Marco Tomei's Photo Gallery

T5T-XKQQuartz (Var: Smoky Quartz) SiO₂ , K Feldspar (Var: Adularia) KAlSi₃O₈

Val Giuv, Tujetsch, Surselva Region, Grisons, Switzerland

Dimensions: 7 cm x 4.5 cm x 4.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 3 cm

A complex biterminated crystal of gemmy Smoky Quarz nicely set on an Adularia crystal in the middle of the specimen. This assembly is surrounded by smaller crystals. Aesthetically perfect! [Marco Tomei collection and photo]

2TR-9A3Siderite FeCO₃

Grimsel area, Bern, Switzerland

Dimensions: 7.5 cm x 5 cm x 3 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2.5 cm

A cluster of very sharp brown Siderite rhombs and an isolated, perfect crystal. Here and there are small Quartz crystals. [Marco Tomei collection and photo]

HFE-PCCK Feldspar (Var: Adularia) KAlSi₃O₈

Valais, Switzerland

Dimensions: 11 cm x 6 cm x 7 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2 cm

Clusters of nearly transparent crystals of Adularia, on a matrix coated with a large number of small ones. Very difficult to photograph!
It comes from Muenstigertal, in Wallis. [Marco Tomei collection and photo]

J33-76KVesuvianite Ca₁₉Fe³⁺Al₄(Al₆Mg₂)(◻₄)◻[Si₂O₇]₄[(SiO₄)₁₀]O(OH)₉ , Grossular (Var: Hessonite) Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃ , Clinochlore Mg₅Al(AlSi₃O₁₀)(OH)₈

Bellecombe, Châtillon, Aosta Valley, Italy

Dimensions: 7 cm x 4 cm x 4.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2 cm

Gemmy oil-colored crystal of Vesuvianite with an accent of red on the top from the historical Italian location. It comes from an old collection. [Marco Tomei collection & photo]

Q01-FYLCalcite CaCO₃

Daye Co., Huangshi, Hubei, China

Dimensions: 6 cm x 4 cm x 4.5 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 4.5 cm

Super water-clear twin crystals of Calcite on Matrix. The crystal are more transparent than the photo shows. [Marco Tomei collection & photo]

9UY-D4KK Feldspar (Var: Adularia) KAlSi₃O₈

Mörchnerkar, Finkenberg, Schwaz District, Tyrol, Austria

Dimensions: 6.3 cm x 4.9 cm x 3.8 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2.5 cm

There are several razor sharp terminated crystals of Adularia attractively set on matrix and up to 25mm on edges. These crystals show a fantastic quality, their luster is over the roof and they are partly transparent - this is moon-stone quality! The largest crystal is the exposed one at the top, some of the smaller crystals are powdered with minor greenish chlorite along some edges, which gives even more color and contrast to the piece. [Marco Tomei collection & photo]

AWG-HCMFluorapatite Ca₅(PO₄)₃F , Albite Na(AlSi₃O₈)

Dara-e-Pech pegmatite field, Dara-e-Pech District, Kunar, Afghanistan

Dimensions: 4.2 cm x 2 cm x 3 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 18 mm

One single pinkish Apatite crystal beautifully sits atop a matrix of Diopside accompanied by white Albite. The Apatite is glassy and lustrous with a slight pinkish tinge. [Marco Tomei collection; photo by R. Watzl]

P2V-R25Grossular (Var: Hessonite) Ca₃Al₂(SiO₄)₃

Barang-Turghao, Bajaur District, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Province, Pakistan

Dimensions: 2.7 cm x 2.6 cm x 2 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 1.3 cm

A wonderful thumbnail from a small discovery of orange Hessonite. The crystals are sharp terminated, highly lustrous and with amazing texture on all faces. The contrsat to greenish matrix is very eye-catching. [Marco Tomei collection and photo]

MEE-16FTopaz Al₂(SiO₄)(F,OH)₂ , Lepidolite

Paprok, Kamdesh District, Nuristan, Afghanistan

Dimensions: 5.3 cm x 3.7 cm x 3.4 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 2.7 cm

A main, perfect and transparent Crystal set on the top of a matrix of deep purple Lepidolite. Not common. [Marco Tomei collection and photo]

88A-CKWQuartz SiO₂ , Albite Na(AlSi₃O₈)

Ticino, Switzerland

Dimensions: 5.7 cm x 4 cm x 4 cm
Largest Crystal Size: 4.5 cm

Absolutely water clear, flawless and with superb luster. [Marco Tomei collection and photo]