Apatite (purple) - rare locality
stock #22.1-488
Chas de Tavares, Mangualde
Viseu,
Portugal
1.2 x 1 x .8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $360
Pre Tucson
A sharp, glass and bright purple Apatite crystal from a very little known locality, found in 2012. Ex Alain Martaud collection this is in excellent condition and shows zoning with the more vivid purple color near the bottom of the crystal and when viewed through the termination the very center has a colorless zone in the core. Portugal is one of the world’s great sources of fine Apatite from the famed Panasqueira Mine, but this locality is over 125 KM to the west and the region has a very complex and different type of mineralogy. Very few of the Apatites from here are purple and most are a lot smaller, this is superb for the locality.
Cassiterite on Ferberite
stock #22.FC-014
Panasquieira Mines, Panasquiera Covilha
Castelo Branco District,
Portugal
4.3 x 3.3 x 1.8 CM (miniature)
price: $850
Fall 22
Very sharp, glassy and partly gemmy, Cassiterite crystals are perched on a crystal of Ferberite. From the famed mine of Panasqueira (Portugal), better known as a great source of Apatite, this is an unusually fine and lustrous specimen of Cassiterite. Some minor Muscovite and Siderite is also present but the main feature is the very fine Cassiterites.
Corkite on Plumbogummite and Goethite
stock #20.1-900 (ZS-CRK4099)
Serra Da Mina Mine, Cercal do Alentejo, Santiago do Cacem
Setubal,
Portugal
7.3 x 5.8 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $1350
new year 2021
Corkite is a rare Lead Phosphate mineral related to Beudantite that is just never seen as display specimens. Most are micromounts where the tiny crystals can be mesmerizing. This piece is something else, a full cabinet sized top grade specimen with hundreds of gemmy Corkite crystals sparkling in an esthetic iridescent display. The matrix is a blue green to orange Plumbogummite and a chatoyant botryoidal Goethite which sets the Corkite off nicely.
The Corkite crystals are sharp, glassy transparent in colors of brown, orange and blue that come alive under magnification. These are up to about 1 mm in size and most are well isolated, yet still densely covering the matrix. I have never seen another Corkite specimen that can be displayed and appreciated as an esthetic and very colorful piece in a mineral cabinet.
Apatite, Siderite, Quartz and Pyrite
stock #17.1-054
Panasquieira Mines, Panasquiera Covilha
Castelo Branco District,
Portugal
11.1 x 8.3 x 4.2 CM (cabinet)
price: $390
new year 2021
A complex mix of sharp gemmy Apatites with Quartz crystals that are in turn covered with small Siderites and a sprinkle of Pyrite. From the famed Panasqueira Mine, this is both esthetic and has an unusual presentation. The Apatite (Fluorapatite) is vividly fluorescent and in fine condition.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #20.1-782
Panasquieira Mines, Panasquiera Covilha
Cova da Beira, Centro,
Portugal
5.5 x 5.7 x 3.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $420
new year 2021
Sharp, glassy and transparent green Apatite crystals in a cluster that features a main 3.6 CM crystal perched on top. The Apatites are zoned, vividly fluorescent, and have just a sprinkle of matrix; this is mostly just Apatite. In very good condition, with just tiny edge bruises seen on close exam which keeps the price low for such good form and luster. Nice display quality Apatite from this iconic mine.
Apatite CaF (Fluorapatite)
stock #6.2-537
Panasquieira Mines, Panasquiera Covilha
Castelo Branco District,
Portugal
6.2 x 4.7 x 2.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $360
Spring 2020
A main hexagonal Apatite crystal is well positioned on a matrix of Siderite and Muscovite. The Crystal displays well despite some bruises and a large contact on the backside. Close exam shows the many acicular inclusions of dark tourmaline and an unknown white mineral some of which are arranged in radiating patterns. Vivid yellow fluorescence with some color zoning is noted as well. Though not perfect as noted, as a result this is very affordable for the size and still looks like a more costly specimen.
Fluorapatite on Muscovite
stock #16.1-311
Panasquieira Mines, Panasquiera Covilha
Castelo Branco District,
Portugal
5.4 x 3.2 x 2.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $400
Spring 2017
Sharp purple Apatites are scattered on a finger of fine grained Muscovite in an esthetic grouping. Crystals reach 1.7 CM and most show good color zoning. A choice small cabinet specimen that displays well from the classic mines of Panasqueira. One small contact can be found on a lower edge otherwise this is in perfect undamaged condition.
Apatite on Quartz
stock #15.1-342
Panasquieira Mines, Panasquiera Covilha
Castelo Branco District,
Portugal
4.5 x 2 x 1.5 CM (miniature)
price: $600
Fall 2015
A very choice piece, this is a glass-clear quartz crystal hosting several purple gem Apatites. The Quartz is perfectly terminated, overall sharp and impressive in person, in very fine condition. Strong magnification reveals some tiny Siderite crystals. The Apatites have some slight zonation and have top luster. Not a typical Panasqueira specimen, and far more esthetic than average.
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