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.

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