Fluorapatite on Albite

Item Description

A classics specimen of the famous and now hard to find dark green Fluorapatites from the Sapo Mine in Brazil. These pieces made a big splash on the market in the early to mid 2000s, and they are certainly iconic and distinctive for the species. This small cabinet display specimen features very attractive, thick, tabular hexagonal crystals measuring up to 1.6 cm across which are elegantly sitting atop the underlying feldspar matrix. I love how the crystals are right at the top of the piece and gently cascade down the sides. The majority of the crystals are undamaged, though a few are contacted on the top / back edge where the piece was removed from the pocket. The intense green color of the Apatites is actually highlighted by the fact that they have a colorless "rind" along the outermost edge (best seen with backlighting), and this particular color combination is notably rare for the species in my experience. A showy and good quality specimen of this fantastic material. This is valued around $750 - $1000 based upon what's on the market now and previous specimens that have sold recently.