Fluorapatite Crystal in Matrix - Cerro del Mercado, Durango, Mexico

Contributed by: Mark Cole
Date: Apr 9th, 2026
Locality: Cerro de Mercado Mine, Victoria de Durango, Cerro de los Remedios, Durango Municipality, Durango, Mexico (See on Mindat)
Size: 2 x 1.5 x 3 inches
Weight: 6.7 oz

Description:
Translucent lemon yellow fluorapatite crystals from Cerro del Mercado, Durango, Mexico. Calcite, hyalite opal, and quartz form the matrix. The fluorapatite fluoresces a nice peach color under shortwave UV, and shifts to a brighter violet/peach under midwave. The green fluorescence is thought to be hyalite but could also be chalcedony.

These are found in veins containing gemmy, lemon yellow to greenish fluorapatite crystals cutting through hematite. The crystals form hexagonal shapes with off-center terminations. They are found in vugs, often associated with quartz and calcite. Most crystals are around an inch in length, though larger crystals up to about 4 inches long have been found.

Originally posted by Mark Cole on Nature's Rainbows in 2017.