Apatite

The term apatite is now used to describe an entire mineral group that also includes pyromorphite, mimetesite and vanadinite. Alpine Fissures are often rich in small, transparent crystals with a spherical habit.

Unfortunately, the coloured varieties (rare violet, very rare pink) are not lightfast – they fade relatively quickly when unprotected from light.

Photo: Transparent apatite on adularia with some chlorite, Rhone Glacier VS, Felix Spahr Collection, not for sale