Fluorapatite with Sphalerite, Siderite, Pyrite

specimen number:
9505947

location:
Panasqueira Mines, Beira Baixa, Portugal

description:

A glassy mostly gemmy bluish purple double terminated crystal of fluorapatite 2.2 cm in length on matrix with crystallized siderite and sphalerite. This is crystallized completely all around and in super condition. The fluorapatite crystal does exhibit florescence.

The Panasqueira Mine in Beira Baixa, Portugal, is a world-class hydrothermal vein deposit with ancient roots dating back to Roman and Moorish workings for tin, followed by modern industrial operations that have run almost continuously since 1901. Geologically, the deposit is hosted within the Neoproterozoic to Cambrian pelitic metasediments of the Schist-Greywacke Complex, situated above the Variscan-aged Serra da Estrela granitic pluton. Mineralization consists of a dense, subhorizontal network of quartz veins containing significant economic concentrations of tungsten (wolframite), tin, copper, and a rich array of accessory sulfide and phosphate minerals.

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