THE MIGUEL ROMERO SANCHEZ COLLECTION
of MEXICAN MINERALS
I was honored by the opportunity to purchase this important collection in early 2008,
and to then be able to fund a Book to preserve Miguel's legacy (with help from many others).
It is with great pleasure that I now present some of the specimens from this noted collection for sale online.
In the near future, we will post photos and descriptions of another 80 specimens
from the book, to preserve a more full context of this collection:
(specimens #33-108 were in the book. They are sold, and are posted for reference only).
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The Romero Collection of Mexican Minerals:
Published as a supplement to The Mineralogical Record Vol. 39. No. 6, November–December 2008
by T.C. Wallace, W.E. Wilson, P.K.M. Megaw and R.H. Currier
Miguel Romero (1925-1997) gathered the finest collection of Mexican mineral specimens ever put together--over 6,500 specimens, plus an additional 1,500 specimens from worldwide localities. He was given the Carnegie Mineralogical Award in 1992 for "singlehandedly preserving his country's mineralogical patrimony." This beautiful book depicts 85 of his most important specimens and provides an extensive biography of Romero.
In the centuries-old history of mineral collecting, Miguel Romero was unique. Many people, of course, have enjoyed collecting Mexican minerals over the years, but he is the sole major collector in Mexico since Fausto de Elhuyar (1755-1833) and Manuel Andrés Del Río (1764-1849) to attempt to build a truly comprehensive collection of Mexican minerals, one that included study-grade specimens, locality suites, rare species and display specimens alike. In fact, although Elhuyar’s collection ended up in the Museo Geominero in Madrid, and Del Río built a serviceable teaching collection for the School of Mines in Mexico City, they never had access to the kind of world-class specimens that Romero was offered, primarily because the culture and skills involved in the collecting, preserving, preparing and marketing of such specimens did not yet exist in Mexico in their day.
In 2008 the Romero Collection was broken up and sold by his heirs. This book is a valuable historical documentation of one of the major milestones in the history of mineral collecting. (abstract by Wendell Wilson from www.MineralogicalRecord.com)
CLICK ON THE FOLLOWING LINKS FOR EXCERPTS FROM THE BOOK:
Introduction & BIOGRAPHY of MIGUEL ROMERO (11-page PDF file)
Dedications & Acknowledgements (1-page PDF file)
Specimen Folio examples
TO ORDER THIS BOOK FROM THE PUBLISHER, PLEASE GO TO:
the MINERALOGICAL RECORD website and Book Store
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(click on a page number to go to that page:)
page 1 / 4 - 58 specimens selected - next - bottom - back to the Galleries
ROMERO-01 - Fluorite (spinel-twinned) with Galena and Calcite - $ 2950 SOLD
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
small cabinet, 9.0 x 6.6 x 4.7 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
Perched aesthetically on a contrasting matrix of silvery galena and stark white calcite, is a cluster of intergrown, glassy and gemmy spinel-twinned crystals of fluorite. The fluorite cluster measures 6 cm across. Minor, white calcite crystals, to 0.75 cm in length are associated with the galena crystals that reach 0.5 cm across. This is an appealing combo specimen from Naica with lots of contrast. The aesthetic perch of the fluorite atop the stalk of matrix makes it unusual, as does the twinning so evident in the crystal itself. The crystal atop is remarkably in good shape and not repaired. This is a classic color, a pastel green hue, for the locale. Probably it was mined in the 1980s. This specimen was on loaned exhibit in the University of Arizona Museum for over a decade until my purchase of this collection in 2008. MUCH more gemmy in person! Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.
ROMERO-02 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 1250 SOLD
Amititlan, Guerrero, Mexico
small cabinet, 9.1 x 5.0 x 3.4 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
This 3-dimensional, very transparent cluster of parallel-growth amethyst crystals sits on a thin crust of matrix. The lustrous and gemmy crystals are subtly graded in color from an intense purple to lavender and to clear tips. The largest crystal is 8.3 cm in length. Lovely cluster, this is typicla of older material from the locality but pieces can seldom be found today in such fine condition. Lustre, and gemminess here, are superb! 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-03 - Fluorite on Pyrite - $ 2500 SOLD
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
small cabinet, 6.6 x 5.6 x 4.3 cm
Starkly isolated, discrete, modified cubes of glassy and gemmy, colorless crystals of fluorite, to 1.7 cm, are emplaced on a beautifully contrasting, brassy yellow druse of pyrite. Brown sphalerite crystals with gemmy highlights sit on the periphera of the specimen. The fluorite crystals are exceptionally well formed and the color and texture contrast is amazing. Small crystals, but big impact in this specimen! NOTE - not from the Romero collection but fit in well with the Mexican theme of this update and so was posted here
ROMERO-04 - Fluorite on Calcite - $ 400 SOLD
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
miniature, 5.2 x 4.4 x 4.3 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
Botryoidal and sugary, white calcite is the matrix for two, glassy and gemmy, lavender fluorite crystals, to 2.75 cm across. Both fluorite crystals exhibit stepped growth. Aesthetic Miniature of a rare style for this locality. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.
ROMERO-05 - Wulfenite (bipyramidal crystals) - $ 1500
Parral, Chihuahua, Mexico
small cabinet, 9.1 x 8.1 x 4.8 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
Emplaced on a limonite matrix along with a thin crust of green, botryoidal mimetite are dozens of bi-pyramidal , lustrous, waxy wulfenite crystals to 1.0 cm in length. The crystals are akin to a porcupine's quills. As you can see there are only a few broken crystals, perhaps 1 in a dozen , and it still shows dramatically. This is a very unusual crystal habit, historically and worldwide, for the species. Bipyramidal wulfenite in crystals of this size are not known from many locales (although recently Ojuela produced a number of them). 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-06 - Wulfenite with Mimetite - $ 450
Ojuela Mine, Mapimi, Durango, Mexico
miniature, 5.5 x 3.7 x 3.0 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
A limonite matrix is host to tabular, lustrous and translucent, orangey-caramel crystals of wulfenite, to 1.6 cm across. Contrasting dramatically with the wulfenites are botryoids of apple green mimetite, to .7 cm across. The major crystal is intact, though some secondary crystals are admittedly damaged. Nevertheless, An appealing old combo specimen from Mina Ojuela - this is a VERY rare combo, found jsut a few times in the past. This particular pocket, with large crystals and stark contrast, was noted from the early 1980s..
ROMERO-07 - Fluorite on Calcite - $ 1600 SOLD
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
large cabinet, 16.1 x 9.3 x 6.7 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
A most unusual matrix of snow-white, botryoidal calcite, with spheres up to 5.0 cm across, is the host for discrete, glassy and gemmy, lavender, fluorite crystals, to 2.5 cm across. Every fluorite crystal exhibits incredibly complex and dramatic stepped growth. The color contrast is also marvelous. I have not before seen fluorite of this particular style ON this kind of matrix from here, and the Romero collection had just one large piece , from which we trimmed away a damaged portion to create this far better , if smaller, specimen - still a full cabinet size, but now without the damage he would have seen on a portion of the original piece. 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-08 - Titanite - $ 2500 SOLD
Campo do Boa Mine, Capelinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
small cabinet, 6.3 x 6.0 x 3.7 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
A sparkling cluster of spear-like crystals of glassy and gemmy, yellow-green titanite, to 3.0 cm in length, are perched on a well trimmed matrix on this specimen. The largest crystal and one to its left appear to be the only twinned crystals and stand dramatically (untwinned sphene being unusual). Very minor edge wear on a couple of crystals is insignificant. I believe this deposit has produced the finest titanites ever found...and it was some time ago, so I have not seen anything like this from recent mining in Brazil. This is a geometric, sharp specimen with unusual compact aesthetics, as most of these occurred on big ugly rocks, in my experience. 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
ex. Miguel Romero
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-10 - Galena - $ 2000
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
cabinet, 14.0 x 13.0 x 7.8 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
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-11 - Quartz var. Amethyst - $ 2000
Las Vigas, Veracruz, Mexico
miniature, 5.6 x 4.6 x 3.1 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
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-12 - Apophyllite - $ 2400
San Martin Mine, San Martin, Zacatecas, Mexico
cabinet, 10.8 x 9.8 x 5.7 cm
A gorgeous, pastel pink plate of intergrown, glassy and translucent apophyllite crystals, to 5 cm in length.The tetragonal symmetry of the apophyllite crystals is clearly evident. An unusual treasure from The San Martin Mine, this came from a small find in about 2004. Very few of this calibre came out, and most had considerable damage if in this size range...or were simply smaller. Since that time, a few new finds have come out of pink apophyllite in the form of small, pointy crystals. These large, tabular crystals have remained rare, and this small find should be considered quite important for Mexico, I think. NOTE: Not from Romero collection, although posted in this update as it fit the context well enough. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.
ROMERO-13 - Calcite - $ 950
San Antonio Mine, Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico
small cabinet, 9.9 x 7.3 x 6.0 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
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-14 - Galena with Calcite - $ 2000 SOLD
Gibralter Mine, Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico
cabinet, 13.4 x 9.5 x 5.2 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
In appearance this galena specimen resembles an oreo cookie with galena on both sides of a calcite layer. Intergrown, splendent crystals of metallic galena form the bottom/matrix of this piece, draped by a vein of colorless, sparkling, calcite crystals. Topping the specimen are large, complexly formed crystals of galena, to 2.5 cm in length. The combination makes a dramatic contrast to display the galena, and a true mineral oddity in its overall appearance ! 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. Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.
ROMERO-15 - Chrysoberyl - $ 1800
Espírito Santo, Southeast Region, Brazil
thumbnail, 2.7 x 2.3 x 1.0 cm
ex. Miguel Romero
This floater crystal of chrysoberyl is a "V" twin which is very gemmy and of a classic olive green hue. It is also an apparent floater with no visible points of attachment. Rare and lovely example of this classic, and one of the few non-Mexican pieces kept by Romero in his collection, apparently for "fun". Comes with custom lucite base already made for the specimen.
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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com
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