Apatite from Madagascar:

Gem No.

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Clarity Grade

Carat Weight

Price per Carat

Total Price

422

SI1

4.14

$65

$269.10

568

SI2

6.69

$60

$401.40

628

SI2

6.13

$45

$275.85

858

VS

~0.5 each

$25

~$12.50 each

893

SI1

4.84

$60

$290.40

Apatite from Slyudyanka, Transbaikalia, Cir (Siberia)

Gem No.

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Clarity Grade

Carat Weight

Price per Carat

Total Price

354

SI1

5.15

$40

$206.00

613

SI2

3.04

$35

$106.40
Sold

Apatite from Mexico:

Gem No.

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Clarity Grade

Carat Weight

Price per Carat

Total Price

767

VS

$40

$627.60

Apatite from Madagascar

No. 422: Long Lazy Oval Cut, SI1, 4.14 ct., 13.2 x 8.8 x 6.6 mm, faceted by R. Drummond, $269.10

Several years ago a single gem mine in Brazil produced an exquisite neon blue-green tourmaline, the color of which had never before been seen. This tourmaline is still very rare and commands prices up to $2,000 to $3,000 per carat. Shortly after the discovery of this unusual tourmaline, a similarly colored variety of gem apatite began to be mined in Madagascar. The color of the neon-colored apatite shown above is close to that seen in the best Paraiba tourmaline, but the price per carat is much less. Apatite is a fairly soft material (Mohs hardness of 5, compared to a hardness of 7.5 for tourmaline). Because of the softness, apatite should only be used in pendants, earrings or jewelry settings that will protect the stone from shock and abrasion. It takes a skilled metal smith to prong set an apatite without damaging the stone. If you can find a metalsmith up to the challenge, the above neon-colored apatite would make an equsitite pendant.

Apatite from Madagascar

No. 568: Ember Cut, SI2, 3.29 ct., 11.9 x 9.7 x 8.4 mm, faceted by R. Drummond, $401.40

Several years ago a single gem mine in Brazil produced an exquisite neon blue-green tourmaline, the color of which had never before been seen. This tourmaline is still very rare and commands prices up to $2,000 to $3,000 per carat. Shortly after the discovery of this unusual tourmaline, a similarly colored variety of gem apatite began to be mined in Madagascar. The color of the neon-colored apatite shown above is close to that seen in the best Paraiba tourmaline, but the price per carat is much less. Apatite is a fairly soft material (Mohs hardness of 5, compared to a hardness of 7.5 for tourmaline). Because of the softness, apatite should only be used in pendants, earrings or jewelry settings that will protect the stone from shock and abrasion. It takes a skilled metalsmith to prong set an apatite without damaging the stone. If you can find a metalsmith up to the challenge, the above neon-colored apatite would make an exquisite pendant or pin.

Apatite from Madagascar

No. 628: ECED End Cut, SI2, 6.13 ct., 12.6 x 9.2 x 7.2 mm, faceted by R. Drummond, $275.85

Several years ago a single gem mine in Brazil produced an exquisite neon blue-green tourmaline, the color of which had never before been seen. This tourmaline is still very rare and commands prices up to $2,000 to $3,000 per carat. Shortly after the discovery of this unusual tourmaline, a similarly colored variety of gem apatite began to be mined in Madagascar. The color of the neon-colored apatite shown above is close to that seen in the best Paraiba tourmaline, but the price per carat is much less. Apatite is a fairly soft material (Mohs hardness of 5, compared to a hardness of 7.5 for tourmaline). Because of the softness, apatite should only be used in pendants, earrings or jewelry settings that will protect the stone from shock and abrasion. It takes a skilled metalsmith to prong set an apatite without damaging the stone. If you can find a metalsmith up to the challenge, the above neon-colored apatite would make a beautiful pendant or pin.

Apatite from Madagascar

No. 858: Round Brilliant and Pear Cuts, VS, ~0.5 ct. each, ~5 x 3 mm (rounds), ~6 x 4 x 3 mm (pears), faceted by R. Drummond, ~ $25.00/carat each (Rounds sold, two pear shaped gems available)

Several years ago a single gem mine in Brazil produced an exquisite neon blue-green tourmaline, the color of which had never before been seen. This tourmaline is still very rare and commands prices up to $2,000 to $3,000 per carat. Shortly after the discovery of this unusual tourmaline, a similarly colored variety of gem apatite began to be mined in Madagascar. The color of the neon-colored apatite shown above is close to that seen in the best Paraiba tourmaline, but the price per carat is much less. Apatite is a fairly soft material (Mohs hardness of 5, compared to a hardness of 7.5 for tourmaline). Because of the softness, apatite should only be used in pendants, earrings or jewelry settings that will protect the stone from shock and abrasion. It takes a skilled metalsmith to prong set an apatite without damaging the stone. If you can find a metalsmith up to the challenge, the above neon-colored apatite gemstones would look great in earrings or pendants. You are welcome to buy one or more of these little gems at the price of $25 per carat.

Apatite from Madagascar

No. 893: Supernova Cut, SI1, 4.84 ct., 12.1 x 8.0 x 8.2 mm, faceted by R. Drummond, $290.40

Several years ago a single gem mine in Brazil produced an exquisite neon blue-green tourmaline, the color of which had never before been seen. This tourmaline is still very rare and commands prices up to $2,000 to $3,000 per carat. Shortly after the discovery of this unusual tourmaline, a similarly colored variety of gem apatite began to be mined in Madagascar. The color of the neon-colored apatite shown above is close to that seen in the best Paraiba tourmaline, but the price per carat is much less. Apatite is a fairly soft material (Mohs hardness of 5, compared to a hardness of 7.5 for tourmaline). Because of the softness, apatite should only be used in pendants, earrings or jewelry settings that will protect the stone from shock and abrasion. It takes a skilled metalsmith to prong set an apatite without damaging the stone. If you can find a metalsmith up to the challenge, the above neon-colored apatite would make an exquisite pendant or pin.

It should be noted that the color of most, if not all, neon-colored apatite is the result of mild heat treatment.

Apatite from Mexico

No. 767: Square Barion Cut, VS, 15.69 ct., 13.7 x 13.7 x 11.5 mm, faceted by R. Drummond, $627.60 Sold

For many years Mexican mines have produced gemmy crystals of yellow apatite. Shown above is a beautifully-crafted gemstone cut from one such crystal. Although quite soft, apatite has found its way into jewelry, especially earrings where abrasion to the stone will not be a problem. I don't know any women who would wear a 15 carat yellow apatite in an earring. Perhaps some ventursome jeweler could set this stone in a pendant. In any event, this gorgeous gem would be a fine addition to any collection.

Mexican apatite of this color is natural; not the result of any treatment.

Apatite from Slyudyanka, Tranbaikalia, Russia

No. 354: 9 Main Pear Meetpoint, 5.15 ct., 14.0 x 9.6 x 7.6 mm, SI1, $206.00

This is a very unusual stone from an historic location. Because of strong dichroism, this gem shows blue flashes over a light yellowish-green base color; a truly unusual color effect. The material itself is slightly "sleepy" with a veil nearly perpendicular to the table. Little of this material reaches the market and even less gets cut into gemstones. Tiny included needles in this material make this an extremely difficult material of successfully polish. It took over 20 stressful hours (Including pronouncement of more than a few expletives) to complete this gem. This particular stone has been heated to remove the green color and leave the stone with a more blue appearance. The resulting color is stable. Apatite is a soft material that requires the skill of an expert metalsmith to be set without damage. This stone would be a very special addition to a gem collection.

Apatite from Slyudyanka, Transbaikalia, CIR (Siberia)

No. 613: Cardinal Lozenge Cut, 3.04 ct., 14.1 x 8.4 x 6.1 mm, SI2, faceted by R. Drummond, $106.40 Sold

The Cardinal Lozenge Cut is one of many beautiful faceting patterns created by Edith Strout. Apatite from this location is strongly dichroic. This piece of apatite shows individual blue and green color components as the gemstone is rotated. Unlike the neon blue and green faceted Madagascar apatites currently on the gemstone market, this gem has not been enhanced (e.g. treated) in any way. Apatite is a soft material that requires the skill of an expert metalsmith to be set without damage.