Brazil081 - Fluorapatite, Albite and Muscovite - Sapo Mine, Ferruginha, Conselheiro Pena, Doce Valley, Minas Gerais, Brazil

A lustrous 2.1 cm crystal grouping of deep blue fluorapatite is the main focus of this large specimen from the Sapo Mine. The albite is sprinkled with numerous smaller crystals, a few of which are around 1 cm. The reverse is crystallized albite and muscovite. The apatite faintly fluoresces a creamy yellow under SW UV. There is a very small (less than 0.5 mm) flaw on the main crystal group, which I believe is a natural feature. 18.6 x 9.3 x 6.0 cm.

For more information on this locality, please see the Mineralogical Record, Volume 40, Number 4, which features an article on the Sapo Mine by Luis Menezes. A previous specimen of ours (see here) was pictured in that article. All photos are by Joe Budd.