Reference Specimens
The Oliete Collection

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Photos by Fabre Minerals. Under Creative Commons license


This page is special, as we have included in it only those specimens from the Martín Oliete Fontela collection.

Martín is a very pleasant artist who has specialized in prints, ex-libris and old books, he is also a gemmologist. He has combined this with many years of collecting and dealing in minerals, so he is well known by all those in Spain who are interested in minerals, especially those from the Madrid area, which is where he lives.

Martin collected minerals for over 35 years. Towards the end of the 60s, when he first started, mineral dealing had hardly been heard of in Spain so it was limited to a small group of specialized people in the major cities, above all in Madrid and Barcelona. In those early days very few high quality specimens got as far as Spain and of course there were no shows at which one could buy specimens.

Given this, and his decision to build a good collection of worldwide minerals, Martin found that he had to travel to the USA to get hold of the type of material he wanted. The result is a collection in which his ability to select fine specimens shines through, especially as it was combined with the large number of specimens he was able to see each year.

His focus was, luckily, on what we might call the 'modern style' of specimen, that is to say: not that large and, if possible, perfect and esthetic. He also aimed to collect as diverse a range of species as was possible, instead of focusing in on a few minerals.

In February 2002 Martin decided to sell his collection for personal reasons and, due to our old friendship, he offered me the chance to buy as much of it as I wished. It was an easy decision for me, so we quickly met and I bought what for me were the best pieces (in my opinion) from his collection. These then sold very rapidly at shows and over the web.

This page is now a small tribute to this collection, and at the same time it gives our visitors the chance to see some of the collection we sold.

I hope you enjoy them as much as I did when I first selected them!

Jordi

USA


Kinoite
Kinoite.
Kinoite.
 

FA61C6: Intense color on this Kinoite, well selected with its clear contrast with the white "Apophyllite".
Christmas Mine, Christmas, Banner District, Dripping Spring Mountains, Gila County, Arizona  USA

Specimen size: 5.4 × 4.7 × 3.9 cm = 2.13” × 1.85” × 1.54”

Main crystal size: 0.1 cm = 0.04”

Oliete's collection number: 110, bought in 1987
Fluorite
 

TE66C6: Individual Fluorite crystals, very aerial on their Sphalerite matrix. Clarity not bad at all.
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Central Tennessee Ba-F-Pb-Zn District, Smith County, Tennessee  USA

Specimen size: 8 × 6.2 × 4 cm = 3.15” × 2.44” × 1.57”

Main crystal size: 2.7 × 2.4 cm = 1.06” × 0.94”

Oliete's collection number: 256, bought in 1986
Fluorite.
Dolomite
Dolomite.
 

FC76: A curious specimen. It is a Dolomite totally covered (but not pseudomorphosised) by a thin chocolate cover of iron oxides. First impressions when you look at the specimen are: nice Siderite! When you look more carefully you will discover that the primary crystals are really white curved Dolomite crystals totally covered by a lustrous, brilliant, colorful coating. Something different!
Vekol Mine, Sif Vaya area, Vekol District, Tohono O'odham Indian Reservation, Pinal County, Arizona  USA

Specimen size: 6.5 × 5.1 × 2 cm = 2.56” × 2.01” × 0.79”

Oliete's collection number: 216, bought in 1973 with an old label
Smithsonite with Aurichalcite
 

FD10: Aurichalcite richly covering Smithsonite specimen, with more color than usual due to the intense blue color of the Aurichalcite.
Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Magdalena District, Socorro County, New Mexico  USA

Specimen size: 2.5 × 2.4 × 2.2 cm = 0.98” × 0.94” × 0.87”

Oliete's collection number: 53, bought in 1983
Smithsonite with Aurichalcite.
Wulfenite
Wulfenite.
 

FV51: Complete in all sides, with a lovely color and transparency, and it comes from a not so common locality. Not bad at all!
Silver Bell District, Pima County, Arizona  USA

Specimen size: 2.2 × 1.8 × 4 cm = 0.87” × 0.71” × 1.57”

Oliete's collection number: 52, bought in 1986
Wavellite
 

FZ52: Richly crystallized area totally covered by the well formed Wavellite balls. A unknown-owner old label is with the specimen as well.
Dug Hill, Avant, Garland County, Arkansas  USA

Specimen size: 3.9 × 3 × 2.3 cm = 1.54” × 1.18” × 0.91”

Oliete's collection number: 143, bought in 1988
Wavellite.
Calcite doubly terminated
Calcite doubly terminated.
 

TB37: Aerial, with the two tips unbroken, and very well placed on the matrix. It also has good contrast between the matrix's colorless Calcite and the orangish main crystal. Esthetics!
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Central Tennessee Ba-F-Pb-Zn District, Smith County, Tennessee  USA

Specimen size: 7 × 6.5 × 5.5 cm = 2.76” × 2.56” × 2.17”

Main crystal size: 5 × 2.6 cm = 1.97” × 1.02”

Oliete's collection number: 264, bought in 1986
Rhodochrosite with Quartz
 

FC37B9: Before the recent major finds of Rhodochrosite in Alma, one of the most popular localities for Rhodo in USA was the American Tunnel. Martín bought this good (for the time) specimen from this now unproductive locality. As is typical for this mine, the Rhodo crystals are partially or totally covered by Quartz crusts.
Sunnyside Mine group (American Tunnel Mine), Bonita Peak, Gladstone, Eureka District, San Juan County, Colorado  USA

Specimen size: 6 × 6 × 4 cm = 2.36” × 2.36” × 1.57”

Oliete's collection number: 307, bought in 1973
Rhodochrosite with Quartz.
Copper
Copper.
 

FG38: An unusual US locality for this great Copper, as good as the other ones from Michigan or Arizona and much rarer. Floater, complete in all sides, damage free and with a very good esthetics. Coming from past finds and now available for a classics collector!
Rio Tinto Mine (Mountain City Copper Mine), Mountain City District, Elko County, Nevada  USA

Specimen size: 12.5 × 8.5 × 1 cm = 4.92” × 3.35” × 0.39”

Oliete's collection number: 244, bought in 1973
with an old label as well
Beryl (variety aquamarine)
 

FD53: Other oldie from Oliete's collection. An extremely huge (for the locality) Aquamarine Beryl crystal. It is a floater with an intense bluish color. Material from this locality is no longer available and this specimen is much better than the normal production (when it was productive).
Centerville District, Boise County, Idaho  USA

Specimen size: 7 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm = 2.76” × 0.98” × 0.87”

Oliete's collection number: 124, bought in 1973.
Specimen from a former Geary Murdock collection (without label)
Beryl (variety aquamarine).
Smithsonite
Smithsonite.
 

FY52: Very nice contrast between the different color shades of this brilliant Smithsonite. Much better than the normal ones on the market, in my opinion.
Kelly Mine, Magdalena, Magdalena District, Socorro County, New Mexico  USA

Specimen size: 7 × 4.5 cm = 2.76” × 1.77”

Oliete's collection number: 311, bought from V. Yount in 1974
with Victor's hand written label
Andradite (Garnet)
 

FA27: A colorful and slightly iridescent Andradite Garnet from an uncommon locality. A good classic which is hard to find.
Stanley Butte area, Stanley Butte, Stanley District, San Carlos Indian Reservation, Graham County, Arizona  USA

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

Oliete's collection number: 335, bought in 1973 from V. Yount
Andradite (Garnet).

MEXICO - CANADA


Calcite
Calcite.
 

FT59C6: Attractive Calcite - it looks as if it was zoned pseudomorphosed by snow. I'm sorry, but it is so unusual that I cannot say anything more scientific!
Naica, Chihuahua  Mexico

Specimen size: 4.5 × 4.4 × 2.5 cm = 1.77” × 1.73” × 0.98”

Oliete's collection number: 321, bought in 1971
Cuprian Adamite
 

FH37C6: Intensely colored cuprian Adamite, very showy.
Mapimi, Durango  Mexico

Specimen size: 10.3 × 7.3 × 5.2 cm = 4.06” × 2.87” × 2.05”

Oliete's collection number: 200
Cuprian Adamite.
Calcite
Calcite.
 

FD54B9: Nice and different! Aerial scalenohedrons of Calcite covered by a thin coating of yellowish-reddish iron oxides.
Santa Eulalia District, Municipio Aquiles Serdán, Chihuahua  Mexico

Specimen size: 6 × 5.8 × 5.4 cm = 2.36” × 2.28” × 2.13”

Oliete's collection number: 234, bought in 1982
Quartz (variety amethyst)
 

FG90: Amatitlan gave the largest doubly terminated Amethyst crystals in the world. Unfortunately most of them were damaged with broken or significant dings at the top of the crystals. Just a few specimen were saved in good shape. Again, Martín was in the right place at the right time and luckily he got a very esthetic one without significant damage. Plus this specimen has two main doubly terminated crystals joined by other smaller crystals. As you can see in the photo the specimen looks great!
Amatitlan, Guerrero  Mexico

Specimen size: 9 × 8.8 × 6.2 cm = 3.54” × 3.46” × 2.44”

Oliete's collection number: 207, bought in 1996
Quartz (variety amethyst).
Topaz
Topaz.
 

FC37B8: Really huge (for the locality) Topaz, with some other interesting things: the color is more 'chocolate' than usual; the transparency is better than usual; and it shows a curious inclusion, probably by sandstone, in its center, very visible due its high transparency. One of the best for this locality, in my opinion.
Tepatate, San Luis Potosí  Mexico

Specimen size: 4.2 × 3.3 cm = 1.65” × 1.30”

Oliete's collection number: 43, bought in 1984
Adamite (variety manganoan)
 

FC91: Between orange and reddish this manganoan Adamite shows an unusual agreeably color. Great luster as well.
Ojuela Mine, Mapimí, Municipio Mapimí, Durango  Mexico

Specimen size: 6 × 5.5 × 2.8 cm = 2.36” × 2.17” × 1.10”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Oliete's collection number: 235, bought in 1986
Adamite (variety manganoan).
Stephanite with Calcite
Stephanite with Calcite.
Stephanite with Calcite.
 

FT87: A great Stephanite. The crystal size is not that large, but put it all together, the brilliance and the nice position on the top of white Calcite crusts, and it could satisfy a demanding collector.
Mina Grande, Fresnillo de González Echeverría (Fresnillo), Municipio Fresnillo, Zacatecas  Mexico

Specimen size: 6 × 3.2 × 2.7 cm = 2.36” × 1.26” × 1.06”

Oliete's collection number: 136, bought in 1996

Canada

Octahedral Fluorite
 

FY16C6: Group of Octahedral Fluorite, damage free, a reasonable good locality specimen with two labels with it: Martin Oliete's label and an old US label (without a name)
Rock candy mine, Grand Forks, British Columbia  Canada

Specimen size: 7 × 5.5 × 2.6 cm = 2.76” × 2.17” × 1.02”

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

Oliete's collection number 245, bought in 1982
Octahedral Fluorite.
Spinel with Forsterite
Spinel with Forsterite.
 

FV66: From an old Canadian locality, sharp and pretty brilliant black Spinels well placed on Forsterite matrix. Good esthetics.
Parker Mine, Notre-Dame-du-Laus, Québec  Canada

Specimen size: 4.7 × 4 × 3.4 cm = 1.85” × 1.57” × 1.34”

Main crystal size: 2 × 1.5 cm = 0.79” × 0.59”

Oliete's collection number: 223, bought in 1994. An old label comes with it (without name)

SPAIN (GENERAL)


Pyromorphite
 

FT17: The San Andrés Mine was recently made famous by the great find of sharp Pyromorphites, but in the past when the mine worked it also produced some nice Pyromorphite, such as this original group of balls formed by lots of small crystals. Very brilliant, with a nice color and form.
San Andrés Mine, Espiel, Comarca Valle del Guadiato, Córdoba, Andalusia  Spain

Specimen size: 6.4 × 4.7 × 3.4 cm = 2.52” × 1.85” × 1.34”

Oliete's collection number: 242, bought in 1983
Pyromorphite.
Pyromorphite
Pyromorphite.
 

FM26: San Andrés Mine was recently made famous by the great find of sharp Pyromorphites, but in the past when the mine worked it also produced some nice Pyromorphite such as this original group of balls formed by a lot of small crystals. Very brilliant and with a nice color and form.
San Andrés Mine, Espiel, Comarca Valle del Guadiato, Córdoba, Andalusia  Spain

Specimen size: 4 × 3.3 × 2.9 cm = 1.57” × 1.30” × 1.14”

Oliete's collection number: 225, bought in 1984
Twinned Orthoclase
 

FE16: Nice classic Carlsbad twinned Orthoclase - very sharp and good luster.
Zarzalejo, Comarca Sierra Oeste, Community of Madrid  Spain

Specimen size: 5.2 × 4.6 × 2.2 cm = 2.05” × 1.81” × 0.87”

Oliete's collection number: 115
Twinned Orthoclase.
Goethite
Goethite.
 

FL16: Velvet Goethite from an old classic Spanish locality which is no longer productive. All of us were there when we were younger digging and trying to get something as good as this delicate specimen.
La Arboleda Mines, La Arboleda (Zugaztieta), Valle de Trápaga/Trapagaran, Comarca Gran Bilbao, Vizcaya / Bizkaia, Basque Country (Euskadi)  Spain

Specimen size: 9 × 6.2 × 2.5 cm = 3.54” × 2.44” × 0.98”

Oliete's collection number: 125, bought in 1986
Aragonite
 

FD52: Two crossed powerful crystals with some other minor ones attached as well. For its color, luster and esthetics this Aragonite is one of the best quality for this species, famous in Spain as a classic for the country.
Sal Mine (Minglanilla Mine), La Rambla Salada, La Pesquera, Comarca La Manchuela Conquense, Cuenca, Castilla-La Mancha  Spain

Specimen size: 8.5 × 7 × 3 cm = 3.35” × 2.76” × 1.18”

Fluorescent long UV

Oliete's collection number: 174, bought in 1980
Aragonite.
Calcite
Calcite.
 

FJ46: Calcite collectors from Spain have on their mind a particular specimen: the "nailhead" Calcite from Mina Julia in Bilbao. Found long ago and no longer available, this particular specimen would satisfy the most demanding collector for its perfection, size and good display.
Julia Mine, Barrio de la Peña, Bilbao, Comarca Gran Bilbao, Vizcaya / Bizkaia, Basque Country (Euskadi)  Spain

Specimen size: 10.5 × 6 × 4.5 cm = 4.13” × 2.36” × 1.77”

Oliete's collection number: 323, bought in 1972.
A small hand made label is glued on the rear of the specimen
Quartz (variety jacinto de compostela)
 

FB76B9: Doubly terminated red Quartz on its classic red Gypsum matrix. Very uncommon on matrix this is a very representative sample.
Chelva, Comarca Los Serranos, Valencia / València, Valencian Community / Comunitat Valenciana  Spain

Specimen size: 7 × 5.5 × 4.2 cm = 2.76” × 2.17” × 1.65”

Main crystal size: 3 × 1.5 cm = 1.18” × 0.59”

Oliete's collection number: 171, bought in 1978
Quartz (variety jacinto de compostela).
Dolomite
Dolomite.
 

FL46: Floater, complete in all sides, twinned, sharp, gemmy with zoned phantoms. A quality specimen of the classic Eugui Dolomites.
Asturreta Quarry, Eugui, Esteríbar, Comarca Auñamendi, Chartered Community of Navarre (Navarre)  Spain

Specimen size: 4.5 × 3.5 × 2 cm = 1.77” × 1.38” × 0.79”

Oliete's collection number: 116, bought in 1998
Sphalerite with Galena
 

FA66: Surprising association of Galena & gemmy Sphalerite. No other specimens that I have seen were found with this particular association. All well placed on the classic white Dolomite matrix. We photographed both faces, as both have good quality.
Áliva Mine (Las Mánforas Mine), Áliva mining area, Camaleño, Comarca Liébana, Cantabria  Spain

Specimen size: 3.7 × 3 × 3.7 cm = 1.46” × 1.18” × 1.46”

Main crystal size: 1.5 × 1 cm = 0.59” × 0.39”

Oliete's collection number: 66, bought in 1986
Sphalerite with Galena. Front
Front
Sphalerite with Galena. Rear
Rear

PANASQUEIRA SPECIMENS


Arsenopyrite
Arsenopyrite.
 

TK64C6: Nice combination of the elongated Arsenopyrite crystals well placed on the matrix and partially covered by nice lenticular Siderite. Panasqueira Mine.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal (1970)

Specimen size: 6.2 × 4 × 1.4 cm = 2.44” × 1.57” × 0.55”

Oliete's collection number: 287, bought in 1970
Arsenopyrite
 

FC96: Huge crystals of Arsenopyrite with their old classic Panasqueira crystal form. Good luster as well. Recrystallized at the base and complete in all sides.
Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal

Specimen size: 7.8 × 6 × 4.9 cm = 3.07” × 2.36” × 1.93”

Oliete's collection number: 286, bought in 1982
Arsenopyrite.
Fluorapatite with Mica
Fluorapatite with Mica.
 

FL49: A high level quality specimen. Huge, brilliant, sharp and intense green group of Fluorapatite crystals, standing free on their Mica matrix. The crystals are complete on all sides without any kind of damages. A specimen from the past, when we still had the possibility of getting fine Fluorapatite. There is a nice history to this specimen too: it was traded by Martin with an old Spanish dealer for a painting.
Minas da Panasqueira, level 2, Aldeia de São Francisco de Assis, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Cova da Beira, Centro  Portugal

Specimen size: 6 × 5.9 cm = 2.36” × 2.32”

Fluorescent long UV

Oliete's collection number: 161, bought in 1968

ROMANIA


Baryte
 

FQ86: More intense color than the regular material, this specimen is very transparent and perfect, it could satisfy the most demanding Baryte collector.
Cavnic mining area, Cavnic, Maramures  Romania

Specimen size: 7.5 × 6.5 × 3.6 cm = 2.95” × 2.56” × 1.42”

Oliete's collection number: 137, bought in 1978
Baryte.

WESTERN EUROPE (excl. Spain and Portugal)


Pyromorphite
Pyromorphite.
 

FV66C6: Two colors: green and brown on this elegant Pyromorphite from a classic, classic European mine:
Les Farges Mine (Des Farges Mine), Ussel, Corrèze, Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France

Specimen size: 3.8 × 3.2 × 2.2 cm = 1.50” × 1.26” × 0.87”

Main crystal size: 2 × 0.7 cm = 0.79” × 0.28”

Oliete's collection number: 189, bought in 1981
Twinned Fluorite
Twinned Fluorite  

FD60H2: Group of twinned crystals of Fluorite, with the typical deep green color of the old samples from the locality. The specimen was on Martín Oliete collection. Martín purchased it in 1976 from Bailey Minerals.
Heights Quarry, Westgate, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham  England / United Kingdom (±1976)

Specimen size: 4.2 × 3.2 × 3 cm = 1.65” × 1.26” × 1.18”

Main crystal size: 2.9 × 1.9 cm = 1.14” × 0.75”

Extremely fluorescent long & short UV
Twinned Fluorite. Front
Front
Twinned Fluorite. Side
Side
Hematite
Hematite.
 

FH14C6: Martín Oliete always selected specimens for their beauty, as in this spectacular Hematite.Just nice, but nice!
Egremont, West Cumberland Iron Field, former Cumberland, Cumbria  England / United Kingdom

Specimen size: 7 × 5.2 × 2.2 cm = 2.76” × 2.05” × 0.87”

Oliete's collection number: 129
Epidote doubly terminated
 

FT37: It is generally recognized that the world's best Epidotes were found two centuries ago in Knappenwand. Martín was lucky to get one of them, sharp, complete in all sides, damage free and pretty showy. Doubly terminated as well (although the right end it is not as sharp as the left one)
Knappenwand, Knappenwand area, Untersulzbach Valley, Hohe Tauern, Salzburg  Austria

Specimen size: 5.7 × 1 × 0.9 cm = 2.24” × 0.39” × 0.35”

Oliete's collection number: 332, bought in 1970
Epidote doubly terminated.
Fluorite with Quartz
Fluorite with Quartz.
 

FL98: Also from the old glorious European period comes this huge yellow Fluorite totally covered by extremely brilliant doubly terminated Quartz crystals. It is a pity that you don't see the Fluorite crystal but the Quartz is pretty nice as well!
Beihilfe Mine, Halsbrücke, Freiberg District, Erzgebirgskreis, Saxony/Sachsen  Germany

Specimen size: 12.5 × 10.5 × 6.5 cm = 4.92” × 4.13” × 2.56”

Oliete's collection number: 324, bought in 1984
Calcite
 

FX96: In the past one rich find was made in the south of France. Not too well know, this find gave excellent gemmy Calcites comparable to the best ones from Dalnegorsk. Martín was in the right place at the right time and he got this top sample from this exciting find. Perfect, gemmy with great luster and good disposition on its matrix. Neat!
Pau, Pyrénées-Atlantiques, Nouvelle-Aquitaine  France

Specimen size: 9.6 × 5.8 × 4 cm = 3.78” × 2.28” × 1.57”

Oliete's collection number: 224, bought in 1980
Calcite.
Twinned Orthoclase
Twinned Orthoclase.
 

FD6B9: The Carlsbad twin name came from the Carlsbad locality in the Czech Republic. This Orthoclase also came from this locality and "guess what?": it is twinned by the Carlsbad law. A "type locality twin" from an old glorious European locality.
Karlovy Vary (Carlsbad), Karlovy Vary District, Karlovy Vary Region, Bohemia  Czech Republic

Specimen size: 6 × 3.2 × 2 cm = 2.36” × 1.26” × 0.79”

Oliete's collection number: 100, bought in 1994
Phosgenite
 

FH46: A famous classic, this Phosgenite is a little bit darker than usual, but the crystal is doubly terminated, pretty sharp and well placed on minor Galena matrix.
Monteponi Mine, Iglesias, Sud Sardegna Province, Sardinia/Sardegna  Italy

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

Fluorescent long UV

Oliete's collection number: 305, bought in 1976
Phosgenite.

FORMER SOVIET UNION


Uvarovite
Uvarovite. Uvarovite.
 

FB96C6: Spectacular group of Uvarovite covering the black chromium rich matrix. The intense green of the Uvarovite and its richness create a very esthetic specimen.
Saranovskii Mine, Saranovskaya (Sarany), Gornozavodskii, Perm Krai, Ural  Russia

Specimen size: 10.6 × 9.2 × 2.1 cm = 4.17” × 3.62” × 0.83”

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

Oliete's collection number: 274
Ilvaite
 

FG87: Not easy to photograph, but still powerful, this huge Ilvaite crystal is very brilliant and sharp. Recrystallized on its bottom. As we mentioned much better than you can see in photo.
First Sovetskii Mine, Dalnegorsk, Dalnegorsk Urban District, Primorsky Krai  Russia

Specimen size: 4 × 3 × 2.7 cm = 1.57” × 1.18” × 1.06”

Oliete's collection number: 235, bought in 1995
Ilvaite.
Corundum
Corundum.
 

FB27: On the top of a piece of white matrix sits this deep red Corundum that shows its hexagonal form and especially a six armed star. It is brilliant, it is esthetic, it is aerial and it is perfect. Good choice Martín!
Chit-Ostrov, Murmanskaja Oblast, Northern Karelia (Karel'skaya), Republic of Karelia  Russia

Specimen size: 4.5 × 4.2 cm = 1.77” × 1.65”

Oliete's collection number: 84, bought in 1999

MOROCCO


Aragonite (variety tarnowitzite)
 

FG53C1: Open group of Tarnowitzite (Lead rich Aragonite variety) from Touissit. As is the case most of the time with Oliete's specimens the esthetics are excellent.
Shaft IX (Puit IX), Touissit, Touissit District, Jerada Province, Oriental Region  Morocco

Specimen size: 9 × 8.8 × 6.2 cm = 3.54” × 3.46” × 2.44”

Fluorescent long & short UV
Aragonite (variety tarnowitzite).
Hematite
Hematite.
 

FR59: From the thousands of specimens of Hematite that have come from this locality just a few specimens have the great quality of this one.
Nador, Nador Province, Oriental Region  Morocco

Specimen size: 4 × 1.8 × 0.2 cm = 1.57” × 0.71” × 0.08”

Oliete's collection number: 62, bought in 1982

AFRICA (excl. Morocco) - TSUMEB


Hibonite
 

FK11: A typical flat black crystal of this rare species, but with a nice surprise: the crystal shows a six arm star. Not frequent at all (I have never seen one before)
Esiva, Fort Dauphin  Madagascar

Specimen size: 3.4 × 2.6 × 0.5 cm = 1.34” × 1.02” × 0.20”

Oliete's collection number: 166, bought in 1988
Hibonite.
Elbaite doubly terminated
Elbaite doubly terminated.
Elbaite doubly terminated. Top
Top
Elbaite doubly terminated. Bottom
Bottom
 

FQ33: A powerful Elbaite. Huge size and doubly terminated (the photos show the details of both terminations) is the start. The "piece de resistance" is the color: a very agreeable gemmy green. It has much better quality, luster and transparency than other specimens from this locality.
Otjua, Karibib, Erongo  Namibia

Specimen size: 9.6 × 4.4 × 2.4 cm = 3.78” × 1.73” × 0.94”

Oliete's collection number: 96, bought in 1980

Tsumeb

Dioptase
 

FH46C0: Attractive color and luster with an excellent disposition contrasting well with its white Calcite matrix.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region  Namibia

Specimen size: 5.2 × 5 × 4.2 cm = 2.05” × 1.97” × 1.65”

Oliete's collection number: 184, bought in 1978
Dioptase.
Smithsonite
Smithsonite.
 

FH38: Rich Smithsonite pretty well crystallized. Its matrix is totally covered by the Smithsonite, and the crystals are not as compact as the photo would suggest.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region  Namibia

Specimen size: 9 × 7.9 × 4.3 cm = 3.54” × 3.11” × 1.69”

Oliete's collection number: 297, bought in 1978
Gartrellite with Mimetite
 

FC56: A major specimen. Gartrellite is a mineral species that was recently discovered (1990) and its presentation up until now is not that great under common esthetic standards. Usually it is presented as dull crusts of fine-grained coatings, cryptocrystalline or as incrustations, so basically not beautiful. One specimen from Oliete's collection was labeled as Arsentsumebite, but I was suspicious that it wasn't. I ordered a double X-ray and difractometry test and the result was Gartrellite: bingo! This particular specimen is probably one of the world's nicest Gartrellite and it is shown for first time to the mineral world in this update. Gemmy minor Mimetites are also present, completing a world class specimen.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region  Namibia

Specimen size: 6 × 4 × 3 cm = 2.36” × 1.57” × 1.18”

Oliete's collection number: 156, bought in 1997
Gartrellite with Mimetite.
Malachite on Dolomite
Malachite on Dolomite.
Malachite on Dolomite.
 

FB76: Nice contrast between the intense green round ball of Malachite and the white Dolomite. Original, isn't it?
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region  Namibia

Specimen size: 9.6 × 5.7 cm = 3.78” × 2.24”

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

Oliete's collection number: 160, bought in 1979
Cerussite
 

FB16C6: Gemmy crystal standing upright. It shows better clarity than usual and has a small smoky tint giving agreeable esthetics.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region  Namibia

Specimen size: 3.9 × 4 × 3.3 cm = 1.54” × 1.57” × 1.30”

Main crystal size: 2.2 × 1.8 cm = 0.87” × 0.71”

Oliete's collection number: 7, bought in 1973
Cerussite.
Smithsonite
Smithsonite.
 

FF27: Very clean pearly Smithsonite on very clean Dolomite. Everything is luminous.
Tsumeb Mine, Tsumeb, Otjikoto Region  Namibia

Specimen size: 10.2 × 6.3 cm = 4.02” × 2.48”

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

Oliete's collection number: 251, bought in 1980

SOUTH AMERICA


Fluorapatite
 

FH36C6: Curious Fluorapatite with sharp form and unusual color associated with well developed Muscovite and minor Albite.
Espirito Santo  Brazil

Specimen size: 5.8 × 5.2 × 5.5 cm = 2.28” × 2.05” × 2.17”

Fluorescent long & short UV

Oliete's collection number: 289, bought in 1986
Fluorapatite.
Tetrahedrite
Tetrahedrite.
 

FE10C6: Very showy Tetrahedrite with excellent luster and well formed crystals.
Huayllapon Mine (Huallapon Mine), Pasto Bueno, Pampas District, Pallasca Province, Ancash Department  Peru

Specimen size: 3.9 × 3.6 × 1.7 cm = 1.54” × 1.42” × 0.67”

Oliete's collection number: 219, bought in 1982
Topaz 'saramenha'
 

FE36C6: Lustrous Topaz 'saramenha' ('imperial' in Spanish language) with good transparency and color.
Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais  Brazil

Specimen size: 2.9 × 2.1 × 1.6 cm = 1.14” × 0.83” × 0.63”

Oliete's collection number: 35, bought in 1984
Topaz 'saramenha'.
Elbaite doubly terminated with Quartz
Elbaite doubly terminated with Quartz.
 

FE52: Doubly terminated and extremely aerial on a small floater of flat Quartz crystal. Everything is a floater and complete in all sides.
Linópolis, Divino das Laranjeiras, Minas Gerais  Brazil

Specimen size: 6.5 × 1.7 × 2 cm = 2.56” × 0.67” × 0.79”

Oliete's collection number: 227, bought in 1982
Rhodochrosite
 

FD16: Esthetic combination of Rhodo and Quartz.
Pachapaqui, Bolognesi, Departamento Ancash  Peru

Specimen size: 6.5 × 5.5 × 3.5 cm = 2.56” × 2.17” × 1.38”

Oliete's collection number: 247, bought in 1986
Rhodochrosite.
Hübnerite
Hübnerite.
 

FR56: Nice form (again) in this brilliant Hübnerite with Quartz. A little bit reddish color and, as is usual for Hübnerite, bright red on the corners when seen with a strong back light. Totally damage free but with some contact on one corner.
Huayllapon Mine (Huallapon Mine), Pasto Bueno, Pampas District, Pallasca Province, Ancash Department  Peru

Specimen size: 5.7 × 3.9 cm = 2.24” × 1.54”

Oliete's collection number: 98, bought in 1986
Doubly terminated Rutile
 

FR54: Doubly terminated and complete in all sides, gemmy red (when viewed with strong light from the rear), Rutile. Its elongated form is pretty unusual as well. This kind of Rutile is no longer present on the market.
Dom Bosco, Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais  Brazil

Specimen size: 6.2 × 0.3 × 0.3 cm = 2.44” × 0.12” × 0.12”

Oliete's collection number: 178, bought in 1979
Doubly  terminated Rutile.
Doubly terminated Amblygonite
Doubly terminated Amblygonite.
 

FK76: Doubly terminated (although the left termination it is not sharp) pretty transparent, an excellent representative of the species. Photographed on page 179 of the Spanish mineral book: 'Minas y minerales de Iberoamérica'.
Itinga, Jequitinhonha  Brazil

Specimen size: 4.5 × 1.6 × 0.7 cm = 1.77” × 0.63” × 0.28”

Oliete's collection number: 68, bought in 1978
Black head Elbaite
 

FM17: Black head Elbaite. Recrystallized at its base and good transparency and shape.
Virgem da Lapa, Jequitinhonha Valley, Minas Gerais  Brazil

Specimen size: 6.5 × 1.8 × 2 cm = 2.56” × 0.71” × 0.79”

Oliete's collection number: 163, bought in 1986
Black head Elbaite.
Topaz (variety saramenha)
Topaz (variety saramenha).
 

FZ47: Lustrous Topaz 'saramenha' ('imperial' in Spanish language) with sharp undamaged tip and good transparency and color.
Ouro Preto, Minas Gerais  Brazil

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

Oliete's collection number: 9, bought in 1979
Cassiterite
 

FY53: Gem single crystal of Cassiterite, complete in all sides (but with a contact on its back) pretty sharp and huge.
Viloco Mine, Loayza, La Paz  Bolivia

Specimen size: 3.6 × 3 × 2.8 cm = 1.42” × 1.18” × 1.10”

Oliete's collection number: 14, bought in 1982
Cassiterite.
Zinkenite
Zinkenite.
 

FH27: Extremely brilliant (for the species) large crystal size, from a no longer productive mine. So, something not easy to find today, and of course much better than Zinkenites form other localities.
San José Mine, Oruro City, Cercado Province, Oruro Department  Bolivia

Specimen size: 6.7 × 4.4 × 3.3 cm = 2.64” × 1.73” × 1.30”

Oliete's collection number: 231, bought in 1973
Chalcocite with Calcite
 

FA77: Again, something extremely unusual from Martín. This well formed Chalcocite which is aerial on the Calcite matrix comes from Chile. On Oliete's label the location is written as being Chuquicamata. After hard investigations about Chilean mineral localities I'm able to tell that it must came from Copiapó and I'm also able to say that I have never seen anything similar in my life and I'm sure that not too much other people have either. Well, it is good, sharp and extremely original.
Copiapó  Chile

Specimen size: 8.5 × 7 × 3.6 cm = 3.35” × 2.76” × 1.42”

Oliete's collection number: 157, bought in 1984
Chalcocite with Calcite.
Chalcocite with Calcite.
Atacamite on Agate
Atacamite on Agate.
 

FZ16: As a collector specimen this Atacamite shows something different from other specimens. In this particular case it is the unusual presentation: it is on top of Agate, with a wonderful contrast between the lustrous green Atacamite crystals and the banded grey Agate. Different!
La Farola Mine, Cerro Pintado, Copiapó, Atacama  Chile

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

Oliete's collection number: 214, bought in 1986

ASIA


Clinochlore (variety kämmererite)
 

FY26: Classic but perfect, gemmy and esthetic. No faults on the specimen!
Erzerum  Turkey

Specimen size: 3 × 2.5 × 1.5 cm = 1.18” × 0.98” × 0.59”

Main crystal size: 0.9 × 0.5 cm = 0.35” × 0.20”

Oliete's collection number: 106, bought in 1995
Clinochlore (variety kämmererite).


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