Reference Specimens / Portugal - Panasqueira / 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

Cassiterite

Cassiterite with Fluorapatite, Siderite and Quartz

NE60M7: Very well defined twin on matrix with small crystals of Fluorapatite, Siderite and Quartz. The Cassiterite crystal has a contact on the back.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 2, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal

Specimen size: 1.7 × 1.3 × 1.2 cm = 0.67” × 0.51” × 0.47”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.1 cm = 0.51” × 0.43”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV

Cassiterite with Muscovite

AF38Y6: Group of very bright crystals with notable transparency. They form complex cyclic twins and are slightly coated by Muscovite micro-crystals. The Cassiterite crystals have a very notable size for the locality.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (1987-2013)

Specimen size: 3.7 × 2.7 × 2 cm = 1.46” × 1.06” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 1.6 cm = 0.67” × 0.63”

Former collection of Alain Martaud

Cassiterite on Ferberite

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Side

NB94AF5: Single Cassiterite crystal with an unusual size for the locality. It forms a cyclic twin with very well defined faces and edges, and on the terminal faces is a parallel growth of Ferberite crystals. Exceptional for Panasqueira.
Minas da Panasqueira, levels 0-1, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (04/2017)

Specimen size: 4 × 2.7 × 2.7 cm = 1.57” × 1.06” × 1.06”

Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2.5 cm = 1.06” × 0.98”

Cassiterite with Arsenopyrite, Fluorapatite, Calcite and Muscovite

ND68AA7: Isolated twinned Cassiterite crystals that are very well defined and with a considerable size for the locality. They are on an Arsenopyrite matrix with tabular Fluorapatite crystals and spheroidal Muscovite aggregates. The back side could be almost considered as a different sample because it is dominated by an aggregate of very bright Arsenopyrite crystals with an excellent development and partially coated by Muscovite.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (07/2014)

Specimen size: 6.5 × 5.8 × 3.6 cm = 2.56” × 2.28” × 1.42”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1.3 cm = 0.55” × 0.51”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV

Front

Rear

Cassiterite with Arsenopyrite, Fluorapatite, Calcite and Muscovite.

Cassiterite with Muscovite and Schorl-Dravite

AB47Y6: Very aerial and almost floater group of very bright crystals that have notable transparency and form complex cyclic twins. They are on a rocky matrix, with Muscovite and small acicular tourmaline (Schorl-Dravite) crystals.
This specimen has been reviewed and published in the magazine ‘Lapis’ on page 43, volume 39, number 7-8, July-August 2014
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (1987-2013)

Specimen size: 10.2 × 6.8 × 4.5 cm = 4.02” × 2.68” × 1.77”

Former collection of Alain Martaud

Cassiterite with Quartz, Fluorapatite and Arsenopyrite

TR96AL3: Groups of twinned Cassiterite crystals, very sharp, shiny and translucent on the edges. On matrix, with short elongated Fluorapatite crystals of almost white color, aggregates of elongated crystals of Arsenopyrite and Quartz crystals.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 1, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2018)

Specimen size: 10.4 × 6.8 × 3.9 cm = 4.09” × 2.68” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.7 cm = 0.51” × 0.28”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV

Cassiterite with Quartz, Fluorapatite and Arsenopyrite.

Cassiterite on Quartz

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Rear

MQ47AH0: Twinned Cassiterite crystals with very well defined faces and edges, translucent, bright and with a brown color with reddish reflections. They are implanted on a group of Quartz crystals, some of them doubly terminated, with Pyrite and Muscovite. The sample is old, found more than twenty years ago.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 2, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal

Specimen size: 12.3 × 11 × 7 cm = 4.84” × 4.33” × 2.76”

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

Quartz

WPF66CD2: Very well-developed Quartz crystal with parallel growth on the terminal faces and several very sharp, black, and shiny crystals of Cassiterite. The Quartz is partially coated with small lenticular crystals of Siderite, in turn covered with very shiny microcrystals of Pyrite.
Like all specimens in Raúl Sanabria's collection, it was chosen with great care, always aiming to have something special that sets it apart.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal

Specimen size: 17.5 × 9.8 × 9.4 cm = 6.89” × 3.86” × 3.70”

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

Former collection of Raúl Sanabria

Recorded under neon light

Cassiterite with Quartz and Siderite

AD96Y6: Group of bright Cassiterite crystals forming complex cyclic twins. They are on a matrix of transparent Quartz crystals with some rough Siderite. This sample was in the Folch duplicates collection, whose label we’ll send to the buyer. It has an added interest because it is from Vale da Ermida, a zone somewhat away from the main mining area and is currently abandoned and awash.
Vale da Ermida, Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Centro, Centro Region Portugal (±1964)

Specimen size: 7.7 × 5.7 × 4.9 cm = 3.03” × 2.24” × 1.93”

Main crystal size: 1.1 × 0.9 cm = 0.43” × 0.35”

Former collection of Alain Martaud

Topaz

Topaz with Chlorite inclusions, Arsenopyrite, Chalcopyrite and Muscovite

NA96AA9: Aggregate of Topaz crystals, one of them clearly dominant, partially doubly terminated and of a considerable size for the known on the locality. The crystals have very well defined faces and edges, are very rich in Chlorite inclusions, are partially coated by small leafy Muscovite and are with Arsenopyrite and Chalcopyrite. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are very different from what has been known from this mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (11/2014)

Specimen size: 4.5 × 3.7 × 3.8 cm = 1.77” × 1.46” × 1.50”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.1 cm = 0.79” × 0.43”

Topaz with Chlorite, Muscovite, Pyrite, Fluorapatite and Siderite

NJ96AC4: Irregular aggregate of Topaz crystals with very well defined faces and edges. They are colorless, very bright and are on matrix, with Chlorite, Muscovite, Fluorapatite, Siderite and Pyrite. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are different from what is already known.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (03/2015)

Specimen size: 5.7 × 4.5 × 2.6 cm = 2.24” × 1.77” × 1.02”

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

Fluorescent short UV

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Fluorite, Muscovite and Chlorite

NB27AF2: Topaz crystals with very well defined faces and edges, between transparent and translucent, with very well defined faces and edges, a slightly bluish color and with very sharp and bright Arsenopyrite crystals, small Fluorite crystals, leafy Muscovite aggregates and partially coated by Chlorite. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are very different from what has been known from this mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2015)

Specimen size: 6.1 × 4.6 × 2 cm = 2.40” × 1.81” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 1.6 × 1.4 cm = 0.63” × 0.55”

Fluorescent short UV

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Fluorite, Muscovite and Chlorite.

Topaz with Pyrite, Cassiterite, Fluorite, Muscovite and Chlorite

NG36AF0: Irregular aggregate of Topaz crystals with very well defined faces and edges, colorless, bright and on matrix, with twinned Cassiterite, Quartz, Fluorite, small cubic Pyrite crystals and Chlorite infilling around the Topaz crystals. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are different from what is already known.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2015)

Specimen size: 6.3 × 3.8 × 2.3 cm = 2.48” × 1.50” × 0.91”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1.3 cm = 0.55” × 0.51”

Fluorescent short UV

Fluorite with Topaz, Quartz, Arsenopyrite and Muscovite

NA97AB6: Small spheroidal aggregates of cubo-octahedral Fluorite crystals, with a color between blue and lilac, that are partially coating the faces of a group of clear and bright Quartz crystals partially coated by Chlorite, with Arsenopyrite crystals, small Muscovite aggregates and an aggregate of Topaz crystals with very well defined faces and edges. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are very different from what has been known from this mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (04/2015)

Specimen size: 6.3 × 5.9 × 4.8 cm = 2.48” × 2.32” × 1.89”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 1.3 cm = 0.67” × 0.51”

Fluorite minor fluorescence short UV. Topaz fluorescent short UV

Fluorite with Topaz, Quartz, Arsenopyrite and Muscovite.

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Fluorite, Muscovite and Chlorite

NA96AJ5: Topaz crystals with very well defined faces and edges, some of them with Chlorite inclusions. They are partially coated by small leafy Muscovite aggregates and small, very sharp and bright Arsenopyrite crystals.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2015)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 5.9 × 3.6 cm = 2.64” × 2.32” × 1.42”

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

Fluorescent short UV

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Muscovite and Quartz

NB76AB6: Flattened Topaz crystals, one of them clearly dominant. They are white, between translucent and transparent, and they are on a Quartz and Arsenopyrite matrix partially coated by Chlorite, with small Muscovite aggregates. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are very different from what has been known from this mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (03/2015)

Specimen size: 7.1 × 6.1 × 3.8 cm = 2.80” × 2.40” × 1.50”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.1 cm = 0.59” × 0.43”

Fluorescent short UV

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Muscovite and Quartz.

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Cuarzo, Chlorite and Fluorite

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Rear

Topaz with Arsenopyrite, Cuarzo, Chlorite and Fluorite.

MA87AC8: Aggregate of Topaz crystals with very well defined faces and edges. They are colorless, transparent and bright and are on a matrix with Arsenopyrite and Quartz crystals. The sample has the whole back coated by chlorite, with Fluorite crystals. The upper levels of Panasqueira are currently offering surprising and pleasant novelties, with samples that are different from what is already known.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (05/2015)

Specimen size: 7.9 × 7.5 × 2.7 cm = 3.11” × 2.95” × 1.06”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1 cm = 0.51” × 0.39”

Fluorescent short UV

Stannite

Stannite with Sphalerite and Arsenopyrite

NQ60F4: A curious and unusual form. The crystals of Sphalerite have such curved edges and faces that they appear to be almost spherical. The Stannite is a fine coating, which makes the Sphalerite appear satin. At the base there are some prismatic, well-developed crystals of Arsenopyrite that make this one seem aerial and esthetic.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 3, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 3.2 × 2.7 cm = 1.65” × 1.26” × 1.06”

Fluorapatite with Siderite, Quartz, Stannite and Arsenopyrite

NK14X9: Curious tabular Fluorapatite crystal with very well marked parallel growths. It is translucent, with Arsenopyrite inclusions and on matrix, with Arsenopyrite, Quartz, Siderite and Stannite crystals.
We’ll send a copy of the analysis of the Fluorapatite to the buyer.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 3, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (1998)

Specimen size: 4.6 × 3.9 × 3.9 cm = 1.81” × 1.54” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 2.9 × 1.5 cm = 1.14” × 0.59”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV

Stannite with Chalcopyrite and Arsenopyrite

NF11X9: Stannite and Chalcopyrite intergrowths. The Stannite is slightly golden dark gray and the Chalcopyrite shows a brass color. The complexity of these growths, the poor definition of crystalline forms and the fact that Stannite also frequently substitutes for Sphalerite, resulted in Stannite having been almost unnoticed at Panasqueira. We’ll send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 3, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 5 × 2.1 × 3.3 cm = 1.97” × 0.83” × 1.30”

Arsenopyrite with Stannite, Calcite and Pyrite

NH16X9: Parallel polycrystalline Arsenopyrite growths with dark gray Stannite intergrowths and leafy Muscovite aggregates, partially coated by small white Calcite crystals and aggregates of cubic Pyrite crystals. We’ll send a copy of the analysis of the Arsenopyrite to the buyer.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 3, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2001)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 5.4 × 4.1 cm = 2.64” × 2.13” × 1.61”

Quars with Siderite, Stannite, Chalcopyrite and Pyrite

AA27AC9: Transparent Quartz crystal, coated by very pale lenticular Siderite crystals and dark Sphalerite aggregates coated by Stannite and with small Chalcopyrite and Pyrite crystals. The sample is from the Alain Martaud collection, whose label we’ll send to the buyer.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (1987-2013)

Specimen size: 8.5 × 4.2 × 4 cm = 3.35” × 1.65” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 7.3 × 2.9 cm = 2.87” × 1.14”

Former collection of Alain Martaud

Quars with Siderite, Stannite, Chalcopyrite and Pyrite.

Stannite with Chalcopyrite, Pyrite, Marcasite, Siderite and Calcite

AB68AD6: Epigenic growth of very small Stannite crystals on a single Chalcopyrite crystal, with Siderite crystals, Calcite coatings and small Marcasite and Pyrite crystals partially coating the Stannite. We’ll send a copy of the analysis of the Stannite to the buyer of this sample.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (1987-2013)

Specimen size: 8.5 × 5.7 × 2.9 cm = 3.35” × 2.24” × 1.14”

Chalcopyrite with Stannite, Arsenopyrite and Muscovite

NV27X9: Brass-colored Chalcopyrite crystals with superficial iridescence, with slightly golden dark gray Stannite intergrowths. They are on matrix, with Arsenopyrite crystals and Muscovite coatings. We’ll send a copy of the analysis of the Stannite to the buyer.
This specimen has been reviewed and published in the magazine ‘Lapis’ on page 49, volume 39, number 7-8, July-August 2014
Minas da Panasqueira, level 3, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 10.5 × 8.8 × 6.3 cm = 4.13” × 3.46” × 2.48”

Chalcopyrite with Stannite, Arsenopyrite and Galena

NC16I7: Complex crystals of Chalcopyrite, very bright and with clearly curved faces and edges, covered by Stannite forming a crust, with minor Galena and prismatic crystals of Arsenopyrite. Interesting and original.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 3, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro Region Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 10.8 × 7.3 × 5.3 cm = 4.25” × 2.87” × 2.09”

Galena

Preguiça Mine

Descloizite is a mineral not well known in good quality specimens from the European continent. Even considering that the Preguiça Mine, in Portugal, was known for years for its Descloizite and a wide variety of zinc minerals, the quality of the samples was not especially high because the crystals were too small or not esthetic.
Between 2005 and 2006 groups of collectors from Huelva (Spain) were intensely working that mine and finally found some pockets with specimens of Descloizite of high quality, some of them particularly esthetic (and scarce) stalactitic or columnar and associated with white Calcite.
In our opinion these specimens can be considered as the best Descloizites found in Europe.

Just to be certain, we analyzed them and the analysis proved that they are definitely Descloizite. To be more exact, slightly copper rich Descloizite, but the mineral species is Descloizite. We will send a copy of this analysis to our customers who buy this material.

Descloizite with Calcite

NA10J1: Very aerial and esthetic columnar growths of small but extraordinarily defined and bright crystals. Those are dipyramidal and have very well defined faces and edges and most of them are doubly terminated. The matrix is a group of crystals of white Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 3.9 × 2.3 × 2.1 cm = 1.54” × 0.91” × 0.83”

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

Descloizite

NV9I8: Columnar and arborescent groups, very aerial and esthetic, of dipyramidal crystals, most of them doubly terminated, with very well-defined faces and edges. They have good luster.
This specimen was photographed in the magazine ‘Le Règne Minéral’ number 75, page 23.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 2.8 × 1.4 cm = 1.65” × 1.10” × 0.55”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

NJ57I8: Columnar, very aerial growths of dipyramidal crystals, most of them doubly terminated, with very well-defined faces and edges. They have good luster and are on white Calcite crystals.
This specimen was photographed in the magazine ‘Le Règne Minéral’ number 75, page 23.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 4.9 × 2.9 × 1.4 cm = 1.93” × 1.14” × 0.55”

Descloizite

NF13I7: Group on Limonite matrix of small bright crystals, most of them doubly terminated, forming dipyramids with very well-defined faces and edges. The specimen is very esthetic due its columnar growths, with very attractive crests and vugs.
This specimen was photographed and published as a novelty at the 2007 Tucson Show in the magazine ‘Le Règne Minéral’ number 74, page 9.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 4.9 × 3.8 × 3.1 cm = 1.93” × 1.50” × 1.22”

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

Front

Rear

Descloizite with Calcite

NA26J1: Columnar growths of very bright small crystals, many of them doubly terminated and forming dipyramids of very well defined faces and edges. The groups contrast on a wall of scalenohedral crystals of white Calcite on a matrix of Limonite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 5.2 × 5 × 3 cm = 2.05” × 1.97” × 1.18”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

NE6I8: Columnar, very aerial growths of dipyramidal crystals, most of them doubly terminated, with very well-defined faces and edges. They have good luster and are on white Calcite crystals.
The specimen has been published in the magazine ‘Mineral Up’ on page 19 in number 2008/2.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 5.9 × 4.6 × 2.5 cm = 2.32” × 1.81” × 0.98”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

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Rear

NA76T4: Groups of dipyramidal crystals of Descloizite with very well defined faces and edges and very bright, with very acute crystals, between colorless and white, of Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 4.1 × 2.3 cm = 2.52” × 1.61” × 0.91”

Descloizite with Calcite

NV86M9: Very aerial and esthetic columnar growths of small, extraordinarily sharp and very bright crystals. They are dipyramidal and most of them doubly terminated. A group of white crystals of Calcite is on the Descloizite groups.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 5.5 × 2.7 cm = 2.64” × 2.17” × 1.06”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

Front

Side

NF26J1: Group of extraordinarily defined and bright small crystals. These crystals are dipyramidal, of very well defined faces and edges and many of them doubly terminated. In this case Descloizite is the base of a group of scalenohedral crystals of white Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 5.9 × 3.7 cm = 2.64” × 2.32” × 1.46”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

ND26T4: Columnar growths of small dipyramidal crystals of Descloizite, partially coated by white crystals of Calcite and on a matrix of limonite.
The specimen has been published in the Chinese magazine ‘Mineral Lover’ on page 6 in the volume 9/2011
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 7 × 5.7 × 3.8 cm = 2.76” × 2.24” × 1.50”

Descloizite with Calcite

Front

Rear

ND66I7: Group of columnar growths of small, very bright crystals, most of them doubly terminated, forming dipyramids with very well defined faces and edges. On one of the growths there is an esthetic group of lenticular crystals of white Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 7.3 × 4.9 × 5 cm = 2.87” × 1.93” × 1.97”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

NR56T4: Aggregate of dipyramidal crystals of Descloizite with very well defined faces and edges and very bright, with crystals of Calcite, between colorless and white, on limonite matrix.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 7.3 × 5.1 × 4.1 cm = 2.87” × 2.01” × 1.61”

Descloizite with Calcite

NZ63V8: Very aerial and esthetic columnar growths of small but extraordinarily defined and bright crystals. Those are dipyramidal and have very well defined faces and edges and most of them are doubly terminated. The matrix is a group of crystals of white Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 7.7 × 3.8 × 2.7 cm = 3.03” × 1.50” × 1.06”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

NY66M9: Group, on Limonite matrix, of small crystals, very bright and most of them doubly terminated and forming dipyramids of very well defined faces and edges. The group is partially covered by a "nest" of white crystals of
Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 7.8 × 7.6 × 4.9 cm = 3.07” × 2.99” × 1.93”

Descloizite with Calcite

NB28V8: Group on Limonite matrix of small bright crystals, most of them doubly terminated, forming dipyramids with very well-defined faces and edges. The specimen is very esthetic due its columnar growths, with very attractive crests and vugs.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 9 × 4.5 × 3.3 cm = 3.54” × 1.77” × 1.30”

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

Descloizite

NY6V8: Group on matrix of Limonite of small, very bright crystals, a lot of them doubly terminated, that form sharp dipyramids.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 10.3 × 6.5 × 4.2 cm = 4.06” × 2.56” × 1.65”

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

Descloizite with Calcite

Front

Rear

NK86T4: Columnar growths of small dipyramidal crystals of Descloizite with very well defined faces and edges and very bright. On stalagmitic botryoidal growths of Calcite and crystals of the same mineral, clear and very bright.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 10.9 × 4.3 × 3.4 cm = 4.29” × 1.69” × 1.34”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV

Descloizite with Calcite

NG50I7: Flattened group of columnar growths of small very bright crystals, most of them doubly terminated, forming dipyramids with very well-defined faces and edges. On one of the sides, in which Descloizite is more visible, there is a botryoidal growth of Calcite, while the opposite side is completely covered by very acute scalenohedral crystals of white Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 12.3 × 6.7 × 4.4 cm = 4.84” × 2.64” × 1.73”

Main crystal size: 0.1 × 01 cm = 0.04” × 0.39”

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Rear

Descloizite with Calcite

NR47I7: Group on Limonite matrix of small very bright crystals, most of them doubly terminated, forming dipyramids with very well-defined faces and edges. The specimen is very esthetic because of its attractive crests and vugs. A wide surface of the sample is covered by a layer of acute scalenohedron of white Calcite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 14 × 11.8 × 6.2 cm = 5.51” × 4.65” × 2.44”

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

Calcite

NE11M9: Parallel growths of acute rhombohedral crystals, white and showing a slightly silky luster.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 8.1 × 7.2 × 5.1 cm = 3.19” × 2.83” × 2.01”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.2 cm = 0.71” × 0.47”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

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Rear

Calcite

NAL36XXX: Very airy crystals in stalagmitic growths of Calcite, showing rhombohedral faces combined with other crystals dominated by the scalenohedron. Cream-whitish in color, on matrix, with limonite staining at the base of the crystals, which display a characteristic pearly-nacreous luster.

The Preguiça Mine is located in southern Alentejo, within a domain dominated by Paleozoic sedimentary rocks affected by fracturing and fluid circulation. Mineralization corresponds to an oxidized Pb–Zn deposit, developed along fractures and brecciated zones, where supergene processes produced a rich assemblage of vanadates, silicates and secondary oxides. Descloizite is the most characteristic species, accompanied by Willemite and Plattnerite in parageneses typical of well-developed oxidizing environments as well as associated Calcite
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 8 × 4,5 × 4.9 cm = 3.15” × 1.57” × 1.93”

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

Former collection of Fermín Clemente

Plattnerite with Calcite

MR10M9: Small but well defined and bright crystals of this very uncommon species. They are partially covered by stalagmitic growths of Calcite whose color is between orange and creamy.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 3 × 2.2 cm = 2.64” × 1.18” × 0.87”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV

Plattnerite with Calcite

MQ10M9: Small but well defined and bright crystals of this very uncommon species. They are partially covered by stalagmitic growths of Calcite whose color is between orange and creamy.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 6.8 × 3.2 × 3 cm = 2.68” × 1.26” × 1.18”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV

Plattnerite with Calcite

MB62M9: Irregular aggregate of black crystals, small but very well defined and bright, of this very uncommon species. They are on globular Calcite whose color is between orange and creamy.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 9.2 × 5.2 × 2.4 cm = 3.62” × 2.05” × 0.94”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV

Plattnerite with Calcite

MN12M9: Irregular aggregate of black crystals, small but very well defined and bright, of this very uncommon species. They are on a matrix of globular Calcite whose color is between orange and white.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 10.5 × 6.9 × 4 cm = 4.13” × 2.72” × 1.57”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV

Willemite

NF57J1: At this locality where the most well known mineral is Descloizite, there are other interesting samples. This Willemite has small but very well defined crystals whose clear color contrasts with the dark Limonite matrix. The specimen is intensely fluorescent under ultraviolet light. The sample has been analyzed and we will send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 3.9 × 2.4 cm = 2.64” × 1.54” × 0.94”

Intense fluorescence short UV & fluorescent long UV

Willemite pseudo Cerussite

NL57J5: One of the novelties of the year from Preguiça Mine. Willemite replaced small crystals that we suppose were Cerussite, not analytically confirmed because Willemite completely replaced the preexisting species.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 2 × 2.2 cm = 1.50” × 0.79” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 0.3 × 0.1 cm = 0.12” × 0.04”

Intense fluorescence short UV & fluorescent long UV

Willemite with Plattnerite

NA9J5: One of the novelties of the year from Preguiça Mine. Willemite replaced small crystals that we suppose were Cerussite, not analytically confirmed because Willemite completely replaced the preexisting species. With the Willemite there are also small crystals of Plattnerite that we analyzed. We’ll send a copy of the analysis to the buyer.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 10 × 7.5 × 4 cm = 3.94” × 2.95” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.1 cm = 0.24” × 0.04”

Intense fluorescence short UV & fluorescent long UV

Descloizite after Vanadinite

NC7N7: The Preguiça Mine is currently well known and the species from there well described. Anyway, an unusual find was made there in 2006, a pseudomorph of Descloizite after Vanadinite. The analysis we did shows only Descloizite but the crystal form is without doubt that of former Vanadinite.
This specimen was photographed in the magazine ‘Le Règne Minéral’ number 88, page 42.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 2.4 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm = 0.94” × 0.87” × 0.87”

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

Descloizite after Vanadinite

NH9N7: The Preguiça Mine is currently well known and the species from there well described. Anyway, an unusual find was made there in 2006, a pseudomorph of Descloizite after Vanadinite. The analysis we did shows only Descloizite but the crystal form is without doubt that of former Vanadinite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 6.3 × 5 × 3 cm = 2.48” × 1.97” × 1.18”

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

Descloizite after Vanadinite

NM58N7: The Preguiça Mine is currently well known and the species from there well described. Anyway, an unusual find was made there in 2006, a pseudomorph of Descloizite after Vanadinite. The analysis we did shows only Descloizite but the crystal form is without doubt that of former Vanadinite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 7.2 × 6.3 × 2.6 cm = 2.83” × 2.48” × 1.02”

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

Descloizite after Vanadinite

NP8N7: The Preguiça Mine is currently well known and the species from there well described. Anyway, an unusual find was made there in 2006, a pseudomorph of Descloizite after Vanadinite. The analysis we did shows only Descloizite but the crystal form is without doubt that of former Vanadinite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 8.5 × 6.4 × 3.1 cm = 3.35” × 2.52” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 0.3 × 0.2 cm = 0.12” × 0.08”

Descloizite after Vanadinite

NX10N7: The Preguiça Mine is currently well known and the species from there well described. Anyway, an unusual find was made there in 2006, a pseudomorph of Descloizite after Vanadinite. The analysis we did shows only Descloizite but the crystal form is without doubt that of former Vanadinite.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 9.3 × 8.8 × 3.3 cm = 3.66” × 3.46” × 1.30”

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