Mineral Species: Apatite and Schorl

Chemical Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(OH,F,Cl)

Chemical Name: Calcium Fluoro Chloro Hydroxy Phosphate

Mineral Class: Phosphate

Mineral Notes: Apatite can actually be considered as three different minerals containing Calcium Phosphate in combination with Fluorine, Chlorine or the Hydroxyl group. All three can substitute equally in the crystal lattice and all are usually present in every specimen although some are close to 100% of one or the other. The name comes from the Greek word meaning to decieve in reference to Apatite's similarity to other more valuable minerals such as Beryl.  

Description: Several black, columnar crystals of Schorl on an angular matrix of Orthoclase. Nearly all the crystals show excellent terminations and surface striations. At the base of one crystal is a small, plae blue crystal of Apatite. There is another darker crystal nearby. Both are partially tansparent and quite gemmy. The specimen has long historical provenace and comes with labels from both F.H. Butler and Dick Barstow.

Location: Luxullian, Cornwall England.