2.55 cts Natural Cushion-cut TopFire-luster AAA Neon-Blue VS Apatite (Brazil)

Description

2.55 cts Natural Cushion-cut TopFire-luster AAA Neon-Blue VS Apatite (Brazil)
New without Tags.  This gem has never been used/placed/set in a setting.
It is utterly undamaged, unmarred and in perfect condition as expected of NWOTags.
I have included two Apatite articles below for your appreciation and enjoyment.
Summary of below:
"Although apatite is a very common mineral, transparent gemstone-quality apatite is extremely rare. Despite apatite being the defining mineral for 5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, it remains virtually unknown to most consumers and is seldom found in jewelry stores. However, because apatite occurs in such a wide variety of attractive colors and forms, it is a favorite among gemstone collectors. Connoisseurs often seek out rare colors such as Paraiba-like blue-green apatite or leek-green apatite, which is known as 'asparagus stone'."   ...   "Apatite gemstones are typically untreated. Blue apatite is known to be heat-treated, but some are un-enhanced. Most green specimens are typically untreated."
Type:  Natural Apatite
(Personally confirmed as Genuine Apatite by digital refractometer(RI=1.645), polariscope, spectroscope, UV short&long wave light, measured Specific Gravity=3.19) -- captej2012
Color:  Neon-Blue
Shape:  Cushion-cut
Dimensions:  9.05mm x 6.99mm x 5.17mm
Weight:  2.55 cts
Luster:  Flashing TopFire
Clarity:  VS
Hardness:  5.0 rating on the Mohs Scale
Treatment:  Not Heated
(despite the article below, this particular blue gem is Not Heated)
Origin:  Brazil
Blue Apatite
seated by me Alone,
They say you're just a Stone.
But if so, Why do I feel you?
Why do I hear you?
How Comforting your Presence.
How Close when we Whisper.
Is My Need that you're There?
Or Your Need that I am Here?
Whichever Be, We have One Another.
Whatever Be, We are One Another.
Take you They will,
No Matter If They Do.
They Want What We Are.
So Go Yet We Remain.
Go Share What We Are.
Whatever Be We Remain.
Author's Note -- Concerned reader, the above was inspired by my study of Schizophrenia and a Touch of Literary Liberty; fortunately, I am not so Afflicted.  I am just having fun writing for an incidental audience -- you.  :-)
We are an eBay eStore enterprise focused on selling mostly Loose Natural Gemstones.  Stay here, look around and learn.  Via eBay Messaging, ask us questions, make an offer, and otherwise discuss your wishes, concerns and hopes.  We pride ourselves as good-spirited folks having fun and doing our best to share the joy of Nature's most beautiful and enduring literal treasure -- Natural Gemstones.  Expect to find us cheerful and trustworthy, and we will expect the same of you.  For us, Negative FeedBack as a means of coercion is never needed and only degrades everyone's enjoyment in what should otherwise be a fun shopping experience.          And finally, please enjoy my work as eBay's First (unofficial) Gemstone Poet.  --  captej2012
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From URL:
https://www.gemselect.com/gem-info/apatite/apatite-info.php
Apatite Gemstone Information
About Apatite - History and Introduction
Apatite
is a group of phosphate minerals which includes hydroxyl-apatite, fluor-apatite and chlor-apatite. Apatite is the most common type of phosphate in the world and it is the main source for phosphorus, a chemical essential to bioenergetics and photosynthesis. Apatite is composed of calcium phosphate, which is the same material that makes up teeth and bones.
Although apatite is a very common mineral, transparent gemstone-quality apatite is extremely rare. Despite apatite being the defining mineral for 5 on the Mohs scale of mineral hardness, it remains virtually unknown to most consumers and is seldom found in jewelry stores. However, because apatite occurs in such a wide variety of attractive colors and forms, it is a favorite among gemstone collectors. Connoisseurs often seek out rare colors such as Paraiba-like blue-green apatite or leek-green apatite, which is known as 'asparagus stone'. Deep purple, violet and reddish specimens are also sought after. There is an additional blue variety known as 'moroxite', but this is typically heat-treated to enhance color.
The word 'apatite' was derived from a Greek word meaning 'cheat'. The name was given to apatite because of its close resemblance to several other precious gemstones. As a result of many people being 'cheated', apatite became unfairly labeled as the 'deceitful stone'. Amblygonite, andalusite, brazilianite,
precious beryl
, sphene, topaz and tourmaline can all be confused with apatite.
Apatite Chatoyancy
Apatite that exhibits chatoyancy, or a cat's eye effect, is extremely rare.
Cat's eye apatite gemstones
are always cut en cabochon. Chatoyancy is a rare optical phenomenon existing only in a handful of different gem types. It is distinguished by a unique light reflection that resembles the slit eye of a cat. It is caused by light reflected off parallel inclusions within a gemstone, typically rutile needles, fibers or channels. Cat's eye reflections are best viewed in direct light; when the stone is rotated, the cat's eye will appear to glide across the surface.
Apatite Mineralogy
Apatite develops as crystals within granite pegmatites, metamorphic rocks and igneous environments. Apatite crystal can vary in composition based on the level of hydroxide, fluorine or chlorine ions. Apatite-rich rocks are one of the most important sources for phosphorus. Not only is phosphorus required by plants, but it is also an essential chemical commonly used in fertilizers, explosives, fireworks, pesticides, toothpaste, detergents and pharmaceutical products.
Natural Apatite Gemstone
Identifying Apatite
Apatite can be identified through several testing methods. Fluorescence is one way to distinguish apatite specimens. Apatite is much harder than calcite, and because it is softer than
tourmaline
, beryl and quartz, a simple scratch test can usually identify and distinguish apatite. Apatite value depends mostly on color saturation. Specimens with high color intensity are considered most valuable. Gem-quality apatite is rarely found in large sizes; stones over one carat can command very high premiums. Apatite is a 'Type II - Typically Included' gem type. Almost all apatite will have visible inclusions. Eye-clean specimens are very rare, especially in larger sizes.
Apatite Origin and Gemstone Sources
Apatite is found in a number of places in the world, including Myanmar (Burma), India, Kenya, Brazil, Norway, Sri Lanka, South Africa, Mexico, Canada and the United States.
Buying Apatite and Determining Apatite Gemstone Value
Apatite Color
The range of
colors
include colorless, pink, yellow, green, blue and violet. A rare variety is a rich purple from Maine. Blue Brazilian stones are second in demand. Madagascar is known to produce a neon blue-green material that is highly desirable. Light-green apatite carries the trade name 'asparagus stone'. The color of the best specimens of apatite can rival famed Paraiba tourmaline. As for any other gem, color saturation defines the value.
Apatite Clarity and Luster
When cut and polished, apatite has a vitreous luster. Gem-quality apatite typically occurs transparent, but translucent specimens do exist.
Apatite Cut and Shape
Apatite comes in many different shapes and cuts. Transparent specimens are typically faceted into traditional shapes. Fancy shapes and calibrated sizes are hard to find and command higher prices. Some blue and yellow apatite exhibits chatoyancy and is cut and polished as
cat's eye apatite.
Specimens with bases parallel to the fibers are most ideal for cabochon cuts.
Apatite Treatment
Apatite gemstones are typically untreated. Blue apatite is known to be heat-treated, but some are un-enhanced. Most green specimens are typically untreated. Gemstone suppliers should always disclose treatments and enhancements made to their
gemstones for sale.
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From URL:
https://www.gemselect.com/other-info/about-apatite.php
About Apatite Gemstones
Click here to Enlarge Photo
Many gemstone lovers are fascinated by the ancient lore associated with gemstones, especially in relation to the human body. But whatever you might think about the alleged healing powers of gems, there is one gemstone mineral which is actually produced and used by the human body. That mineral is
apatite
.
While apatite is a common mineral, gem-quality apatite is quite rare. Apatite is known by gemstone connoisseurs especially for two colors; the Paraiba-like blue-green, and the leek-green color that once earned apatite the name 'asparagus stone.' There is also a very rare deep purple apatite, found in the aptly named Mount Apatite in Maine, USA.
Click to Enlarge
But from the point of view of mineralogy, apatite is a group of phosphate minerals, including hydroxylapatite, fluorapatite and chlorapatite. These vary according to the concentration of hydroxide, fluorine or chlorine ions in the crystal. Hydroxylapatite is the major component of tooth enamel and makes up 70% of our bones.
Apatite-rich rock is also the most important source of phosphorus in the world. Phosphorus is an essential chemical in phosphate fertilizers. Phosphorus is also widely used in explosives, fireworks, pesticides, toothpaste and detergents.
While tooth enamel is the hardest material in the human body,
apatite
is not especially hard when compared to other gemstones, with a rating of only 5 on the
Mohs scale
. So apatite jewelry is usually confined to earrings and pendants or occasional-wear rings with protective settings. Apatite is also sensitive to heat and acid, so should not be worn when working with chemicals.
When crytals of rutile grow in
apatite
, the stones may display
chatoyancy
or the cat's eye effect when the gem is cut as a
cabochon
.
Gem-quality apatite is found in a number of places in the world, including Burma, Brazil and Mexico. The neon blue-green material is found chiefly in Madagascar. When evaluating an apatite gem, color saturation is very important, since the more intense the color, the most valuable the gem. Stones over one carat are rare and will command higher prices in the market. It is unusual to find clean apatite; most pieces have at least some inclusions.