Apatite - gemmy crystal with twist
stock #22.1-167
Mpwapwa
Dodoma Region,
Tanzania
3.7 x 2.9 x 1.4 CM (small miniature/ large thumbnail (toenail))
price: $360
Spring 23
Transparent blue crystal of Apatite on Feldspar matrix. The crystal has a twist and some bending as well, it is hard to see in photos but distinct in person. The Apatite has a well developed termination, glassy luster. This comes from a small find in 2022 at a little known locality in Tanzania.
A matrix plate hosting several sharp, gem clear Apatite crystals from the small find in late 2021 at Huanzala (Peru). In excellent condition, the Apatites are undamaged, a rich lemon-yellow color and brightly lustrous. This was a small find from a famed locality but not well-known for Apatites of such quality. This specimen was selected as one of the few with good condition and well-exposed Apatite from about 40 pieces in this find.
Apatite on Albite covered by Chlorite
stock #14.1-210
Acushnet Quarry (Warren Bros.) Acushnet, Bristol County
Massachusetts,
United States
4.1 x 3.2 x 2.2 CM (miniature)
price: $180
Fall 22
A northeastern USA classic, from the less well-known Acushnet Quarry (Massachusetts). The specimens from the clefts in this quarry are identical to classic Alpine pieces. The locality is most known for Apatite (Fluorapatite) in a wide range of colors. Nothing has come out for some years but the specimens collected by Ernie Schlichter (and others) 25 plus years ago are now classics. This is an Ex Schlichter piece with a perfect gem yellow Apatite nestled in Albite crystals covered by Chlorite.
A large, well-formed Apatite crystal with a garden-like growth of Actinolite crystals inside. In excellent condition as seen, the color is a deep oil green on the lower sector and is more clear light green at the top. This is a classic style of Alpine Apatite yet comes from the Himalaya region. The large flat glassy faces are partly composed of stepped flat hexagonal planes. A choice and attractive crystal.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #AX-29-071
Ghalangy Mine, Mohamed Agency
FATA Federally Administered Tribal Areas,
Pakistan
6.4 x 2.8 x 1.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $1400
Fall 22
A large, etched hexagonal crystal of Apatite that is complete and doubly terminated. There is a minor amount of Lepidolite matrix that sets this crystal off nicely. The violet color and lightly stepped faces are especially striking. Good fluorescence and no damage seen even under good magnification. From a find in 2016, this crystal has unusually fine definition, large size and elongation far better than others we had seen. A choice purple Apatite from anyplace and excellent for this find.
Apatite (Fluorapatite)
stock #21.1-486
Slyudyanka, Lake Baikal area
Irkutskaya Oblast, Prebaikalia,
Russia
9.9 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (cabinet)
price: $800
New Year 22
Large and fine prism composed of two main crystals that are joined (and look to be twinned). Excellent blue color with bright luster and the classic "melted" look on the etched part of faces. This is the best single prism of Russian Apatite we have ever had, the termination is especially sharp and there is no damage at all, the lower section shows some deep etching and dissolution white the top is textbook perfect, even gemmy in areas. An older piece (1990's vintage) from this interesting skarn, the size, color and overall quality make this an especially great addition to any fine Apatite suite or single crystal collection.
Apatite on Albite with Clinochlore
stock #15.1-1027-(SM3197)
Tormiq Valley, Haramoush Mountains, Skardu District
Gilgit-Baltistan,
Pakistan
5 x 4.1 x 4.4 CM (small cabinet/ large miniature)
price: $400
New Year 22
Compound crystal of Apatite CaF 4.7 CM across is perched nicely on a snowy white Albite matrix sprinkled with Clinochlore. Well-defined faces, good luster and with nice striations, the crystal is a cream-yellow color and transparent in parts. Good fluorescence also. An alpine style habit and association, this from Pakistan though, it really looks like a fine Austrian piece. Older labels included, Ex Nick Carruth (Cornwall, UK) David Crawford and Charles Noll (USA). In very good condition no obvious damage and better in person too.
Apatite CaF on Calcite - classic Canadian
stock #21.1-354
Faraday Mine, Farady Township, Bancroft District, Hastings County
Ontario,
Canada
9.1 x 5.4 x 2.9 CM (cabinet)
price: $380
Late Summer 2021
A fine, large doubly terminated Apatite crystal sits on an orange Calcite matrix. The Apatite is well-formed with the typical slightly rounded edges and two different types of termination. Fluorapatites are fairly common in the scattered Skarns of this region but substantial crystals like this are not found very often. There are some minor contacts but overall this is a distinctive textbook form crystal with some areas of glassy luster. A modern classic.
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