Brazilianite with Albite and Apatite (rare combo) (ex Rolando Gioia Collection)

Item Description

Brazilianite is one of the most distinctive gem minerals in the world, as the color (especially in larger crystals) is truly singular and doesn't look quite like anything else. This piece is from Linopolis, where some of the best Brazilianites have come out for decades. This piece features several attractive, sharp, lustrous, yellow-green colored Brazilianite crystals measuring up to 2.1 cm long sitting on white bladed Albite matrix, but what sets this piece apart from others is that it is associated with a handful of crystal of Apatite(!). The lower section of the front / display side of the piece features a beautiful little bi-colored hexagonal prism of Apatite which shows a deep blue color on both ends and a light greenish-yellow hue in the center when backlit. The reverse side of the piece features an additional dark blue Apatite crystal as well. I can't remember seeing Brazilianite with Apatite like this from Linopolis before, though I imagine that something else must have been found over the years. If you collect phosphates, thumbnails or minerals of Brazil, do not miss out on this attractive association specimen of this classic material. From the collection of Rolando Gioia (a contributor to new definitive book on Brazilian minerals: "Minerais e Pedras Preciosas do Brasil").