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Fluorapatite & Cookeite

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LMB531214

Fluorapatite & Cookeite

Classic Locality

Description Tabs

Description
Locality: 
Bennett Quarry, Buckfield, Oxford County, Maine, United States of America
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Small miniature (3-4.5 cm)
Size: 
1.9 × 3.2 × 1.5 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.40cm
Weight: 
12.00gr
Description

The Bennett quarry is perhaps best knows for the “Rose of Maine” – a giant 30 cm gem morganite crystal found here in October 1989. But there is much else here, both micro and macro. The one time that I was there, I came away with, among other things, several small, but very pretty, pale blue “apatite” crystals.

The top segment in the first pair of photos (FOV 4.5 x 6.6 mm) is 4.2 mm long. I am not sue if the bottom is part of the sme crystal or another one growing in parallel beneath the top one. The potos also show some greenish-yellow spheroids of cookeite ca 2 mm.

The third photo (FOV 5.9 x 4.1 mm) also shows a small “side-car” apatite on the left.

The next pair of photos (FOV 6.5 x 4.1) is another view of both the top and bottom. The dark stuff is muscovite seen from the side. It is not euhedral.

The earthy stuff in the center of the full-view photo is probably a clay mineral such as montmorillonite.

Almost all the “apatite” here is supposedly fluorapatite, so that is what I have called this. But there’s no way to be sure just visually, and hydroxylapatite is also found at this quarry.

Note: Color balance is very subjective. In retrospect, the last three photos are probably too magenta.

Single item shipping weight (with TN case) is 3.5 oz (99 g). For shipments outside the USA, up to a total weight < 8 oz (225g), this can be combined with items from this or other auctions for the same postage.

Within the USA, postage now varies by destination. For total weights up to 13 oz, it ranges from $4.50 to $7.00 (including packing etc). Above 13 oz (up to 16 oz), I will use “own box” Priority Mail. The rate, including packing, varies from $8 to $10.

Mineral Data
What's on the rock

Fluorapatite

Formula: 
Ca2Ca3(PO4)3F
Strunz: 
8.BN.05
Crystal System: 
Hexagonal
Hardness: 
5.0
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Sauberg Mine, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Erzgebirge, Saxony, Germany

Cookeite

Formula: 
(Al2Li)Al2(AlSi3O10)(OH)8
Strunz: 
9.EC.55
Hardness: 
2.5 - 3.5
Streak: 
White
Type Locality: 
Mount Mica Quarry (Mount Mica Mine), Paris, Oxford Co., Maine, USA
LMB minerals

Seller Information

Payment options: offline, paypal_wpp, paypal_wps

Seller's terms and conditions

In addition to the standard terms and conditions, please note the following. Almost all IDs are visual. While in most cases the ID is obvious, there may be cases where it is not. If you are doubtful about a particular ID, please ask for more information. Or do not bid! Similarly, if you are not sure that the specimen meets your criteria, do not bid. I have tdone the best I can with the photos. Nevertheless, if you are not happy with a specimen for any reason, I will refund the bid price – but not the shipping costs (unless the fault is clearly mine) – if the specimen is returned. This policy applies even if analysis of the specimen shows that my ID was incorrect. When in doubt, ask - or don’t bid. Note that most crystals at MSH and Varennes are micros - even if on large specimens. Please pay attention to the stated sizes. Any customs duties, fees etc. are the responsibility of the buyer.