Marco Bonifazi's Photo Gallery

63U-DMEAzurite Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 0.4 mm

Very beautiful azurite crystal for the Livorno region, it has a particular transparency and an intense color that stands out on the matrix. The colors seem retouched, but they are natural, exactly how it came out. This color made me think that it was another mineral, which is why some crystals were analyzed.

FQR-QC6Olivenite (Var: Leucochalcite) Cu₂(AsO₄)(OH) , Bariopharmacosiderite Ba_0.5Fe³⁺₄(AsO₄)₃(OH)₄·5H₂O

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 0.4 mm

Interesting silky elongated filaments of leucochalcite on bariopharmacosiderite cubes.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective Mitutoyo 20X, duplicator 2X, APN Sony alpha6000.

4HW-Q6CMelanophlogite 46SiO₂·6(N₂,CO₂)·2(CH₄,N₂) , Magnesite MgCO₃

Fortullino, Rosignano Marittimo, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 4 mm

This melanophlogite specimen has a special feature. Melanophlogite grew on a small magnesite "stalactite". This allowed the mineral to fully develop, giving it a spherical shape.
The spherical shape accentuates the "magnifying glass" effect on the tip of the "stalactite" seen inside the sphere.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 24mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.6X, APN Sony alpha6000.

TQ8-9QYSulphur S₈

Calafuria quarry, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 4 mm

Complex colorless sulfur crystals on a limonitic matrix very probably with natrojarosite micro crystals in a marcasite vein. These sulfurs crystals are natural, formed on site, not like those that usually develop in the boxes due to alteration of the marcasite.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 24mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.6X, APN Sony alpha6000.

8A8-MVWWulfenite Pb(MoO₄) , Bariopharmacosiderite Ba_0.5Fe³⁺₄(AsO₄)₃(OH)₄·5H₂O

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 3 mm

Extremly elongated unusual, "stalactitic" orange wulfenite crystals. Analyzed specimens,with small bariopharmacosiderite cubic crystals, both analysed.
Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 16mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.2X, APN Sony alpha6000.

CW2-1PKBariopharmacoalumite Ba_0.5Al₄(AsO₄)₃(OH)₄·4H₂O , Wulfenite Pb(MoO₄)

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 3 mm

Small colorless bariopharmacoalumite crystals covering the already discussed, unusual, "stalactitic" orange wulfenite crystals. Analyzed specimens, which according to Mindat represent the second Italian and the first Tuscan discovery for this rare mineral.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 16mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.2X, APN Sony alpha6000.

MJ0-DECBariopharmacoalumite Ba_0.5Al₄(AsO₄)₃(OH)₄·4H₂O , Wulfenite Pb(MoO₄)

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 3 mm

Small colorless bariopharmacoalumite crystals covering the already discussed, unusual, "stalactitic" orange wulfenite crystals. Analyzed specimens, which according to Mindat represent the second Italian and the first Tuscan discovery for this rare mineral.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 16mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.2X, APN Sony alpha6000.

LRV-0V7Volborthite Cu₃(V₂O₇)(OH)₂·2H₂O

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 3 mm

Smalls light green well formed pseudo hexagonal volborthite crystals, first found in the Livorno hills, analysed. Volborthite is rare but had been found in several shapes here. That is one of the better samples ever founds at now in that new locality.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 24mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.6X, APN Sony alpha6000.

WET-CK0Lavendulan NaCaCu₅(AsO₄)₄Cl·5H₂O

Via della Sambuca U-V occurrence, Valle Benedetta, Livorno, Livorno Province, Tuscany, Italy

Field of View: 4 mm

Lavendulana, nice sample, probably the best ever found at the locality.

Photographed with biological microscope Zeiss, objective luminar 24mm Zeiss, duplicator 1.6X, APN Sony alpha6000.

J74-QM3Azurite Cu₃(CO₃)₂(OH)₂

Touissit, Touissit-Bou Beker mining district, Jerada Province, Oriental Region, Morocco

Dimensions: 75 mm x 30 mm x 30 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 73 mm

Beautiful dommage free azurite crystal with partial malachite pseudomorphosis on the terminal part. It appears very shiny in the parts not covered by malachite. The size of this specimen is important. You can see on the right a second smaller crystal that has grown parallel to the first.