SM21-201
Apatite on Muscovite
Panasqueira Mines, Covilha, Castelo Branco, Portugal
Small Cabinet, 6.3 x 5.0 x 2.8 cm
Ex. Richard Rossi
$1,450.00 Payment Plan Available
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A matrix of mounded rosettes of tan colored Siderite is hosts several, mostly gemmy, doubly terminated, zoned Fluorapatite crystals from the famed tin-tungsten deposit at Panasqueira, Portugal. The Fluorapatite crystals are very glassy, sharply formed and measure between 0.7 and 2 cm in length. They are zoned from end to end, with a more obvious, thicker, 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 crystals. The piece is in excellent condition with only local minor bruising to the Muscovite. Apatites have incredible luster. This is a classic example of this rare old style we used to call the "purple sandwich" and comes from the old production of the late 1960s and early 1970s. Ex. Rudolf Simm and Nancy Collins collections (acquired in 1977 on the label, so just in the heyday of the mine), to Richard Rossi, and to us in a collection purchase.