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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.
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.
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.
Olive green prismatic olivenite crystals are arranged on a goethite matrix, along with dark green cornwallite and light green malachite aggregates. Brazil seems to have a little bit of everything when it comes to deposits, and even though it's best known for it gem pegmatites, there are all sorts of curious localities like Ibiajara where copper minerals (and even a little gold) have been found.
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.
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.
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.
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.
Druse of small, bright and defined descloizite crystals. The specimen from the Nicolau collection is accompanied by the handwritten label of Dr. Joan Viñals. It comes from the type locality for calderonite.
Globular aggregates of white acicular crystals with a silky luster of oyelite, a rare calcium borosilicate, which are accompanied by very brilliant, transparent and well-defined calcite crystals. Nowadays these specimens are quite difficult to be found. It belongs from the Nicolau collection (Barcelona) and it is accompanied by the handwritten label.
A very rich specimen of lammerite aggregates, green in color, in several geodes we can observe crystals of this rare copper arsenate. It is accompanied by groups of blue lemanskiite crystals (previously identified as lavendulana).
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.
Excellent aggregate of prismatic stibnite crystals, very brilliant, with iridescence, which are disposed forming radial aggregates. They are partially covered with fine needles of boulangerite crystals. With small doubly terminated quartz crystals. A very aesthetic, colourful piece with the J. Viñals label and from the E. Nicolau collection.
Rich groups of mixite crystals, arranged on a matrix with quartz. Joan Viñals' label indicates that it comes from the Daniel mine, in the same area as the waste dumps known as Schmiedestollen, the most famous dump in the Wittichen area, currently heavily restored. It does not belong to any real mine, but was driven to transport minerals from the nearby Alt St Joseph and Gnade Gottes mines, with which it is connected underground (see mindat), which indicates that some specimens from this dumps may belong also from this mine.
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.
Very elongated quartz crystal, very rich in faces, with excellent transparence. Rock crystal...
Very elongated quartz crystal with a very uniform and aesthetic smoky tone. Defined faces and edges and good transparence.
Excellent specimen of hydroboracite, with a very good size, formed by numerous radial aggregates of acicular crystals. Very good brilliance, transparence and with color zoning, between colorless to slightly honeyed. This specimen has a former owner's handwritten label. A display museum specimen.