Fluorapatite

This specimen features gem-quality, water-clear fluorapatite crystals up to 42 mm from the Liscombe Deposit, Haliburton County, Ontario. The cluster consists of five slightly rounded, doubly terminated, yellow-green crystals with a striking glassy lustre, aesthetically perched on a light cream-pink coloured calcite matrix. The calcite exhibits red fluorescence under UV light.

Though the central crystal has minor damage on its lower half, the specimen remains an outstanding example of the well-known gem fluorapatites from this locality. The remarkable transparency of the crystals creates stunning internal reflections when struck by light. Originally opened for mica mining, the Liscombe Deposit was later worked for apatite in the 1970s by John Shearer. This particular piece was collected by Rod and Helen Tyson in the mid-to-late 1990s.

Due to the fragile nature of fluorapatite, the crystals underwent careful stabilization. Tyson meticulously removed calcite using an air scribe before impregnating the matrix with Vinac, a delicate process in which only about 50% of the crystals survived. His words capture the challenge: “There was a fine line between achieving one’s goal and disaster.” The reinforcement was both wise and necessary, preserving the integrity of this exemplary Canadian specimen.