Fluorapatite

Unknown Owner

If ever there was a locality to set the heart racing, it is Pulsifer quarry on west side of Mount Apatite close to Auburn in Androscoggin County, Maine. This enchanting locality is situated amongst the densely wooded hillside, very close to other famous localities such as Keith quarry and Groves quarry, better known to collectors as Hole in the Ground quarry. This miniature measures 5.4 x 4 cm in display area and features many well-formed mid-lilac Fluorapatite crystals in the form of hexagonal prisms. The accompanying photo is an old one and does not do the specimen justice. The quarry was begun in 1900 by the rather splendidly named Pitt Pembroke Pulsifer and then worked intermittently throughout the first half of the 20th century. In 1972 ownership transferred to Irving “Dudy” Groves and then to his widow Mary in 2005. I had the pleasure of accompanying Dudy to Mount Apatite in his pick-up truck late one night in July 2001 in order to start a pump he had installed, to dewater Groves quarry overnight. This specimen is a rare example as Pulsifer specimens of any size or quality are difficult to find these days, especially in the UK.