Fluorapophyllite-K

specimen number:
1052381

location:
Samson Mine, St Andreasberg, Braunlage, Goslar, Lower Saxony, Germany

description:
A real German classic, most of this matrix is covered on one side by lustrous translucent to transparent pink fluorapophyllite crystals. These measure to 0.5 cm in size. Overall in good condition with minimal cleaving present. The matrix is mostly calcite. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and was collected in 1908.

The Samson Mine at Sankt Andreasberg in the Harz Mountains of Germany was one of the most important historic silver mines in central Europe. Mining began in the 16th century and worked hydrothermal vein deposits that contained silver bearing galena and other sulfide minerals. The mine became known for deep underground workings and advanced mining technology for its time. Operations continued for many years before the mine eventually closed and the site was later preserved as a mining museum.

The pink color in apophyllite is usually caused by trace amounts of manganese within the crystal structure or by microscopic inclusions of manganese bearing minerals. These small amounts of manganese can give the normally colorless mineral a pale pink to rose colored appearance. Variations in the concentration of these trace elements during crystal growth can produce different shades of pink in apophyllite crystals.

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