Tourmaline (Schorl) with Fluorapatite on Albite

Item Description

Here we have an uncommon association specimen featuring a stout, prismatic crystal of jet-black Schorl Tourmaline measuring 4.2 cm, aesthetically flaring out of a matrix of white Albite var: Cleavelandite, with several robust, sharp, lustrous hexagonal crystals of Fluorapatite measuring up to 2.5 cm across. It's fairly hard to find Schorl with Apatite from any Pakistani locality, and most of the pieces I've seen feature PINK Apatites, but these crystals have a distinctive and unique almost silvery hue. The Schorl crystal has an interesting almost "fibrous" trigonal termination, composed of tiny thin crystal faces, which contrasts strongly against the highly lustrous, smooth glistening prism faces. The Apatites show a strong yellow fluorescence under SW UV light. No major damage, but the Schorl does have one clean repair on the upper portion of the crystal. The piece sits beautifully on its own without the aid of a base or clay. Valued $1,800.
Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.