens from this Czech locality were initially cataloged as "hornblende", later studies indicated that it could be kaersutite, a member of the amphibole group. This specimen has a brownish tone that makes us think it could be a pseudomorphosis. It shows very well defined faces that can allow crystallography lovers to measure angles. An old sample.

Size: 3.3 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm.

Classic locality

Wulfenite specimens like the one we present are very unusual for this locality and appeared many years ago. On a matrix with dolomite, galena and baryte there are numerous crystals of intense orange color, with dipyramid faces truncated by the pinacoids. Some appear as isolated crystals and mostly in parallel growth. This specimen is from the Peter Seroka collection and previously belonged to the Marcus Lueg collection.

Size: 7.9 x 7.2 x 4.8 cm.
Main crystal: 1.1 cm.
Found in ±2008.

Col. M. Lueg (2008); Col. P. Seroka (#22)
Classic locality

Various groups of octahedral spinel crystals, very well defined, brilliant and with an intense black color. They are disposed on a matrix of volcanic rock with forsterite. This is a very representative specimen for the species and for this classic Italian locality. It belongs from various collections. Good size and quality for the species.

Size: 6.8 x 5.5 x 4 cm.
Main crystal: 3 mm.

Excol. Panunzi (Itàlia); Excol. Imma Punzo; Col. E. Laskowski (USA)
Classic locality