Fluorapatite on Quartz

Item Description

The word Paraíba for many people will conjure the image of electric colored Copper-bearing Tourmaline crystals and gems, but plenty of other species are found in the state, including beautiful blue Fluorapatite crystals. This piece came from a recent discovery at Campina Grande and features a very thin, partial crystal section of Quartz which plays hosts to lustrous, gemmy, strong blue colored crystals of Fluorapatite measuring up to 3 mm long. The Quartz section is crystallized on both sides. 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 in these crystals. Minor crystals of pale yellow Mica (Muscovite?) can be seen on the front face of the piece. Overall, it's more of a reference specimen, as there is some roughness to the Fluorapatite crystals, but it's a cool locality piece that would make a nice addition to any Brazilian collection, a phosphate suite, or a collection of worldwide Apatites.