Apatite (RARE locality specimen) (ex Bill Larson Collection)

Item Description

The famous Stewart Lithia Mine is renowned for producing some of the most beautiful Tourmaline crystals from any locality in San Diego County, but this piece to me is just as valuable and beautiful as any Tourmaline from the locality. You NEVER see specimens of Apatite from the Stewart Mine on the market, and this one is certainly a must have for anybody who collects minerals from San Diego County minerals or simply worldwide Apatites. This attractive miniature features a group of sharp, well-formed, gemmy, tabular hexagonal Apatite crystals (presumably Fluorapatite) associated with minor pink Tourmaline and white Albite at the base. When backlit, you can see the Apatite crystals have a beautiful enchanting green hue at the center, but the exterior edges are nearly colorless. Only minor imperfections can be seen, as the piece is complete on the front, and only a little rough on the back. This is an important Apatite for the locality and for San Diego County in general, as green crystal groups like this are seldom seen. Priced at $2,500 retail for the quality, scarcity and sheer visceral beauty. 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/