THE MIGUEL ROMERO SANCHEZ COLLECTION of MEXICAN MINERALS

THE MIGUEL ROMERO SANCHEZ COLLECTION
of MEXICAN MINERALS

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ROMERO-32 - Vanadinite - $ 7500
Apex Mine, San Carlos Mine, Chihuahua, Mexico
small cabinet, 9 x 8.6 x 5 cm

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The Apex Mine is a small, relatively unknown locality to many collectors. Yet, for brief periods in the early 1900s and again in the 1930s-1952, it produced some of the finest vanadinite in the Southwest (more information can be found in the MEXICO V issue of teh Mineralogical Record). Most are small pieces, and many are lost to the damages of time. A cabinet specimen like this should be considered extremely rare and ahrd to own. This is a very aesthetic cluster of branching crystals, arranged like a flower with larger crystals to 2 cm forming a core cluster, right in the middle. It has habit, color,and a flowing style that clearly stands out from pieces found at other vanadinite locales. This specimen from the Dr Miguel Romero collection was exchanged out of the Romero collection to a fellow collector, before the remainder of the Romero collection went on loan exhibition to the University of Arizona Museum. Romero traded it to Evan Jones , a fellow collector of Mexican classics, in the early 1990s. I obtained it from Evan by exchange in 2007, apart from my upcoming purchase of the Romero collection,and held for this release. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen. Labels for both Romero and Jones are with the piece.

ROMERO-30 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 900
Amatitlan, Guerrero, Mexico
cabinet, 10.5 x 6.0 x 4.9 cm

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This is an intensely colored, 3-dimensional cluster of converging, lustrous and gemmy, amethyst crystals. They reach to 9 cm in length. All are complete save two minor ones: the two broken crystals, one in the back and one in the lower right-front, are not detracting visually when one considers the whole specimen although the price is reduced accordingly because the two breaks are there, even if discreet. Unlike the Vera Cruz amethyst where the color tends towards more lavender hues, the Guerrero amethyst is more intense in the body of the crystal , truly purple; and this is a classic example. Aesthetic group, from old finds here! Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008.

ROMERO-24 - Silver pseudo. after Acanthite - $ 3500
Rayas Mine, Guanajuato, Mexico
small cabinet, 6.4 x 4.3 x 3.7 cm

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This is truly a rare and unusual specimen. It is a significant piece, and I have not seen similar from Mexico in this style. Hoppered growths of of large, unusually robust acanthite crystals, to 1.6 cm across, have been altered to silver here. The weight of this piece is clearly MUCH heavier than it would be if these were still acanthite crystals, so it is not just a surface alteration. As an added bonus, some of the interstitial spaces contain chromium chlorargyrite, which is glassy and ivory colored. Unique and important specimen of a rare silver replacement for this locality. Silver pseudos after acanthite are rare enough, and in crystals of this size...surprising. This specimen was one that should have been in the book , probably! But, length dictated a cull of the included photos at the time. It is, nevertheless, an important Mexican silver specimen

ROMERO-21 - Azurite - $ 1800
Concepcion Del Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico
cabinet, 14.1 x 8.8 x 5.2 cm

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A large number of glassy, neon-royal-blue crystals of azurite, so intensely colored they have almost purple edge highlights, lay atop this matrix plate. The crystals are to 1.0 cm in length. There are also 3 chatoyant, green crystals of primary malachite, to .5 cm in length. Although the crystals are small, the quality is outstanding, top of the charts for this locale, and it is a very colorful and fine specimen oveall. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.

ROMERO-20 - Malachite with Quartz - $ 900
Concepcion Del Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico
small cabinet, 7.8 x 6.1 x 5.6 cm

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Primary malachite is for some reason quite unusual from Mexico, and this is a very attractive example as well. A vug in massive quartz is covered in a druse of gemmy, sparkling, quartz crystals, alternately colored by malachite and perhaps goethite. Sitting majestically at the top of the specimen is a large botryoidal (rounded) cluster of lustrous, dark green malachite, measuring just over 2 cm across. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008.

ROMERO-16 - Topaz - $ 2500
Tepetate, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
small cabinet, 5.9 x 2.2 x 1.6 cm

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This is a rather large, glassy and gemmy, sherry-colored topaz from Tepetate. The whitish mass at the termination is a cluster of spheroidal hyalite opal, which fluoresces. Many such crystals were found prior to the 1980s, but now they are seldom seen on the market, even in small size. This one is a monster for the locale, among the largest that I know of, and would be considered a MAJOR Mexican topaz crystal. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008.

ROMERO-13 - Calcite - $ 950
San Antonio Mine, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico
small cabinet, 9.9 x 7.3 x 6.0 cm

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Superb, flower-like rosettes, composed of diverging crystals of lustrous and translucent calcite, are aesthetically perched on massive, metallic galena. The largest rosette measures nearly 5 cm in length. It is a striking piece more reminiscent of Romanian material, than of Mexican. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.

ROMERO-11 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 2000
Las Vigas, Veracruz, Mexico
miniature, 5.6 x 4.6 x 3.1 cm

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This is a rather exquisite, glassy and gemmy amethyst specimen with the two primary crystals forming a perfect "V" that at first glance one suspects is a Japan Law twin. The lustre is as high as youc an ask for. The intensity of the rich purple color is intensified at the terminal ends of the crystals in a reverse of the more common style, in which tips get lighter. THIS IS A VERY RARE PHENOMENON in vera Cruz amethyst. .The largest crystal measures 4.5 cm in length. The amethyst side-cars add considerably to this lovely specimen, especially the tiny crystal right at heart of the "V". Definitely, a competitive-quality miniature that stands out from the crowd! This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.

ROMERO-10 - Galena - $ 3000
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
cabinet, 14.0 x 13.0 x 7.8 cm

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This is a solid, intergrown galena specimen that is simply stunning in person for its super-bright metallic lustre and complex crystal forms. But to me, the key ingredient for this becoming a world class galena specimen, is that all the crystals (to 5cm) have a slightly melted appearance and the piece overall is UNIQUE amongst thousands of other galena specimens for this effect. For accent there is a druse of white quartz crystals on some of the galena crystals. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.

ROMERO-09 - Jamesonite - $ 6000
Concepcion Del Oro, Zacatecas, Mexico
cabinet, 14.3 x 9.6 x 8.3 cm

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This is a MAJOR example of the species from a small find that few people are aware of, I have found. I am told it was a small pocket in the mid-1980s, and I have seen only a handful turn up on the market as old collections recycle. These simply blow away other Mexican jamesonite specimens, and most worldwide jamesonite for that matter as well, for their robust crystals and bright metallic lustre. In fact, I would venture to say these are the world's best jamesonites, for my own taste. This piece has a rich smothering of splendent, metallic-gray crystals of jamesonite to 4.0 cm across in on druse of brassy yellow pyrite. There is also a gray rhombohedron of calcite perched on top, measuring 3 cm across. This specimen is one of the two largest and richest jamesonite specimens I have seen from this deposit, and is very important for the species. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008.

ROMERO-56 - Paradamite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
small cabinet, 6.4 x 6 x 5 cm

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Paradamite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico [db_pics/new09mix/Paradamite-Ojuela_Mine-Romero.jpg]

This extreme rarity is not only aesthetic on its own merits, quite lustrous and with a pineapple-like color to it that is unusually good for the species; but it is also the finest example of the species known, by an order of magnitude. It is considered to be one of the great treasures of the Romero collection. Once a core specimen on display in both his museum, and later for a decade in the University of Arizona Mineral Museum on loan from the Romero family. Featured in the book on Romero's collection, on page 30. Jeff Scovil photo

ROMERO-55 - Legrandite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
small cabinet, 6 x 3.8 x 3 cm

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Legrandite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico [db_pics/new09mix/Legrandite-Ojuela_Mine-1-Romero.jpg]

The Romero collection contained the single most important stash of fine legrandites still in one place, and this was one of his several matrix specimens. It is a radiating cluster of crystals to nearly 4 cm, perched on limonite matrix. It has no damage save a few trivial contacts at base. In color, it is a pure lemon yellow, the top hue for the species, and has a 3-dimensionality hard to convey in photographs. The story of this find is told on page 28 of teh book, in relating the adventures of the famous Aztec Sun specimen also in the Romero collection. Once a core specimen on display in both his museum, and later for a decade in the University of Arizona Mineral Museum on loan from the Romero family. Featured in the book on Romero's collection, on page 30. Jeff Scovil photo

ROMERO-54 - Adamite - SOLD
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
small cabinet, 8.5 x 6.25 x 4.5 cm

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Adamite from Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico [db_pics/new09mix/Adamite-Ojuela_Mine-3-Romero.jpg]

While there have been thousands of adamites, seldom do you get such aesthetics, such balance, combined with the ultimate in glassy lustre and translucent yellow-green color-saturation. This piece has long been held as the "model" for what a killer adamite of this habit (so-called "green pinwheels") should look like, and was a signature piece of the collection. Its striking color and lustre is not well-captured in the photo, and it is much more intense in person. Once a core specimen on display in both his museum, and later for a decade in the University of Arizona Mineral Museum on loan from the Romero family. Featured in the book on Romero's collection, on page 32. Jeff Scovil photo

ROMERO-53 - Acanthite - SOLD
Las Chispas Mine, Arizpe, Sonora, Mexico
cabinet, 12 x 8 x 7 cm

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Acanthite from Las Chispas Mine, Arizpe, Sonora, Mexico [db_pics/new09mix/Acanthite-1-Romero.jpg]

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Acanthite from Las Chispas Mine, Arizpe, Sonora, Mexico [db_pics/new09mix/Acanthite-1b-Romero.jpg]

It was an honor to hold this piece...my hands have seldom trembled, but it was humbling to be entrusted with such an incredible specimen. It is hard to appreciate this piece, until held in the hand. It has such dimensionality, such geometry, that it looks man-made and like no other acanthite I have seen in nature. It is an order of magnitude more important and impressive than any other Mexican acanthite I have seen , excepting only the famous Houston Museum specimen. And, for a "black mineral" it has remarkable aesthetic and display impact. The piece is simply mesmerizing....and note, this is not my own opinion only, but shared by many others who have seen the specimen over the decade it was on loan to a public museum; and by many collector specialists who know far more about silver species than I do. In fact, I have heard many collectors pronounce this to be the finest example of acanthite from ANY locality, as Dr. Terry Wallace and Dr. Wendell Wilson convey in the Romero Collection book where they add: This specimen is widely regarded as the finest example of the species in existence. It was originally collected by (mine owner) John Pedrazzini around 1890 and may have been among the spectacular specimens that he exhibited at the 1893 World's Columbian Exposition in Chicago.He eventually presented it to Mexican mineralogist Prof. Eduardo Schmitter Villada (1904-1982) , who later gave it to Migrual Romero (as a gift to his former graduate student). Mining here ceased in 1930. This cabinet-sized specimen is considered to be one of the greatest treasures of the Romero collection. Some people who have seen the collection ranking this even ahead of the famous Aztec Sun legrandite in importance and beauty! Once a core specimen on display in both his museum, and later for a decade in the University of Arizona Mineral Museum on loan from the Romero family. Featured in the book on Romero's collection, on page 18. Jeff Scovil photo

ROMERO-25B - Datolite - SOLD
Charcas, San Luis Potosi, Mexico
cabinet, 13.9 x 10.1 x 7.2 cm

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Romero particularly prized these datolites, which before the discovery of (somewhat different styled) crystals from Dalnegorsk, were surely the worlds best of species. Even still today, they have amazing symmetry and geometry that are not often equaled. He had 3 in the collection. This is the largest of them, the only cabinet sized specimen. It is a complete mound of geometric, translucent, seafoam-green crystals of datolite, measuring to about 2 inches across. For crystallography, these old datolites really are highly desirable, but so seldom seen. In great condition, and with a nice accent of pyrite! An elegant example of this species, from a locale that most folks simple have never seen one from. This specimen from the Dr Miguel Romero collection was on loan exhibition to the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade, until my purchase of this collection in 2008. It was on display in special cases at the museum. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.

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