Fluorapophyllite-(K) (uncommon thumbnail)

Item Description

India for several decades has been producing a large number of the finest examples of many zeolites (and associated species) from a multitude of quarries in the Deccan Trap. Apophyllite (or more specifically Fluorapophyllite-(K) in this instance) is not a zeolite, but it's often found in association with zeolites, like Stilbite, Heulandite, etc. Without question, some of the finest examples of Fluorapophyllite-(K) are found in the Maharashtra state of India, known worldwide for their superb crystal form, size and especially color! The vibrant green hues seen in these crystals is due to vanadium content, which is rare as most other examples of Apophyllite are typically white/colorless. This piece is a rarely seen thumbnail of Fluorapophyllite-(K) from India showing excellent, sharp, lustrous, well-formed faces, and a beautiful green hue in the center that grades into nearly white/colorless on the ends. What makes the piece rare is the size, and it's not easy to get crystals of this material that will fit into a 1-inch cube. Frankly, most of the Apophyllite crystals you'll find from India are too big(!) to fit into the thumbnail category, so a piece like this is certainly desirable if you're a thumbnail collector, or simply a fan of minerals from this prodigious mineral-producing part of the world.
From the comprehensive worldwide thumbnail collection of Dr. Alex Schauss (#165).