Apatite (doubly-terminated color-zoned crystal) (ex Bill Larson Collection)

Item Description

A rarely seen specimen of Apatite from the Pack Rat Mine, as a matter of fact, this is the first piece of this material that we've had to offer in the auctions from this locality. This miniature sized specimen is a fantastic, sharp, well-formed, hexagonal prism with a noteworthy color zoning as the inner "core" is a lovely greenish hue, and the outer "rind" is a lighter silver-green color. If you view the crystal from one end down the "c" axis, you can clearly the see the color zoning, which is obviously the result of a second generation of Apatite overgrowing the initial crystal in the center. The piece is doubly-terminated, as both ends have minute crystallization, as they appear to have re-crystallized ("re-healed") as some point after detached from the pocket wall. Interestingly, one end of the crystal features a small area with a distinct purple color, making this a multi-colored, doubly-terminated crystal. If you collect Apatites, pegmatite minerals, San Diego County minerals, or just worldwide phosphates, this is an excellent example to add to your collection. Priced at $2,000. From the collection of Bill Larson of Fallbrook, California. Bill is a well-known gem and mineral dealer as well as a miner and collector. Bill is synonymous with minerals of San Diego County, and owned and operated famous mines such as the Stewart Lithia, the Tourmaline Queen, the Pala Chief and the Himalaya, producing some of the most iconic mineral specimens to come out of the area during the 1970s-1980s. You can read his biography at https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/larsonwilliam-f/