FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Jean Sendero]

Recently, on eBay, I came across a specimen of KAOLINITE replacing ??? crystals from the Potosi Mine in Mexico. I immediately purchased it and send the pic to Peter Megaw for him to confirm my suspicions. At the Springfield show, Peter had on exhibit two specimens of hydroxylapatite from the Astillero mine near Mapimi. I took the time to post a picture of one of these on the Springfield Show report earlier in August.

My suspicions were confirmed by Peter, it sure looks like hydroxylapatite. After receiving the specimen, it sure is hydroxylapatite. These came out in late 1960’s early 1970’s and every now and then, one specimen will pop up on the market, generally wrongly labeled as it was the case for this one. The dealer that sold it to me acquired it as part of lot of Mexican calcite.

Interesting finds can be made anywhere. This one became specimen #1069 of the Mexican collection.