Every crystal holds a light. But sometimes that light is hidden beneath encrustations, oxidation, or secondary coatings. Mechanical cleaning is often the firstβand decisiveβstep to recover the crystal`s original geometry and beauty.
At MCP, we use precision tools and techniques tailored to the nature of the matrix and the dominant crystal. The goal is never to remove "too much," but to selectively eliminate what prevents visual and mineralogical reading.
Micro-sandblasters, micro-burrs, precision needles, and optical supports allow us to work delicately, even on the most fragile zones. Each intervention is preceded by a study phase to anticipate results and agree with the client on the best strategy.
π Wondering if your specimen would benefit from mechanical cleaning? Share a few details: weβll evaluate its potential together.
π« Specimen in preparation β Intervention: selective mechanical cleaning
π§ͺ MCP Lab β Removal of coatings and surface encrustations
πΈ Photo @federico_picciani
#mineralpreparation #cleaning #mechanicalcleaning #geology #mineralcollection #mcpitaly
Every specimen tells a story, but not all stories are legible at first glance. When the host rock conceals the crystal`s geometry or balance, we apply a technique of precision: trimming.
Cutting, reducing, lightening: the goal is never to alter the nature of the specimen, but to reveal its beauty. In the lab, we define the ideal volume to highlight the crystal habit, mineral arrangement, and three-dimensionality.
Sometimes trimming is done to meet size criteria (thumbnail, miniature, small cabinetβ¦), other times to retrieve secondary pieces from complex specimens. Each decision is preceded by visual analysis, often supported by photographic renderings.
Because it`s not just about cutting: it`s about choosing where the essence should emerge.
π Want to know if your specimen could benefit from trimming? Send us a few images: weβll assess it together.
π« Specimen in preparation β Intervention: trimming in planning stage
π§ͺ MCP Lab β Volume and aesthetic analysis
πΈ Photo @federico_picciani
#mineralpreparation #trimming #crystallab #geology #mineralcollection #mcpitaly
π In MCP every crystal is a work of art.
For years, weβve been telling the story of minerals. Today, we open a window onto the heart of our work: laboratory services.
From matrix reduction to mechanical and chemical cleaning, from aesthetic restoration to conservative reconstruction, and from museum preparation to direct acquisition at mining sites β each phase showcases a unique expertise developed with precision, passion, and method.
Founded in 2012 by Federico Pezzotta, MCP is now the best worldβs leading lab for mineral specimen preparation. Our goal is constant: to enhance the crystalβs aesthetics, integrity, and readability while respecting its original structure.
Our approach is multidisciplinary, blending scientific, technical, and artistic skills. With over 600 international clientsβcollectors, dealers, museums, and mining companiesβwe have treated tens of thousands of specimens, helping set new standards in mineral preparation.
If you own a specimen and wonder how it could be improved, share its story and a few photos with us: our team can offer tailored advice, based on technical analysis and experience built over thousands of case studies.
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab β Specimen under analysis β Current interventions: mechanical cleaning, trimming evaluation, possible internal consolidation
πΈ Photo @federico_picciani
#mineralpreparation #mineralcollection #labservices #geology #restoration #mineralart #mcpitaly
Metallic light: two ways to become legendary
Forged by time, shaped by perfect geometries and captivating designs.
One dazzles, the other reflects.
Gold and pyrite, βgold feverβ and βfoolβs goldβ share the allure of metal, but reveal opposite natures: one soft, rare, and noble; the other hard, sharp, and structured. Yet both shine at the heart of the most refined collections.
π‘ Native gold, elegantly crystallized on a pale quartz matrix
βοΈ Iron cross pyrite, with satin-finished surfaces and impeccable crystal growth
Two interpretations of metallic beauty. Which one inspires you?
π Contact us to discover available specimens or visit our website www.mcp-italy.com
π Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Laboratory
πΈ Photos and videos @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #mineralcollection #geology #mcpitaly #gold #pyrite #crystallovers
𦩠Pink Tourmaline Challenge
From blush to magenta, every shade tells a story of light.
Four crystals. Four tones. One impossible choice.
Which one would you crown as your favorite?
Swipe through the carousel and vote in the comments:
1οΈβ£ Sculptural geometry
2οΈβ£ Rainbow elegance
3οΈβ£ Crystal on crystal
4οΈβ£ Minimalist purity
The beauty lies in the nuances.
π Contact us to discover available specimens or explore more on our website.
π Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #tourmaline #mcpitaly
Some crystals donβt just shineβthey speak.
This topaz seems to converse with light, refracting it gently across each facet like a droplet of water suspended in time. Its blue is never static: it moves, vibrates, breathes.
Some faces reveal delicate textures, traces of its slow formation. Others are smooth as glass, mirrors of an ancient calm. Around it, golden mica guards the silence like a natural frame. Without matrix, without artifice, itβs a crystal that asks only to be seen. And listened to.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more information!
π Topaz - Specimen mounted on custom plexiglass base - No restoration. Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahlerβ¨β¨π Teixerinha, Minas Gerais, Brazilβ¨π Dimensions: Height: 6 cm β Width: 5 cm β Depth: 5 cmβ¨π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Labβ¨π Source: @mindatorg
β¨πΈ Photo and Video @federico_piccianiβ¨#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #topaz #brazil
Topaz β Crystallography and natural purity
Mineralogically, topaz is an aluminum fluorosilicate with an orthorhombic crystal system. This specimen is a textbook example: sharp faces, intact terminations, and fine striations across some surfaces all testify to its orderly growth in pegmatitic environments.
The crystalβs high transparency and lack of visible inclusions are key quality criteria in mineralogical classification. Moreover, the presence of golden mica reinforces the paragenetic diagnosis, signaling the evolution of a hydrothermal system enriched with rare elements.
This specimen, complete and unrestored, stands as a visual and crystallographic reference for topazes from Teixerinha.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more information!
π Topaz - Specimen mounted on custom plexiglass base - No restoration. Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Teixerinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
π Dimensions: Height: 6 cm β Width: 5 cm β Depth: 5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #topaz #brazil
Topaz β An ancient name for a modern gem
The name βtopazβ has ancient and fascinating origins: it may derive from the island of Topazos in the Red Sea, or from the Sanskrit word βtapas,β meaning fire. Although known for millennia, the sky-blue topaz from Teixerinha only began gaining prominence on the market in recent decades, becoming a symbol of modern Brazilian mineralogy.
This transparent, crystalline specimen represents a new vision of topaz: not merely a gemstone for cutting, but a collectible object to study and admire in its natural form. Mounted on a plexiglass base without any restoration, it bridges the gap between historical legacy and contemporary appreciation.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more information!
π Topaz - Specimen mounted on custom plexiglass base - No restoration. Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Teixerinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
π Dimensions: Height: 6 cm β Width: 5 cm β Depth: 5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #topaz #brazil
Topaz β Witness of a silent genesis
The blue topazes of Teixerinha are the result of a long geological process under unique conditions. They form within pegmatitic cavities rich in fluorine, where thermal and chemical stability allows the crystallization of transparent, well-developed topaz crystals.
Their clarity is a sign of chemical purity and slow growth, supported by the abundance of elements like aluminum and fluorine. The association with golden mica, typical of the locality, confirms the pegmatitic nature of the formation environment. Every texture visible on the crystalβs faces reflects the phases of growth and the fluctuations in hydrothermal solutions.
This complete, intact specimen silently tells the story of the geological balance that gave rise to one of the most sought-after gems by collectors.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more information!
π Topaz - Specimen mounted on custom plexiglass base - No restoration. Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Teixerinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
π Dimensions: Height: 6 cm β Width: 5 cm β Depth: 5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #topaz #brazil
Topaz - A balance of blue and light
When we think of transparent blue minerals, aquamarine usually comes to mind. But experienced collectors know thereβs another silent protagonist worth attention: Brazilian topaz.
This specimen from Teixerinha, in the state of Minas Gerais, is a perfect example.
The crystal is a small miracle of balance between shape and transparency. Its surface captures light from every angle, while the interior reveals aquatic shades and characteristic textures that speak of its natural formation. The presence of golden mica, discreet yet unmistakable, is the hallmark of its origin.
Devoid of matrix but mounted on a custom plexiglass base made in our labs, this topaz is ready to be admired and displayed in its purest form. Every detail has been preserved: no restoration, just the power of natural elegance.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more information!
π Topaz - Specimen mounted on custom plexiglass base - No restoration
π Teixerinha, Minas Gerais, Brazil
π Dimensions: Height: 6 cm β Width: 5 cm β Depth: 5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #topaz #brazil
Fluorite [CaFβ] β An alpine poem carved in transparency
This fluorite crystal, with its violet hues fading into icy gneiss, seems to hold the essence of an Alpine winter. A frozen fragment of landscape: light, silence, and structure fused into a near-musical harmony.
The cubeβs elegance, its ethereal sheen, and the visual dialogue with quartz and epidote make it a piece to be both admired and contemplated. Perfect for collectors seeking emotion as well as perfection.
π This specimen is not available, but if you want to enrich your collection, contact us via DM for more specimens and crystals!
π Fluorite [CaFβ] - Specimen restored in MCP Lab - Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy
π Dimensions: Height: 10 cm β Width: 8 cm β Depth: 4 cm β Fluorite crystal: 2.5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #fluorite #italy
Fluorite [CaFβ] β The discipline of symmetry in its purest form
Fluorite belongs to the cubic crystal systemβone of the simplest and most harmonious in nature. This specimen is a clear example: clean faces, balanced proportions, and violet transparencies that shift with the light.
Its association with quartz and epidote is typical of Baceno, making it immediately recognizable. The presence of a white gneiss matrix, a complex metamorphic rock, further enhances its mineralogical value.
π This specimen is not available, but if you want to enrich your collection, contact us via DM for more specimens and crystals!
π Fluorite [CaFβ] - Specimen restored in MCP Lab - Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy
π Dimensions: Height: 10 cm β Width: 8 cm β Depth: 4 cm β Fluorite crystal: 2.5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #fluorite #italy
Fluorite [CaFβ] β A violet symphony set in Alpine white
Nestled in a pristine matrix of gneiss, this violet fluorite crystal stands out for its intense color and brilliant cubic geometry. The contrast between the fluorite and the white base, enriched by quartz and epidote, gives the specimen a refined and unmistakable aesthetic.
The 2.5 cm crystal is perfectly positioned at the center of the composition, as if nature itself intended to emphasize its presence. Carefully restored in our lab, this piece retains all its expressive power.
π This specimen is not available, but if you want to enrich your collection, contact us via DM for more specimens and crystals!
π Fluorite [CaFβ] - Specimen restored in MCP Lab - Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy
π Dimensions: Height: 10 cm β Width: 8 cm β Depth: 4 cm β Fluorite crystal: 2.5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #fluorite #italy
Fluorite [CaFβ] β The stone that inspired science and discovery
The name βfluoriteβ comes from the Latin fluere, meaning βto flowβ, due to its historical use as a flux in metallurgy. The mineral also gave rise to the term fluorescence, coined by George Gabriel Stokes in the 19th century while studying the optical effect observed in some specimens under ultraviolet light.
This piece from Baceno is part of a long tradition of scientific and historical significance: from metallurgical practice to optical breakthroughs and modern collecting. A specimen that embodies beauty, history, and mineralogical culture.
π This specimen is not available, but if you want to enrich your collection, contact us via DM for more specimens and crystals!
π Fluorite [CaFβ] - Specimen restored in MCP Lab - Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy
π Dimensions: Height: 10 cm β Width: 8 cm β Depth: 4 cm β Fluorite crystal: 2.5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg, @treccani
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #fluorite #italy
Fluorite [CaFβ] β Geometric order born from the heart of the mountain
Fluorite is a calcium halide that crystallizes in the cubic system, forming sharp, luminous geometries. In the Alpine setting of Baceno, it develops in fluorine-rich hydrothermal veins, often accompanied by quartz and epidote, as seen in this rare example.
Its deep violet hue results from lattice defects and rare ion inclusions, formed during slow crystal growth under high-pressure, high-temperature conditions. The white gneiss matrix, beyond its striking visual impact, reveals the regionβs complex geological dynamics.
π This specimen is not available, but if you want to enrich your collection, contact us via DM for more specimens and crystals!
π Fluorite [CaFβ] - Specimen restored in MCP Lab - Selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Baceno, Verbano-Cusio-Ossola Province, Piedmont, Italy
π Dimensions: Height: 10 cm β Width: 8 cm β Depth: 4 cm β Fluorite crystal: 2.5 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #fluorite #italy
Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] β Like liquid light on snow
Some crystals seem to speak. Not with words, but with the way they catch the light, with the intensity of their color, with the softness of how they rest on stone. In this specimen, rhodochrosite is not just a mineralβit is an act of beauty. Its crystals seem to drip light, like red drops upon frozen stillness.
The subtle transparency, the vivid red, the harmonious composition create a small mineral landscape where everything is silence and precision. A visual pause, like a breath within matter. A poem in crystalline form.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more info and pricing!
π Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] - No restoration - Specimen selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Sweet Home Mine, Alma Mining District, Colorado, USA
π Dimensions: Height: 25 cm β Width: 18 cm β Depth: 8 cm β Main crystal: 1.4 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #rhodochrosite #usa
Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] β A dance of light and proportion
Looking at this specimen is like witnessing a natural choreography: red crystals, lustrous and partly transparent, emerging from the white matrix in perfect balance between fullness and emptiness. Each crystal seems deliberately placed, like notes on a score, in a visual symphony that blends strength and grace.
The white quartz is not just a supportβit is an active part of the overall beauty, amplifying the contrast and reflecting light on the surfaces of the rhodochrosite. All of it without artifice, without restoration, in its original integrity. A composition that strikes for elegance and authenticity.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more info and pricing!
π Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] - No restoration - Specimen selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Sweet Home Mine, Alma Mining District, Colorado, USA
π Dimensions: Height: 25 cm β Width: 18 cm β Depth: 8 cm β Main crystal: 1.4 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #rhodochrosite #usa
Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] β A geological masterpiece
The formation of rhodochrosites in the Sweet Home Mine is linked to a system of hydrothermal veins rich in manganese, which over time generated crystal cavities of extraordinary beauty. The presence of white quartz in this context reflects the coexistence of different crystallization phases: one older and silica-rich, the other later, rich in manganese carbonate.
The intense red color is due to the chemical purity of the mineral and the transparency that allows internal light diffusion. The crystals developed under slow and stable conditions, enabling the formation of smooth, glossy, and regular faces like those observed in this specimen.
A geology lesson that reads through the eyes.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more info and pricing!
π Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] - No restoration - Specimen selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Sweet Home Mine, Alma Mining District, Colorado, USA
π Dimensions: Height: 25 cm β Width: 18 cm β Depth: 8 cm β Main crystal: 1.4 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #rhodochrosite #usa
MCP at HardRock Summit 2025 | Denver, USA
Weβre ready to fly overseas with a selection of specimens curated with passion, precision, and an ever-present eye for beauty!
From September 4 to 7, MCP will take part in the Denver Gem and Mineral Show 2025, presenting the finest pieces restored in our lab and our professional services.
π§ Youβll find us at booth HS.355
Itβs a great opportunity to meet, share the story behind each specimen, and engage with one of the most vibrant mineral communities in the world.
From the most transparent fluorite to the most sculptural hematite, every piece we bring reflects a commitment to quality, aesthetics, and detail.
π See you in Denver! For info or appointments, feel free to message us.
π MCP β Mineralogical Collection Professionals
π September 4-7, 2025
π Denver Gem and Mineral Show β Hardrock Summit
π§ Booth HS.355
π§ Specimens restored and mounted in MCP Lab
#denvergemandmineralshow #minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #mcp #hardrocksummit
Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] β Red Passion
The Sweet Home Mine, now inactive, is historically known for having produced some of the most spectacular rhodochrosites ever seen: vibrant red crystals, often associated with white quartz. The current rarity of high-quality specimens makes pieces like this especially desirable on the collector`s market.
In this example, rhodochrosite appears in its most striking form: vivid red crystals, sharply cut and highly lustrous, rising from a pure white quartz matrix. Some are so transparent that they let the light through like ruby-tinted glass. The arrangement of the crystals is not chaotic, but follows an elegant order, as if nature had designed a mineral architecture of harmony and proportion.
What makes this specimen even more extraordinary is its size: 25 centimeters of pure wonder, a truly rare format for this locality. A whole, intact piece, unrestored: an authentic witness of a mine that has closed its doors but continues to inspire dreams.
π Specimen available! Contact us in DM for more info and pricing!
π Rhodochrosite [MnCOβ] - No restoration - Specimen selected by @pezzottafederico and @urban_strahler
π Sweet Home Mine, Alma Mining District, Colorado, USA
π Dimensions: Height: 25 cm β Width: 18 cm β Depth: 8 cm β Main crystal: 1.4 cm
π¨πΌβπ¬ MCP Lab
π Source: @mindatorg
πΈ Photo and Video @federico_picciani
#minerals #crystals #gemstones #geology #mineralcollection #rhodochrosite #usa