Important Historical Mineralogical Collection Mineral Collection- 5200 g - (26)

Important late-20th-century historical mineral collection – 26 selected samples, 5.2 kg

This important late-20th-century historical mineral collection brings together 26 selected samples, for a total weight of 5.2 kg, about 5200 grams.

The lot comprises a very varied selection of Italian and foreign minerals, with a strong presence of classic Italian localities such as Sasso di Castro, Castelluccio di Moscheda, Secchiano, Porretta Terme, Brosso, Valle Giove, Osilo, Selvino, Pereta and Le Cetine, alongside samples from Spain, Peru, Russia, Madagascar, Switzerland and Brazil.

The dominant piece of the entire lot is a gigantic datolite crystal from Sasso di Castro, the true centerpiece of the collection by size, importance and aesthetic impact. Around this specimen develops a rich collection of quartz, gypsum, iron minerals, sulfides, carbonates and silicates, with a nice alternation between classical Italian specimens and high-quality international contributions.

The lot includes:

• Datolite – Sasso di Castro, Firenzuola, Tuscany
A large datolite specimen, the most important piece in the entire lot. The datolite from Sasso di Castro is one of the most classic and sought-after in Italian mineralogy, appreciated for its vitreous luster, crystallization quality and its link to the ophiolitic context of the Tuscan-Emilian Appennine.

• Hematite mammillated – Santa Rosa Mine, Spain
Spanish hematite specimen with typical mammillated morphology, i.e., formed by rounded and botryoidal surfaces. Very interesting in appearance, luster and aesthetic yield.

• Black beta-quartz – Castelluccio di Moscheda, Modena, Emilia-Romagna
Classic Appennine beta-quartz, with a dark coloration linked to inclusions and ferric oxides. A very representative sample of Modenese mineralogy.

• Gypsum slice – Gabicce Mare, Pesaro e Urbino, Marche
Gypsum specimen presented in cross-section, interesting for transparency, texture and Adriatic provenance.

• Gypsum petal – Secchiano, Emilia-Romagna
Gypsum specimen with a thin lamellar development, described as a “petal” for its elegant and slender form. Very characteristic sample.

• Siderite and quartz – Brosso, Turin, Piedmont
Interesting association between siderite, iron carbonate, and quartz. A Piedmontese specimen with good collectible value, tied to a classic locality.

• Gypsum in septaria – Secchiano, Emilia-Romagna
Specimen where gypsum develops in relation to a septarian structure. Very interesting morphologically and didactically.

• Hematite – Valle Giove, Isola d’Elba, Tuscany
Classic Elba iron-oxide specimen, from one of the island’s most famous localities. Valle Giove hematite is appreciated for its metallic luster and strong territorial value.

• Calcite – Rome, Lazio
Lazio calcite specimen, simple but interesting for provenance and to complete the geographical variety of the lot.

• Black beta-quartz – Castelluccio di Moscheda, Modena, Emilia-Romagna
Second beta-quartz exemplar from the locality, representative of the typical Appennine crystallization of this Modenese locality.

• Sulfur – Le Cetine of Coturniano, Siena, Tuscany
Classic Tuscan sulfur from a historic locality linked to antimony mineralizations. The bright yellow color makes it instantly recognizable and highly prized.

• Black beta-quartz – Castelluccio di Moscheda, Modena, Emilia-Romagna
Third specimen from the locality, useful to reinforce the Appennine component of the lot and to show the aesthetic variety of Modenese beta-quartz.

• Rhodochrosite – Peru
Foreign rhodochrosite specimen, manganese carbonate highly valued for pink to rose-red tones. A definitely aesthetically appealing piece.

• Tetrahedrite – Lima, Peru
Rare and interesting tetrahedrite specimen, copper- and antimony-sulfosalt. Peruvian origin adds international value to the collection.

• Pyrite – San Clemente, Bologna, Emilia-Romagna
Classic Emilian-Romagna pyrite specimen, with metallic luster and strong territorial value.

• Rhodochrosite – Russia
Second rhodochrosite specimen, this time from Russia. Interesting for comparing different provenances of the same species.

• Celestine – Madagascar
Celestine specimen from Madagascar, strontium sulfate appreciated for luster, delicate tones and collecting charm.

• Barite – Iglesias, Sardinia
Sardinian barite specimen, from one of Italy’s most important mining areas. Mineral known for high specific gravity and variety of crystal forms.

• “Sanite” – Ticino, Switzerland
Specimen labeled as “sanite” from Ticino. The designation is kept as historical collection information, pending possible more precise species verification.

• Amazonite – Brazil
Amazonite specimen, green-blue microcline variety, from Brazil. Highly prized for color and aesthetic value.

• Quartz hopper-formed – Porretta Terme, Emilia-Romagna
Quartz specimen with hopper growth, characterized by a particularly interesting crystalline development morphologically.

• Amethyst – Osilo, Sardinia
Classic Sardinian amethyst specimen from one of Italy’s best-known localities for this quartz variety. The violet color enhances its collecting appeal.

• Gypsum – Sicily
Sicilian gypsum specimen, representative of the island’s large evaporite contexts. A simple yet meaningful piece.

• Quartz – Selvino, Lombardy
Quartz specimen from Selvino, a Lombard locality well known in Italian collecting.

• “Herkimer-type”/diamond quartz – Selvino, Lombardy
Very bright and clear quartz, labeled as “Herkimer-type” or diamond-like quartz. Interesting for aesthetics and the strong collecting appeal of this type.

• Antimonite – Pereta, Tuscany
Specimen from the historic Pereta mining area, a classic Tuscan locality linked to antimony minerals. A very interesting piece for systematics and provenance.

This late-20th-century historic collection brings together 26 selected samples for variety, provenance and collecting interest. The Italian component is very strong and centers around classic Appennine, Tuscany, Elba, Sardinia, Piedmont and Lombardy localities, with a few international additions chosen to further enrich the collection’s level.

The value of the lot lies primarily in the balance between important pieces, aesthetic specimens and well-known localities: from the great datolite crystal from Sasso di Castro to the Modenese beta-quartz, from Tuscan sulfurs to Romagna gypsum, up to the Peruvian tetrahedrite, the Madagascan celestine and the Brazilian amazonite. A broad, serious and very interesting set, suited to those seeking a collection already structured and with a clear mineralogical identity.

Kire Minerals is proud to offer this important late-20th-century historic mineral collection, personally selected by Erik Lombini with the usual passion and expertise. Each specimen has been evaluated for aesthetic, scientific or collecting interest, with the aim of offering an authentic, varied lot rich in character.

Kire Minerals – your collection, with passion.