Description

This is a superb fluorapatite crystal from the famous 2006 pocket at the Sapo Mine. It is sharp, glassy and in excellent condition – associated with small white albite crystals.It is a doubly-terminated and, upon close examination, one can see that it exhibits two orders of pyramidal (“bevel”-like) faces. A great thumbnail from this iconic find.

This piece is from the collection of Pete Richards (#5314). Luiz Menezes and Frank & Wendy Melanson acquired the lot from this pocket, and Pete acquired it from Frank and Wendy.

In his article on the Sapo Mine in The Mineralogical Record (July-August 2009, Vol 40:4), Luiz Menezes describes the morphology of the fluorapatites from the pocket. This specimen is what Luiz describes as “Habit 1,” hexagonal crystals with dark green microscopic inclusions. Under ultraviolet light, the fluorapatite crystal fluoresces yellow and the albite fluoresces red, as you can see in the last photo.

About Pete Richards (click here)

Please Note: the colour representation in the still photographs has been carefully calibrated and adjusted to show an accurate rendition of this specimen in daylight (shade). The colours in the video are not similarly adjusted.