Schorl and Apatite on Quartz

81 x 80 x 40 mm overall
31 x 22 mm Schorl

A well formed tabular Schorl crystal measuring 31 x 22 mm is prominently perched on tapered, slightly frosted, smoky Quartz crystals to 48 x 11 mm. This Schorl is doubly terminated, lustrous on the pyramidal and prism faces, and etched on the other termination, as typical from this locality. A Quartz crystal partly pierces the Schorl, showing that the Quartz formed first. Pale yellow, barrel-shaped Apatites to 11 x 10 mm are also perched on the Quartz. Other complete and partly complete Schorls are present. Some of the Quartz points are missing, but the large Schorl and the Apatites are pristine. This specimen was formerly in the collection of Robert Ferguson (1767-1840) of Kirkaldy, Scotland. In about 1997, the Ferguson family sold the collection to Brian Lloyd, a well known London dealer, and this piece was purchased in about 2000 by Shields Flynn of Trafford/Flynn Minerals of Norfolk, MA. Unfortunately, Brian Lloyd was not careful with labels, so none of the pieces acquired by Mr. Flynn had labels, but this history was provided by Mr. Flynn.

ex. Robert Ferguson (1767-1840) collection