Fluorapatite on Quartz (large specimen - crystallized on both sides)

Item Description

The word Paraíba for many people will conjure the image of electric colored Copper-bearing Tourmaline crystals and gems, but plenty of other species are found in the state, including beautiful blue Fluorapatite crystals. This piece came from a recent discovery at Campina Grande and features a large, flattened, slightly smoky colored crystal group of Quartz which plays hosts to many prismatic, lustrous, heavily striated, opaque, silvery-blue colored crystals of Fluorapatite measuring up to 1.1 cm long. Additionally, there are a good number of very thin dark Tourmaline crystals which are both included inside and growing on the surface of the Quartz group. You might expect that the back of the piece is contacted / broken, but when you flip it over you'll see it's fully crystallized! The piece is actually crystallized nearly all the way around making a near "floater" specimen, but there is a contacted edge along the side of the piece that keeps it from being 100% pristine. Essentially, the Quartz crystal formed in the pocket and was dislodged from wherever it was attached, and later recrystallized ("re-healed") on the back. You never see Quartz crystals of this size, quality and crystallization from Paraíba, let alone associated with beautiful Fluorapatite and Tourmaline crystals like this! It's not only unique, but notably different from almost anything you'll see from the area. Priced at $1,500 in the inventory.