RC21-08
Fluorapatite on Siderite
Panasqueira, Castel Branco Dist., Portugal
Miniature, 5.0 x 5.0 x 3.7 cm
Ex. Joan Massague
$450.00
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A matrix of mounded rosettes of lustrous, tan colored siderite is hosts a single, gemmy, doubly terminated, beautifully zoned Fluorapatite crystal. The Fluorapatite crystal is very glassy, sharply formed and measures 2 cm across. It is intricately zoned with a more obvious 3 mm thick rich purple, band in the center that is sandwiched between two pale blue-green bands. Looking at the Apatite face-on, one can see a subtle light purple zone around the entire rim of the crystal and the crystal is so clear that the Siderites underneath the Apatite can be seen! Two colorless quartz crystals are emplaced on the underside of the specimen. The piece is nearly pristine with just a tiny bruise on a single crystal edge. A classic example of this rare old style we used to call the "purple sandwich," in a balanced miniature-sized specimen. Ex. Dr. Joan Massague collection.