Apatite (fluorapatite)- gem clear
stock #18.1-252
Cerro de Mercado
Durango,
Mexico
2.5 x 1.7 x 1.4 CM (thumbnail)
price: $60
Worldwide mix summer
Sharp, clear, bright yellow and lustrous a choice Apatite from the famed Cerro de Mercado. This Durango locality has produced vast numbers of Apatites for decades, but despite the numbers the better pieces stand out as choice specimens and one of the best values for a good quality gem crystal. This is that sort of value, well above average color and clarity, simple, pretty and relatively affordable.
Apatite (Fluorapatite) on Muscovite with Calcite
stock #15.1-1022-(SM4860)
Mt. Xuebaoding, Pingwu Co., Mianyang Pref.
Sichuan Province,
China
8.8 x 5.7 x 4.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $650
Worldwide mix summer
A superb example of the gem clear pink Apatites from the Xuebaoding mountain find of 2004. These Apatites are clustered in a chain nestled in a well crystalized vug of Muscovite. The edges of the specimen are also decorated with clusters of small clear Calcite crystals which are quite uncommon in this locale. We have handled several of these Apatites and this is one of the very best, the color and clarity are especially fine. Overall a very esthetic presentation, damage free and these Apatites are also vividly fluorescent.
A fine old Cornish classic, a cast composed entirely of Apatite crystals have formed casts after Anhydites. The specimen is crystallized on all sides with just a few spots of contact. Lustrous and sparkling and very three dimensional, the shapes of the Anhydrite crystals are sharply preserved. The Apatite crystals are very sharp, glassy, translucent brown color in hexagons with flat pinacoids. Choice, Ex KP hammond collection, these were at one time called Francolite which is now discredited but is a varietal name still in use.
Complete and with great color, the larger Apatite is 8.5 CM tall, with wonderful etching. This is the best specimen I have seen of this sort, for size, color and esthetics, it is really striking. These Apatites have transparent areas and deep blue green hue. The "melted" look is typical from this region and often seem in Apatites in Metamorphic host rocks (Marble Skarns especially). As a display piece the luster, contrast with the matrix and unusual architecture gives this specimen a very fine appearance. Both of the prominent crystals are doubly terminated as well. Our notes mention a repair reattaching the large crystal, there is no damage at all and the repair seems well done.
Fluorapatite -purple classic crystals
stock #13.1-306
Mount Rubellite, Hebron, Oxford County
Maine,
United States
2.9 x 2.2 x 2 CM (miniature)
price: $400
Spring update
An old, somewhat crude cluster of small colorless and larger purple Apatite crystals. The biggest Apatite is 1.8 CM across which is the largest I know of for the locale. From the Mount Rubellite Quarries an old but less famous Maine location for Apatites. Some chipping, crude edges and contacts are noted but the color, huge crystal size and low price help compensate for imperfections.
Apatite CaF (Fluorapatite) on Muscovite
stock #AX-18-023
Chumar Bakhoor, Hunza Valley
Northern Areas,
Pakistan
3 x 2.7 x 1.7 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $750
Spring update
Classic Chumar style pink Apatite with a sharp, gemmy crystal well positioned on minimal matrix. Super glassy luster and good transparency. The front display surface is in excellent condition, there is contacting on the back/ underside but no breakage. Presents well. Ex Sal Avella, these have become quite scarce in this better quality.
Apatite on Muscovite
stock #17.1-841
Chumar Bakhoor, Hunza Valley
Gilgit, Northern Areas,
Pakistan
5.5 x 4.5 x 4.1 CM (cabinet)
price: $680
A prism of pink Apatite (Fluorapatite or Apatite-CaF)is nestled in a Muscovite matrix. The crystal is 2.1 CM across and has distinctive modifications of the edges of the termination. From the earlier finds of Apatite at Chumar Bakhoor, this is in excellent condition. Esthetic contrast with the matrix, the Apatite looks fine from all angles.
Fluorapatite on Quartz and Cookeite
stock #A7-219-(536)
Harvard Quarry, Greenwood, Oxford County
Maine,
United States
7 x 3.1 x 2.8 CM (cabinet)
price: $1450
Pre Holiday 2017
Attractive and with an unusual esthetic, this is a densely packed matrix of lilac color Apatite. An older specimen from the classic Harvard Quarry in Maine, The druzy Quartz matrix hosts hundreds of small but perfect Apatites most being doubly terminated. In perfect condition and showing well the paragenesis of this locale, this was in the collection of the late Larry White. Two older labels give the locality as Mt Apatite (a more famous locale often incorrectly cited) but those labels are not correct, it is confirmed by Dr. Carl Francis and others as absolutely a classic Harvard piece. Choice and very rare in such fine quality.
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