Fluorapatite (rich color) on Quartz

Item Description

When people hear the word Paraíba, many people immediately think of the electric colored Copper-bearing Tourmaline crystals and gems from this small Brazilian state. With that said, plenty of other species are found in Paraíba, including some beautiful blue Fluorapatite crystals. This piece came from a recent discovery at Campina Grande and features a partial smoky colored crystal section of Quartz which plays hosts to lustrous, gemmy, strong blue colored crystals of Fluorapatite measuring up to 2 mm long. Minor crystals of pale yellow Mica (Muscovite?) can be seen on the front face of the piece. 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. 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.