Fluorapatite on Albite

Item Description

If you're a fan of gemstones, the Brazilian state of Paraíba is probably most commonly associated with the electric Copper-bearing Tourmalines, which are certainly the most expensive Tourmaline gems in terms of price per carat. I will point out that Paraíba doesn't just produce Tourmaline, and there are actually plenty of other species found in the state, including beautiful blue Fluorapatite crystals. This specimen comes to us from a small discovery a few years ago at Campina Grande. It features many lustrous, gemmy, fairly strong blue colored crystals of Fluorapatite measuring to a few mm long sitting atop bladed white Albite matrix. The intensity of the color in the Fluorapatite crystals is significant, as smaller crystals like this are often very pale regardless of the color, so it's a big deal to see such a vivid blue hue. A really cool locality piece that would make a nice addition to any Brazilian collection, a phosphate suite, or a collection of worldwide Apatites.