Collecting apatite crystals at Slyudyanka. The apatite crystals are found in the light colored calcite veins coursing through the hillside. Most crystals are heavily fragmented, but clean fragments can be found.

Apatite crystal in calcite matrix and loose crystal fragments. Notice the strong dichroism of the crystal fragments to the right. Depending upon which crystallographic direction light passes through the apatite, one observes either a yellowish or bluish green color. Return