Panasqueira Mines, Panasqueira, Castelo Branco District, Portugal

Two hexagonal Fluoroapatite crystals of desirable purple colour are stacked upon each other, forming an aesthetic display. The crystals measure to 20x15mm, with an excellent lustre that highlights the growth striations. The Apatites are on a matrix of Quartz flecked with Chalcopyrite, the form of earlier Fluoroapatite crystals are discernible under coatings of Quartz. The reverse of the specimen is covered with mica and minor Arsenopyrite. Panasqueira is a famous mine that produced excellent specimens for decades, although these specimens were more commonly found in the now worked out upper levels of the mine.