Reference Specimens
The Jordi Fabre Collection (duplicates)

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Photos by Fabre Minerals. Under Creative Commons license

This page provides a selection of the specimens from The Jordi Fabre Collection (duplicates) 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

Jordi Fabre Texts: Jordi Fabre
Translation: Alfredo Petrov Alfredo Petrov

 


 

 

With the collection
With the collection

Fluorite

 

Quartz with Siderite

 

Pyromorphite

 

The Jordi Fabre Collection (duplicates)

September 2021 marks 50 years since I started selling minerals and 25 since I started doing it on the internet. Those who are curious to know how these 25/50 years have been will find more information here

50 years dedicated to the same activity is a lot of years, and I believe that the time has come to start doing things in a different way. Although I plan to continue offering minerals until my health or my age no longer allows, little by little I will decrease the intensity and from 2022 I will stop attending the vast majority of the shows at which I used to exhibit or just visit. I will no longer go to Tucson from 2022 and depending on how things go I will go (or not) to other shows.
As I am lucky to have gathered a very large and quality stock during all these years of activity, and as in recent times I have been intensely buying a lot of varied material, between the 'classic' stuff and what I have bought in recent years I think there is enough to offer competitive pieces online for a long time. However, considering how demanding the collecting world has become, there could come a time in the future in which a decrease in the quality of what we were offering would begin to be noticed, and that is why I want to do something a bit different: put part of my personal collection up for sale.

My collection is quite extensive (more than 3000 specimens) and although it is limited to 4 countries: Spain, Morocco, Portugal and France, I think it has a good number of competitive pieces. Lately I find that I have neither the time nor the capacity to properly process everything that I was adding to the collection. In view of this fact, I've decided to change the way I was doing things and have come up with this solution:
What better way than to share the many pieces that are not part of the 'hard core' of my collection with the family of friends and clients that has grown around this page over the years? By putting them up for sale I will no longer have them physically but they will have a new digital entity in which their photo, description and all their data will be shared online. I think it is a useful way to reclassify, with specific numbering, a good part of the specimens in my collection so that others can have them, and they will continue to be well referenced online for some time (which I will try to extend as long as possible)
The idea is to use these duplicates to create something like an online reference which, if any institution is interested in future, can be transferred in digital format so that it can be saved as one more document / file added to those they usually handle. The institutions will not be bothered with more work due to the need for physical conservation or extra space requirements.

In short, from now on and as long as my strength allows, I am going to use this sales page to build a digital file of a significant number of pieces from my collection that I hope will be useful. Their sale, along with the sales of the other pieces from my stock, will generate some funds that I hope will allow me to continue living with dignity and to continue maintaining, thanks to those funds, this website and FMF, both very active and fulfilling their function, that of spreading mineralogy.

To avoid any confusion: I will not sell these duplicates from my collection other than through this page, I will continue to preserve the 'hard core' of my collection, in which the most valuable and unique pieces will stay. The only exceptions which I will refrain from selling will be the minerals from Catalonia which, although they are not of great value, I will retain for sentimental reasons.

Welcome to the duplicates page of Jordi Fabre's collection, I hope you like them as much as I liked them when I had them. In fact, I always wanted to have a sales page for my own minerals at Fabre Minerals!

Jordi


 




A long way to go

 



Typical record from the Jordi Fabre Collection

 

The main information goes on the front and on the back there is additional information

Link to available specimens of the Jordi Fabre Collection (duplicates) 



Spain


Mimetite with Cerussite
Mimetite with Cerussite. Mimetite with Cerussite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Mimetite with Cerussite
 

JFD01AN5: In the vicinity of where so many iridescent goethites were found, the famous Filón Sur cut, also yielded some mimetites, some with very sharp orange crystals and, in one very localized find and in a somewhat separate place, these appeared as barrel-shaped mimetites that we could call the 'campylite variety' for its habit. I liked this piece, both for the quality of the Mimetite and for the association with Cerussite crystals, association that, as far as I know, were extraordinarily rare.
Filón Sur open pit (external), Minas de Tharsis, Tharsis, Alosno, Comarca El Andévalo, Huelva, Andalusia  Spain (30/04/2017)

Specimen size: 5 × 3.2 × 2.4 cm = 1.97” × 1.26” × 0.94”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

With analysis copy
Goethite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Goethite
 

JFD35AN7: The La Lapilla goethites have an 'architectural' point and, although their color is sometimes not as intense as that of the Tharsis goethites, their structure and the design of their formations have always attracted me. I got it (of course) from Fermín Clemente, a great field collector in the Huelva area.
La Lapilla Mine, La Lapilla, Alosno, Comarca El Andévalo, Huelva, Andalusia  Spain (03-04/2008)

Specimen size: 14.3 × 8.5 × 4.9 cm = 5.63” × 3.35” × 1.93”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Fermín Clemente
Goethite. Front
Front
Goethite. Rear
Rear
Goethite.
Celestine
Celestine. Front
Front
Celestine. Rear
Rear

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Celestine
 

JFD55AN9: Fine and elegant, among the many that appear at this locality, this piece has something special that caught our attention, both Fermín Clemente, who was the one who found it, and me who bought it.
El Pilar de Jaravía, Pulpí, Comarca Levante Almeriense, Almería, Andalusia  Spain (2010)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.3 × 2 cm = 1.50” × 1.30” × 0.79”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Fermín Clemente
Pyromorphite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyromorphite
 

JFD66AO0: Fine and elegant, one more of the so desirable pyromorphites from the San Andrés Mine.
This is one of the earliest with well-defined crystals found there. It has a general appearance, and, above all, a slightly different color from what was found later.
San Andrés Mine, Espiel, Comarca Valle del Guadiato, Córdoba, Andalusia  Spain (±1985)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 3.1 × 2.7 cm = 1.65” × 1.22” × 1.06”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite. Front
Front
Pyromorphite. Side
Side
Pyromorphite.
Pyromorphite
Pyromorphite. Front
Front
Pyromorphite. Side
Side
Pyromorphite. Side
Side
Pyromorphite. Rear
Rear

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyromorphite
 

JFD02AN5: What years those were! Extraordinary pyromorphites that became world famous were found during the years 1997 and 1998 in the San Andrés Mine. But not everything ended there, since in 1999 a good piece like this one was still recovered, with a very elegant structure and good crystal quality.
The piece was photographed by Paco Piña and appears on the 'Mina San Andrés' page of the blog MTI
San Andrés Mine, Espiel, Comarca Valle del Guadiato, Córdoba, Andalusia  Spain (08/1999)

Specimen size: 5.4 × 3.4 × 3.2 cm = 2.13” × 1.34” × 1.26”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.4 cm = 0.39” × 0.16”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with inclusions

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with inclusions
 

JFD03AN5: Group of Fluorite crystals, more transparent than usual for this locality and with some curious inclusions of what appear to be natural hydrocarbons.
La Florina mining, Gloria Segunda Mine, Hornachuelos, Comarca Valle Medio del Guadalquivir, Córdoba, Andalusia  Spain

Specimen size: 9.1 × 7 × 4.2 cm = 3.58” × 2.76” × 1.65”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.6 cm = 0.39” × 0.24”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with inclusions. Fluorite with inclusions.
Prehnite with Augite
Prehnite with Augite. Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Prehnite with Augite. Rear / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Rear / Photo: Joaquim Callén

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Prehnite with Augite
 

JFD65AO0: Not all pieces of a collection have to be 'top'. There are pieces like this, that without being anything special, you like them. Because of the shape, because of the small black crystals of Augite, because it was one of the very first ones that were found or whatever. A collection can have everything, it is enough that we like it! 😉
Oficarsa Quarry, De las Culebras Hill, Carchelejo, Cárcheles, Comarca Sierra Mágina, Jaén, Andalusia  Spain (2000)

Specimen size: 2.8 × 2.3 × 2 cm = 1.10” × 0.91” × 0.79”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Prehnite with Augite and Titanite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Prehnite with Augite and Titanite
 

JFD56AN9: It was always believed that these elongated black crystals were diopsides, but thanks to Gonzalo García, editor of the respected mineral magazine Bocamina, we now know that they are actually augites. In the case of this piece, it is abundant and well displayed, as there are many crystals traversing the Prehnite crystals.
Altogether, a fine piece from this locality, with the addition of the Augite and small Titanite crystals. Curiously, in the review of the piece that appeared together with its photograph in Mineralien Welt magazine, page 10 of the 01/2004 edition, the Augite is not mentioned but only the Prehnite. In those years these Carchelejo specimens were still relatively new in Europe.
Oficarsa Quarry, De las Culebras Hill, Carchelejo, Cárcheles, Comarca Sierra Mágina, Jaén, Andalusia  Spain (2003)

Specimen size: 7.7 × 6.3 × 3.2 cm = 3.03” × 2.48” × 1.26”

Main crystal size: 2.5 × 2.2 cm = 0.98” × 0.87”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Prehnite with Augite and Titanite. Prehnite with Augite and Titanite.
Prehnite with Augite and Titanite. Prehnite with Augite and Titanite.
Goethite with Quartz
Goethite with Quartz. Goethite with Quartz.
Goethite with Quartz.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Goethite with Quartz
 

JFD34AN7: Beautiful iridescent goethites appear not only in Huelva, but also in Murcia, in the famous San Valentín Quarry. They can be very beautiful, like this one that covers Quartz crystals and in which an elongated botryoidal group seems to form a narrow bridge over the Goethite itself. From Alain Martaud's collection, I liked it when I bought it from him because it was so elegant and original.
San Valentín open pit, Sancti Espíritu, Sierra Minera de Cartagena-La Unión, La Unión, Comarca Campo de Cartagena, Region of Murcia (Murcia)  Spain

Specimen size: 6.9 × 5.8 × 3.4 cm = 2.72” × 2.28” × 1.34”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Alain Martaud
Smithsonite and Galena after Pyrrhotite and Baryte

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Smithsonite and Galena after Pyrrhotite and Baryte
 

JFD13AN5: Alain Martaud spent quite a long time in La Unión digging for minerals and took advantage of the time to obtain a good number of specimens from the area. All 'special', such as this Smithsonite and Galena pseudomorph that has replaced an older Pyrrhotite crystal, which in addition to being interesting (mineralogically speaking) has the great advantage that it makes the specimen stable, so it will not suffer the alteration that so often happens to pyrrhotites. In addition, a small group of the ubiquitous barytes from that area embellish the specimen.
Tomasa Mine, La Fortuna, Sierra Minera de Cartagena-La Unión, La Unión, Comarca Campo de Cartagena, Region of Murcia (Murcia)  Spain (1980-1985)

Specimen size: 9.6 × 6.8 × 6.4 cm = 3.78” × 2.68” × 2.52”

Main crystal size: 9.6 × 6.2 cm = 3.78” × 2.44”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Smithsonite and Galena after Pyrrhotite and Baryte. Front
Front
Smithsonite and Galena after Pyrrhotite and Baryte. Rear
Rear
Smithsonite and Galena after Pyrrhotite and Baryte. Side
Side
Smithsonite and Galena after Pyrrhotite and Baryte.
Quartz (variety amethyst)
Quartz (variety amethyst). Front
Front
Quartz (variety amethyst). Top
Top

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Quartz (variety amethyst)
 

JFD12AN5: Quartz (variety amethyst) is not rare in the mining districts of Murcia, but the quality is usually not very high. Perhaps the least known locality is the one located on the Cerro del Águila, from which came thick crystals, somewhat more intense in color than the better known ones in the Los Pajaritos Ravine area.
This one is a good example of this and despite the fact that the images may appear to show a damaged side of the tip, it is in reality a ribbed shape of natural origin.

Cerro del Águila, Llano del Beal, Cartagena, Comarca Campo de Cartagena, Region of Murcia (Murcia)  Spain (±1967)

Specimen size: 9 × 7.6 × 5.3 cm = 3.54” × 2.99” × 2.09”

Main crystal size: 8 × 6.1 cm = 3.15” × 2.40”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Folch Collection (duplicates)

Former collection of Josep Monné
Calcite with inclusions

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Calcite with inclusions
 

JFD48AN8: Where they exist in the mine they are prolific. Among the many many Calcites that have been found there, Francesco Stoppani chose this one and I agree so much with him that I also chose it when I bought part of his collection. The black inclusions are almost certainly manganese oxides, but I have not confirmed this analytically.
Herculano Mine, El Puntal, Campos de Golf, Atamaría, Cartagena, Comarca Campo de Cartagena, Region of Murcia (Murcia)  Spain

Specimen size: 12 × 9.8 × 7 cm = 4.72” × 3.86” × 2.76”

Main crystal size: 2.3 × 1.9 cm = 0.91” × 0.75”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Francesco S. Stoppani
Calcite with inclusions. Calcite with inclusions.
Calcite with inclusions.
Epidote with Quartz
Epidote with Quartz. Front
Front
Epidote with Quartz. Side
Side
Epidote with Quartz.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Epidote with Quartz
 

JFD09AN5: For a short time the Aguablanca mine yielded good epidotes and it was fortunate that at that time a mineral collector was there, and he took care to rescue a good number of pieces. I bought this one from him, a big sharp crystal. I remember that before there was a mine in Monesterio, I went to dig there but found absolutely nothing crystallized, only Chrysotile. One more example of the important work of recovering and saving our mineralogical heritage that mineral enthusiasts do.
Aguablanca Mine, Monesterio, Comarca Tentudía, Badajoz, Extremadura  Spain (09/2006)

Specimen size: 9.8 × 6.8 × 4.4 cm = 3.86” × 2.68” × 1.73”

Main crystal size: 3.4 × 2.1 cm = 1.34” × 0.83”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyromorphite
 

JFD57AN9: Very different from any other Horcajo Pyromorphite that I have seen, and supported by a magnificent pedigree. Ex-Máximo Reyero collection, one of the best field collectors in the South of Spain in the 1960-70s, later passing through the Folch collection (duplicates), and now it has come here.
Its crystal habit is very curious, the striations on the crystal faces are quite curious too, and the recrystallizations with an important color change, going from dark green to a lighter green, almost yellow, are very curious. In short, a curiosity from a mine that never ceases to amaze us.
El Horcajo Mines, El Horcajo, Almodóvar del Campo, Comarca Campo de Calatrava, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha  Spain (±1910)

Specimen size: 4.8 × 4.1 × 3.1 cm = 1.89” × 1.61” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 0.7 cm = 0.55” × 0.28”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

With handwritten note & record from the Folch Collection (duplicates)
Pyromorphite. Pyromorphite.
Pyrite with Calcite
Pyrite with Calcite. Front
Front
Pyrite with Calcite. Rear
Rear
Pyrite with Calcite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyrite with Calcite
 

JFD33AN7: A classic mine for Spanish mineralogy from which, however, very few specimens were saved, probably due to the method of exploitation, and perhaps because Pyrite and Galena are very abundant minerals in Spain and so that is why little attention was paid to specimens from this particular mine, although some specimens from this deposit are at least as good as those from other more famous Spanish localities.
This piece came into my hands thanks to the kindness of Conchita Ferrando, widow of Jorge Darlington Rivera, a geologist at the mine who had the wisdom to make a small collection of the specimens he obtained while working there. Without him and Conchita, it is more than likely that references of the mining heritage of the Alcudia Valley would have been lost.
Diógenes Group of Mines, Quintos Lebrachos, Solana del Pino, Comarca Valle de Alcudia y Sierra Madrona, Ciudad Real, Castilla-La Mancha  Spain (1972-1975)

Specimen size: 8.4 × 4.8 × 4 cm = 3.31” × 1.89” × 1.57”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Orthoclase (Carlsbad twin)

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Orthoclase (Carlsbad twin)
 

JFD46AN8: Saying the word Zarzalejo and thinking of Carlsbad twins is pretty much the same thing. Generations of collectors have gone there to scratch around and find little treasures. Let us add that the orthoclases from Zarzalejo tend to be more 'fresh', less weathered, than those from other places.
Zarzalejo, Comarca Sierra Oeste, Community of Madrid  Spain

Specimen size: 4.5 × 4.1 × 2.3 cm = 1.77” × 1.61” × 0.91”

Main crystal size: 3.9 × 2.8 cm = 1.54” × 1.10”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection Folch (duplicates)
Orthoclase (Carlsbad twin). Front
Front
Orthoclase (Carlsbad twin). Side
Side
Orthoclase with Quartz (variety smoky)
Orthoclase with Quartz (variety smoky). Orthoclase with Quartz (variety smoky).
Orthoclase with Quartz (variety smoky).

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Orthoclase with Quartz (variety smoky)
 

JFD21AN6: Another proof of Lluís Daunis's good work as a field collector. This time with a specimen from the Sierra de Madrid with very clean and 'fresh' Orthoclase crystals and with Quartz crystals (smoky variety), well separated and quite perpendicular to the Orthoclase crystal plate. It should be noted that I have it listed as Orthoclase and not Microcline as per personal communication from the Geological and Mining Institute of Spain, in Madrid.
(La Cabrera pluton), La Cabrera, Comarca Sierra Norte, Community of Madrid  Spain

Specimen size: 10.4 × 9.3 × 3 cm = 4.09” × 3.66” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 2 × 0.9 cm = 0.79” × 0.35”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Lluís Daunis
Prehnite with Calcite, Quartz (variety smoky) and Clinozoisite-Epidote (Series)

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Prehnite with Calcite, Quartz (variety smoky) and Clinozoisite-Epidote (Series)
 

JFD11AN5: According to what I was told, between 1998 and 1999 a very large vug was found in the granite quarries of the Sierra de Madrid, so large that you could walk inside it. This enormous cavity produced many specimens, and despite the fact that many were destroyed by the quarrying work, Madrid fans were able to collect a large number of quality specimens like this one, for which we should highlight the good number of peculiar Calcite crystals, very characteristic of this vug, as well as the Clinozoisite-Epidote Series mineral that adorns many specimens from that vug.
Isabel Quarry (La Saludadora Quarry), La Cabrera pluton, Valdemanco, Comarca Sierra de Guadarrama, Community of Madrid  Spain (02-03/1999)

Specimen size: 7.7 × 6 × 4.6 cm = 3.03” × 2.36” × 1.81”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Prehnite with Calcite, Quartz (variety smoky) and Clinozoisite-Epidote (Series). Prehnite with Calcite, Quartz (variety smoky) and Clinozoisite-Epidote (Series).
Bayldonite with Azurite and Baryte
Bayldonite with Azurite and Baryte. Front
Front
Bayldonite with Azurite and Baryte. Rear
Rear
Bayldonite with Azurite and Baryte.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Bayldonite with Azurite and Baryte
 

JFD08AN5: Jordi Povill's collection was full of great Spanish classics and most localities were very well represented. This is the case of this Bayldonite from Pardos, which is not only very rich, with a lot of the material, but also has a good Baryte crystal associated with it and small crystals of Azurite that provide contrast.
Pardos, Comarca Señorío de Molina-Alto Tajo, Guadalajara, Castilla-La Mancha  Spain

Specimen size: 8.1 × 6.4 × 4.4 cm = 3.19” × 2.52” × 1.73”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Dolomite (variety Fe-bearing dolomite) with Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Dolomite (variety Fe-bearing dolomite) with Calcite
 

JFD36AN7: I had seen many pieces from this locality, but never found one that completely satisfied me. In 2013, Ester Pulido from 'Tesoros Naturales' had this piece and, given how 'fresh' the Fe-bearing Dolomite looked, and the beautiful edging of the white Calcite, I really liked it and bought it from her. In fact I still think that it is very beautiful for what is usually seen in this locality.
Iron mines of Ojos Negros, Ojos Negros, Comarca Jiloca, Teruel, Aragon  Spain

Specimen size: 11.6 × 9.4 × 5 cm = 4.57” × 3.70” × 1.97”

Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2.2 cm = 1.06” × 0.87”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Dolomite (variety Fe-bearing dolomite) with Calcite. Dolomite (variety Fe-bearing dolomite) with Calcite.
Scolecite
Scolecite. Scolecite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Scolecite
 

JFD04AN5: From a very classic locality to which generations of collectors, especially from Aragon and Catalonia, have gone to look for minerals. Lluís Daunis, as always the smartest in the class, found this elegant piece and had it in his collection. It exhibits a second generation of 'classic' radial Scolecite that has grown over a first generation of Scolecite that was less radial.
Estopiñán del Castillo, Comarca La Ribagorza, Huesca, Aragon  Spain

Specimen size: 9 × 5.6 × 4.1 cm = 3.54” × 2.20” × 1.61”

Main crystal size: 2.8 × 2.4 cm = 1.10” × 0.94”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Lluís Daunis
Quartz (variety smoky)

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Quartz (variety smoky)
 

JFD67AO0: 'Pereña' is a mythical name in Spanish mineralogy because, when pegmatites were being handed out, Spain must have missed the meeting, because it has very few, and for this reason, although tiny (compared to those of other countries), the Pereña de la Ribera pegmatite is quite famous for its heliodor Beryls, smoky Quartz and many other species. So I was very happy to be able to get this piece from Manolo Tomé. It has extra-flat Quartz and an intense smoky color, almost black, with good transparency and luster.
Pereña de la Ribera, Comarca La Ribera, Salamanca, Castile and León  Spain (1993)

Specimen size: 6.1 × 4.7 × 1.6 cm = 2.40” × 1.85” × 0.63”

Quartz (variety smoky). Front
Front
Quartz (variety smoky). Side
Side
Pyrite
Pyrite. Front
Front
Pyrite. Side
Side
Pyrite. Side
Side

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyrite
 

JFD31AN7: Navajún and its Ampliación a Victoria mine are known worldwide for their cubic pyrites that are among the best in the world, but in addition to the cubes there are also pyrites like this one, with octahedral faces. They appear in the deposit at only a single spot where no work has been done for many years. Maybe one day work will be done in that section again and more of these characteristic cubo-octahedral pyrites will appear, but for now...
I bought it of course from Pedro Ansorena in 2002. Pedro is the owner of the mine and the person who knows it best.
Ampliación a Victoria Mine, De Alcarama Range, Navajún, Comarca Cervera, La Rioja  Spain (±2000)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.3 × 3.6 cm = 1.50” × 1.30” × 1.42”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyrite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyrite
 

JFD32AN7: The habit of this Pyrite is known in Spain as a 'matchbox'. Some faces of the cube are wider and more elongated than the others, giving this 'rectangular' appearance. They are rare in Navajún and when they do appear they are highly desired, especially if they are in matrix, as in this case.
Ampliación a Victoria Mine, De Alcarama Range, Navajún, Comarca Cervera, La Rioja  Spain (2014)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 5.1 × 3.7 cm = 2.52” × 2.01” × 1.46”

Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2.3 cm = 1.06” × 0.91”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyrite. Front
Front
Pyrite. Side
Side
Fluorite
Fluorite. Fluorite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite
 

JFD10AN5: For a time we used to see these very dark octahedral fluorites (which could be called “antozonites”) and just as they appeared they disappeared again. This is a representative example of what for some years was a classic at Spanish mineral shows.
Barbeito Mountain, Arteixo, Comarca A Coruña, La Coruña / A Coruña, Galicia / Galiza  Spain (1998)

Specimen size: 7 × 4.3 × 2.7 cm = 2.76” × 1.69” × 1.06”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Baryte with iron oxides inclusions

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Baryte with iron oxides inclusions
 

JFD70AO0: Very curious association in this old piece in which the blue Baryte has other reddish Baryte crystals at the base, probably due to iron oxide inclusions.
Moscona Mine, El Llano, Solís, Corvera de Asturias, Comarca Avilés, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±1996)

Specimen size: 5.4 × 4.2 × 3 cm = 2.13” × 1.65” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 2.6 × 2.4 cm = 1.02” × 0.94”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Baryte with iron oxides inclusions. Front
Front
Baryte with iron oxides inclusions. Side
Side
Fluorite with Pyrite inclusions
Fluorite with Pyrite inclusions. Fluorite with Pyrite inclusions.
Fluorite with Pyrite inclusions  

VB56G8: Group of bright cubic crystals with a very clear zonation marked by Pyrite inclusions.
The piece is from the Jordi Fabre collection and we will give the handwriten label with the sample.
Moscona Mine, El Llano, Solís, Corvera de Asturias, Comarca Avilés, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (03/1993)

Specimen size: 10.7 × 6.9 × 3.4 cm = 4.21” × 2.72” × 1.34”

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

Fluorite extremely fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with Baryte and Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Baryte and Calcite
 

JFD24AN6: These pieces of blue Fluorite with yellow Baryte crystals and Calcite were found in the Moscona mine on Christmas Eve 1999, at a depth of 50 meters and in an area called 'The Telegraph' because it was close to the security apparatus for calls to the outside.
It was a small pocket, not many pieces came out, and this was the one that I kept because of the good combination of Fluorite and Baryte and because of the ‘life’ (good appearance and intensity) that the piece has.
Moscona Mine, El Llano, Solís, Corvera de Asturias, Comarca Avilés, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (24/12/1999)

Specimen size: 8.7 × 7 × 2.9 cm = 3.43” × 2.76” × 1.14”

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

Zoned fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with Baryte and Calcite. Front
Front
Fluorite with Baryte and Calcite. Rear
Rear
Fluorite with Baryte and Calcite.
Fluorite with Pyrite
Fluorite with Pyrite. Fluorite with Pyrite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Pyrite
 

JFD47AN8: As they say in Asturias: a 'pocholada'. Iridescent Pyrite almost completely covers Fluorite cubes of the typical lemon-yellow color of the pieces from the Villabona mines (not to be confused with those from the Moscona Mine)
Villabona Mines, Barrio de la Estación, Villabona, Llanera, Comarca del Nora, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (2015)

Specimen size: 6.2 × 6 × 4.3 cm = 2.44” × 2.36” × 1.69”

Main crystal size: 1.4 × 1,3 cm = 0.55” × 0.39”

Fluorescence short UV & minor fluorescence long UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Antonino Bueno
Fluorite with Pyrite and Quartz

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Pyrite and Quartz
 

JFD61AN9: A great curiosity: small crystals of Fluorite, with an intense color, very transparent, on a Quartz matrix ... all quite different from what is usually found in the Minas de Villabona area, although this type of scoriaceous Pyrite is characteristic of the deposit.
The piece was in the collection of A. Mayor, from Madrid, and is very old. As I have already noticed with some other piece, what appeared there many years ago was quite different from what we see today.
Villabona Mines, Barrio de la Estación, Villabona, Llanera, Comarca del Nora, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±1979)

Specimen size: 11.3 × 10.4 × 7.7 cm = 4.45” × 4.09” × 3.03”

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

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of A. Mayor
Fluorite with Pyrite and Quartz. Fluorite with Pyrite and Quartz.
Calcite with Fluorite and Pyrite
Calcite with Fluorite and Pyrite. Calcite with Fluorite and Pyrite.
Calcite with Fluorite and Pyrite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Calcite with Fluorite and Pyrite
 

JFD71AO0: From the well-known collector from Castellón, Damián Macaya, comes this piece from Minas de Villabona from the 1980s, in which the Fluorite is lighter in color than usual from there and in which groups of Calcite rhombohedra of good size and luster dominate.
Villabona Mines, Barrio de la Estación, Villabona, Llanera, Comarca del Nora, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (1980)

Specimen size: 11.6 × 8 × 8.3 cm = 4.57” × 3.15” × 3.27”

Main crystal size: 2.8 × 1.8 cm = 1.10” × 0.71”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Former collection of Damián Macaya
Fluorite with Quartz

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Quartz
 

JFD72AO0: The Josefa-Veneros vein, so generous, whose pieces always have 'something' that makes them very distinguishable and elegant. In this case the Fluorite is associated with relatively large crystals of Quartz, which is not so common there.
Josefa-Veneros vein, 75 level, Coroña de Arriba-La Collada, La Collada mining area, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±1974)

Specimen size: 3.3 × 3.3 × 1.8 cm = 1.30” × 1.30” × 0.71”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with Quartz. Front
Front
Fluorite with Quartz. Side
Side
Fluorite
Fluorite. Front with slight light behind
Front with slight light behind
Fluorite. Side with light behind
Side with light behind
Fluorite. Rear with slight light behind
Rear with slight light behind
Fluorite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite
 

JFD25AN6: Totally different from what is normally expected from the Josefa-Veneros vein, this piece surprised me when I got it, but since it was from Dr. Anton Forster, a mining engineer and collaborator of Dr. Maucher at the University of Munich, that confirmed to me that it was really from there. Dr. Forster was head of geology at La Collada when the famous specimens from the Josefa-Veneros vein were being found. He only worked there during that period and, since the piece indeed has all the appearance of being from the La Collada area and not from La Viesca, after checking it with José Ramón García we came to the conclusion that, although unusual, it must indeed be from Josefa-Veneros. In any case, I was very happy with it …
Josefa-Veneros vein, 75 level, Coroña de Arriba-La Collada, La Collada mining area, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±1970-75)

Specimen size: 12.6 × 8.2 × 4.7 cm = 4.96” × 3.23” × 1.85”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.4 cm = 0.79” × 0.55”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite
 

JFD05AN5: The ‘Tres de La Collada’ pocket was a huge cavity that produced thousands of pieces that we had to take with us over several trips with vans. The crystals in that vug were very sharp, isolated, and had a very deep color. Their transparency was not the best known from La Viesca but they were a big hit due to their intensity of color. Where could all those thousands of specimens be now? Sometimes it amazes me how so many pieces find a home so easily.
Among the small format pieces this was the one I kept. I liked the contrast with the Quartz matrix and that the crystal was so idiomorphic and isolated.
La Viesca Mine, Tres de la Collada pocket, La Collada mining area, Huergo, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (05/2003)

Specimen size: 7.6 × 3.3 × 3.3 cm = 2.99” × 1.30” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 2.3 × 2.1 cm = 0.91” × 0.83”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite. Fluorite.
Fluorite on epimorphic Quartz after Calcite
Fluorite on epimorphic Quartz after Calcite. Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Fluorite on epimorphic Quartz after Calcite. Rear / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Rear / Photo: Joaquim Callén

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite on epimorphic Quartz after Calcite
 

JFD37AN7: Geoda de las Monjas ('The Nun's pocket') is an already mythical name in the compendium of fluorite finds from La Viesca. One of the characteristics of this vug, apart from its quality and the enormous sizes of the best pieces, was what gave it its name ('Nuns' because of the shape of their bonnets) due to the relative presence of Quartz epimorphs after scalenohedral Calcite crystals that had disappeared, leaving only the shell of Quartz that used to coat them.
The most desirable epimorphs? Those that also had Fluorite crystals of good size on top of the epimorphs, such as in the case of this piece, which is what makes it such a high-quality specimen.
La Viesca Mine, Las Monjas pocket, La Collada mining area, Huergo, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (05/2010)

Specimen size: 11 × 8.7 × 8.3 cm = 4.33” × 3.43” × 3.27”

Main crystal size: 4.7 × 4.7 cm = 1.85” × 1.85”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite
 

JFD06AN5: One of the best pockets at La Viesca, of the many found at the beginning of this century, was the one called 'Coquera de la Calcita' which produced large Fluorite crystals with a lot of color zoning and a lot of transparency. There was a lot of calcite in that vug so this piece (the one I kept from that vug) shows small white coatings of that mineral. A quite spectacular piece that has made me very happy all these years.
La Viesca Mine, Coquera de la Calcita pocket, La Collada mining area, Huergo, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (01/2004)

Specimen size: 11.6 × 9.6 × 7.4 cm = 4.57” × 3.78” × 2.91”

Main crystal size: 8.4 × 6.3 cm = 3.31” × 2.48”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite. Front
Front
Fluorite. Front with light behind
Front with light behind
Fluorite. Side
Side
Fluorite. Side
Side
Fluorite with Quartz
Fluorite with Quartz. Front
Front
Fluorite with Quartz. Side
Side
Fluorite with Quartz.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Quartz
 

JFD60AN9: In the La Viesca area there is not only the La Viesca Mine itself but also other ore deposits that at different times have been yielding specimens. The one that, in my opinion, was the most interesting was the quarry that the locals called the 'filón capa'. It was an open pit farther north than the La Viesca mine, close to the town of Fresnedo, and although only worked for a short time, exceptional pieces came from there, some with a very intense color, like this one.
La Viesca mining area, 'filón capa', Fresnedo, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±2001)

Specimen size: 6.5 × 6 × 4.7 cm = 2.56” × 2.36” × 1.85”

Main crystal size: 3.2 × 2.9 cm = 1.26” × 1.14”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Sphalerite with Fluorite on Quartz

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Sphalerite with Fluorite on Quartz
 

JFD23AN6: Although later more sphalerites with Fluorite were found in the La Viesca mine, when the first ones were found they caused much excitement among mineral collectors in Spain due to their novelty. I remember that they were very sought after and that in the end I was able to get one thanks to the deeply missed José Ramón García. Some time later, more pieces of Sphalerite with Fluorite came out, some even with relatively large crystals, although perhaps not as light in color as these first ones.
La Viesca Mine, La Collada mining area, Huergo, Siero, Comarca Oviedo, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain

Specimen size: 7.8 × 4.9 × 4 cm = 3.07” × 1.93” × 1.57”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Sphalerite with Fluorite on Quartz. Front
Front
Sphalerite with Fluorite on Quartz. Detail
Detail
Sphalerite with Fluorite on Quartz. Rear
Rear
Sphalerite with Fluorite on Quartz. Detail
Detail
Fluorite with Azurite and Malachite
Fluorite with Azurite and Malachite. Front
Front
Fluorite with Azurite and Malachite. Side
Side
Fluorite with Azurite and Malachite. Top
Top

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Azurite and Malachite
 

JFD45AN8: How I love the fluorites from this mine! Not all of them are clear or have an intense color, but if they do, and have Azurite, and if on top of the Fluorite some Malachite is deposited too, making a 'cap', that's when happiness comes ...
Llamas Quarry, Obdulia vein, Caravia mining area, Las Cabañas, Duyos, Caravia, Comarca Oriente, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (2017)

Specimen size: 3.8 × 3 × 2 cm = 1.50” × 1.18” × 0.79”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Azurite with Fluorite and Calcite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Azurite with Fluorite and Calcite
 

JFD22AN6: When azurites first appeared in the Llamas quarry in 2018, I got a very large batch of specimens and, from the whole lot, I chose this one because of the good size of the crystals, because they form beautiful rosettes, because they are very perfect, and because they bear a special “signature”, namely a colorless and totally transparent Fluorite crystal which appears between the two rosettes, very characteristic of the deposit.
Llamas Quarry, Obdulia vein, Caravia mining area, Las Cabañas, Duyos, Caravia, Comarca Oriente, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (2018)

Specimen size: 6 × 4.4 × 3.2 cm = 2.36” × 1.73” × 1.26”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Azurite with Fluorite and Calcite. Azurite with Fluorite and Calcite.
Azurite with Fluorite and Calcite.
Fluorite with Baryte
Fluorite with Baryte. Front
Front
Fluorite with Baryte. Side
Side
Fluorite with Baryte. Fluorite with Baryte.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Baryte
 

JFD73AO0: Who could have predicted when we used to go to Berbes to poke around or to get pieces from local field collectors that this locality and its fluorites were some day going to be at the top of the world's Fluorite rankings? In this piece the reasons for Berbes' fame can be clearly seen: the transparency of the crystals, the color zoning between sky blue and purple, and the associated pure white Baryte.
Berbes mining area, Berbes, Ribadesella, Comarca Oriente, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±1984)

Specimen size: 7.4 × 4.7 × 3.7 cm = 2.91” × 1.85” × 1.46”

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

Fluorite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite
 

JFD74AO0: Although Berbes is relatively monotonous in terms of the appearance of its fluorites, in some areas very different pieces came out, like this one, with an extraordinary luster and a more violet color than usual in Berbes. In fact, one might think that it comes from the Emilio Mine due to its great transparency, but fortunately it is well documented: I bought it in Playa Vega from a local vendor ('El Nene') before the Emilio Mine had even entered production.
Berbes mining area, Berbes, Ribadesella, Comarca Oriente, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (±1980)

Specimen size: 7.4 × 7.4 × 3.9 cm = 2.91” × 2.91” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 1 × 0.8 cm = 0.39” × 0.31”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite. Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Fluorite. Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Fluorite with inclusions of Cinnabar and sulphides, with Calcite
Fluorite with inclusions of Cinnabar and sulphides, with Calcite. Front
Front
Fluorite with inclusions of Cinnabar and sulphides, with Calcite. Side
Side
Fluorite with inclusions of Cinnabar and sulphides, with Calcite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with inclusions of Cinnabar and sulphides, with Calcite
 

JFD59AN9: In the first fluorites found in the Emilio mine it was relatively common for them to have sulphide inclusions, but only rarely were they Cinnabar. Later, these inclusions were seen less often, although a piece still appears occasionally with such inclusions.
This specimen also shows several Calcite crystals with a more complex crystal habit than the simple scalenohedra typical of this locality.
I bought it from a peddler in the mine in May 1993. What times those were...
Emilio Mine, Obdulia vein, Caravia mining area, La Rubiera, Loroñe, Colunga, Comarca de la Sidra, Principality of Asturias (Asturias)  Spain (1991)

Specimen size: 5.2 × 3.9 × 3.1 cm = 2.05” × 1.54” × 1.22”

Main crystal size: 2.4 × 2.1 cm = 0.94” × 0.83”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Marcasite with Dolomite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Marcasite with Dolomite
 

JFD07AN5: Reocín Marcasite is dangerous because it tends to decompose relatively easily, especially in humid climates like Barcelona's. For some reason this piece has remained 'healthy' despite the many years it has resided in my collection. I do not know whether the Dolomite, pinker than usual in Reocín, has anything to do with its good preservation, but the fact is that here it is, resisting the passage of time quite nicely.
Reocín Mine, Reocín, Comarca Saja-Nansa, Cantabria  Spain (±1985)

Specimen size: 5.4 × 4.3 × 3.7 cm = 2.13” × 1.69” × 1.46”

Main crystal size: 0.6 × 0.5 cm = 0.24”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Marcasite with Dolomite. Front
Front
Marcasite with Dolomite. Side
Side
Marcasite with Dolomite.
Dolomite
Dolomite. Front
Front
Dolomite. Side
Side
Dolomite. Rear
Rear

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Dolomite
 

JFD69AO0: Due to their transparency, these dolomites are considered, together with those from Brumado, Brazil, the best in the world. In some cases, this transparency can be overwhelming, as can be seen in this very well-formed specimen which, curiously, is not from the golden age of the Asturreta Quarry, when engineer Córdoba was extracting wonders from the El Pozo area, but rather later, from the upper levels of the Azcárate Quarry.

Azcárate Quarry, Eugui, Esteríbar, Comarca Auñamendi, Chartered Community of Navarre (Navarre)  Spain (2002)

Specimen size: 5.3 × 3.4 × 3.1 cm = 2.09” × 1.34” × 1.22”

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

Malachite after Chalcopyrite with Dolomite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Malachite after Chalcopyrite with Dolomite
 

JFD68AO0: Eugui chalcopyrites in Dolomite, partially or totally pseudomorphed by Malachite, are classics. I kept this one because the Dolomite which hosts the Chalcopyrite is better crystallized than usual in these associations from Eugui.
Azcárate Quarry, Eugui, Esteríbar, Comarca Auñamendi, Chartered Community of Navarre (Navarre)  Spain (03/1993)

Specimen size: 7.4 × 4.6 × 4 cm = 2.91” × 1.81” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.4 cm = 0.87” × 0.55”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Malachite after Chalcopyrite with Dolomite. Malachite after Chalcopyrite with Dolomite.
Chalcopyrite
Chalcopyrite. Front
Front
Chalcopyrite. Rear
Rear

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Chalcopyrite
 

JFD58AN9: Exceptional for the locality, in which, although very beautiful crystals of Chalcopyrite replaced by Malachite appear on the Dolomite, they are usually not very large. This piece can be considered one of the largest groups of crystals ever found there, or at least I don't know of any with well developed faces bigger than this one. The credit for finding the piece goes to Paco Pérez, a great field collector in the Basque Country, from whom I got it.
Azcárate Quarry, Eugui, Esteríbar, Comarca Auñamendi, Chartered Community of Navarre (Navarre)  Spain (2004)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 4 × 2.6 cm = 1.65” × 1.57” × 1.02”

Main crystal size: 4.2 × 2.5 cm = 1.65” × 0.98”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite (octahedral) with Pyrite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite (octahedral) with Pyrite
 

JFD44: Papiol is Papiol and although Cantera Berta is more famous for the fluorescence and color of its fluorites than for good crystals, in some cases the crystals can be very aerial and separated from each other. This old piece is a good example of that.
Berta Quarry, Can Domènech Hill, Roques Blanques Mountains, Sant Cugat del Vallès-El Papiol, Comarca Vallès Occidental / Baix Llobregat, Barcelona, Catalonia / Catalunya  Spain (±1990)

Specimen size: 3 × 2.2 × 2.6 cm = 1.18” × 0.87” × 1.02”

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

Fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite (octahedral) with Pyrite. Front
Front
Fluorite (octahedral) with Pyrite. Side
Side
Augite with Zeolites
Augite with Zeolites.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Augite with Zeolites
 

JFD30AN7: Doubly terminated Augite crystal of good size for the locality and on matrix, which is not so common in specimens of this species. It also has small crystals of some associated Zeolite (possibly Phillipsite). It comes from a well-known, although somewhat forgotten locality, located very close to an urban area. Antonino Bueno Yanes found them in July 2014 and this is how this Spanish classic 'came to light' again.
Outcrop located on the road to the dock, Morro del Jable, Pájara, Fuerteventura, Las Palmas Province, Canary Islands  Spain (07/2014)

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

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 1.3 cm = 0.83” × 0.51”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Portugal


Fluorapatite with Cassiterite, Ferberite and Siderite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorapatite with Cassiterite, Ferberite and Siderite
 

JFD62AN9: Purple fluorapatites ('os lilas' in local slang) are a rarity in Panasqueira and when they appear they are highly valued. This piece is not large, but has no damage, it has Siderite, Cassiterite and Ferberite crystals, and color zoning, with a purple band between two green bands, which makes it an original and very elegant specimen.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (±1989)

Specimen size: 3.5 × 2.7 × 2.1 cm = 1.38” × 1.06” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 2.1 × 1.6 cm = 0.83” × 0.63”

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorapatite with Cassiterite, Ferberite and Siderite. Front
Front
Fluorapatite with Cassiterite, Ferberite and Siderite. Rear
Rear
Fluorapatite with Cassiterite, Ferberite and Siderite. Side
Side
Fluorapatite on Quartz and with Muscovite
Fluorapatite on Quartz and with Muscovite. Fluorapatite on Quartz and with Muscovite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorapatite on Quartz and with Muscovite
 

JFD49AN8: 'Apatite' is the iconic Panasqueira mineral, known worldwide. The diversity of habits and colors and the multiple parageneses in which the Fluorapatites of this mine appear give it recognition and fame. Obviously this is not among the best fluorapatites found there, but its luster, its color, not very common in Panasqueira, and the sharp definition of its faces make us recognize the signature of this great mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (±1995)

Specimen size: 4.5 × 3.5 × 1.7 cm = 1.77” × 1.38” × 0.67”

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

Zoned fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with Chlorite, Muscovite, Ferberite and Siderite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite with Chlorite, Muscovite, Ferberite and Siderite
 

JFD51AN8: When the upper levels of Panasqueira were reworked, what had always been an elusive rarity there, the Fluorite, suddenly flourished and provided us with specimens as extraordinary as this one that, as so often happens in the world of minerals, surprises us with its different shape and color, and by the color contrast between the Fluorite and the Chlorite that covers leafy groups of Muscovite crystals which in turn are on top of Ferberite and Siderite crystals.
The specimen has been photographed and published in the magazine ‘Paragénesis’, number 02/2016, page 68
Minas da Panasqueira, levels 0-1, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (03/2014)

Specimen size: 11.2 × 8.3 × 5.8 cm = 4.41” × 3.27” × 2.28”

Main crystal size: 2.9 × 2 cm = 1.14” × 0.79”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Fluorite with Chlorite, Muscovite, Ferberite and Siderite. Fluorite with Chlorite, Muscovite, Ferberite and Siderite.
Fluorapatite with Ferberite, Siderite and Calcite-Dolomite
Fluorapatite with Ferberite, Siderite and Calcite-Dolomite. Front
Front
Fluorapatite with Ferberite, Siderite and Calcite-Dolomite. Side
Side
Fluorapatite with Ferberite, Siderite and Calcite-Dolomite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorapatite with Ferberite, Siderite and Calcite-Dolomite
 

JFD76AO0: This is a serious piece, the bluish Fluorapatite has a fascinating crystallography, the crystals are very aerial and are associated with a combo of Ferberite, Siderite and Calcite-Dolomite. I don't recall seeing many more Panasqueira fluorapatites with this crystal habit (if any at all)
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (±1994)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 5.4 × 4.8 cm = 2.52” × 2.13” × 1.89”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Marcasite with Siderite and Muscovite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Marcasite with Siderite and Muscovite
 

JFD50AN8: Marcasite is a mineral with a bad reputation since it is less stable than other iron sulphides, but the vast majority of Marcasites from Panasqueira are very stable since they are not usually pure marcasites but epitactic intergrowths of Arsenopyrite-Marcasite and that gives them great stability. This particularly elegant specimen is very well preserved despite the number of years I've had it and despite the fact that I live in a city with very high humidity, which does not help the conservation of sensitive species.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 0, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (12/2014)

Specimen size: 7.2 × 5.4 × 3.1 cm = 2.83” × 2.13” × 1.22”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Marcasite with Siderite and Muscovite. Marcasite with Siderite and Muscovite.
Siderite with Pyrite (octahedral)
Siderite with Pyrite (octahedral). Front
Front
Siderite with Pyrite (octahedral). Side
Side
Siderite with Pyrite (octahedral).

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Siderite with Pyrite (octahedral)
 

JFD15AN5: Curious and original, I always liked it, and although in Tucson I sold it to Jim Robison, but oh what turns life takes, it came back to me, since when Rob Lavinsky bought Jim's collection he sold this piece to the Belgian collector Wouter Van Tichelen who one day offered it to me, so I bought it from him and it came back to home! (until when? 😉)
Minas da Panasqueira, level 2, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (1980)

Specimen size: 9 × 8.3 × 5.7 cm = 3.54” × 3.27” × 2.24”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.4 cm = 0.79” × 0.55”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Quartz with Fluorapatite inclusions, Cassiterite and Siderite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Quartz with Fluorapatite inclusions, Cassiterite and Siderite
 

JFD38AN7: Quartz is ubiquitous in Panasqueira and appears there in a great diversity of habits. In this floater, recrystallized at its base, what is attractive, in addition to its transparency and perfection, is the presence of a Cassiterite crystal in the center of the piece and the numerous inclusions of Fluorapatite crystals, a very rare inclusion due to the very different formation temperatures of Quartz and Fluorapatite. Completing this combo piece is the presence of Siderite on the back.
I bought it from Alberto Ledo in 2014. Alberto is part of the new generation of Portuguese dealers who go often to the mine and sometimes get great specimens from there.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (10/2014)

Specimen size: 11.6 × 4.5 × 2.8 cm = 4.57” × 1.77” × 1.10”

Main crystal size: 9.1 × 2.9 cm = 3.58” × 1.14”

Fluorapatite fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Quartz with Fluorapatite inclusions, Cassiterite and Siderite. Front
Front
Quartz with Fluorapatite inclusions, Cassiterite and Siderite. Bottom
Bottom
Quartz with Fluorapatite inclusions, Cassiterite and Siderite. Quartz with Fluorapatite inclusions, Cassiterite and Siderite.
Quartz with inclusions of sulphides and with Siderite, Sphalerite, Marcasite and Muscovite
Quartz with inclusions of sulphides and with Siderite, Sphalerite, Marcasite and Muscovite. Quartz with inclusions of sulphides and with Siderite, Sphalerite, Marcasite and Muscovite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Quartz with inclusions of sulphides and with Siderite, Sphalerite, Marcasite and Muscovite
 

JFD52AN8: Floater crystals of Sphalerite, Pyrite and Marcasite in a Quartz “aquarium”, with Siderite on the outside associated with these sulphides.
The imposing Quartz rises and carries all of the others both inside and out.
The historic Zé da Tropa found personally this piece the same day than I bought it at the 'Escritorio' of the mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 2, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (07/07/1997)

Specimen size: 18.3 × 9.3 × 7.2 cm = 7.20” × 3.66” × 2.83”

Main crystal size: 10.4 × 4.7 cm = 4.09” × 1.85”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Willemite with Cerussite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Willemite with Cerussite
 

JFD16AN5: This Willemite comes from the great find made in the Preguiça Mine by a group of people from Huelva in the years 2005-2006. In addition to the crystals being quite large for what is found in that mine, they are nicely separated, and the piece is also complemented by a group of Cerussite crystals that enrich it.
When I bought them I had them analyzed by Joan Viñals and the analysis confirmed that they were indeed Willemites.
Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 6.4 × 6.1 × 3.7 cm = 2.52” × 2.40” × 1.46”

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

Fluorescence short UV & minor fluorescence long UV

With analysis copy

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Willemite with Cerussite. Willemite with Cerussite.
Willemite with Cerussite.
Plattnerite with Calcite
Plattnerite with Calcite. Plattnerite with Calcite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Plattnerite with Calcite
 

JFD17AN5: This Plattnerite comes from the great find made in the Preguiça Mine by a group of people from Huelva in the years 2005-2006. Very graceful, with the contrast between the very lustrous small crystals of Plattnerite and the white Calcite.
When I bought them I had them analyzed by Joan Viñals and the analysis confirmed that they were indeed plattnerites.

Preguiça Mine, Sobral da Adiça, Moura, Beja District, Baixo Alentejo, Alentejo  Portugal (2005-2006)

Specimen size: 10.2 × 6.4 × 4.6 cm = 4.02” × 2.52” × 1.81”

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

With analysis copy

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

France


Quartz with Chalcopyrite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Quartz with Chalcopyrite
 

JFD39AN7: Laguépie is an interesting French locality where a quarry exploits leptynites (microgneiss) and where local field collectors often find interesting things. A good example is this elegant piece in which we can see different generations of Quartz of different colors that cover spheres of what has been called “spherosiderites” and it is true that fibrous structures can be seen inside the spheres, compatible with carbonates. Also inside the Quartz crystals there are inclusions of what appears to be Chalcopyrite.
A very fine piece and different from those usually seen.
Laguépie, Quercy-Rouergue, Montauban, Tarn-et-Garonne, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes  France (2019)

Specimen size: 6 × 5.5 × 5.3 cm = 2.36” × 2.17” × 2.09”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 1.2 cm = 0.51” × 0.47”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Quartz with Chalcopyrite. Quartz with Chalcopyrite.
Fluorite (rounded)
Fluorite (rounded) . Fluorite (rounded) .
Fluorite (rounded) .

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Fluorite (rounded)
 

JFD78AO0: The fluorites from Buxières-les-Mines are striking for their globular appearance and for the brilliance and transparency of the multitude of small crystals that make up the globules. In this particular specimen, in addition, two colors stand out, the typical brown from there plus a violet color in some areas.
Buxières-les-Mines, Moulins, Allier, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes  France (2004)

Specimen size: 7.1 × 5.1 × 4.9 cm = 2.80” × 2.01” × 1.93”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Quartz with Siderite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Quartz with Siderite
 

JFD14AN5: Vizille is a classic French mineral locality where many alpine quartzes and very good (and very large) siderites have been found. I kept this piece because I really liked that Quartz, alone and tall in the middle of the piece, and because the specimen was a floater, with a single large Siderite crystal in which are the Quartz and a second generation of siderites, with smaller and lighter colored crystals.
Mésage Mine, Saint-Pierre-de-Mésage, Vizille, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes  France (2010)

Specimen size: 7.2 × 5.6 × 6.1  cm = 2.83” × 2.20” × 2.40”

Main crystal size: 3.7 × 0.7 cm = 1.46” × 0.28”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Quartz with Siderite. Front
Front
Quartz with Siderite. Side
Side
Quartz with Siderite.
Fluorite
Fluorite. Front
Front
Fluorite. Close-up
Close-up
Fluorite. Light behind
Light behind
Fluorite. Intense light behind
Intense light behind
Fluorite  

LM51AK2: Splendid, very balanced group of sharp crystals of cubic habit with fine polycrystalline growths on the surface of their faces, transparent and of variable color, intense yellow in the central part and light lilac, almost colorless, on some of the edges. The specimen is of extraordinary quality compared to the majority of Fluorites from this mine, which is more famous for its pyromorphites. A French classic that comes from the Jordi Fabre collection (No. 2123), whose label we will send to the buyer.
Chaillac Mine, rossignol vein, Chaillac, Le Blanc, Indre, Centre-Val de Loire  France (1995)

Specimen size: 13.2 × 8.4 × 4.8 cm = 5.20” × 3.31” × 1.89”

Main crystal size: 4 × 2.5 cm = 1.57” × 0.98”

Fluorescent long UV & minor fluorescence short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite
Pyromorphite  

AH52M4: Group of very sharp Pyromorphite crystals, some of them doubly terminated, with slight curvatures on the edges and a very visible color change between prism faces, green with brownish tones, and a yellow color on the terminal ones. The specimen was formerly in the Jordi Fabre collection (Nr. F649) and we will send the label to the buyer.
Les Farges Mine (Des Farges Mine), 150m.↓, Ussel, Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France (1974)

Specimen size: 8.6 × 8.1 × 3.7 cm = 3.39” × 3.19” × 1.46”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite. Pyromorphite.
Wulfenite on Pyromorphite
Wulfenite on Pyromorphite. Wulfenite on Pyromorphite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Wulfenite on Pyromorphite
 

JFD53AN8: For connoisseurs of things French, the wulfenites associated with the classic pyromorphites from the Des Farges mine are highly desired. Because of their size, they are not comparable to the large wulfenites from other deposits, but they have a special beauty. Well shaped and transparent, they stand out for their color among the forest of Pyromorphite crystals.
Les Farges Mine (Des Farges Mine), Ussel, Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France

Specimen size: 6.2 × 5.4 × 5.4 cm = 2.44” × 2.13” × 2.13”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyromorphite
 

JFD18AN5: I have always been very fond of Saint-Salvy pyromorphites. They are one of my weaknesses in French mineralogy. They are very curious, labyrinthine, with all the little crystals clustering into tangles or hedgehogs. Due to their delicacy it is very difficult to find any that do not have any damaged crystals, which is why I liked this piece and kept it, for its perfection.
Saint-Salvy Mine, Saint-Salvy-de-la-Balme, Tarn, Occitanie  France (±1980)

Specimen size: 7 × 5.6 × 2.8 cm = 2.76” × 2.20” × 1.10”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite. Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Pyromorphite. Detail
Detail

Morocco


Cerussite with Galena
Cerussite with Galena. Front
Front
Cerussite with Galena. Side
Side
Cerussite with Galena.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Cerussite with Galena
 

JFD40AN7: Although less famous than Tsumeb, the lead and copper secondaries found in the Touissit mines were of extraordinary quality. As an example, this Cerussite in a cyclic twin on a Galena matrix, with the characteristic luster of the specimens of this mine that, curiously, despite being a Galena mine, gives specimens that seem 'clean' and have a special elegance. I got this specimen on one of my many trips to Morocco, specifically one I did in 1995.
Touissit, Touissit District, Jerada Province, Oriental Region  Morocco (±1995)

Specimen size: 6.3 × 5 × 4.8 cm = 2.48” × 1.97” × 1.89”

Main crystal size: 5.2 × 5 cm = 2.05” × 1.97”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Vanadinite (variety As-bearing)

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Vanadinite (variety As-bearing)
 

JFD83AO0: This is one of the first arsenical vanadinites I got. When the Touissit mine was in operation, they were not very common, and I remember that they were expensive. Later, with the mine already closed, more arsenical vanadinites have been found in old workings, or in artisanal diggings in areas further north of Touissit. In any case, it is a good piece, with a much more intense color than the more recent specimens and with some lighter color zoning that gives it a curious appearance. The piece is a floater and does not have any damaged crystals.
Touissit, Touissit District, Jerada Province, Oriental Region  Morocco (1991)

Specimen size: 8.4 × 6.8 × 2.2 cm = 3.31” × 2.68” × 0.87”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Vanadinite (variety As-bearing). Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Vanadinite (variety As-bearing). Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Detail / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Vanadinite with Dolomite
Vanadinite with Dolomite. Vanadinite with Dolomite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Vanadinite with Dolomite
 

JFD26AN6: Of course it has a 'suspicious' aspect, so when I bought it the first thing I did was leave it in acetone for more than 24 hours and, since it came out the same, without anything detached, I studied it carefully under the binocular and was able to verify that there was nothing wrong with it.
The large (for the locality) crystals, unusual color and such an aerial presentation on its Dolomite matrix made me fall in love with it, and so... Into the collection!
Taouz, Er Rachidia Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (2017)

Specimen size: 4.1 × 3.1 × 3 cm = 1.61” × 1.22” × 1.18”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Marcasite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Marcasite
 

JFD64AN9: The Bou Nahas mine exploded onto the world collecting scene relatively recently. This Marcasite is phenomenal, with a multitude of crystals, all with Sperkise twinning, which are grouped together forming a very sharp and aesthetic elongated column. Since the mine started operating not many years ago, it is not yet possible to know for certain how well these marcasites will be preserved, but at the moment they do not seem to show signs of decomposition. This piece was published in Lapis magazine, 03/2014, page 26, and in the book 'La Guide des Passionnés' by Julien Lebocey (Le Règne Minéral) on page 103
Bou Nahas Mine, Oumjrane mining area, Alnif Commune, Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (07/2014)

Specimen size: 14.4 × 2.3 × 2.1 cm = 5.67” × 0.91” × 0.83”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 0.3 cm = 0.71” × 0.12”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Marcasite. Front
Front
Marcasite. Rear
Rear
Marcasite.
Proustite
Proustite. Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Front / Photo: Joaquim Callén
Proustite. Detail
Detail

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Proustite
 

JFD81AO0: Imiter is a large Silver mine, perhaps not as well known as the mines in the Bou Azzer area, but it can occasionally yield large specimens. This Proustite on matrix, with crystals of good size, is obviously not among the best known proustites, but it is still attractive due to the unusual shape of the crystals and the fact that the way these crystals are grouped they generate aggregates of considerable size.
Imiter Mine, Jebel Saghro, Imiter District, Tinghir Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (2005)

Specimen size: 4.6 × 3.2 × 4.5 cm = 1.81” × 1.26” × 1.77”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite with limonite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Pyromorphite with limonite
 

JFD27AN6: An exciting novelty when they were first found. Many different source localities were given initially until we finally found out precisely which mine they came from. They are not spectacular, but nice, with a good green color (sometimes with shades of yellow) and sharp crystals. There was a lot of talk about them because, curiously, Morocco, a country so rich in secondary lead minerals, to date has very few localities for Pyromorphite.
Bou Iboulkhir Mine, Moulay Bouazza, Khénifra Province, Béni Mellal-Khénifra Region  Morocco (03-04/2015)

Specimen size: 4.1 × 4 × 2 cm = 1.61” × 1.57” × 0.79”

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

Minor fluorescence long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Pyromorphite with limonite. Front
Front
Pyromorphite with limonite. Rear
Rear
Pyromorphite with limonite.
Quartz with Goethite inclusions
Quartz with Goethite inclusions.
Quartz with Goethite inclusions.
Quartz with Goethite inclusions.
 

N16RE6: I will get sentimental about this one. While it is not a top quality specimen (I don’t want to fool anyone into thinking it is) it was one of the first that I added to my collection. Recently I got a better example, so I have decided to sell this one - with the original label from my collection: number F-33. I bought it during a trip to Morocco with my brother in 1974, when I did not even know what the mineral included in the Quartz was. The great collector from Barcelona, Joaquín Folch, told me that, based on the pleiocrism, they are crystals of Goethite. Anyway, apart from the history, I have always liked this one and I still think that the spray of Baryte and blobs of Quartz at the rear make it neat. As you would expect, we will send my label to the person that buys this.

Tizirine, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (1974)

Specimen size: 9.5 × 6.5 × 6.3 cm = 3.74” × 2.56” × 2.48”

Main crystal size: 1.8 × 1.3 cm = 0.71” × 0.51”

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

Baryte fluorescent long & short UV
Calcite (Co-bearing calcite variety) with Pyrite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Calcite (Co-bearing calcite variety) with Pyrite
 

JFD54AN8: They could do with a bit more luster, but the color, the sharpness of the crystals and the not so usual presence of Pyrite in the matrix made me fall in love with this piece that has been with me for many years, reminding me of those trips to Morocco so full of sunshine and adventure.
This specimen has been published on the Mineralogical Record´s web page, in the 'What's New' section, report 62, June 5, 2022 edition, page 7
Aghbar Mine (Arhbar Mine), Bou Azzer mining district, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (08/2002)

Specimen size: 7.5 × 5 × 4 cm = 2.95” × 1.97” × 1.57”

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

Minor fluorescence short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Calcite (Co-bearing calcite variety) with Pyrite. Calcite (Co-bearing calcite variety) with Pyrite.
Djurleite-Chalcocite intergrowth
Djurleite-Chalcocite intergrowth. Djurleite-Chalcocite intergrowth.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Djurleite-Chalcocite intergrowth
 

JFD28AN6: This one hurts… I like it very much, both for the perfection and definition of the crystals, as well as for their very 'fresh' and natural patina and the fact that it is on matrix. The vast majority of these djurleites are enclosed in Calcite and inevitably have to be acid-etched out, and this, for some reason, has the appearance that we all imagine for a sulphide: not too gray and not too black.
I saw extraordinary pieces from that find that I still keep in my memory, but even so this piece is, for its size, one of my favorites of all the ones I got to see.
Aït Ahmane (auxiliary shaft), Agdz, Bou Azzer mining district, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (11/2014-05/2015)

Specimen size: 3.1 × 2.4 × 1.4 cm = 1.22” × 0.94” × 0.55”

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

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)

With analysis copy
Allargentum with Byssolite
 

FB89AL5: Very dominant elongated crystals of Allargentum, with intergrowths of Silver and Dyscrasite, on a Calcite matrix with centered growths of acicular crystals of Actinolite (byssolite variety). The Allargentum appears to be clearly the majority in the analysis for this specimen, evidence that it is not a pseudomorph but rather Allargentum crystals intergrown with Dyscrasite and Silver.
It comes from the Jordi Fabre collection. We will send the buyer a copy of the analysis and the original collection label (No. F1764)
Bouismas Mine, Agdz, Bou Azzer mining district, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (07/2009)

Specimen size: 5.2 × 4.5 × 1.7 cm = 2.05” × 1.77” × 0.67”

Main crystal size: 0.8 × 0.2 cm = 0.31” × 0.08”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Allargentum with Byssolite. Allargentum with Byssolite.
Allargentum with Actinolite (variety byssolite) and Calcite
Allargentum with Actinolite (variety byssolite) and Calcite. Allargentum with Actinolite (variety byssolite) and Calcite.
Allargentum with Actinolite (variety byssolite) and Calcite.

Fluorescent light (daylight)
 

JFD42AL5: Very dominant elongated crystals of Allargentum, with intergrowths of Silver and Dyscrasite, on a Calcite matrix with centered growths of acicular crystals of Actinolite (byssolite variety). The Allargentum appears to be clearly the majority in the two analyses (EDS and XRD) carried out on the specimen, demonstrating that it is not a pseudomorph but rather Allargentum crystals intergrown with Dyscrasite and Silver. It comes from the Jordi Fabre collection.
We'll send to the buyer a copy of the analysis and both Jordi Fabre collection labels, the original label (F1765) as well as the Internet label (JFD42)
Bouismas Mine, Agdz, Bou Azzer mining district, Zagora Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (07/2009)

Specimen size: 8.4 × 4.5 × 2.5 cm = 3.31” × 1.77” × 0.98”

Main crystal size: 1.3 × 0.4 cm = 0.51” × 0.16”

Calcite fluorescent long & short UV

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Gold (variety electrum) with Erythrite

Fluorescent light (daylight)
Gold (variety electrum) with Erythrite
 

JFD19AN5: A great novelty of the year 2017. On the slopes of Jebel Taghouni, next to the Taghouni mine, these Gold crystals were found which, inevitably, tend to be small but are interesting for their association with Erythrite, a very, very unusual association. In this piece the Gold is not sensational, but there are quite a few crystals of it and, above all, a lot of Erythrite, so the contrast of that rare association is clear.
Jebel Taghouni outcrops, Taghouni, Bou Azzer mining district, Amerzgane, Ouarzazate Province, Drâa-Tafilalet Region  Morocco (2017)

Specimen size: 7.1 × 4.1 × 2.9 cm = 2.80” × 1.61” × 1.14”

With analysis copy

Former collection of Jordi Fabre (duplicates)
Gold (variety electrum) with Erythrite. Gold (variety electrum) with Erythrite.
Gold (variety electrum) with Erythrite.


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