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Fluorapatite

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LMB531218

Fluorapatite

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Description
Locality: 
Songo Pond Quarry, Albany, Oxford County, Maine, United States of America
Class: 
Crystals on Matrix
Size Range: 
Thumbnail (1-3cm)
Size: 
1.3 × 2.5 × 2.2 cm
Largest Crystal: 
0.32cm
Weight: 
9.00gr
Description

Songo Pond is not as well known as some of the other Maine quarries, but on both occasions that I was there, I was able to find some nice “apatite” crystals. Here is one of them. In the first photo, the visible portion of the crystal is about 3.2 mm tall by ca 3.0 mm wide. (The crystals in front are albite.)

The actual color of the crystal is green-blue – more like the first three photos rather than the deeper blue in the last, ‘top-down”, photo. It’s a tricky color to get right.

The crystal isn’t perfect. If you look closely at the first photo, you will note a chip on the top right corner. The crystal rises slightly above the contacting feldspar and that contact is bruised.

Almost all the “apatite” found in Maine 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.

Single item shipping weight is 3.2 oz. Note that USPS foreign packet rates recently increased significantly. It may be advantageous for foreign customers to hold an "open box" so as to reduce postage costs by combining items from a future auction. Let me know, and I will generate a new “item only” invoice. Postage will be invoiced when all items are actually shipped.

Outside the USA, the stated postage and packing rate applies up to a total weight of 8 oz (225 g).

Within the USA, there is a nominal increase of $0.20 for each additional ounce. Above 13 oz, I will use Priority Mail. Up to 16 oz, the “own box” Priority rate is $8.50 (including packing).

Please see my "Shipping Policy" for details. 

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
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.