About Me

Portugal is my land.

My interest with rocks, minerals and fossils began at a very young age. Growing up in a region dominated by a limestone massif, I spent countless hours collecting calcite rhombohedrons from local quarries, often after long walks through the countryside. These early experiences fostered a lasting appreciation for crystal forms and the remarkable diversity of minerals.

Time spent alone in the field allowed me to develop a strong connection with nature and led me to collect marine fossils preserved within mountainous landscapes far from today's coastline. These discoveries revealed the immense timescales of Earth's history, a perspective that continues to fascinate me.

Today, my interests focus primarily on Portuguese minerals, with particular emphasis on specimens collected through personal fieldwork. I am especially drawn to phosphates, feldspars, twinned crystals, pseudomorphs and the often overlooked so-called “ugly” rocks, which I value for their geological significance rather than conventional beauty.

Beyond collecting, I have a deep interest in mining history. I am always seeking out historical books on Portuguese mining and regularly exploring abandoned mine galleries, coastal outcrops and historic copper-mining sites. My Mindat.org page serves as a record of this ongoing journey, bringing together fieldwork, history and a lifelong curiosity about the natural world.