Fluorapatito
Fluorapatito is a mineral with formula Ca₅(PO₄)₃F, in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Minas da Panasqueira, Aldeia de S. Francisco, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Portugal and joined the Terrium collection in 2022.
Description
Green cubic crystals on carbonate matrix. Fluorescent.
About Fluorapatito
It is not very common but recurrent at the deposit, valued for its thick, well-defined green crystals, a compact, flattened habit that is often cubic or pseudo-isometric, and its fluorescence. Very different from other Iberian apatites, which are more prismatic.
About the locality
A world reference for its hydrothermal veins and an exceptionally diverse paragenesis. In cavities and late-stage zones associated with carbonates, fluorapatites form occasionally and continue to appear sporadically in modern material.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0365
- Composition
- Ca₅(PO₄)₃F
- Name
- Fluorapatito
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Lucimera
- Mine
- Minas da Panasqueira
- District / Municipality
- Aldeia de S. Francisco
- Province
- Covilhã
- Region
- Castelo Branco
- Country
- Portugal
- Acquired
- 2022
- Ex-collection
- Óscar Herranz
- Etymology
- From the Greek "apatē", "deception", owing to historical confusion with other minerals of similar appearance.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Al alza