Apatite Crystals with Quartz - Durango, Mexico

These are lemon yellow apatite crystals still in matrix from Cerro del Mercado (Iron Mountain) at Durango, Mexico. The metallic mineralization on this specimen is magnetite, with the quartz acting as the matrix "glue" for both the apatite and magnetite. There is one stunning crystal that measures .86" long and displays beautiful coloration.

What could be considered the underside of this specimen, has been stabilized with glue. It comes with an acrylic display stand.

At Cerro de Mercado numerous veins containing gemmy, lemon-yellow to greenish fluorapatite crystals cut through the hematite massif. These crystals have been collected for decades from the area's iron mines, but they have become much scarcer with recent mechanization of the mining operations.

The bright, lustrous apatite crystals form hexagonal shapes with off-center terminations. They are found in vugs, often associated with quartz and calcite. Most crystals are around an inch in length, though larger crystals up to about 4 inches long have been found.
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DETAILS
SPECIES
Apatite, Magnetite & Quartz
LOCATION
Cerro de Mercado, Durango, Mexico
SIZE
matrix 6.7x4.1"
CATEGORY
SUB CATEGORY
ITEM
#91441