24 mm Apatite from Malmberget

$ 29.99

ID20285

Location:

Malmberget, Gällivare, Norrbotten, Sweden

https://www.mindat.org/loc-10629.html

Size: 25x15x14 mm (10 gr.)

Description

Here is a small and nice single crystal of green Apatite from Malmberget, Sweden.

The color is attractive when you add extra light, as shown in the first 4 pictures, while the 3 last pictures are in normal daylight.

The crystal is partly transparent, but not gem-quality. On the backside, some of the crystal is cut off. The bottom got a clear cut. Otherwise, it is a perfect crystal with nice faces.

Location:

Malmberget has one of the largest underground mines for ore in the world and the second-largest in Sweden. The deepest point is 1390 meters below ground. Annual production is over 5 million tonnes of iron ore.

There is a big variety of crystals and minerals found in the mines:
https://www.mindat.org/loc-10629.html

Sometimes the miners hit pockets with crystals, but seldom they are collected as it would slow the work. Luckily there are workers who are trying to save/collect the most interesting stuff.

My father had friends in the mining companies in Sweden and traded minerals directly from them. Most of the stuff he got was back about 15-25 years ago. Much of this material is now long gone, and seldom seen on the market.