Fluorapatito
Fluorapatito is a mineral with formula Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH), in the Fosfatos group. This specimen comes from Mina La Celia, Jumilla, Murcia, Región de Murcia, España.
Description
Light yellowish-green apatite crystals with good vitreous lustre and short-prismatic habit on matrix.
About Fluorapatito
Belongs to the so-called "apatites of Jumilla", a calcium phosphate that gives its name to a group of species characterised by a hexagonal structure, vitreous lustre, and variations in composition (with fluorine, chlorine, or hydroxyl). At La Celia it occurs exceptionally as small but very well-defined crystals with characteristic hues ranging from yellowish to greenish.
About the locality
La Celia, one of Spain's best-known ultrapotassic rock localities for its apatites and rare minerals, is now closed, fenced, and under a strict ban on extraction. Although it never had mass production, its well-formed specimens made it for years a classic pilgrimage site for collectors. Its final closure—amid debate about mineralogical plundering—was explained as being for ecological reasons, to protect the bat colonies that inhabit the site.
Technical data
- Catalogue No.
- 0622
- Internal reference
- X0332
- Composition
- Ca₅(PO₄)₃(F,Cl,OH)
- Name
- Fluorapatito
- Group
- Fosfatos
- Category
- Lucimera
- Mine
- Mina La Celia
- District / Municipality
- Jumilla
- Province
- Murcia
- Region
- Región de Murcia
- Country
- España
- Size (cm)
- 3.5 x 2 x 1.5
- Weight
- 14 g
- Etymology
- The term "apatite" comes from the Greek "apatein", meaning 'to deceive', due to its resemblance to other minerals. It was named in 1786 by Abraham Gottlob Werner.
- Quality
- Buena
- Value trend
- Estable
Related specimens
- Abellaíta — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Abernathyita — España
- Aerenita — España
- Aerinita (fibrosa) — España
- Analcima — España
- Analcima — España