Fluorapatite & Rhodochrosite (rare combo!)

Item Description

Fluorapatite is RARE from the famous Rhodochrosite producing Wutong Mine of China. This outstanding, sculptural and rich combination is highlighted by scattered, well-placed, large for the locale, to 1.5 cm, lustrous, translucent, striated, pale pinkish-lavender Fluorapatite crystals. The Fluorapatite crystals are aesthetically set amidst a dense forest of extremely flattened pastel-pink Rhodochrosite rhombohedrons. Scattered needle Quartz crystals, to about 1.7 cm and a single "normal" quartz crystal are fine accessories. Nearly pristine, a few barely noticeable broken quartz crystals certainly have minimal impact to the overall high quality of this fine combination rarity. The quartz-rich matrix is peppered with microcrystalline pyrite. Mustard-yellow SW UV fluorapatite fluorescence. See the 2011 Mineralogical Record article in the China-III Special Issue, Vol. 42, No. 6. Ex Kurt Hefendehl Collection #6C, a well-known German collector who amassed a world-wide collection of over 6000 pieces. Seldom on the market in this combination quality and this is a significant display sized apatite specimen for China, where the species seems to be rare. Valued $3500-4500 or more.