NGR42XXX: New find at the 2024 Sants-Barcelona Show.
Group of Andalusite crystals, one of them clearly dominant, with very well-defined faces and edges and on matrix. The specimen has been photographed and published in the magazine ‘Paragénesis’, number 01/2025, page 110

The Andalusites from this area occur in contact-metamorphic schists, formed by the thermal effect of granitic intrusions on pelitic rocks of the Ransol Valley. The crystals are usually well developed, sometimes showing the typical cross-shaped twinning (“St. Andrew’s cross”)
Bony de la Pleta de Jan, Vall de Ransol, Coma de Ransol, Parish of Canillo, Andorra  Andorra (07/2024)

Specimen size: 7.5 × 4.0 × 3.9 cm = 2.95” × 1.57” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 4 × 3.4 cm = 1.57” × 1.34”

NTT14XXX: New find at the 2024 Sants-Barcelona Show.
Group of Andalusite crystals, one of them clearly dominant, with very well-defined faces and edges and on matrix.
The Andalusites from this area occur in contact-metamorphic schists, formed by the thermal effect of granitic intrusions on pelitic rocks of the Ransol Valley. The crystals are usually well developed, sometimes showing the typical cross-shaped twinning (“St. Andrew’s cross”)
Bony de la Pleta de Jan, Vall de Ransol, Coma de Ransol, Parish of Canillo, Andorra  Andorra (07/2024)

Specimen size: 8.0 × 5.8 × 4.3 cm = 3.15” × 2.28” × 1.69”

Main crystal size: 5.0 × 2.2 cm = 1.97” × 0.87”

TPL86AP9: Aggregates of lenticular deformed Löllingite crystals, lustrous, and on a massive Siderite matrix.
The specimen, a rarity practically impossible to find, comes from the type locality for the species and is accompanied by two old labels that we will send to the buyer.
Wolf Mine, Urban District Lölling, Hüttenberg, Sankt Veit an der Glan, Carinthia/Kärnten, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 5.4 × 3.7 × 3.2 cm = 2.13” × 1.46” × 1.26”

EFR67AP6: Cerussite crystal with very marked parallel growths and very sharp crystal forms, translucent, with dark tones and covered with small bipyramidal Wulfenite crystals, with brilliant luster and an intense yellow-orange color.
The specimen, an old European classic of large crystal size for what is known from the locality, comes from the Michel Perraudin collection (number 303)
Hochobir mining district, Hochobir Mountain, Eisenkappel-Vellach, Völkermarkt District, Carinthia/Kärnten, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 5.6 × 2.9 × 2.5 cm = 2.20” × 1.14” × 0.98”

EPP76AP6: Cerussite crystals with twins of bipyramidal habit, translucent, white, with good luster, on a matrix of limonite with small, very sharp crystals of brilliant orange Wulfenite.
A very old European classic that comes from the collection of Michel Perraudin.


Hochobir mining district, Hochobir Mountain, Eisenkappel-Vellach, Völkermarkt District, Carinthia/Kärnten, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 7.1 × 3.4 × 3 cm = 2.80” × 1.34” × 1.18”

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

TRH68AP9: Coatings of Descloizite microcrystals on matrix, with an extraordinary luster and a color between red and deep garnet-red.
The specimen, of high quality due to its extraordinary color, comes from the Moutet collection, from Marseille. We will send the buyer, together with the specimen, a label from the prestigious Deyrolle house in Paris where Moutet bought it many years ago.
Hochobir mining district, Hochobir Mountain, Eisenkappel-Vellach, Völkermarkt District, Carinthia/Kärnten, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 10.1 × 7.7 × 3.9 cm = 3.98” × 3.03” × 1.54”

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

EF27AM0: Group of twinned Titanite crystals, most of them doubly terminated, very sharp and with well defined faces and edges. Translucent, with great luster and deep green color. On matrix, with rhombohedral Calcite crystals. An alpine classic.
Kals am Großglockner, Lienz District, East Tyrol, Tyrol/Tirol, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 6.2 × 3.8 × 1.6 cm = 2.44” × 1.50” × 0.63”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 0.5 cm = 0.59” × 0.20”

TA47F6: A European classic that is very hard to get. The large fine crystals are doubly terminated and an excellent color.
There are two labels with it, one from the R.M. Wilke collection (nº 1054) and the other from the dealer Filer (Redlands, California)
Diopside rift (Schwarzenstein), Ochsner-Rotkopf Massif, Zemmgrund, Ziller Valley (Zillertal), North Tyrol, Tyrol/Tirol, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 10 × 2.7 × 2.3 cm = 3.94” × 1.06” × 0.91”

TVM13AO0: Complete floater rhombic dodecahedral Almandine crystal, very sharp, with good luster, translucent edges and a deep garnet color.
We will ship the specimen in its original Perky box from the Robert J. (Bob) Noble collection, which also contains the label.
Granatenkogel north slope, Gaisberg Valley, Obergurgl, Gurgler Valley, Ötz Valley, North Tyrol, Tyrol/Tirol, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 2.3 × 1.8 × 1.8 cm = 0.91” × 0.71” × 0.71”

VB26G5: A classic specimen which, aside its esthetical quality, has the feature that it has very well-defined crystals, free of damage and totally natural, without the polishing so frequently seen on the Tyrolean samples to make them more esthetic.
Gaisberg Valley, Obergurgl, Gurgler Valley, Ötz Valley, North Tyrol, Tyrol/Tirol, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 7.5 × 5.8 × 4.5 cm = 2.95” × 2.28” × 1.77”

Main crystal size: 4 × 3.5 cm = 1.57” × 1.38”

MF27AL7: Very well defined dodecahedral crystals, one of them clearly dominant, lustrous, brown with reddish tones. The crystals, on a Muscovite-rich metamorphic rock matrix, contrary to common practice, are neither glued nor do they have their faces retouched or polished, preserving the natural surface. It is an old piece and comes from the José Navarrete collection.
Ziller Valley (Zillertal), North Tyrol, Tyrol/Tirol, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 10.4 × 6.1 × 4.8 cm = 4.09” × 2.40” × 1.89”

Main crystal size: 6 × 5.4 cm = 2.36” × 2.13”

EC86R3: Parallel growth of sharp and bright laminar crystals of Hematite, on matrix, with Muscovite and Clinochlore. We especially note the Austrian locality, very uncommon.
Mörchner area, Zemmgrund, Ziller Valley (Zillertal), North Tyrol, Tyrol/Tirol, Austria  Austria (1991)

Specimen size: 4 × 2.2 × 1.7 cm = 1.57” × 0.87” × 0.67”

SA69AL5: Group of complex Calcite crystals with very well defined faces and edges, dominated by rhombohedron forms, between transparent and translucent, with pearly luster, on matrix with Chlorite. As with many of the specimens in the Stoppani collection, this is of high quality for the locality. We will send the buyer the origin label.
Große Fleiß Valley, Heiligenblut am Großglockner, Spittal an der Drau, Carinthia/Kärnten, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 14.8 × 10.8 × 8.6 cm = 5.83” × 4.25” × 3.39”

Main crystal size: 5.8 × 5.8 cm = 2.28” × 2.28”

ETT77ASN4: Doubly terminated crystal of Beryl, emerald variety, with deep and uniform green color, translucent and bright, with striations on its faces and implanted on a matrix formed by Biotite crystals on a schist base.
A very representative specimen of this old and classic Austrian site, from an old exchange in the Folch collection, accompanied by a typed card and handwritten notes that will be delivered to the buyer.
The specimen has been photographed and published in the magazine ‘Paragénesis’, number 01/2025, page 108
Habach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.7 × 2 cm = 1.34” × 1.06” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 1.9 × 0.9 cm = 0.75” × 0.35”

BFR64AO6: Beryl crystal (emerald variety) with distinct crystal forms, transparent, with good luster and an intense color, on a Biotite matrix. Without pretending to emulate the Colombian specimens, the emeralds from the Austrian Alps are the classic European reference for this variety of Beryl.
Habach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 3.9 × 1.9 × 1.4 cm = 1.54” × 0.75” × 0.55”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.2 cm = 0.24” × 0.08”

TRZ97AN6: Beryl crystal (emerald variety) doubly terminated, with very sharp crystal forms, between transparent and translucent, with an intense and uniform color, on a micaceous matrix. This specimen comes from what is undoubtedly the most classic deposit for European emeralds.
Habach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 5.4 × 5.2 × 2.3 cm = 2.13” × 2.05” × 0.91”

Main crystal size: 1.9 × 0.6 cm = 0.75” × 0.24”

EF48AE4: Very aerial parallel aggregate of very sharp crystals, between transparent and translucent, extraordinarily bright and with a deep an intense color, typical of this classic Austrian locality. A miniature of great quality.
Knappenwand area, Untersulzbach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria (2007)

Specimen size: 3.7 × 2.6 × 2.1 cm = 1.46” × 1.02” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 0.7 cm = 0.67” × 0.28”

EA64N8: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Group of crystals, most of them doubly terminated, of excellent transparency and luster and a very deep color. They are on matrix, with Actinolite (Byssolite). From a recent find in probably the most classical locality for the species.
Knappenwand, Knappenwand area, Untersulzbach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria (03/2009)

Specimen size: 6 × 3.9 × 2 cm = 2.36” × 1.54” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 4.4 × 0.5 cm = 1.73” × 0.20”

EB61N8: A novelty in Ste. Marie 2009. Excellent sample, a group of long prismatic crystals with very good terminations. They have notable transparency and luster, and a very deep color. They are on matrix, with Actinolite (Byssolite). We must point out the very noticeable bending of the main crystal at the left, with a continuous curvature on the center one. From a recent find in probably the most classical locality for the species.
Knappenwand, Knappenwand area, Untersulzbach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria (03/2009)

Specimen size: 8.4 × 2.3 × 2.2 cm = 3.31” × 0.91” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 7.3 × 1.3 cm = 2.87” × 0.51”

MB14AL4: Group of very elongated crystals, with sharp faces and edges, good polycrystalline terminations rich in faces, translucent, lustrous and with an intense color. An excellent European classic both for the species and for the locality, in excellent condition and without repairs.
Knappenwand area, Untersulzbach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 3.5 × 3.2 × 1.3 cm = 1.38” × 1.26” × 0.51”

Main crystal size: 2.4 × 0.4 cm = 0.94” × 0.16”

EFX27CDD: A classic fan of the Knappenwand's Epidote, in this case with the byssolite, not external but internal, included in the first generation of the crystal fan, that carry the most raised and transparent Epidote crystals. With small white Albite crystals at the base.
Knappenwand, Knappenwand area, Untersulzbach Valley, Salzburg, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 12.8 × 4 × 2.9 cm = 5.04” × 1.57” × 1.14”

TX10AN1: Group on matrix of very sharp Orthoclase crystals (variety adularia), with distinct parallel growths, snow-white, with good lustre. An alpine classic.
We will ship the specimen in its original Perky box from the Robert J. Noble collection, which also contains the label, which shows that it was previously in the Melanson collection.
Pailgrat, Hollersbach im Pinzgau, Zell am See District, Salzburg, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.7 × 2.5 cm = 1.34” × 1.06” × 0.98”

Main crystal size: 2.6 × 1.3 cm = 1.02” × 0.51”

ST69AF0: Druse of crystals with dominant rhombohedron faces. They are translucent and extraordinarily bright.
The sample is from the Francesco S. Stoppani collection (catalog number 0946), whose label we’ll send to the buyer. As is the case with so many specimens in this collection, the sample is of great quality for the locality.
Oberdorf an der Laming, Laming Valley, Bruck an der Mur, Bruck-Mürzzuschlag District, Styria/Steiermark, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 7 × 6.7 × 3.7 cm = 2.76” × 2.64” × 1.46”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.5 cm = 0.71” × 0.59”

SB67AM1: Parallel growths of Strontianite crystals with a short prismatic habit, some of them doubly terminated, between transparent and translucent, and lustrous. On matrix, with rhombohedral Magnesite crystals. An Austrian classic.
The specimen, which had been in the collection of the Museum of the School of Mines in Paris, passed by exchange to the collection of Francesco S. Stoppani (record 1088), whose label we will send to the buyer and which shows the date of the exchange (1976). As with many of the specimens in the aforementioned collection, this one is of good quality for the locality.
Oberdorf an der Laming, Laming Valley, Bruck an der Mur, Bruck-Mürzzuschlag District, Styria/Steiermark, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 6 × 4.9 × 4.2 cm = 2.36” × 1.93” × 1.65”

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

EG72AI7: Strontianite crystals on a Quartz matrix that have the very well defined pseudo-hexagonal twin and faces and edges. Furthermore, most of them are doubly terminated. They are translucent and bright. A sample of the best quality for the species.
Oberdorf an der Laming, Laming Valley, Bruck an der Mur, Bruck-Mürzzuschlag District, Styria/Steiermark, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 7.1 × 3.2 × 3 cm = 2.80” × 1.26” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 0.4 cm = 0.67” × 0.16”

EPQ90XXX: Aerial Strontianite crystals on matrix, of a habit very unusual for the locality, with prismatic growths, some of them hopper-shaped, and with an intense and uniform yellow color, an equally unusual feature, surrounded by whitish Calcite crystals with creamy tones. A very different and elegant specimen, unlike the strontianites known from this locality.

The Laming Valley is located in the eastern sector of the Styrian Alps, a region dominated by Alpine metamorphic rocks (schists, gneisses and Triassic dolomites), affected by late Alpine fracturing. In old quarries and outcrops of the valley, small hydrothermal mineralizations and alteration processes develop that can produce mineral specimens of mineralogical interest, with Strontianite standing out, of worldwide fame, and, more rarely, well-crystallized Quartz.
Oberdorf an der Laming, Angerer adit, Laming Valley, Bruck an der Mur, Bruck-Mürzzuschlag District, Styria/Steiermark, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 6.4 × 5.4 × 4.5 cm = 2.52” × 2.13” × 1.77”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.2 cm = 0.59” × 0.47”

SR29AL8: Centered aggregate of Strontianite crystals with a very acute dipyramidal habit unusual in this deposit that is a great classic for the species and on Magnesite matrix.
The specimen is from the Francesco S. Stoppani collection (no. 1089), whose label we will send to the buyer. As is usual in this collection, the specimen is of high quality for the locality.
Oberdorf an der Laming, Laming Valley, Bruck an der Mur, Bruck-Mürzzuschlag District, Styria/Steiermark, Austria  Austria

Specimen size: 10.7 × 6.8 × 4.2 cm = 4.21” × 2.68” × 1.65”

MBB190XXX: Crystal of Corundum, slightly curved and doubly terminated, pink in color, embedded in a Graphite matrix, an uncommon association of mineral species. In addition to the good color contrast between the pink of the Corundum and the dark tone of the Graphite, the piece is further enriched by the stockwork formed by multiple veins mineralized with Pyrite crystals.
The specimen comes from well-known graphite mines in Austria, from which specimens are rarely seen either in collections or on the commercial mineral market.
Graphite Mine, Amstall, Mühldorf, Krems-Land, Waldviertel, Lower Austria/Niederösterreich, Austria  Austria (2020)

Specimen size: 6.8 × 4.4 × 3.0 cm = 2.68” × 1.73” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × .0.3 cm = 0.87” × 0.00”

ET27AA4: Aggregate of lenticular Calcite crystals, the largest with the prism faces more developed. The crystals are translucent, their color is between yellow and orange and they have a gray color zoning. As in so many specimens in this collection, the sample is of great quality for the locality.
La Sambre Quarry, Landelies, Montigny-le-Tilleul, Hainaut Province, Wallonia Region, Belgium  Belgium

Specimen size: 7.4 × 5.7 × 3.1 cm = 2.91” × 2.24” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 3.6 × 3.4 cm = 1.42” × 1.34”

EP87AA5: Druse, on matrix, of complex, twinned Calcite crystals with the dominant faces of a scalenohedron, a prism and a terminal rhombohedron. The crystals are lustrous and transparent and have an intense and uniform yellow color. As in so many specimens in this collection, the sample is of great quality for the locality.
La Sambre Quarry, Landelies, Montigny-le-Tilleul, Hainaut Province, Wallonia Region, Belgium  Belgium

Specimen size: 9.8 × 7.9 × 6.1 cm = 3.86” × 3.11” × 2.40”

Main crystal size: 4.1 × 2.7 cm = 1.61” × 1.06”

EFG46AP5: Of the best quality for what is known in the species, with deformed and flattened crystals of Ardennite-(As), in some areas with a fibrous appearance, lustrous, bright orange, in a matrix of Quartz with small lamellar Hematite crystals and acicular Rutile crystals. This specimen comes from the type locality for the species.
Salmchâteau, Vielsalm, Bastogne, Luxembourg Province, Wallonia Region, Belgium  Belgium

Specimen size: 7.1 × 6.9 × 3 cm = 2.80” × 2.72” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 0.3 cm = 0.67” × 0.12”

MX11AK3: Aggregate of very sharp hyalophane crystals (Barium-rich Microcline), which form multiple twins, with the Manebach law predominating, transparent, very lustrous and with a bit of matrix at the back.
Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia-Herzegovina  Bosnia-Herzegovina (1989-1990)

Specimen size: 2.6 × 1.9 × 2.2 cm = 1.02” × 0.75” × 0.87”

MC62AE7: Aggregate of very sharp Hyalophane (feldspar series) crystals that are transparent and have a slightly bluish-gray color and are partially coated by unusual aggregates of acicular Rutile crystals.
Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia-Herzegovina  Bosnia-Herzegovina (1989-1990)

Specimen size: 3.7 × 3.4 × 1.5 cm = 1.46” × 1.34” × 0.59”

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

TC2140MTP: Floater group of sharp crystals of hyalophane (barium-rich variety of Microcline), which form multiple twins, with a predominance of Manebach's law. Colorless, transparent and very lustrous.
Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia-Herzegovina  Bosnia-Herzegovina

Specimen size: 4.5 × 3.9 × 2 cm = 1.77” × 1.54” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 4.5 × 2.1 cm = 1.77” × 0.83”

TZ90H9: A floater group of crystals from the classic locality of Busovaca, practically the only one for good quality specimens of this species. Crystals have very obvious double Baveno-Manebach twins, and they are translucent and bright.
Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia-Herzegovina  Bosnia-Herzegovina (2004)

Specimen size: 6.8 × 6.1 × 4.8 cm = 2.68” × 2.40” × 1.89”

TB46G0: A group of prismatic crystals, with very good luster and definition of forms. It is attached to a matrix of Quartz, something that we had never seen before.
Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia-Herzegovina  Bosnia-Herzegovina (2004)

Specimen size: 7.5 × 6.3 × 3.3 cm = 2.95” × 2.48” × 1.30”

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

MT37AL9: Floater polycrystalline growth of twinned crystals of Microcline (barium-rich variety hyalophane), from the classic Busovaca deposit, practically the only locality that has provided good collector specimens of this variety. The crystals are of good size, with very distinct double Baveno-Manebach twinning, translucent, lustrous, with abundant Rutile inclusions, which is unusual in this type of specimen.
Zagradski Potok Mine, Zagradski Creek, Busovača, Central Bosnia, Federation of Bosnia and Herzegovina, Bosnia-Herzegovina  Bosnia-Herzegovina

Specimen size: 9.5 × 5.4 × 5.8 cm = 3.74” × 2.13” × 2.28”

Main crystal size: 8 × 4.6 cm = 3.15” × 1.81”

TFM13AN8: Group of cubo-octahedral Galena crystals, on matrix and very sharp, with deep hopper growths on some of the faces, and with a very bright luster.
We will ship the specimen in its original Perky box from the Robert J. (Bob) Noble collection, which also contains the label.
Krushev dol Mine, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 3 × 2.5 × 1.8 cm = 1.18” × 0.98” × 0.71”

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

MF14AM8: Group of shiny cubo-octahedral Galena crystals, very sharp and with a very well defined spinel law twin.
We will send the buyer the specimen in its original Perky box from the Robert J. Noble collection, which also contains the label.
Krushev dol Mine, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 3 × 2.8 × 1.2 cm = 1.18” × 1.10” × 0.47”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 0.8 cm = 0.59” × 0.31”

TJ14AN2: Group of very shiny cubic Galena crystals, with surfaces showing dissolution forms, Pyrite intergrowths and small Calcite crystal coatings.
We will ship the specimen in its original Perky box from the Robert J. Noble collection, which also contains the label, which shows that it was previously in the Melanson collection.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 3.1 × 2.5 × 1.8 cm = 1.22” × 0.98” × 0.71”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.3 cm = 0.79” × 0.51”

MH26M9: Group of cubic crystals of Galena, some of them flattened and have a tabular aspect. They have the vertices truncated by the triangular faces of the octahedron. On the lower side there is a small, very well defined, crystal of Sphalerite which color is honey yellow.
A photograph of this specimen is on the page 207 of the book "Earth Science" (4th edition) published by BJU.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (2002)

Specimen size: 3.3 × 2.2 × 3.1 cm = 1.30” × 0.87” × 1.22”

TFB18XXX: Group of Galena crystals with stepped and markedly hollowed growths, forming a complex and very aesthetic assemblage, associated with other minerals, among them small Sphalerite and Quartz growths. The arrangement of the crystals, their multiple intergrowths, and the mineral association give the specimen a clearly natural appearance, reinforced by the morphological complexity of the assemblage. The crystals show intense luster, well-defined faces, and an excellent state of preservation.
The association is characteristic of low-temperature hydrothermal parageneses in polymetallic lead-zinc deposits.

Septemvri Mine is important within the Madan mining area, one of the classic mineralogical regions of Bulgaria and Europe for lead, zinc minerals and complex hydrothermal associations. This mine has produced highly appreciated specimens of Galena, Sphalerite, Quartz, Calcite, and sulfosalts, often with high-quality crystallizations and highly aesthetic associations from alpine cavities and mineralized vein systems.
Geologically, the deposit forms part of a large polymetallic hydrothermal system developed in metamorphic rocks of the Rhodope massif, where the circulation of low- to moderate-temperature mineralizing fluids generated lead- and zinc-rich veins, accompanied by sulfides and gangue minerals. The complex tectonic evolution and intense fracturing favored the formation of cavities with well-developed crystallizations and mineral associations of great morphological richness.
Septemvri Mine (September Mine), Madan mining area, Municipio Madan, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 6.8 × 5.3 × 5.1 cm = 2.68” × 2.09” × 2.01”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.7 cm = 0.87” × 0.67”

MXL948XXX: Elongated cubic crystals of Galena, with marked cavernous forms and a general graphic texture, implanted on a Sphalerite matrix where twinned crystals of the Sphalerite itself stand out, extraordinarily lustrous and with smooth, well-defined faces, showing dominant tetrahedral forms.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 7.3 × 6.2 × 4.5 cm = 2.87” × 2.44” × 1.77”

Main crystal size: 2.0 × 0.9 cm = 0.79” × 0.35”

EXM89AP0: Group of very shiny cubic Galena crystals with surfaces showing dissolution forms and parallel staggering with small coatings of white Calcite crystals.
The specimen comes from the Jacques Meggs collection, whose label we will send to the buyer.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 9 × 6 × 8 cm = 3.54” × 2.36” × 3.15”

Main crystal size: 7.6 × 5.8 cm = 2.99” × 2.28”

TC47Q6: Parallel growth with a prominent tetrahedral-face, aerial and sharp, with very well defined faces and edges and an excellent luster. The matrix is especially rich in small crystals of Quartz and cuboctahedral crystals of Galena.
Borieva Mine, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (2008)

Specimen size: 3.6 × 2.4 × 2.3 cm = 1.42” × 0.94” × 0.91”

Main crystal size: 2.4 × 1.7 cm = 0.94” × 0.67”

EM26M2: In this excellent sample, Sphalerite crystals are showing extremely defined crystalline forms, more than usual for the species. Tetrahedral faces are dominant but other accessory faces are perfectly visible. The Sphalerite crystals are very aerials on a Quartz crystal-rich matrix also with Chalcopyrite and Galena crystals.
This specimen has been photographed and published as a novelty at the 2008 Ste. Marie Show in the magazine Le Règne Minéral number 82 (July-August 2008), page 82.
Borieva Mine, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (06/2008)

Specimen size: 7 × 6.5 × 5.9 cm = 2.76” × 2.56” × 2.32”

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

EF36AM6: Very sharp crystals of Sphalerite (variety marmatite), with the dominant forms of a tetrahedron beveled by minor crystal forms, extraordinarily lustrous, on matrix, with water-clear Quartz crystals. A very aesthetic specimen, from a classic locality.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 20.8 × 15.2 × 4.4 cm = 8.19” × 5.98” × 1.73”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.6 cm = 0.79” × 0.63”

MD96N4: Group of octahedral crystals beveled by the dodecahedron. They are bright, transparent and have the typical greenish shade that characterizes the variety cleiophane.
Septemvri Mine (September Mine), Madan mining area, Municipio Madan, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (1993)

Specimen size: 3.2 × 2.9 × 2.2 cm = 1.26” × 1.14” × 0.87”

ML37N4: Group of bright, transparent crystals of Sphalerite with the greenish color that characterizes the variety cleiophane. With small cubic crystals of Galena and groups of small, very bright, crystals of Quartz.
Septemvri Mine (September Mine), Madan mining area, Municipio Madan, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (1993)

Specimen size: 5.7 × 4.5 × 2 cm = 2.24” × 1.77” × 0.79”

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

TP91AI3: Group of complex Sphalerite crystals on a Calcite matrix. They are transparent, extraordinarily bright and have the intense greenish color that characterizes the cleiophane variety. Of the best quality for the locality.
Krushev dol Mine, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (±2011)

Specimen size: 14.5 × 6.8 × 3.2 cm = 5.71” × 2.68” × 1.26”

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

ER11M9: Twinned Sphalerite crystals with very well defined flat faces, which is not too common for the species. They are associated with Chalcopyrite crystals, small cubes of Galena and Quartz crystals.
Septemvri Mine (September Mine), Mogilata deposit, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (1992)

Specimen size: 8.5 × 7.6 × 3.4 cm = 3.35” × 2.99” × 1.34”

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

EE67AM3: Druse of complex twinned Sphalerite crystals with sharp crystal forms, lustrous, and yellow in color. Transparent under strong light. On matrix, with cubo-octahedral Galena crystals. The back of the piece has been partially sawn.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 9.4 × 6.4 × 4 cm = 3.70” × 2.52” × 1.57”

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

MT50AF3: Complex crystals with equant shape, twinned, translucent and with a very deep green color. They are on a microcrystalline Quartz matrix, with cubo-octahedral Galena crystals.
Krushev dol Mine, Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (2012)

Specimen size: 9.6 × 6.8 × 2.6 cm = 3.78” × 2.68” × 1.02”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 1.5 cm = 0.67” × 0.59”

MC12N4: Very aerial floater group of crystals formed by the faces of the cube and the pyritohedron with very well marked longitudinal striations.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (1996)

Specimen size: 4.5 × 2.6 × 2.2 cm = 1.77” × 1.02” × 0.87”

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

MG61N4: A very esthetic sample with polycrystalline growths on a tabular crystal attached to a group of clear crystals of Quartz.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria (1997)

Specimen size: 6.1 × 6 × 2.6 cm = 2.40” × 2.36” × 1.02”

EZ97AA4: Uniaxial growths of lenticular (flattened rhombohedron) Calcite crystals. They are translucent, have a light pinkish color and are on a matrix of Quartz crystals. A Calcite with a very uncommon shape for the locality.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 8.7 × 7.7 × 5.3 cm = 3.43” × 3.03” × 2.09”

Main crystal size: 5.4 × 2.1 cm = 2.13” × 0.83”

ER68AA4: Aggregate of lenticular Calcite crystals with very well defined faces and edges, white, translucent and on a matrix of Quartz crystals with perimorphic Dolomite growths. As in so many specimens in this collection, the sample is of great quality for the locality.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 10.1 × 8.9 × 5.4 cm = 3.98” × 3.50” × 2.13”

TBB91AP3: Disphenoidal Chalcopyrite crystals with slight curvatures on the edges, accompanied by Galena crystals with very deeply hoppered faces, and twinned Sphalerite crystals. Among the first finds in the Madan area, it comes from a French collection.
Madan mining area, Rhodope Mountains, Smolyan Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 14.3 × 9 × 4.4 cm = 5.63” × 3.54” × 1.73”

Main crystal size: 2.9 × 1.8 cm = 1.14” × 0.71”

TA96M3: Excellent miniature. Crystals shows a better brilliance than usual for the locality. Specimen is formed by a group of crystals with very sharp faces and edges, excellent terminations and a very aerial shape.
The specimen is from the Thomas P. Moore collection and we’ll send the label to the buyer.

Pcheloyad Mine, Momchilgrad Obshtina, Kardzhali Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 2.6 × 2.2 × 2.1 cm = 1.02” × 0.87” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 0.8 cm = 0.55” × 0.31”

TX63V8: From an old and abandoned Bulgarian locality, these individual brown crystals of Pyromorphite look nice perched on the white Quartz matrix.
Something unusual and with some beauty too.
Pcheloyad Mine, level 200, Momchilgrad Obshtina, Kardzhali Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 3.1 × 2.3 × 2 cm = 1.22” × 0.91” × 0.79”

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

TV64V8: From an old and abandoned Bulgarian locality, these individual brown crystals of Pyromorphite look nice perched on the white Quartz matrix.
Something unusual and with some beauty too.
Pcheloyad Mine, level 200, Momchilgrad Obshtina, Kardzhali Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 3.9 × 3.5 × 2 cm = 1.54” × 1.38” × 0.79”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.2 cm = 0.24” × 0.08”

TT62V8: From an old and abandoned Bulgarian locality, these individual brown crystals of Pyromorphite look nice perched on the white Quartz matrix.
Something unusual and with some beauty too.

Pcheloyad Mine, level 200, Momchilgrad Obshtina, Kardzhali Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 4.7 × 1.7 × 1.4 cm = 1.85” × 0.67” × 0.55”

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

TR63V8: From an old and abandoned Bulgarian locality, these individual brown crystals of Pyromorphite look nice perched on the white Quartz matrix.
Something unusual and with some beauty too.
Pcheloyad Mine, level 200, Momchilgrad Obshtina, Kardzhali Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 5.1 × 2.1 × 1 cm = 2.01” × 0.83” × 0.39”

Main crystal size: 0.4 × 0.1 cm = 0.16” × 0.04”

TY64V8: From an old and abandoned Bulgarian locality, these individual brown crystals of Pyromorphite look nice perched on the white Quartz matrix.
Something unusual and with some beauty too.
Pcheloyad Mine, level 200, Momchilgrad Obshtina, Kardzhali Oblast, Bulgaria  Bulgaria

Specimen size: 5.9 × 4.1 × 3.1 cm = 2.32” × 1.61” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 0.7 × 0.3 cm = 0.28” × 0.12”

TTB59XXX: Botryoidal group, with intense luster and a smooth surface, accompanied by small white Calcite crystals that provide contrast with the Goethite.
It comes from a locality little known in collecting, which adds interest to the specimen, and it also preserves the pedigree of having belonged to the Harry Critchley collection, Critchley himself being the one who found the specimen.

Kremikovtsi is an important mining and metallurgical complex located northeast of Sofia, mainly known for its iron mineralization and mineral associations developed in skarn and metasomatic environments. Kremikovtsi Mine has produced specimens of Magnetite, Hematite, Goethite, Calcite, Quartz, sulfides, and various secondary minerals, some showing aesthetic crystallization and interesting mineral associations for collectors.

Geologically, the deposit is related to metasomatic processes developed through the interaction of hydrothermal fluids with host carbonate rocks, forming iron-rich skarn mineralization accompanied by calcium silicates, oxides, and sulfides. Fluid circulation and later alteration also favored the development of cavities with well-defined crystal growth and complex mineral associations.
Kremikovtsi Mine, Kremikovtsi, Stolichna Municipality (Sofia), Sofia-City Province (Sofia-grad), Bulgaria  Bulgaria (10/2003)

Specimen size: 8.1 × 5.5 × 3.6 cm = 3.19” × 2.17” × 1.42”