Fluorapatite

A classic example of a doubly terminated fluorapatite crystal from a well-known Ontario locality. The crystal shows an earthy red-brown colour with good lustre and a fairly well-formed termination on one end. The opposite end appears to have once been part of a much larger crystal, having since broken and re-healed, giving the specimen a complete but irregular appearance. Overall, it has a “been through hell and back” character, with subtle distortions and irregularities that reflect a dynamic and complex growth history.

This specimen comes from the Smart Mine, also known as the Miller Property, a calcite vein-dyke system historically worked for fluorapatite used in fertilizer production. The locality is well known among collectors for producing unusual and often highly modified crystals, where breakage, rehealing, and re-growth are common features. Pieces like this stand out as classic examples of the Grenville’s geological complexity, offering both visual interest and a compelling story of formation.