Carles Millan's Photo Gallery
2D1-NXLFluorapatite Ca5(PO4)3F , Siderite FeCO3 , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 74 mm x 52 mm
Weight: 87 g
Fluorapatite crystals of hexagonal shape are disposed on a matrix of hyaline quartz crystals and accompanied by siderite. The fluorapatite crystals are translucent to transparent with a very uniform, nice pink color and very well-defined hexagonal faces, truncated by the pinacoids and faces of the dipyramid. The color of these crystals varies a little depending on the type of light; it is a bit pale in daylight and more saturated under incandescent lighting. It is accompanied by well-defined rhomboedral siderite crystals with a very aesthetic green-brown color, arranged very aerially on the specimen. A specimen from a recent find in the Kami mine; it is in excellent condition.
TCK-Y0NCalcite CaCO3 , Sphalerite ZnS , Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2
Dimensions: 65 mm x 57 mm x 50 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 37 mm
Weight: 162 g
Two glassy gem crystals of calcite to 37 mm in length set nicely on a breccia matrix with crystallized sphalerite and white pearly dolomite crystals. One of the calcite crystals is twinned. It seems like there are two generations, since the habits of both neighbor calcite crystals are different. No damage.
7VE-KGLScheelite Ca(WO4) , Dolomite CaMg(CO3)2 , Quartz SiO2
Dimensions: 71 mm x 54 mm x 54 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 19 mm
Weight: 178 g
Sharp, lustrous, gray-brown, translucent tetragonal-bipyramidal crystals of scheelite measuring up to 19 mm in size on a quartz crystal matrix that is mostly coated with sparkling white crystals of dolomite. This is crystallized naturally all around. In very good condition all around. Ex Thomas von Criegern collection.
QDX-FT1Elbaite Na(Li1.5Al1.5)Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Dimensions: 80 mm x 40 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 80 mm
Weight: 74 g
Group of elbaite crystals with a large doubly terminated main crystal, about 80 mm long and up to 20 mm wide, with fine striations, and set on a matrix formed by a lot of smaller crystals of also doubly terminated tricolor elbaites. The main crystal has a pyramidal termination on the upper tip with a pink color and a flat termination on the other end with a blue-violet color, and the central area of the prism with a green color with different intensities. No damage. The specimen has a pegmatitic origin like the other minerals found in Stak Nala.
From the Piedmontese prominent collector Tiziano Bonisoli, based in Turin.
P09-M1KCalcite CaCO3
Dimensions: 81 mm x 51 mm x 49 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 49 mm
Weight: 144 g
Glassy gemmy colorless to red complex crystals of calcite set on matrix and measuring to about 50 mm in size. The smaller crystals show a scalenohedral habit while the main have a more complex shape, typical of this species. In perfect condition. The crystals are very brightly fluorescent red as seen in the photo. From a new find of this year 2023. These specimens appeared in the market for the first time in year 2005 (according to Mindat records) with a much more expensive price.
U5E-3CFGalena PbS , Quartz SiO2 , Chalcopyrite CuFeS2
Dimensions: 76 mm x 71 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 14 mm
Weight: 214 g
Group of galena crystals aesthetically grown on a matrix of crystallized quartz. The habit is cubic {100}, but also showing several octahedral faces {111}. The edges and vertices are somewhat rounded, which is unusual for the species. As can be seen in the photos, there are also several tiny chalcopyrite tetrahedrons embedded on the surface of the galena crystals.
Size: 76 mm x 71 mm. Largest crystals: galena 14 mm on edge, quartz 38 mm tall, chalcopyrite ~4 mm on edge. Mass: 214 g.
7AY-MJ4Baryte BaSO4
Dimensions: 64 mm x 53 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 54 mm
Weight: 91 g
Group of transparent, greenish-honey colored, tabular barite crystals, most of them showing a parallel growth usual in this locality, with an undefined compact sandy material attached on the back. Undamaged. Acquired in March 2023.
23P-HUQBeryl Be3Al2(Si6O18) , Albite Na(AlSi3O8) , Quartz SiO2 , Schorl NaFe2+3Al6(Si6O18)(BO3)3(OH)3(OH)
Dimensions: 74 mm x 46 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 74 mm
Weight: 94 g
Single crystal of beryl with the usual hexagonal prismatic habit, gemmy in over a third of its length, and doubly terminated. The lower pinacoid is not complete but it is not broken either. It comes elegantly set on a matrix of albite and some quartz, plus a bit of schorl. Absolutely no damage.
Acquired in March 2023. The previous owner had bought it at Munich 2009 show from a Pakistani dealer
PQU-E4YVesuvianite Ca19Fe3+Al4(Al6Mg2)(◻4)◻[Si2O7]4[(SiO4)10]O(OH)9
Dimensions: 73 mm x 48 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 14 mm
Weight: 218 g
Type locality. Hard to find historical classic specimen of lustrous brown vesuvianite crystals to 14 mm wide and 7 mm thick showing tabular habit with main faces {100} + {110}, included in a skarn dense matrix accompanied on the back with a number of small blackish green hexagonal crystals of what might be clinochlore. From the methamorphic area of Mount Somma, Vesuvius. The locality of this specimen was confirmed in person by the renowned Catalan collector Joaquim Folch i Girona in 1966.
These vesuvianite specimens are no longer available on the market because their deposit has been exhausted for >60 years now.
Acquired from Francesc Coma i Molist in June 1966 for the equivalent of €0.54.
Dimensions: 73 mm x 48 mm. Main crystal: 14 mm x 7 mm. Mass (weight): 218 g.
M3Q-QDHVesuvianite Ca19Fe3+Al4(Al6Mg2)(◻4)◻[Si2O7]4[(SiO4)10]O(OH)9
Dimensions: 69 mm x 56 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 5 mm
Weight: 132 g
Idiomorphic tetragonal crystals of vesuvianite showing {100} and {110} faces, accompanied by albite, inside a contact metamorphic rock. Extracted in July 1982 from a skarn vein in the Carretera de les Aigües, between the Turó Castanyer and Torrent de l'Infern, in the Tibidabo mountain, Collserola, Barcelona, Catalonia.
