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Reference Specimens
Portugal - Panasqueira

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This page gathers together the specimens that, because of their quality, rarity or interesting locality,
we wish to maintain on our web site as reference specimens although they have been sold.


PANASQUEIRA MINE


 

 

 

 

 

 

Panasqueira mine

There is a great mine that is still active within the Iberian peninsular: the mine of Panasqueira, in the Beira Baixa region of Portugal. The current low price of Wolfram and the competition from other sources means that commercial operation is tough. But for all this, this classic locality has for over 100 years produced, and keeps on producing, fine specimens. These include exceptional specimens of Apatite-(CaF), Ferberite, Arsenopyrite, Siderite, Quartz and numerous other species such as: Chalcopyrite, Sphalerite, Dolomite, Calcite, Mica, Tourmaline, Fluorite, Topaz and Triplite. It has also produced some very rare minerals including Panasqueiraite and Thadeuite. The great feature of these specimens, apart from their quality, is the fact that they almost always combine quite a few mineral species, so the paragenesis has made this mine famous throughout the world.

I started to visit this locality when I was 14 years old, and I have never stopped visiting it since. So I must have been to visit it well over a 100 times. For many years the sale of mineral specimens from the mine was forbidden, as Wolfram was a strategic mineral. So the moments I passed there acquiring specimens could form the basis of quite an exciting book! Over the years I got to know miners, shift managers, administration staff, engineers and geologists. Some were friendly while others were not, but they were all interested in not only the money they could obtain from 'as pedras' ('the rocks' in Portuguese) but also the beauty of the specimens.

Quite a few years ago, and at the same time as Portugal began to change after its entry into the European Union, things began to become easier. However, unfortunately, obtaining good specimens has one again got more difficult, but this time due to the way the mine is worked and the lower grade seams. All that said, I'm still 'trapped' by the beauty of the minerals and the large number of friends I have developed over all those years.

If you want more general and scientific information on this great mine you can get it by following this link. It leads you to a page where we have reproduced text and photos from one of the few publications produced by the mine itself.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Fluorapatite

Fluorapatite on Ferberite
Fluorapatite on Ferberite. Front
Front
Fluorapatite on Ferberite. Side
Side

NC36: Delicate rosette of Fluorapatite perched on a brilliant Ferberite crystal partially covered by Siderite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2002)

Specimen size: 6 × 3.5 × 2 cm = 2.4” × 1.4” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 1.7 × 1.3 cm = 0.7” × 0.5”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV


 
Fluorapatite with Ferberite and Siderite

ND36F2: A group of prismatic crystals of flat, long and brilliant Ferberite are visible in this specimen, partially covered by Siderite and peppered with prisms of Fluorapatite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2001)

Specimen size: 9.5 × 6 × 3 cm = 3.7” × 2.4” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1.4 cm = 0.6” × 0.6”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV


Fluorapatite with Ferberite and Siderite.
Fluorapatite with Ferberite and Siderite.
 
Fluorapatite
Fluorapatite. Front
Front
Fluorapatite. Side
Side

TD86H9: The crystal is short and has well-defined faces and edges. Looking like doubly terminated, although is incomplete (rehealed) on its back side and in the lower zone.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 6.2 × 5.5 × 4.3 cm = 2.4” × 2.2” × 1.7”

Fluorescence short UV & low fluorescence long UV


 
Fluorapatite with Muscovite and Quartz

JC90G0: Esthetically perfect, due both to crystal development and their position on a Muscovite matrix. A Quartz crystal, equilibrating the group, is the definitive detail.
The specimen is from an accredited collection. We'll send the label together the specimen.
Minas da Panasqueira, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 6.5 × 5.5 × 2.5 cm = 2.6” × 2.2” × 1.0”

Main crystal size: 2.8 × 2 cm = 1.1” × 0.8”

Extremely fluorescent long & short UV


Fluorapatite with Muscovite and Quartz.
Fluorapatite with Muscovite and Quartz.
 
Fluorapatite with Schorl-Dravite
Fluorapatite with Schorl-Dravite.
Fluorapatite with Schorl-Dravite.

JC94F0: A great classic. Flat crystals, perfect, excellent color and brilliance, and on a base of fine needle like crystals of Schorl-Dravite. We have analyzed these crystals and they show a composition that is somewhere between Schorl and Dravite. We will give the purchaser a copy of the analysis.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (1998)

Specimen size: 11 × 7.3 × 2.5 cm = 4.3” × 2.9” × 1.0”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1 cm = 0.6” × 0.4”

Extremely fluorescent long & short UV


 
Fluorapatite with Siderite and Mica

NE43E7: Look out for this one: it is marvelous. The prismatic Fluorapatite crystals are large, aerial and have a great color that is somewhere between blue and green. That said please note that, as you can see in the detailed photo, there is a significant contact on one of the upper faces of crystals. This is where there used to be some Siderite (I know this as I removed it). When you display this specimen the contact is not visible, but you see it when you hold it in your hands. So the importance you give to this contact will affect your wish to have this one in your collection. For me, given the beauty and quality, the fact that there is a contact (this is not damage) due to the former Siderite is acceptable, especially given that it is very difficult to find such specimens at a reasonable price.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2001)

Specimen size: 11 × 7.5 × 5.2 cm = 4.3” × 3.0” × 2.0”

Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2 cm = 1.1” × 0.8”

Extremely fluorescent long & short UV


Fluorapatite with Siderite and Mica. Front
Front
Fluorapatite with Siderite and Mica. Fluorapatite with Siderite and Mica. Top
Top
 
Fluorapatite with Mica, Siderite and Chalcopyrite
Fluorapatite with Mica, Siderite and Chalcopyrite. Front
Front
Fluorapatite with Mica, Siderite and Chalcopyrite. Top
Top

NM40E2: A perfect, floater Fluorapatite, with the base of the crystal healed. It is a nice intense blue-violet color, which is very sought after and difficult to find. On the rear edges of the crystal you can see areas of re-crystallization on which small amounts of Mica, Siderite and Chalcopyrite have formed. A really great specimen.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (±1988)

Specimen size: 4.8 × 2.6 × 2.9 cm = 1.9” × 1.0” × 1.1”


 
Fluorapatite

NC16G4: Crystals, small, are very defined but both the type of the aggregate and its color are very uncommon. The specimen is very different from the usual of Panasqueira.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 7.4 × 4.6 × 5.2 cm = 2.9” × 1.8” × 2.0”

Very fluorescent long & short UV


Fluorapatite.
Fluorapatite.
 


Ferberite

Ferberite with Calcite
Ferberite with Calcite.

NG60G8: Group of prismatic crystals with very sharp edges and of intense luster. The specimen is covered, essentially on the back, by small crystals of Calcite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 5.8 × 3.2 × 2.2 cm = 2.3” × 1.3” × 0.9”


 
Ferberite with Quartz

RM86K4: Closed, dense group of crystals of thick tabular appearance, one of them clearly dominant, with an excellent definition of faces and edges and intense luster. On the backside there is a small Quartz crystal.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (±1980)

Specimen size: 5.8 × 4.7 × 3.4 cm = 2.3” × 1.9” × 1.3”

With handwritten note from the Folch Collection


Ferberite with Quartz. Front
Front
Ferberite with Quartz. Side
Side
Ferberite with Quartz. Top
Top
 
Doubly terminated Ferberite with doubly terminated Quartz
Doubly terminated Ferberite with doubly terminated Quartz. Front
Front
Doubly terminated Ferberite with doubly terminated Quartz. Side
Side
Doubly terminated Ferberite with doubly terminated Quartz. Bottom
Bottom

ND30F3: Crystals of doubly terminated Ferberite are not common from Panasqueira, especially with this one's size and definition. In this case we can add that it is neatly and esthetically placed on a complex crystal of doubly terminated Quartz, which has a coating of Siderite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 11.7 × 6.5 × 4 cm = 4.6” × 2.6” × 1.6”

Main crystal size: 6.5 × 5 cm = 2.6” × 2.0”


 


Sulfides

Arsenopyrite with Siderite and Muscovite

TY76H9: Parallel growth of elongated crystals with small crystals of Siderite and Muscovite. The parallel growth is evident on the terminal faces.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 7.3 × 4 × 4.4 cm = 2.9” × 1.6” × 1.7”


Arsenopyrite with Siderite and Muscovite. Front
Front
Arsenopyrite with Siderite and Muscovite. Top
Top
 
Arsenopyrite with Muscovite and Pyrite
Arsenopyrite with Muscovite and Pyrite. Arsenopyrite with Muscovite and Pyrite.

NB47G4: Extraordinary group both for crystal size, very bright and sharply defined, and for its contrast with a crystallized Muscovite matrix. Between Arsenopyrite crystals appears, very centered, a little cube of Pyrite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 10.8 × 7.8 × 4.9 cm = 4.3” × 3.1” × 1.9”


 
Quartz with Arsenopyrite, Muscovite and Siderite

NE14M9: Very aerial growth of doubly terminated crystals of Arsenopyrite that are partially coated by lenticular crystals of Siderite and by Muscovite, all this growth is at the apex of a Quartz crystal.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 5.9 × 3.6 cm = 2.5” × 2.3” × 1.4”


Quartz with Arsenopyrite, Muscovite and Siderite. Quartz with Arsenopyrite, Muscovite and Siderite.
 
Arsenopyrite-Marcasite epitaxial
Arsenopyrite-Marcasite epitaxial. Front
Front
Arsenopyrite-Marcasite epitaxial. Top
Top

T81ZB1: Huge epitaxial crystals of Arsenopyrite and Marcasite. They have grown together and you cannot tell where one starts and the other ends. In this case the crystal form is that of Marcasite but color and luster is that of Arsenopyrite. So you really cannot tell what is what! Brownish Mica at the base makes a good contrast in this interesting specimen.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 6.5 × 7 cm = 2.6” × 2.8”


 
Pyrite with Calcite

E9GK0: Group of complex crystals with a notable domination of the pentadodecahedron (pyritohedron) forms and with small but very evident faces of the octahedron. At the base there is a small group of white crystals of Calcite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (1997)

Specimen size: 7.2 × 4.8 × 2.3 cm = 2.8” × 1.9” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.6 cm = 0.7” × 0.6”


Pyrite with Calcite.
 
Pyrite
Pyrite.

NM10F2: The cubic crystals of Pyrite are piled on top of each other on a single axis, forming very interesting and attractive features. Very different from other ones from this mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 6.5 × 4.5 × 2.5 cm = 2.6” × 1.8” × 1.0”


 
Pyrite with Arsenopyrite and Dolomite

TG13H9: A typical Pyrite from Panasqueira. At first it appears botryoidal but a closer look shows of groups of cubic crystals.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 8.8 × 8.2 × 3.5 cm = 3.5” × 3.2” × 1.4”


Pyrite with Arsenopyrite and Dolomite. Pyrite with Arsenopyrite and Dolomite.
 
Pyrite with Marcasite and Quartz
Pyrite with Marcasite and Quartz. Pyrite with Marcasite and Quartz.

N91HB4: Nice isn't it? Just sulphides on Quartz but the esthetics are superb!
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 8.6 × 6 × 3.5 cm = 3.4” × 2.4” × 1.4”


 
Chalcopyrite and Quartz

N3BA2: Chalcopyrite with Quartz. Sharp crystal.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (1997)

Specimen size: 3.5 × 3 cm = 1.4” × 1.2”


Chalcopyrite and Quartz.
 
Chalcopyrite with Arsenopyrite, Siderite and Muscovite
Chalcopyrite with Arsenopyrite, Siderite and Muscovite. Front
Front
Chalcopyrite with Arsenopyrite, Siderite and Muscovite. Rear
Rear
Chalcopyrite with Arsenopyrite, Siderite and Muscovite. Top
Top

TG27P3: Parallel growth of two large crystals of Chalcopyrite with excellent luster (for the locality) whose matrix is a group of prismatic crystals of Arsenopyrite, some of them doubly terminated, with lenticular crystals of Siderite and leafy aggregates of Muscovite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 6.3 × 5.2 × 4.1 cm = 2.5” × 2.0” × 1.6”

Main crystal size: 3.5 × 3.2 cm = 1.4” × 1.3”


 
Sphalerite-Chalcopyrite with 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 Chalcopyrite is a fine epitaxial 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, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 3.2 × 2.7 cm = 1.7” × 1.3” × 1.1”


Sphalerite-Chalcopyrite with Arsenopyrite.
 
Epitaxial Sphalerite-Chalcopyrite, Arsenopyrite and Galena
Epitaxial Sphalerite-Chalcopyrite, Arsenopyrite and Galena.

NC16I7: Complex crystals of Chalcopyrite, very bright and with clearly curved faces and edges, covered by epitaxial growths of Sphalerite forming a crust, with minor Galena and prismatic crystals of Arsenopyrite. Interesting and original.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 10.8 × 7.3 × 5.3 cm = 4.3” × 2.9” × 2.1”


 
Tetrahedrite with Siderite and Fluorapatite

N13BF2: A real rarity for this mine, as we think that almost no one has ever noted the presence of Tetrahedrite at Panasqueira. The small brilliant crystals are gray-black and are on prismatic Siderite. There is also some green Fluorapatite, which adds to the interest of the specimen. We will give the buyer a copy of the analysis of the Tetrahedrite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2000)

Specimen size: 8 × 6.5 × 3 cm = 3.1” × 2.6” × 1.2”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV


Tetrahedrite with Siderite and Fluorapatite. Tetrahedrite with Siderite and Fluorapatite.
 


Carbonates

Siderite with Chalcopyrite, Fluorapatite and Ferberite
Siderite with Chalcopyrite, Fluorapatite and Ferberite.

NB63G4: Very aerial lenticular crystals, very defined and with especially esthetic color. We also emphasize the dominant crystal's position on the matrix of Pyrite, Sphalerite and little Fluorapatite crystals.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 7 × 5.8 × 3.7 cm = 2.8” × 2.3” × 1.5”

Main crystal size: 4.5 × 3.2 cm = 1.8” × 1.3”


 
Siderite with Fluorapatite and Quartz

N96CG3: A very large crystal. Its color is lovely and the trigonal symmetry is clearly revealed by its triangular central face. On the surface of its faces appear, recrystallized and with color zoning, some little crystals of the same Siderite with Fluorapatite and Quartz.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (1999)

Specimen size: 11.5 × 9.5 × 5.5 cm = 4.5” × 3.7” × 2.2”

Fluorapatite intense fluorescence long & short UV


Siderite with Fluorapatite and Quartz.
 
Siderite with Arsenopyrite
Siderite with Arsenopyrite.

NJ62G1: An very attractive group of tabular Siderite crystals with defined color zones in its peripheries. The group is on a matrix in of Arsenopyrite, Sphalerite, Quartz and Pyrite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 7.2 × 5 × 4.5 cm = 2.8” × 2.0” × 1.8”


 
Siderite with Quartz and Arsenopyrite

NM16F4: The Siderite has formed an intensely colored, rose-like spray of crystals, which cover the Quartz. On these lenticular crystals there are some crystals of Arsenopyrite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 10.7 × 7 × 8.5 cm = 4.2” × 2.8” × 3.3”


Siderite with Quartz and Arsenopyrite.
Siderite with Quartz and Arsenopyrite.
 
Siderite with Quartz and Fluorapatite
Siderite with Quartz and Fluorapatite. Front
Front
Siderite with Quartz and Fluorapatite. Side
Side

N12TK0: Group of first generation crystals, so they are translucent and have an excellent color and luster. On the Siderite there is a small group of tabular Fluorapatite crystals and Quartz crystals. This type of first generation Siderite is very uncommon at Panasqueira.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (1995)

Specimen size: 6.6 × 4.4 × 2.1 cm = 2.6” × 1.7” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 6.1 × 2 cm = 2.4” × 0.8”

Fluorapatite very fluorescent long & short UV


 
Dolomite with Mica

NC36C3: Something very different for the common stuff from this mine. Very brilliant and a little bit transparent groups of parallel crystals of very white Dolomite. The quality is much better than the others and the form is totally different from the regular ones from this mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2002)

Specimen size: 10 × 5 × 5.5 cm = 3.9” × 2.0” × 2.2”


Dolomite with Mica.
 


Quartz

Doubly terminated Quartz
Doubly terminated Quartz.

N4ACA0: A very transparent doubly terminated quartz crystal.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal (1996)

Specimen size: 6 × 3.5 cm = 2.4” × 1.4”


 
Quartz with Arsenopyrite & inclusions

NZ46E6: Very transparent crystals of Quartz. So you can see the well-defined crystals of Arsenopyrite and sprays of Mica inside it. They were trapped in it as the Quartz grew. The Quartz itself is a floater (with a recrystallized base) and has a totally undamaged tip, which is not that common in specimens from Panasqueira given the way they are collected. On the outside there are similar minerals to those inside: Mica and Arsenopyrite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal (2004)

Specimen size: 9.8 × 8.3 × 3.2 cm = 3.9” × 3.3” × 1.3”


Quartz with Arsenopyrite & inclusions. Quartz with Arsenopyrite & inclusions.
 
Quartz with Dolomite
Quartz with Dolomite.

N61V: This is a nice specimen! A very pleasant coating of Dolomite on the peaks of a clear complete (recrystallized on the bottom) totally damage free Quartz floater (very unusual for big specimens from Panasqueira) with a touch of class: small black Ferberite crystals placed on the top of invisible Quartz phantoms inside the Quartz crystal.

Minas da Panasqueira, Level 3, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 16.5 × 11 cm = 6.5” × 4.3”


 
Quartz with Fluorapatite and Siderite

TA46H4: Typical crystal from Panasqueira. On the termination on a bed of Siderite crystals there is a group of green, very bright and short prismatic crystals of Fluorapatite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Level 2, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 8.5 × 4.8 × 3.3 cm = 3.3” × 1.9” × 1.3”

Extremely fluorescent long & short UV


Quartz with Fluorapatite and Siderite. Quartz with Fluorapatite and Siderite.
 


Cassiterite

Cassiterite with Fluorapatite, Siderite and Quartz
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, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 1.7 × 1.3 × 1.2 cm = 0.7” × 0.5” × 0.5”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.1 cm = 0.5” × 0.4”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV


 
Cassiterite with Quartz and Fluorapatite

TH26J8: The crystals have perfectly bright and defined faces and edges and form a cyclic twin. The matrix is formed by Quartz crystals with tabular, very fluorescent, crystals of Fluorapatite and small coverage of Muscovite.
Minas da Panasqueira, Beira Baixa  Portugal

Specimen size: 5.1 × 3.7 × 2 cm = 2.0” × 1.5” × 0.8”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.9 cm = 0.5” × 0.4”

Fluorapatite very fluorescent long & short UV


Cassiterite with Quartz and Fluorapatite. Cassiterite with Quartz and Fluorapatite.
 


PORTUGAL


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
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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 4.9 × 2.9 × 1.4 cm = 1.9” × 1.1” × 0.6”


 
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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 4.9 × 3.8 × 3.1 cm = 1.9” × 1.5” × 1.2”

Main crystal size: 0.1 × 0.1 cm = 0.0” × 0.0”


Descloizite. Front
Front
Descloizite. Rear
Rear
 
Descloizite with Calcite
Descloizite with Calcite. Front
Front
Descloizite with Calcite. Side
Side

NA96I7: A very esthetic specimen, on Limonite matrix, with columnar growths of small very bright crystals, most of them doubly terminated, forming dipyramids with very well-defined faces and edges. On the Descloizite there are esthetic groups of small scalenohedral crystals of white Calcite.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 9 × 8 × 7.2 cm = 3.5” × 3.1” × 2.8”

Main crystal size: 0.1 × 0.1 cm = 0.0” × 0.0”


 
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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 12.3 × 6.7 × 4.4 cm = 4.8” × 2.6” × 1.7”

Main crystal size: 0.1 × 01 cm = 0.0” × 0.4”


Descloizite with Calcite. Front
Front
Descloizite with Calcite. Rear
Rear
 
Calcite
Calcite. Front
Front
Calcite. Rear
Rear

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

Specimen size: 8.1 × 7.2 × 5.1 cm = 3.2” × 2.8” × 2.0”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.2 cm = 0.7” × 0.5”

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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 9.2 × 5.2 × 2.4 cm = 3.6” × 2.0” × 0.9”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV


Plattnerite with Calcite.
Plattnerite with Calcite.
 
Plattnerite with Calcite
Plattnerite with Calcite. 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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 3 × 2.2 cm = 2.6” × 1.2” × 0.9”

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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (03/2007)

Specimen size: 6.8 × 3.2 × 3 cm = 2.7” × 1.3” × 1.2”

Calcite minor fluorescence long & short UV


Plattnerite with Calcite. Plattnerite with Calcite.
 
Willemite
Willemite.
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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 6.7 × 3.9 × 2.4 cm = 2.6” × 1.5” × 0.9”

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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 2 × 2.2 cm = 1.5” × 0.8” × 0.9”

Main crystal size: 0.3 × 0.1 cm = 0.1” × 0.0”

Intense fluorescence short UV & fluorescent long UV


Willemite pseudo Cerussite.
 
Willemite with Plattnerite
Willemite with Plattnerite.
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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 10 × 7.5 × 4 cm = 3.9” × 3.0” × 1.6”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.1 cm = 0.2” × 0.0”

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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 2.4 × 2.2 × 2.2 cm = 0.9” × 0.9” × 0.9”

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


Descloizite after Vanadinite.
 
Descloizite after Vanadinite
Descloizite after Vanadinite. 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.
Mina da Preguiça, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja  Portugal (2006)

Specimen size: 9.3 × 8.8 × 3.3 cm = 3.7” × 3.5” × 1.3”

Main crystal size: 0.2 × 0.1 cm = 0.1” × 0.0”


 


Pseudomalachite

N6AI7: Botryoidal and microcrystalline growths on matrix of this relatively rare phosphate. Its green color is quite variable, darker when more crystalline. The specimen is very rich in Pseudomalachite.
Miguel Vacas Mine, Vila Viçosa, Évora  Portugal (1997)

Specimen size: 10.3 × 8 × 6.5 cm = 4.1” × 3.1” × 2.6”


Pseudomalachite. Front
Front
Pseudomalachite. Side
Side
 



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