Fluorapatite, Ferberite: Panasqueira Mine, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Portugal

Description

Species: Fluorapatite, Ferberite

Locality: Panasqueira Mine, Covilhã, Castelo Branco, Portugal

Dimensions: 10 x 6.2 x 3.5 cm.

Portugal’s Panasqueira mines are known for their world-class crystals of colorful fluorapatite, often associated with ferberite, quartz, fluorite, siderite, and arsenopyrite. This is a beautiful example featuring gemmy, sharp, green apatite crystals with well-formed black ferberite crystals. This ‘floater’ specimen is covered in calcite and arsenopyrite crystals on the bottom side. A great association piece showing the two ‘classic’ Panasqueira minerals: apatite and ferberite. Mark Cross photo.