Reference Specimens / Spain / Fabre Minerals

This page provides a selection of the specimens that have passed through the Fabre Minerals website and, due to their quality,
rarity, or significance as specimens from interesting locations, have been preserved as reference specimens in #MVM

El Horcajo Pyromorphite

During the last century a mine at El Horcajo, Ciudad Real, produced great Pyromorphite with a very large variety of forms. Specimens from the locality are very well represented in major European Museums. Unfortunately little of this material is available and it is very difficult to get hold of specimen from this mine. We obtained a few small specimens from an old Spanish collection and we are able to offer them :

Pyromorphite

TC280NEE: This specimen shows the very classic morphology of El Horcajo, with typical groups of parallel prismatic crystals that form palisades. It is an intense green color with the classic zoning on the tips.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 1.6 × 1.1 × 1.1 cm = 0.63” × 0.43” × 0.43”

Main crystal size: 0.2 × 0.1 cm = 0.08” × 0.04”

Pyromorphite

NF59F2: Pyromorphite from El Horcajo is historic. One rarely finds specimens on the mineral market. The crystal has the faces of the prism and the hopper termination presents a perfect profile. The color is also excellent.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 1.7 × 1.5 × 1.1 cm = 0.67” × 0.59” × 0.43”

Main crystal size: 1 × 1 cm = 0.39” × 0.39”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Pyromorphite

NA6M3: A classic specimen from one of the most famous Spanish mineral localities. These Pyromorphites, which are now very difficult to obtain, were collected in the early 20th century. Parallel growth of Pyromorphite crystals, several of them doubly terminated, with pyramid terminations and color zoning.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 2 × 1.5 × 1 cm = 0.79” × 0.59” × 0.39”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.2 cm = 0.28” × 0.08”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Pyromorphite

NM58L3: A classic specimen from one of the most famous Spanish mineral localities. These Pyromorphites, which are now very difficult to obtain, were collected in the early 20th century. We are showing a nice miniature formed by a prismatic group with excellent color and multiple and slight color zoned terminations. On the backside of the specimen there are some small doubly terminated crystals.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 2 × 1.8 × 1.5 cm = 0.79” × 0.71” × 0.59”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.3 cm = 0.43” × 0.12”

Minor fluorescence short UV

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Rear

Pyromorphite

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Rear

NX59L3: A classic specimen from one of the most famous Spanish mineral localities. These Pyromorphites, which are now very difficult to obtain, were collected in the early 20th century. A miniature formed by prismatic to acicular doubly terminated crystals with excellent color and luster.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 2.3 × 2.3 × 1.4 cm = 0.91” × 0.91” × 0.55”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.1 cm = 0.20” × 0.04”

Minor fluorescence short UV

Pyromorphite

NP63M3: A classic specimen from one of the most famous Spanish mineral localities. These Pyromorphites, which are now very difficult to obtain, were collected in the early 20th century. Acicular to fibrous groups of crystals, showing a curious felted luster. Green color is excellent, with tones more or less deep, depending on the crystal zone.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 3 × 2.7 × 1.2 cm = 1.18” × 1.06” × 0.47”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Pyromorphite

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Rear

NM50AI0: Group of Pyromorphite crystals, a lot of them doubly terminated. They are very well defined, bright and have a greenish yellow color that is unusual for the locality. A fine sample of the most classic locality for Spanish Pyromorphite.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 3.2 × 2.6 × 1.9 cm = 1.26” × 1.02” × 0.75”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 1 cm = 0.47” × 0.39”

Pyromorphite

NT47AM4: Group of acicular Pyromorphite crystals in parallel growths that form thicker crystals with hopper terminations
A Spanish classic that comes from the Ignacio Gaspar collection (number PIF-45), whose label we will send to the buyer.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 4 × 2.5 × 2.3 cm = 1.57” × 0.98” × 0.91”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 0.7 cm = 0.47” × 0.28”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

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Rear

Pyromorphite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

NFT89AQ0: Group, on matrix, of very sharp prismatic crystals of Pyromorphite that in some areas of the specimen form very close parallel aggregates and, in others, short hexagonal crystals with very deep hoppers.
This specimen, from one of the most famous classical Spanish deposits, comes from the Ignacio Gaspar Sintes collection (number PiF-49)
These mines are located in the southern sector of the Iberian Hercynian Massif, with hydrothermal mineralization hosted in Paleozoic rocks. The argentiferous Galena veins produced Pyromorphite specimens of exceptional quality, regarded among the finest in the world for their intense green color, high luster, and varied crystal habits.

El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 4.3 × 3.5 × 3 cm = 1.69” × 1.38” × 1.18”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

Pyromorphite

TPX88CD5: What can we say about a specimen of Pyromorphite from the El Horcajo mining district of such high quality? For its vivid and uniform green color, for its fibrous structure so typical of the locality, and for its size, forming crystals of up to 3 centimeters...
An oldie that takes us back to legendary times.
The specimen comes from the former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 5.1 × 4.4 × 3.9 cm = 2.01” × 1.73” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 3 × 0.4 cm = 1.18” × 0.16”

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Recorded under neon light

Almadén

Almadén is dead – long live Almadén!
A mine that has been in operation for over 20 centuries – it was first worked by the Romans from 372-287 BC – has recently been closed down. All work in the mine has stopped and the waste tips have been re-processed, so it will no longer be possible to find more specimens from this classic locality. As the old galleries have now been made safe so that they can be used as a new mining museum we don’t think they will find anything underground either. Before the Chinese Cinnabar appeared it was the locality that produced the best Cinnabar samples in the world. From our stock we have selected some examples, thus giving people who do not already have one the chance to add an Almadén sample to their collection.

Cinnabar with Mercury, Calcite and Pyrite

NQ46AM9: Groups of very sharp Cinnabar crystals, with the dominant forms of a rhombohedron, fine striations, translucent, with bright luster and a vivid color. With small drops of native Mercury, Calcite crystals and small Pyrite coatings.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 3.1 × 1.7 × 1.6 cm = 1.22” × 0.67” × 0.63”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.3 cm = 0.16” × 0.12”

Cinnabar with Quartz

NB37AL9: Groups of twinned rhombohedral crystals of Cinnabar on matrix with Quartz crystals, translucent, bright and with a very vivid color.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 3.8 × 1.5 × 1.4 cm = 1.50” × 0.59” × 0.55”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.2 cm = 0.16” × 0.08”

Cinnabar with Calcite and Quartz

NQ27AL3: Rhombohedral Cinnabar crystals, one of them clearly dominant and individual, translucent, shiny, very deep in color, on matrix, with small crystals of Calcite and Quartz
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1960-70)

Specimen size: 4.6 × 4 × 1.2 cm = 1.81” × 1.57” × 0.47”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.4 cm = 0.24” × 0.16”

Cinnabar with Dolomite and Mercury

NQ91AK0: Group of complex crystals of Cinnabar with very well defined faces and edges, translucent, very bright, with a very vivid and deep color, with coatings of small white crystals of Dolomite and on matrix. Also with small drops of native Mercury.
An old classic from the collection of Ignacio Gaspar, which was previously in the collection of Martín Oliete. We will send the buyer the cards from both collections.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (1980)

Specimen size: 4.9 × 4.7 × 1.2 cm = 1.93” × 1.85” × 0.47”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.5 cm = 0.39” × 0.20”

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

Cinnabar with Pyrite and Quartz

HM90NR: Group of very sharp crystals of Cinnabar, on a matrix of the same mineral, with coatings of small transparent Quartz crystals and small cubic Pyrite crystals.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 6.1 × 5.1 × 2.2 cm = 2.40” × 2.01” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.3 cm = 0.16” × 0.12”

Cinnabar with Quartz

NR68AM1: Polycrystalline Cinnabar growth with very well defined crystal forms, dominated by the rhombohedron. Transparent, very lustrous, with bright red color, on a matrix with small Quartz crystals.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1960-70)

Specimen size: 6.1 × 4.1 × 3.8 cm = 2.40” × 1.61” × 1.50”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 0.6 cm = 0.47” × 0.24”

Cinnabar with Calcite and Mercury

EM59AI8: Group of Cinnabar crystals whose definition on their faces and edges is very much better than usual. They are translucent, extraordinarily bright and have a very intense and vivid color. On matrix, with Calcite and native Mercury drops and inclusions.
The sample is from the Raúl Sanabria collection whose label we will send to the buyer.
San Teodoro shaft, Almadén Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1970)

Specimen size: 6.2 × 2.5 × 3.8 cm = 2.44” × 0.98” × 1.50”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.4 cm = 0.31” × 0.16”

Former collection of Raúl Sanabria

Cinnabar with Dolomite

NT69AI7: Group of crystals with well-defined faces and edges and very well defined skeletal and parallel growths. They are translucent, very bright, have a very vivid color and they are on a matrix of white Quartz microcrystals.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1960-70)

Specimen size: 6.2 × 3.3 × 1.3 cm = 2.44” × 1.30” × 0.51”

Cinnabar

NG86S5: Aggregate of Cinnabar crystals with a dominant rhombohedron, typically striated on specimens from this locality. Color is very rich and deep and the luster is excellent. It is in a fine-grained Cinnabar matrix with interstitial native Mercury.
San Teodoro shaft, Almadén Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 6.8 × 5.4 × 4.7 cm = 2.68” × 2.13” × 1.85”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.5 cm = 0.24” × 0.20”

Cinnabar with Dolomite

NP89AL3: Polycrystalline growths of transparent rhombohedral Cinnabar crystals, brilliant, on matrix, with aggregates of white rhombohedral Dolomite crystals.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1960-70)

Specimen size: 7 × 6 × 2.5 cm = 2.76” × 2.36” × 0.98”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.43” × 0.39”

Cinnabar with Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

TC21500NMR: Group of Cinnabar crystals very rich in faces, one of the crystals clearly dominant, transparent, with very bright luster and a bright red color. On matrix, with white Calcite coatings.
The specimen comes from the collection of Ignacio Gaspar Sintes (number CIN-52), whose label, accompanied by others that show a good history, we will send to the buyer.
Of the best quality for Almadén.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 7.5 × 4 × 4 cm = 2.95” × 1.57” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.7 cm = 0.39” × 0.28”

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

Cinnabar with Quartz

NT69AG9: Parallel growth of Cinnabar crystals with polycrystalline surfaces and slight curvatures on the edges. They are translucent, bright, with an intense color and are on matrix with small Quartz crystals. A Spanish classic. The sample is from the Eugeni Bareche collection (num. 692) and we’ll send the label to the buyer.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1960-70)

Specimen size: 8.1 × 5.7 × 4.3 cm = 3.19” × 2.24” × 1.69”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 0.8 cm = 0.67” × 0.31”

Cinnabar

Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén	Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén	Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén

Fluorescent light (daylight)

TLM1AO6: Cinnabar crystals with much sharper than usual crystal forms, translucent, with a very good luster and vivid color, on matrix.
A Spanish classic that comes from the Jean-Louis Goux collection.
Distrito Minero de Almadén, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 9 × 5.4 × 1.6 cm = 3.54” × 2.13” × 0.63”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.4 cm = 0.43” × 0.16”

Former collection of Jean-Louis Goux

Cinnabar with Mercury

TFB93CD4: Group of numerous Cinnabar crystals with perfectly defined faces and edges, dominated by rhombohedron forms, translucent and very lustrous, and very vivid in color with marked striations on the crystal faces and on matrix.
An excellent classic of Spanish mineralogy from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly whose label we will send to the buyer, and on which the annotation M.C.N. is observed, indicating that it belonged to the Museum of Natural Sciences of Madrid.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 10 × 5.2 × 4.2 cm = 3.94” × 2.05” × 1.65”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.7 cm = 0.31” × 0.28”

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén

Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén

Recorded under neon light

Cinnabar with Quartz

Fluorescent light (daylight)

EFF49AQ1: Individualized Cinnabar crystals with sharp crystal forms dominated by the prism. Translucent, with good luster and a deep color, on matrix, with small crystals of transparent Quartz. A Spanish classic.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 10.2 × 7.2 × 3.5 cm = 4.02” × 2.83” × 1.38”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.5 cm = 0.28” × 0.20”

Cinnabar with Mercury and Calcite

VB70Z1: Cinnabar crystals with very well defined faces and edges, with excellent color and extraordinary luster. They are on matrix, with Quartz and small Mercury spheres. One of the main crystals, that at first appearance may seem foliated, is a twin, as one of the images attests, showing a small aggregate of microcrystalline Quartz and a small Cinnabar crystal occupying part of both twin faces.
San Teodoro shaft, Almadén Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1978)

Specimen size: 10.8 × 10.4 × 4 cm = 4.25” × 4.09” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.6 cm = 0.24” × 0.24”

Former collection of A. Mayor

Cinnabar

EB63K1: Small group of small but very well defined and bright crystals. The specimen is from the El Entredicho mine, in Almadenejos which is some distance from Almadén and whose crystallizations are very infrequent.
El Entredicho Mine, Almadenejos, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1980)

Specimen size: 3.9 × 2.3 × 2.8 cm = 1.54” × 0.91” × 1.10”

Main crystal size: 0.2 × 0.1 cm = 0.08” × 0.04”

Cinnabar with Quartz and Calcite

NA96AL9: Cinnabar crystals on matrix with Quartz and Calcite crystals. With a dominant group in parallel growth, with very well defined faces and edges, translucent, very lustrous and with a particularly vivid color for the locality where they are usually darker.
The specimen comes from the Ignacio Gaspar Sintes collection (number CIN-45), whose collection card we will send to the buyer.
Las Cuevas Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±2004)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 1.6 × 2.1 cm = 1.65” × 0.63” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 0.9 × 0.4 cm = 0.35” × 0.16”

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

Cinnabar with Mercury and Quartz

NM14X9: Rhombohedral Cinnabar crystals, one of them clearly dominant, bright, with a very intense color and on matrix with native Mercury drops and small Quartz crystals.
Las Cuevas Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (2006)

Specimen size: 4.7 × 3.2 × 2.5 cm = 1.85” × 1.26” × 0.98”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.5 cm = 0.24” × 0.20”

Cinnabar with Quartz with Cinnabar inclusions

TPM56CD5: A rarity for Almadén, not only because of the minerals it contains but because of how they interact with each other. Very dark vermilion Cinnabar crystals are deposited on a matrix of 'piedra frailesca', but mostly covered by a druse of Quartz crystals with Cinnabar inclusions that make the Quartz look like it has iron oxide staining but which is really caused by the reddish mercury sulfide.
This specimen comes from the former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
Las Cuevas Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (1999-2002)

Specimen size: 5.2 × 3.2 × 3.1 cm = 2.05” × 1.26” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.2 cm = 0.16” × 0.08”

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Recorded under neon light

Cinnabar with Calcite, Mercury and Pyrite

Recorded under neon light

MHH88CD3: On a matrix formed by the “frailesca” rock which is typical of the Almadén area, there are several cavities which have developed Cinnabar crystals, one of them clearly dominant with the predominant forms of the rhombohedron, with curved edges, extraordinarily lustrous and deep carmine-red. They are associated with small Calcite crystals and droplets of Mercury scattered in the matrix, plus tiny lustrous Pyrite crystals.
A classic association for the now extinct Las Cuevas Mine, in the Almadén mining district, although, unlike most specimens from this mine, the crystal is sharper and redder than what used to come out there.
Las Cuevas Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 6.7 × 4.9 × 3.1 cm = 2.64” × 1.93” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.9 cm = 0.39” × 0.35”

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Cinnabar with Dolomite

NA94AL9: Group of twinned rhombohedral crystals of Cinnabar, translucent, very lustrous and with a particularly vivid color. Due to its quality, it is among the best ever found at the classic Almadén locality, currently only open for tourist visits.
The specimen comes from the Ignacio Gaspar Sintes collection (number CIN-37), whose collection card we will send to the buyer, accompanied by a label from Mark Mauthner, in which it appears to have previously been in the Griffin collection and in the Smithsonian (former Carl Bosch collection)
This specimen has been photographed and published as a reference for the Carl Bosch collection in the magazine ‘Lapis‘ number 7-8/2024, page 32
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 5.4 × 3.4 × 3.3 cm = 2.13” × 1.34” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.5 cm = 0.24” × 0.20”

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

Cinnabar with Chalcopyrite and Dolomite

NB27AG9: Druse of translucent white rhombohedral Dolomite crystals with included small Cinnabar crystals with a very vivid color and bright small twinned Chalcopyrite crystals. We note that the samples from Almadén with well crystallized accessory species are very rare, and even moreso if included and very visible in clear Dolomite.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1960-70)

Specimen size: 7 × 5.9 × 2.9 cm = 2.76” × 2.32” × 1.14”

Cinnabar

MA91AL0: Cinnabar crystal group with prismatic habit, finely striated, with rhombohedral terminations, transparent, very bright luster, and a surprisingly lively color. A Spanish classic that comes from the Luís Barea collection in Madrid.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain

Specimen size: 9.5 × 9.3 × 6.5 cm = 3.74” × 3.66” × 2.56”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.6 cm = 0.28” × 0.24”

Former collection of Luis Barea

Metacinnabar with Cinnabar

Recorded under neon light

TPT76CD6: Cinnabar crystals with their characteristic vermilion color, deposited on a rock matrix. The upper part of the specimen is highlighted by the presence of aggregates of small dark and lustrous Metacinnabar crystals.
The specimen has been analyzed, and comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
Las Cuevas Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±2013)

Specimen size: 7.6 × 5.3 × 5 cm = 2.99” × 2.09” × 1.97”

Analyzed

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Pyrite with Calcite-Dolomite

NA14AH4: Clusters of small Pyrite crystals with complex crystalline forms, with dominant cube faces. They have grown on a botryoidal growth of linear Dolomite crystals that, on the back, have geometric hollows left by an unknown disappeared mineral that had trigonal geometry. Extraordinarily unusual for the locality, currently extinct.
Almaden Mine, Almadén, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (±1980)

Specimen size: 13.2 × 9 × 2.9 cm = 5.20” × 3.54” × 1.14”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.4 cm = 0.16” × 0.16”

Front

Rear

Donharrisite on Quartz

NFD52XXX: Specimen of Donharrisite, a very rare nickel and mercury sulfide of considerable size for the species, formed by very bright black tabular crystals on a Quartz matrix. A mineral species present in only three countries and that in Spain also occurs at the Eugenia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat.
It has been published in the magazine ‘Paragénesis’ number 01/2025, page 115.
Furthermore, this specimen has been mentioned in thread FMF - MineralExpo Barcelona-Sants 2024 (edición octubre) - Minerales Invisibles

The locality is part of the historic Almadén–Almadenejos mining district, one of the most important in the world for mercury. The mineralization is dominated by Cinnabar, with the presence of other species, some of them very uncommon, and is associated with a hydrothermal system developed mainly in Paleozoic materials, with slate and quartzite host rocks. These processes gave rise to mercury deposits of great continuity and historical relevance, exploited since Roman times and playing a key role in European and worldwide mining.
El Entredicho Mine, Almadenejos, Comarca Valle de Alcudia, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha Spain (08/09/2023)

Specimen size: 5 × 3.2 × 2.1 cm = 1.97” × 1.26” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.2 cm = 0.20” × 0.08”

Former collection of Josep Carreras

Photo: J.A. Soldevilla

Microcline with Quartz (variety smoky)

NC14AL3: Microcline crystal with very well defined faces and edges, with clear double twinning according to both the Baveno and Manebach twin laws, and implanted in a translucent smoky Quartz crystal with deep and uniform color. Can Vernenc, close to Gualba, is an area that has produced very few collector quality specimens.
Can Vernenc, Montnegre Mountains, La Batllòria, Sant Celoni, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (1980-1985)

Specimen size: 7.8 × 4 × 4.7 cm = 3.07” × 1.57” × 1.85”

Main crystal size: 7.8 × 4 cm = 3.07” × 1.57”

Front

Side

Epidote

XM140: Druse of fan-like growths of elongated Epidote crystals with sharp crystal forms, good terminations, translucent, lustrous, and with a very deep green color, on an ophitic rock matrix.
Barranc de les Collades, Pantà d'Escales, Casterner de les Olles, Tremp, Comarca Pallars Jussà, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (03-04/2010)

Specimen size: 9,7 × 6.9 × 4 cm = 3.54” × 2.72” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.3 cm = 0.39” × 0.12”

Calcite (variety Co-bearing calcite)

Fluorescent light (daylight)

TC2280NMR: Banded growths of Calcite (cobalt-bearing variety) with an intense color that alternates with bands of white and yellowish Calcite.
The specimen has been polished to show the banding and its color more clearly.
Solita Mine, Peramea, Baix Pallars, Comarca Pallars Sobirà, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 10.2 × 8 × 0.9 cm = 4.02” × 3.15” × 0.35”

Weight: 129 grams

Calcita (variety Cobalt-bearing)

TC240NG: Botryoidal aggregates with areas of different colors, ranging from white to pink and deep mauve, with more crystalline, translucent and lustrous areas. At one time, it was said that the greenish yellow areas corresponded to nickel-bearing calcites, but later studies did not confirm the presence of nickel.
Solita Mine, Peramea, Baix Pallars, Comarca Pallars Sobirà, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 15 × 8 ×6 cm = 5.91” × 3.15” × 2.36”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 0.2 cm = 0.59” × 0.08”

Quartz with Pyrophyllite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

JXF36AP8: Group of Quartz crystals, all of them doubly terminated, transparent, very lustrous and partially covered by white Pyrophyllite microcrystals.
This very old specimen comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly and is accompanied by a card handwritten by Joaquín Folch Girona that we will send to the buyer.
Baiasca, Llavorsí, Comarca Pallars Sobirà, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1956)

Specimen size: 6 × 5 × 4.1 cm = 2.36” × 1.97” × 1.61”

Main crystal size: 5.4 × 2.7 cm = 2.13” × 1.06”

Former collection Folch (duplicates)

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

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Side

Rear

Gahnite with Quartz

NX9R7: From a recent rediscovery of this Spanish classic, with nice bluish color and a more individualized crystal than usual.
Victoria Mine, Arrés, Vall d'Aran, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (09/2009)

Specimen size: 3 × 3.3 × 2.3 cm = 1.18” × 1.30” × 0.91”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.6 cm = 0.24” × 0.24”

Gahnite with Quartz

NL12W8: Flattened octahedral crystals, one of them clearly dominant with a grayish blue color and on a matrix of massive Quartz. A Spanish “oldie”.
Victoria Mine, Arrés, Vall d'Aran, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (09/2009)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 2.1 × 2 cm = 1.50” × 0.83” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 1 × 1 cm = 0.39” × 0.39”

Celestine with Calcite

NK16M9: Lance-like crystals of Celestine that have excellent luster and sky blue color. They are in a geode upholstered by small "hedgehogs" of white crystals of Calcite. The sample is from a 2007 find.
Celestine deposit, Torà, Comarca Solsonès, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (09-11/2007)

Specimen size: 7.5 × 5.2 × 7.3 cm = 2.95” × 2.05” × 2.87”

Main crystal size: 2 × 0.3 cm = 0.79” × 0.12”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV

Celestine with Calcite

NB16K9: Vug of sword-shaped Celestine crystals, with excellent luster and sky-blue color, coated by small white creamy hedgehoglike Calcite crystals. The specimen is a recent and exceptional find in the same locality as old findings, in Torà, but the new specimen’s quality is much better.
Celestine deposit, Torà, Comarca Solsonès, Lérida / Lleida, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (09-11/2007)

Specimen size: 8.8 × 5.2 × 5 cm = 3.46” × 2.05” × 1.97”

Main crystal size: 2.5 × 0.5 cm = 0.98” × 0.20”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV

Galena with Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

JAA36AP8: Cubo-octahedral crystals of Galena with very sharp crystal forms and of considerable size for the deposit. Quality galenas from La Martorellense must be considered historic.
The specimen comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
La Martorellense Mine, Martorell-Castellví de Rosanes, Comarca Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 5.2 × 4.1 × 3.3 cm = 2.05” × 1.61” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.5 cm = 0.59” × 0.59”

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

NGX11AQ0: Growth of very acute scalenohedral Calcite crystals, water-clear and with a second generation of less well defined crystals, smaller in size and yellowish in color.
Can Palomeres Mines, Malgrat de Mar, Comarca Maresme, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (2017)

Specimen size: 6.1 × 4.1 × 3.5 cm = 2.40” × 1.61” × 1.38”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 0.6 cm = 0.67” × 0.24”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

NCX13AQ0: Growth, on matrix, of very acute scalenohedral Calcite crystals, water-clear and with a second generation of less well defined crystals, smaller in size and yellowish in color.
Can Palomeres Mines, Malgrat de Mar, Comarca Maresme, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (2017)

Specimen size: 7.4 × 7.2 × 5.7 cm = 2.91” × 2.83” × 2.24”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 0.6 cm = 0.59” × 0.24”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Calcite

NE26AM1: Delicate and very aerial growth of two generations of Calcite crystals, one of them as white crystals with the crystal forms of a very acute scalenohedron, translucent and with a pearly luster, and a second generation whose crystals have curved terminations and a yellowish color. Such quality specimens are rare from this locality.
Can Palomeres Mines, Malgrat de Mar, Comarca Maresme, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (2017)

Specimen size: 8.8 × 6.7 × 6.1 cm = 3.46” × 2.64” × 2.40”

Main crystal size: 2 × 0.5 cm = 0.79” × 0.20”

Very fluorescent long & short UV

Quartz (variety smoky) with Albite and Microcline

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Side

NA47AM7: Very sharp smoky Quartz crystal, between transparent and translucent, with bright luster and very intense and uniform smoky tones, on a matrix of Albite and Microcline. From a little-known locality from which very few specimens were preserved, this being one of the best.
Els Saulons Quarry, Bigues i Riells, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (2015)

Specimen size: 11.1 × 6.7 × 6 cm = 4.37” × 2.64” × 2.36”

Main crystal size: 11 × 6.7 cm = 4.33” × 2.64”

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte and Fluorite

RA13AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix and with crystalline Baryte and Fluorite. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 2.5 × 1.4 × 1.3 cm = 0.98” × 0.55” × 0.51”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.43” × 0.39”

Fluorite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte and Fluorite

RV6AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with crystalline Baryte and Fluorite. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 2.7 × 2.1 × 1.5 cm = 1.06” × 0.83” × 0.59”

Main crystal size: 1.6 × 1.1 cm = 0.63” × 0.43”

Fluorite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte and Fluorite

RB13AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with crystalline Baryte and Fluorite. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 3 × 2.1 × 1.2 cm = 1.18” × 0.83” × 0.47”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1 cm = 0.71” × 0.39”

Fluorite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Fluorite and Baryte

RX26AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with crystalline Baryte and Fluorite. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 3.1 × 2.1 × 1.4 cm = 1.22” × 0.83” × 0.55”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.6 cm = 0.31” × 0.24”

Fluorite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Cerussite, Baryte, Fluorite and Galena

RG76AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte, Fluorite, and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 4.5 × 4.6 × 3.4 cm = 1.77” × 1.81” × 1.34”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1 cm = 0.55” × 0.39”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite)

N57ZJ0: Laminar, very thin, crystals of this rare variety of Wulfenite (Chillagite is tungstenian wulfenite). They are enhanced by a white matrix. The locality is a classic of Spanish mineralogy.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (1983)

Specimen size: 4.7 × 3.7 × 2.2 cm = 1.85” × 1.46” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.3 cm = 0.39” × 0.12”

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Fluorite, Cerussite and Galena

RC36AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte and very small crystals of Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit and associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 5 × 2.6 × 1.9 cm = 1.97” × 1.02” × 0.75”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.7 cm = 0.39” × 0.28”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Fluorite, Cerussite and Galena.

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Cerussite, Baryte, Fluorite and Galena

RD36AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte and very small crystals of Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit and associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 5 × 3.1 × 2.7 cm = 1.97” × 1.22” × 1.06”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.6 cm = 0.71” × 0.63”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Fluorite, Cerussite and Galena

RE36AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte and very small crystals of Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit and associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 5.7 × 3 × 3.3 cm = 2.24” × 1.18” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 1.2 × 0.5 cm = 0.47” × 0.20”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Fluorite, Cerussite and Galena

RF46AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte and very small crystals of Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 6.3 × 4.6 × 3.6 cm = 2.48” × 1.81” × 1.42”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.3 cm = 0.20” × 0.12”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Cerussite, Galena and Baryte

RA56AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte, Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 3.6 × 1.8 cm = 2.52” × 1.42” × 0.71”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 0.9 cm = 0.87” × 0.35”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Cerussite, Galena and Baryte.

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Fluorite, Cerussite and Galena

RP26AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte and very small crystals of Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 7.9 × 5.5 × 3.9 cm = 3.11” × 2.17” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.5 cm = 0.39” × 0.20”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Fluorite, Cerussite and Galena

RR56AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte, very small crystals of Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 8.3 × 5.5 × 5.3 cm = 3.27” × 2.17” × 2.09”

Main crystal size: 1.6 × 0.4 cm = 0.63” × 0.16”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

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Side

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Baryte, Cerussite and Galena

RT96AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte, Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 8.5 × 6.4 × 5.1 cm = 3.35” × 2.52” × 2.01”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 0.7 cm = 0.71” × 0.28”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Cerussite, Baryte and Galena

RQ46AM8: Deformed lamellar crystals of Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with a light cream color. On matrix, with Baryte, Fluorite and small crystals of Cerussite associated with Galena. A historical classic of Spanish mineralogy with the peculiarity of the presence of Cerussite that did not usually appear in this deposit associated with chillagite.
Teresita Mine, Can Donadeu, Sant Fost de Campsentelles, Comarca Vallès Oriental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (±1955)

Specimen size: 8.7 × 4.9 × 4.3 cm = 3.43” × 1.93” × 1.69”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.2 cm = 0.39” × 0.08”

Fluorite and Cerussite fluorescent long & short UV

Wulfenite (variety chillagite) with Cerussite, Baryte and Galena.

Calcite with Fluorite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

JRM16AP8: Complex Calcite crystals, one of them clearly dominant, very rich in faces, transparent, lustrous, colorless, and implanted on a matrix covered with small octahedral crystals of green Fluorite.
This quite old specimen comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
Berta Quarry, Can Domènech Hill, Roques Blanques Mountains, Sant Cugat del Vallès-El Papiol, Comarca Vallès Occidental / Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (1996)

Specimen size: 9 × 4.7 × 4.7 cm = 3.54” × 1.85” × 1.85”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.8 cm = 0.79” × 0.71”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Montgomeryite

N58DKJ0: The specimen has a higher quality than usual. It has a nice green color, silky luster and it is on matrix. Montgomeryite is one of the classic species from this locality near Barcelona.
Turó de Montcada Quarry, Montcada i Reixac, Comarca Vallès Occidental, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (07/1994)

Specimen size: 5 × 4.4 × 3.1 cm = 1.97” × 1.73” × 1.22”

Fluorescent short UV

Fluorite

NTT81XXX: Group formed by globular aggregates of octahedral Fluorite crystals that have grown together to adopt these spherical shapes and that can be observed under magnification, where the different growth phases can be distinguished. They are apple-green in color and bright, and are on a porphyritic rock matrix.
From a significant find very close to the urban center of Barcelona, specifically in the neighboring city of Santa Coloma de Gramenet.
This piece has been photographed and published in the magazine ‘Paragénesis’ number 01/2025, page 107

The locality lies within the geological framework of the Catalan Coastal Range, dominated by Paleozoic materials of the Hercynian basement, mainly schists and granites, locally affected by fracturing and low-intensity hydrothermal processes. This context gave rise to small vein-type mineralizations and to modest mineral associations of local and educational interest, such as the characteristic globular Fluorite from the locality.
Can Franquesa, Castellar Hill (Marina Range), Singuerlín, Santa Coloma de Gramenet, Comarca Barcelonès, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (14/01/2015)

Specimen size: 6.2 × 5.1 × 2.6 cm = 2.44” × 2.01” × 1.02”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.8 cm = 0.31” × 0.31”

Photo: Joaquim Callén

Fluorescent long UV

Former collection of Cristina Clos

Millerite coated by Jamborite on Calcite with Chalcopyrite

N7BGJ5: Radial divergent groups of acicular Millerite crystals coated by Jamborite, on a Calcite matrix rich in Chalcopyrite.
Eugenia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 2.5 × 2.1 × 3.3 cm = 0.98” × 0.83” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 1.9 × 0.1 cm = 0.75” × 0.04”

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Side

Millerite coated by Jamborite

TC90NFX: Centered growth, on a Calcite matrix, of lustrous acicular crystals of Millerite with partial coatings of green Jamborite.
A classic of Spanish mineralogy that comes from the Eugeni Bareche collection.
Eugenia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (1988)

Specimen size: 3.6 × 2.8 × 3.1 cm = 1.42” × 1.10” × 1.22”

Former collection of Eugeni Bareche

Millerite with Calcite and Pyrite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

SV2240NXH: Fan of fibrous-radiated Millerite crystals, with a golden color and great luster, on a Calcite matrix offering a nice color contrast, with small Pyrite crystals and remnants of limestone matrix. Note that this specimen has not been acid-etched, as can be seen from the good condition of its Calcite.
The specimen is a classic of Catalan mineralogy and comes from the collection of Ignacio Gaspar Sintes.

Eugenia Mine belongs to the historic Bellmunt mining district, mainly known for its argentiferous galena deposits. The mine was an old lead concession of four mining claims (approximately four hectares). It was already listed in the Spanish Mining Statistics of 1909 and, judging by its registration number, it is considered to be even older, indicating an old exploitation within the Bellmunt mining district.

Geologically, the mineralization occurs in hydrothermal veins hosted by Paleozoic rocks of the Catalan Coastal Range. These veins contain mainly Galena and Sphalerite, accompanied by various sulfides and a wide range of secondary minerals formed in the oxidation zone.
Eugenia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 5.4 × 4.5 × 4 cm = 2.13” × 1.77” × 1.57”

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

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Millerite with Pyrite and Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

JBM98AP8: Centered sprays of acicular Millerite crystals, very lustrous, on a pink Calcite matrix with Pyrite microcrystals.
This very fine specimen comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
Eugenia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 6.9 × 6.5 × 3.3 cm = 2.72” × 2.56” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 2.5 × 1.1 cm = 0.98” × 0.43”

Former collection of Moutet (Marseille)

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

Galena with Dolomite and Baryte

Fluorescent light (daylight)

JPR66AP8: Very sharp octahedral crystal of Galena, with the vertices truncated by cube faces, and partially covered by Barite at the base and by Dolomite on the side faces.
The specimen, which corresponds to a relatively modern find, comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly.
Regia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (06/2002)

Specimen size: 3.2 × 3.1 × 3.1 cm = 1.26” × 1.22” × 1.22”

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

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Side

Galena with Siderite

Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén

Front

Side

Fluorescent light (daylight)

TBS96AP8: Group of cubo-octahedral Galena crystals, on matrix, one of them clearly dominant, very aerial and of good size, lustrous, and with fine polycrystalline growths on the faces.
The specimen, a great classic of Spanish mineralogy and of high quality, comes from the collection of the Ignacio Gaspar Sintes (number GAL-1019) and was previously in those of Jordi Povill and Josep Monné Porqueras.
Regia Mine, Bellmunt del Priorat, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 9 × 8.5 × 7 cm = 3.54” × 3.35” × 2.76”

Main crystal size: 6 × 5 cm = 2.36” × 1.97”

Former collection of Josep Monné Porqueras

Former collection of Jordi Povill

Former collection of Ignacio Gaspar

Cerussite with Galena

Fluorescent light (daylight)

JMA96AP8: Tabular and twinned crystals of Cerussite, translucent, with very good luster and a slightly pinkish white color, on matrix, with Galena.
This very old specimen comes from the collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly and was previously in the Folch collection's duplicates.
Raimunda Mine, El Molar, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (1959)

Specimen size: 7.1 × 4.2 × 4.3 cm = 2.80” × 1.65” × 1.69”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.2 cm = 0.16” × 0.08”

Former collection Folch (duplicates)

Former collection of Andrés Jiménez Shelly

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Side

Silver

NF59H1: The growth is laminar which is uncommon in the samples from Falset. Another aspect to distinguish the specimen is that it hasn’t been etched out with acid because the Silver is found in fissures and is not included in Calcite.
Balcoll Mine, Shaft 2, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (10/2004)

Specimen size: 2.5 × 2.2 × 1 cm = 0.98” × 0.87” × 0.39”

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

PX76AJ5: Dendritic growths of very well defined, bright and elongated native Silver crystals, with small crystals and aggregates of Acanthite on a massive Calcite matrix.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (11/2004)

Specimen size: 4.6 × 2.8 × 1.5 cm = 1.81” × 1.10” × 0.59”

Front

Rear

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

Front

Rear

Fluorescent light (daylight)

PD89AM7: Dendritic growths of very elongated Silver crystals, well defined, bright, and partially covered by groups and small isolated crystals of darker Acanthite, on a massive Calcite matrix. The best possible quality for the locality.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (11/2004)

Specimen size: 5.2 × 3.7 × 5.2 cm = 2.05” × 1.46” × 2.05”

Silver with Acanthite

NF87H1: Native Silver crystals are elongated and form a complex “nest” in which they are partially covered by small dark crystals of Acanthite. The group is very aerial and stands prominently on a matrix etched with acid to expose the Silver.
Balcoll Mine, Shaft 2, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (10/2004)

Specimen size: 5.6 × 5.3 × 5.5 cm = 2.20” × 2.09” × 2.17”

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

Front

Rear

ND27M5: Dendritic growths of very well defined and bright elongated crystals of native Silver with small crystals and aggregates of Acanthite, on massive Calcite matrix.
Balcoll Mine, Shaft 2, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (15/09/2006)

Specimen size: 5.8 × 4.6 × 2.2 cm = 2.28” × 1.81” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 2.4 × 0.1 cm = 0.94” × 0.04”

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

PT48AI5: Dendritic growths, on a matrix of massive Calcite, of elongated native Silver crystals that are very well defined and bright, partially coated by Acanthite crystals. The Calcite matrix has been etched with acid to expose the Silver.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (11/2004)

Specimen size: 6.1 × 5.2 × 3.5 cm = 2.40” × 2.05” × 1.38”

Calcite minor fluorescence short UV

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

PR38AH8: Fine dendritic growths of native Silver with the well-known “feather-like” shape. They are on matrix with Calcite. The Silver, even though a long time has passed since this was collected when the first discoveries were done at the locality, is very well preserved. It is clean and bright and contrasts nicely with the deformed octahedral Acanthite black crystals.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (11/2004)

Specimen size: 7 × 4.7 × 3.2 cm = 2.76” × 1.85” × 1.26”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.1 cm = 0.39” × 0.04”

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

PR89AH8: Fine dendritic growths of native Silver on a small Calcite matrix. The Silver, even though a long time has passed since this was collected when the first discoveries were done at the locality, is very well preserved. It is clean and bright and contrasts nicely with the deformed octahedral Acanthite black crystals.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (11/2004)

Specimen size: 7.6 × 4.2 × 2.7 cm = 2.99” × 1.65” × 1.06”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 1 cm = 0.43” × 0.39”

Front

Rear

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

PM96AJ5: The sample on a massive Calcite matrix is uncommonly large. It has dendritic growths of very well defined elongated and bright crystals of native Silver with small crystals and aggregates of Acanthite.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (11/2004)

Specimen size: 15.2 × 12.6 × 4.7 cm = 5.98” × 4.96” × 1.85”

Silver with Acanthite and Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)

PAX46AP9: A specimen very rich in dendritic growths of lustrous Silver, with small black Acanthite coatings and Calcite matrix.
This specimen, one of the largest and with the most Silver of any extracted from this deposit, comes from the Jordi Povill collection.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain (02/1999)

Specimen size: 20.5 × 17.2 × 6.6 cm = 8.07” × 6.77” × 2.60”

Main crystal size: 2.3 × 0.2 cm = 0.91” × 0.08”

Former collection of Jordi Povill

Acanthite on Calcite

PT37AJ5: Group of cubo-octahedral Acanthite crystals with very well defined faces and edges and on a Calcite matrix. Well crystallized and well-shaped Acanthite crystals are a rarity at the Balcoll mine, better known for its magnificent samples of native Silver.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 3.7 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm = 1.46” × 0.98” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 0.5 × 0.4 cm = 0.20” × 0.16”

Calcite fluorescent short UV

Nickeline with Calcite and Acanthite

MH96AM7: Aggregates of small Nickeline crystals on a Calcite matrix, lustrous, with a grey color with reddish tones. With the Nickeline there is also a very sharp and bright Acanthite crystal.
Balcoll Mine, Falset, Comarca Priorat, Tarragona, Catalonia / Catalunya Spain

Specimen size: 4.2 × 4.2 × 2.5 cm = 1.65” × 1.65” × 0.98”

Reference Specimens
Spain

(para ver esta página en español)

El Horcajo Pyromorphite

Almadén

Reference SpecimensSpain

(para ver esta página en español)

El Horcajo Pyromorphite

Almadén

Reference Specimens
Spain