Fluorapatite with Siderite

A choice specimen of the classic purple apatite (now, officially named as fluorapatite) from the late 1960s and early 1970s finds at this most classic of Portugal's many mining localities. We have an unusually sculptural specimen here with 360-degree aesthetics. It is a dramatic tower of conjoined crystals to 1.6 cm, with rich color and nice luster. Originally from the Ed David collection (his first one, sold in the mid 1990s) to Victor Yount, then to Phil Oswalt (the Hoppel collection), and on to Greg Kitt at the auction of that important collection in 2013 in Dallas. This is a striking, unusual specimen for the location, because of the geometry here. Minor association with siderite leads to a nice contrast of color as well as geometry. Note that it is either repaired or restored, as we detected a line around the midpoint that fluoresces under UV light. Dr. Ed David's accession number remains on bottom (Ed was the Presidential science advisor in the Nixon White House, and a major collector and a true friend!).

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Siderite, Fluorapatite

SizeSmall Cabinet

Dimensions6.0 x 3.0 x 2.7 cm

Locality

Portugal, Panasqueira Mines

Added on10/23/2024

Comments

Known provenance

2024/08