FLUORITE
Specimen flu-176

Dims: 2.1" x 2.1" x 1.7" (5.3 x 5.2 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 3.62 oz. (102.7 g)

Lei Yang, Hunan Province, China

There are six visible cubic Fluorite crystals on this specimen. Five of them are tightly intergrown into a cluster, and one is separated. They are in good condition, and the damage that they have appears to have occurred prior to the specimen's separation from its place of origin. The largest of these cubes is part of the intergrown cluster and measures 0.8 x 0.8 x 0.7" (2.1 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm). All are colorless, and though some appear to have a slight tinge of violet, I think that it emanates from one small area that I cannot pinpoint. The crystals luster changes according to the directions that in which their faces point. Some of the faces that point in a general direction have a more pearly luster, and seem to "sparkle". Other faces that point in a different direction have a bright, vitreous luster, enabling one to take advantage of the crystals' transparence and clarity. All show substantial internal fracturing and cleavage planing, though. They rest on a base that is made up of countless white, intergrown dolomite crystals that have a bladed, prismatic form with curved faces and a dull, waxy luster.

Dims: 7.9" x 4.8" x 3.2" (20.1 x 10.2 x 8.1 cm)

Wt: 3 lbs., 1.1 oz. (1.391 kg)

Lei Yang, Hunan Province, China

A large and superb specimen, this piece contains over 100 cubic Fluorite crystals, as well as crystals of several other minerals. It is in good condition, with moderate damage in general. The Fluorites range in size from a few millimeters to 0.4" (1.0 cm) in all dimensions, and have excellent form with well-defined edges and clean faces that give them a vitreous luster. All are colored a pale blue with a hint of violet, and are clean and very clear with few internal fractures and flaws. There is one small isolated cluster of Fluorites on the specimen wherein the crystals contain faint, milky phantom inclusions that lay about 1 mm below their surfaces. Another small patch of isolated crystals have a rather intense violet color, but these are tiny and not as well-formed. Among the Fluorites lay countless tiny quartz crystals that are colorless and nearly transparent, along with as many small rhombohedral calcite and/or dolomite crystals that have a cream color and are opaque. There are also several cubic pyrite crystals that are intergrown into a vein that runs through one end of the specimen. Most are broken, and only a few are undamaged. They have the standard pale gold coloration and metallic luster of pyrite. This is what I think of when somebody says a "cabinet specimen".

Dims: 3.5" x 2.6" x 2.3" (8.9 x 6.6 x 5.8 cm)

Wt: 9.58 oz. (272.0 g)

sub-Rosiclare Level, Hill & Ledford Mine, Ozark-Mahoning County, Illinois, U.S.A.

Seven or eight intergrown cubic Fluorite crystals make up the bulk of this specimen. Whether due to intergrowth or the small amount of breakage on the specimen, none of the crystals are complete. However, they all show excellent cubic form, with well-defined edges and clean, smooth faces that show a dull, vitreous-to-pearly luster. The largest of these cubes measures 2.0 x 1.9 x 1.4" (5.1 x 4.8 x 3.6 cm) and is probably the least complete of the cluster, though it shows almost no human-induced damage. The other crystals are much smaller than this, and do not exceed 0.7" (1.8 cm) in any dimension. As with the other crystals, it is transparent and quite clear, enabling one to see a few subtle phantoms within when examining it under bright light. Deep within the crystal is another, much smaller included Fluorite cube- part of it is protruding from the "incomplete" surface of the crystal. This cube is quite visible through the surface of the larger one, which, incidentally, has a pale blue color with some patches that have a subtle violet shade. Attached to the Fluorites is a cluster that is made up of at least 10 intergrown calcite crystals. They have the form of "composite crystals" that each appear to be made up of many smaller crystals that are aligned with each other and heavily intergrown. It is a very beautiful specimen.

Dims: 3.1" x 2.0" x 1.2" (7.9 x 5.1 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 2.57 oz. (73.1 g)

Clay Center, Ohio, U.S.A.

This small hand specimen consists of a calcareous shale base on which rest at least 20 cubic Fluorite crystals. Almost all of them are in excellent condition, having little damage and excellent form, with well-defined edges and clean, smooth faces that have a vitreous luster. They have a faint yellow coloration and are transparent and very clear. They do not exceed 0.3" (8 mm) in all dimensions, though one crystal in particular has dimensions of 0.5 x 0.2 x 0.2" (1.3 x 0.5 x 0.5 cm). Among the Fluorites are several thin blades of celestite that show considerable damage. All are colorless, transparent and clear, with a vitreous luster. There are also scores of tiny, cream-colored scalenohedral calcite crystals that do not exceed 1 or 2 mm in length. They have a dull luster and are translucent at best. These crystals were found in a 600-foot-deep pocket in the Silica Shale formation. They accompanied a fossil find that dates back to the Ordovician period.

Dims: 1.7" x 1.2" x 1.0" (4.3 x 3.0 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.32 oz. (37.5 g)

Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico

A very simple thumbnail specimen, this piece consists of two separate and distinct clusters of Fluorite crystals resting on a crystalline sphalerite base. The larger cluster measures approximately 1.0 x 0.9 x 0.8" (2.5 x 2.3 x 2.0 cm), and the smaller has dimensions of 0.6 x 0.4 x 0.4" (1.5 x 1.0 x 1.0 cm). Each Fluorite cluster appears to be composed of many intergrown cubic crystals that are all aligned with each other. The largest of these crystals measures about 0.3" (8 mm) across its only completely visible face. All are colorless, reasonably clear, and have a vitreous luster on their faces. All of the visible edges of all the crystals in both clusters are truncated by secondary faces. Upon close examination of the largest crystal face in the larger cluster, I noticed that there are fibrous, needle-like crystals visible below the surface. Further examination showed that such crystals are visible in a few other places on the cluster- I do not know their composition. The sphalerite base on which the clusters rest appears to be made up of several incomplete and intergrown tetrahedral crystals that have the standard dark brown color, opacity, and adamantine-to-metallic luster.

Dims: 9.1" x 5.0" x 3.6" (23.1 x 13.0 x 9.1 cm)

Wt: 6.1 lbs. (2.8 kg)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

The largest specimen in our present stock, this cabinet specimen consists of four large, intersecting, cubic Fluorite crystals. Though none of the crystals are more than 50% complete, it appears that the specimen was broken off of its host during its formation, as both breakage surfaces show partial healing and almost no human-induced damage. The largest of these crystals measures 5 - 5.5" (12.7 - 14.0 cm) and its one nearly complete face is covered with smaller cubic crystal projections. Each crystal has a deep violet coloration and a pearly-to-waxy luster that is caused by countless tiny cubic prokjections that slightly break the continuity of their faces. Ther edges are well-defined. The specimen is completely translucent under a bright light, showing its beautiful color. Besides the Fluorite are a few clusters that are made up of dozens of intergrown sphalerite crystals. These crystals have the standard steep tetrahedral shape of sphalerite, but are somewhat warped due to their heavy intergrowth. They have a dark brown coloration and an almost metallic, adamantine luster. The crystals are in good condition, showing little damage, and are only dimly and partially translucent in very bright light. It is one of the largest Elmwood Fluorites that I have been able to examine closely.

Dims: 3.0" x 2.0" x 1.8" (7.6 x 5.1 x 4.6 cm)

Wt: 6.16 oz. (174.8 g)

Moscona Mine, Asturias, Spain

The most noticeable aspect of this specimen is its unusual golden coloration. It consists of a cluster of dozens of cubic crystals that show almost no damage whatsoever and are rarely more than 50% complete due to their heavy intergrowth. The largest of these crystals measures nearly 0.5" (1.2 cm) along an edge, and like the others, has excellent form with well-defined edges and clean faces that show a slightly dulled vitreous luster. The crystals are all transparent and moderately clear, though they each show some cloudy inclusions. There are many very small, white dolomite crystals growing mainly on one side of the cluster. These are likewise in excellent condition, and have the curved, bladed form that is common for that mineral.

Dims: 4.4" x 1.9" x 1.4" (11.2 x 4.8 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 4.26 oz. (120.8 g)

Moscona Mine, Asturias, Spain

A very atteractive specimen, this piece consists of dozens of golden Fluorite crystals whose combined formation has an almost stalactitic appearance. All are in excellent condition, as only a few spots of minor damage are visible. The crystals measure a maximum of 0.4" (1.0 cm) along an edge, have the classic cubic form, and are heavily intergrown. They have well-defined edges and smooth faces that show a bright, vitreous luster. Their color is a rather unusual golden tint and they are transparent and very clear, so that one can see several rusty inclusions that are scattered within. There are a few small patches of colorful chalcopyrite and several small, white dolomite rhombohedrons (most of which are damaged) scattered on the specimen, and only a very small amount of a brown host rock.

Dims: 4.4" x 3.7" x 2.4" (11.2 x 9.4 x 6.1 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 3.4 oz. (551 g)

Denton Mine, Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, U.S.A.

This hand specimen consists of a cluster of several cubic Fluorite crystals- I count at least 20 different crystals, though many of these are mostly incomplete. They are generally in very good condition, showing a few scars along the corners of one or two cubes and the inevitable damage from the piece's separation from its place of formation. The largest of these cubes has visible dimensions of 1.4 x 1.0 x 1.0" (3.6 x 2.5 x 2.5 cm) and like the others, is incomplete due to heavy intergrowth. As seen in the close-up image, these crystals have formed in such a way that their edges continued to grow for a while after their faces stopped. Thus, some of the crystals show a partially complete "crust" of violet Fluorite over a dull-golden "core". Both the core and crust are transparent and quite clear, and have a pearly-to-waxy luster. Off of the center of the cluster is an outcropping of sphalerite. It has a black color with brown highlights and a bright, vitreous luster, and is opaque. There is a thin layer of calcareous shale or mudstone host rock on the specimen's underside.

Dims: 4.0" x 3.5" x 2.3" (10.2 x 8.9 x 5.8 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 2.2 oz. (517 g)

Denton Mine, Cave-In-Rock, Illinois, U.S.A.

This is one of the most unusual specimens I have seen come from the Cave-In-Rock locality. It consists of a cluster of cubic Fluorite that partially grows over a large, crystalline formation of sphalerite. The Fluorites have a pale violet coloration and a rather dull, waxy luster, and are transparent and clear, though the dull luster provides some interference. The largest of these crystals have dimensions that slightly exceed 1" (2.5 cm). The sphalerites seem to consist of countless tiny crystals that do not exceed 2 mm in any dimension. However, they are all aligned with each other so as to appear to form two large, intergrown crystals. Both the Fluorite and sphalerite are pervaded with many tiny but well-formed chalcopyrite crystals. These are visible both on the sphaerite's surface and trapped just under the surfaces of the Fluorites. They are not visible beneathe all of the faces, though. There is a small amount of a pale brown, sandy host rock on the specimen's underside.

Dims: 2.3 x 2.3 x 1.5" (5.8 x 5.8 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 6.71 oz. (190.2 g)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

This hand specimen consists of 3 intergrown and incomplete Fluorite cubes. Two of these are more than 70% incomplete, but the third is at least 50% complete and has dimensions of 2.0 x 1.9 x 1.4" (5.0 x 4.9 x 3.6 cm). It is visibly damaged, but this damage is concentrated around its base, where it was broken off of the base on which it grew. Its cubic form is excellent, with relatively well-defined edges and intensely patterned but clean faces. It has a rather deep violet color and a greasy luster and is dimly transparent due to internral fractures. A small amount of sphalerite is attached to its base, but no limestone host material is present.

Dims: 2.8 2.5 x 2.2" (7.1 x 6.4 x 5.6 cm)

Wt: 9.3 oz. (262.7 g)

Xianghualin, Hunan Province, China

This hand specimen consists of a cluster of cubic Fluorite crystals. Though several of these crystals were broken during mining, those that are intact are undamaged and in excellent condition. The largest of these, though partFLU-81

Dims: 2.3 x 2.0 x 1.4" (5.8 x 5.1 x 3.6 cm)

Wt: 2.92 oz. (83.0 g)

Clay Center, Ohio, U.S.A.

At lest 30 cubic Fluorites rest on the limestone host rock of this large thumbnail specimen. These crystals range in size from less than 0.1" (3 mm) to 0.4" (1.0 cm) along an edge and are in excellent condition for their exposure, as only a few of them appear to be FLU-82

Dims: 3.3 x 2.7 x 1.7" (8.4 x 6.9 x 4.3 cm)

Wt: 3.96 oz. (112.3 g)

unknown (likely Mexico)

Like the previous specimen, this piece consists of a crust of intergrown calcite crystals that is the matrix for scores of tiny Fluorite cubes. These cubes do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) along an edge- most are considerably smaller than that. Most of the exposed crystals are damaged, but not very many of them are exposed. The rest are intact and in good condition, showing a somewhat warped cubic form. However, all appear to be rather heavily intergrown and possibly trapped in a matrix of colorless, transparent calcite. These rest on a layer of what might be natrolite, as the short, radiating crystals are fine and fibrous. All of this rests on a thin, rough brown crust that I cannot quite identify. This piece and the others like it in our selection are quite mysterious.

Dims: 1.3 x 1.2 x 1.2" (3.3 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm)

Wt: 1.69 oz. (47.9 g)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Not more than 7 Fluorite cubes rest on the sphalerite base of this thumbnail specimen. The largest of these is by far the most noticeable, having dimensions of 0.7 x 0.7 x 0.6" (1.8 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm), and is much larger than the others, most of which are partly intergrown with it. One of the smaller crystals is badly broken and incomplete, and the largest crystalFLU-86

Dims: 1.9 x 1.6 x 1.0" (4.8 x 4.1 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 1.62 oz. (46.1 g)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

A single cubic Fluorite crystal rests on the gray dolomitic limestone host rock of this specimen. It is rather small, measuring 0.3" (8 mm) along an edge, but is in excellent condition, showing only very minor damage in the form of a tiny cleavage plane on the most exposed corner of the cube. Its cubic form is also excellent, with slightly convex surfaces that suggest that its corners grew slightly more quickly than its faces. It has a deep violet color and is dimly transparent. Two smFLU-90

Dims: 1.8 x 1.1 x 0.7" (4.6 x 2.8 x 1.8 cm)

Wt: 11.5 g

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

Eight Fluorite cubes rest on the small dolomitic limestone base of this thumbnail specimen. One of these is only partly complete, and two others show some damage in the form of small cleavage planes on corners, but the rest are undamaged and in excellent condition. They range in size from 2 mm to 0.3" (8 mm) along an edge and generally have excellent though slightly irregular cubic form. The irregularity sprouts from the fact that the faces and edges of each crystal are slightly concave, as their corners formed more quickly than their faces. All have a violetFLU-92

Dims: 6.1 x 3.7 x 2.5" (15.5 x 9.4 x 6.4 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 2.2 oz. (970 g)

Xianghualin, Hunan Province, China

At least 20 heavily intergrown Fluorite cubes rest on the dark gray host rock of this specimen. These cubes show slight damage and achieve diameters of 1.2" (3.0 cm). All have a rather unusual cubic form, in that their faces are heavily patterned and did not grow quite as quickly as their corners, which are truncated with large, clean secondary faces. Their edges are not well-defined, and are truncated by small tertiary faces that are stepped and uneven. All have the pale green color that is standard for Fluorite from this locality and a pearly luster. They are transparent and appear to be quite clear, though their pebbled faces prevent a clear view within. Together they form a crust that coats most of the surface of the black host rock.

Dims: 10.7 x 6.0 x 4.4" (27.2 x 15.2 x 11.2 cm)

Wt: 8.4 lbs (3.8 kg)

Xianghualin, Hunan Province, China

One of the more unusual Fluorite pieces I have seen lately, this large cabinet specimen consists of a large, possibly stalactitic formation of intergrown Fluorite cubes that are coated with a thin druse of tiny, white quartz crystals. The quartz crust is made up of thousands of tiny hexagonal prisms and is no more than 0.2" (5 mm) thick. However, it almost completely covers the Fluorites, except for where the piece was separated from its place of formation. Therefore, the Fluorite crystals are obviously almost impossible to study, but one can see from the breakage area at the base of the specimen that they have a pale green coloration, and one can still see their cubo-octahedral form, which appears to be quite good. The formation acts as a base, though, for 20 to 30 smaller Fluorite cubes that grew at a later time.

Dims: 5.4 x 4.8 x 2.9" (13.7 x 12.2 x 7.4 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 2.3 oz. (1.086 kg)

Muzquiz, Coahuila, Mexico

This large hand specimen consists of several intergrown Fluorite cubes. These cubes range in diameter from a few millimeters to 2.2" (5.6 cm), and are in moderately good condition, as there are a few areas of obvious damage on the piece. Though none are complete, the crystals have excellent cubic crystal form, with well-defined edges and faces that are composed of many smaller, individual faces that possess a very bright pearly luster. Their dark violet color seems to be concentrated at the surface of each crystal, and fades rapidly about 0.3" (8 mm) down. Though it is almost impossible to determine, I believe that their interior material is transparent and reasonably clear, though it does contain a few internal fractures. There is no host rock or other material present.

Dims: 5.7 x 3.2 x 1.0" (14.5 x 8.1 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 8.25 oz. (234.0 g)

Hunan Province, China

Though I cannot be certain, I think that this hand specimen comes from the locality at Xianghualin. It consists of a thin crust of intergrown Fluorite cubes that are partly covered with a druse of small white quartz crystals. Those Fluorites that are visible do not exceed 0.4" (1.0 cm) in diameter and have excellent cubic crystal form- their edges are well-defined and their faces are clean. All have a pale green color which is common for material from this locality and a bright, nearly vitreous luster. They are transparent and quite clear, though they do contain many internal fractures. The quartz druse that covers the Fluorites is made up of scores of intergrown quartz crystals that do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length. All have good form and an impressively bright, white coloration. There is a very thin crust of darker, almost microcrystalline quartz on the underside of the Fluorite crust, but no actual base rock is present.

Dims: 1.8 x 1.7 x 1.5" (4.6 x 4.3 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 2.58 oz. (73.1 g)

Santa Eulalia, Chihuahua, Mexico

This thumbnail specimen consists of several tiny Fluorite crystals that rest on a base of assorted metallic sulfides. These little crystals measure no more than 0.3" (8 mm) along an edge, but are in excellent condition- only the largest Fluorite appears to be damaged, in the form of a clean cleavage plane on one side. All have excellent cubic form, though most have truncated edges, and the larger ones are nearly cubo-octahedral. Their edges are very well-defined, and their faces are clean, possessing a bright, vitreous luster. All are colorless, transparent, and moderately to very clear. They are accompanied by one large, white partial calcite crystal and several small, white quartz prisms. The base on which they rest is made up of intergrown galena, sphalerite and pyrite crystals, most of which have very good form.

Dims: 2.9 x 2.4 x 1.3" (7.4 x 6.0 x 3.2 cm)

Wt: 5.1 lbs. (2.3 kg)

Chihuahua, Mexico

This large cabinet specimen consists of a seemingly misshapen chunk of Fluorite. Though it shows no definite crystal shape as a whole, many small crystalline protrusions extend from one visible face and show excellent cubic tendencies. Otherwise, its surfaces are rough and uneven, possessing a pearly luster. The Fluorite has a moderate green coloration with a tinge of blue and is translucent to dimly transparent. It is partly covered by crusts made up of hundreds of tiny, intergrown calcites that have excellent form.

Dims: 4.2 x 3.3 x 2.7" (10.7 x 8.3 x 6.9 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 1.3 oz. (943 kg)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

At least 30 Fluorite cubes rest on the sphalerite base of this cabinet specimen. These cubes are in moderately good condition, as several of them are damaged, and measure up to 0.5" (1.3 cm) along an edge. Their form is very good- all edges are well-defined and all faces are faintly patterned but clean. They have a very pale violet color and a dull pearly luster and are transparent and dimly to moderately clear. The sphalerite base is crystalline, and several intergrown, partial crystals protrude around the Fluorites.

Dims: 4.0 x 2.2 x 1.5" (10.1 x 5.6 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 6.61 oz. (187.4 g)

Hardin County, Illinois, U.S.A.

Four or five incomplete Fluorite cubes are clustered to form this hand specimen. The largest measures about 1.6" (4 cm) along an edge and like another, shows minor damage on its most exposed corner. Their form is excellent, with well-defined edges and heavily-patterned but clean faces. All have a moderately deep violet color with a hint of red and a dull, waxy luster, and are dimly transparent at best. The crystals broke off of their base during their formation, and the breakage surfaces then healed slightly. There is no host rock present.

Dims: 2.9 x 2.3 x 1.4" (7.4 x 5.7 x 3.5 cm)

Wt: 5.15 oz. (146.2 g)

Nancy Hanks Claim, Colorado, U.S.A.

Two intersecting Fluorite crusts make up this hand specimen. Each of these crusts is made up of dozens of heavily intergrwon Fluorite crystals that are in moderately good condition due to minor damage on exposed points. They measure up to 0.5" (1.3 cm) along an edge and have good octahedral form, considering their intergrowth. All have a rather bright green coloration and a dull, greasy-to-waxy luster, and are translucent. A few clusters of tiny quartz crystals are scattered on the Fluorite.

Dims: 2.7 x 2.6 x 1.1" (6.9 x 6.6 x 2.9 cm)

Wt: 4.88 oz. (138.5 g)

Naica, Chihuahua, Mexico

This hand specimen consists primarily of a small formation of crystalline Fluorite. The formation shows no definite form of its own, but is made up of scores of heavily-intergrown Fluorite cubes. These cubes are generally in good condition and reach diameters of nearly 0.4" (1.0 cm). Their cubic form is excellent- all edges are very straight and well-defined, and all faces are extremely clean- and are slightly unusual in the fact that each edge is truncated with a thin secondary face. All are colorless, transparent, and impressively clear, though their intergrowth tends to interfere with the view to their interiors. Clusters of white calcite or dolomite rest on the Fluorite, and these serve as a base for several small chalcopyrite crystals. A small amount of broken sphalerite and galena is left from its base material.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.5 x 1.2" (4.9 x 3.8 x 3.1 cm)

Wt: 2.96 oz. (84.0 g)

Denton Mine, Hardin County, Illinois, U.S.A.

A few intergrown, partial Fluorite cubes make up this small hand specimen. They measure up to 1.5" (3.8 cm) along an edge and are in very good condition, showing little damage. Their cubic form is also very good, and all have a violet-and-pale-yellow coloration that caused by phantom layering within each crystal. Their luster is greasy and all are transparent and dimly clear. Several tiny pyrite or chalcopyrite crystals are partly embedded in the natural surfaces of each crystal, and a few have been included. There is no host rock present.

Dims: 3.1 x 2.0 x 1.6" (8.0 x 5.2 x 4.1 cm)

Wt: 7.0 oz. (198 g)

Nancy Hanks Claim, Colorado, U.S.A.

This piece consists of a Fluorite crust that partly coats a brown quartzite or sandstone base. The crust is made up of countless small Fluorite octahedrons that are extremely intergrown. It is in good condition, but one can only just discern the crystals therein. They have a pale green color and a greasy luster and are translucent. Many tiny quartz crystals rest on this crust- they do not exceed 0.1" (3 mm) in length and show good hexagonal form.

Dims: 2.4 x 1.4 x 1.0" (6.1 x 3.6 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 2.11 oz. (60.4 g)

Hardin County, Illinois, U.S.A.

This cluster of several Fluorite cubes is in very good condition, showing little damage. The cubes therein measure up to 0.8 (2.1 cm) along an edge and have excellent form. All of them, however, show strange, non-geometric patterns on their faces. They have a deep violet color and a greasy luster and are dimly transparent. Their centers show definite phantom formations that are essentially opaque, however, when viewed under a strong light. A small amount of calcite is also present, and all rest on a small base of gray dolomitic limestone.

Dims: 2.4 x 1.8 x 1.5" (6.0 x 4.6 x 3.8 cm)

Wt: 3.76 oz. (106.7 g)

Heights Quarry, Weardale, County Durham, England

This small hand specimen consists of a loose cluster of colorless Fluorite cubes. These cubes do not measure more than 0.5" (1.3 cm) along an edge and are in moderately good condition, as many of them are damaged or broken. Their form is excellent where intact, however, and all are essentially colorless, transparent and extremely clear. When bathed in longwave UV light, they glow a bright, pale violet color. All are surrounded and partly coated by a cluster oFLU-139

Dims: 0.8 x 0.7 x 0.6" (2.0 x 1.8 x 1.5 cm)

Wt: 15.5 g w/ specimen box

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

This thumbnail specimen consists of a single Fluorite "floater" crystal. It cleaved off of its base sometime during its formation, and the cleavage face partly healed over. It also has excellent isometric, cubic form, though a growth interruption has caused it to form around a small, thick vein of calcite. The Fluorite has the common violet color and pearly luster and is transparent and dimly clear. The piece is hot-glued into a plastic specimen box.

Dims: 1.6 x 1.3 x 1.0" (4.1 x 3.3 x 2.5 cm)

Wt: 2.02 oz. (57.4 g)

Heights Quarry, Weardale, County Durham, England

Several small Fluorite cubes rest on the sparse brown host rock of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in good condition, showing only light damage in a few spots, and have excellent form, with sharp edges and very clean faces. All are colorless, transparent and very clear, and have a bright, nearly vitreous luster. When bathed in longwave ultraviolet light, they glow a very bright violet- close examination of their fluorescence shows that it is concentrated in phantoms inside the larger crystals! They are accompanied by several creamy-white calcites that have a "nail-head" formation and are generally in good condition.

Dims: 3.1 x 2.7 x 2.1" (7.9 x 6.9 x 5.3 cm)

Wt: 5.38 oz. (152.8 g)

Frazers Hush, Weardale, County Durham, England

0.1 - 0.5" (2 - 13 mm) in diameter and are generally in very good condition- only those crystals on the edge of the crust are damaged. Their cubic form is exceptional- all edges are very well-defined and all faces are extremely clean and show a vitreous luster. Their color is a pale violet and all are transparent and very clear. When viewed under longwave UV light, all glow a moderately dull violet.

Dims: 5.2 x 4.6 x 3.6" (13.2 x 11.7 x 9.2 cm)

Wt: 5.3 lbs. (2.4 kg)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

This large cabinet specimen consists of a single Fluorite cube that rests on a large base. This cube has a diameter of 0.6" (10.5 cm) and is in very good condition, showing only a tiny spot of damage on one corner. Its form is excellent, and it has a pale violet color and a pearly luster. The crystal is transparent and moderately clear, and it contains a large internal fracture. It is accopmanied by a large formation of semicrystalline calcite and the remains of a sphalerite cluster.

Dims: 1.9 x 1.2 x 1.1" (4.8 x 3.0 x 2.8 cm)

Wt: 1.86 oz. (52.9 g) w/ specimen box

Heights Quarry, Weardale, County Durham, England

Severl colorless, transparent Fluorite cubes rest on this specimen. These cubes do not exceed 0.4" (1.0 cm) in diameter but are in very good condition and have exceptional isometric form. They are transparent and very clear, and glow a moderate violet coloration under shortwave UV light. They are accopmanied by many "nail-head" calcite formations that are generally in good condition. The piece is affixed inside a plastic specimen box with a removable putty.

Dims: 3.6 x 2.1 x 1.6" (9.2 x 5.3 x 3.9 cm)

Wt: 3.84 oz. (108.9 g)

Lei Yang, Hunan Province, China

This small cabinet specimen consists of what appears to be an almost stalactitic formation of intergrown Fluorite cubes. These cubes are generally in good condition, as several of them have obviously cleaved corners. They reach diameters of 0.5" (1.3 cm) and have very good cubic form- some have corners that are truncated with tiny faces. They are nearly colorless, but every one contains a thin, violet phantom that has a warped cubic shape. The Fluorite is partly covered by crusts of intergrown white quartz and dolomite crystals.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.8 x 1.4" (5.2 x 4.6 x 3.5 cm)

Wt: 3.26 oz. (92.5 g)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

This hand specimen consists of a cluster of deep violet Fluorite cubes that rest on a dolomitic limestone base. These crystals are generally in good condition, as one or two are heavily cleaved and incomplete, and have excellent cubic form. Their luster is greasy and dull, and though their color is concentrated at their surfaces, it is so dark that the larger cubes are nearly opaque. A few broken sphalerites also rest on the base, which is coated with crusts of tiny quartz crystals and small white dolomites.

Dims: 1.1 x 1.0 x 0.9" (2.9 x 2.6 x 2.2 cm)

Wt: 10.3 g

T & G Prospect, Grant County, New Mexico, U.S.A.

The compact, fibrous natrolite matrix of this thumbnail specimen holds at least 25 natural Fluorite octahedrons. These crystals do not exceed 0.3" (0.8 cm) and are generally in very good condition, though a few are cleaved and incomplete. All have excellent octahedral form, with well-defined edges and smooth faces whose luster is matte-to-waxy. Their violet color is moderately deep but all are translucent.

Dims: 6.0 x 3.6 x 3.1" (15.3 x 9.0 x 7.7 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 15.9 oz. (850 g)

Lei Yang, Hunan Province, China

A single, large cluster of heavily-intergrown Fluorite cubes rests on the massive quartz base of this cabinet specimen. The largest cube has visible dimensions of 0.5 x 0.5 x 0.4" (1.4 x 1.3 x 0.9 cm) and, like the others, has a rather rounded cubic form and some unusual patterns on its faces that may be caused by weathering of some sort. All have a pale green color and a dull, waxy luster and are transparent and dimly clear. The cluster rests on a bed of warped muscovite and small, transparent quartz crystals.

Dims: 3.3 x 1.9 x 1.9" (8.4 x 4.9 x 4.8 cm)

Wt: 5.88 oz. (166.7 g)

Blanchard Mine, New Mexico, U.S.A.

At least 30 Fluorite cubes rest on the calcareous base of this hand specimen. These crystals do not generally exceed 0.4" (1.0 cm) in diameter and are in very good condition- only a small number show any fresh damage. Their cubic form is excellent and all have a pale blue color and a dull, waxy luster. They are also transparent and quite clear. Many of them are intergrown into a cluster that is adjacent to a single, large tabular calcite that is rather rounded. The base itself is made up of calcite or limestone and is encrusted with countless tiny calcite "dogtooth" crystals.

Dims: 2.1 x 1.8 x 1.3" (5.3 x 4.5 x 3.4 cm)

Wt: 2.4 oz. (66 g)

PTH Tunnel, Deer Trail Mine, Mount Baldy District, Utah, U.S.A.

At least 12 distinct Fluorite crystals rest on the quartz base of this hand specimen. These crystals are generally in very good condition- one or two show old, partly-healed damage- and reach 0.6" (1.5 cm) in diameter. All have good cubo-octahedral form, though their very pebbly surfaces and dull luster make it a bit difficult to study easily. Their color is pale green, their luster is pearly-to-waxy, and all are transparent and moderately clear. Several of them form a cluster that covers a druse of small, white quartz crystals which extend from the base.

Dims: 3.0 x 2.0 x 1.7" (7.6 x 5.0 x 4.2 cm)

Wt: 6.0 oz. (171 g)

Cave-In-Rock, Hardin County, Illinois, U.S.A.

This cluster of partial Fluorite cubes shows heavy damage, but the damage is old and partly healed. Six or seven intergrown crystals make up the cluster. Their completeness corresponds with their size: the largest crystal is 60-70% complete, and the smallest is less than 20% complete. Where intact, their cubic form is excellent, showing considerable patterning on their surfaces. All are similarly colored- their cores have a dull yellow coloration, and a layer of deep violet material rests just beneath the colorless surface layer. Their luster is greasy, and all are dimly transparent and generally cloudy. A few bits of sphalerite are embedded in the cluster, but no host rock is present.

Dims: 5.2 x 3.0 x 1.7" (13.2 x 7.6 x 4.4 cm)

Wt: 8.1 oz. (230 g)

Xianghualin, Hunan Province, China

This lovely cabinet piece is made up of a crust of scores of intergrown Fluorite cubes that are cemented together with crusts of tiny, white quartz crystals. These Fluorite cubes reach a maximum diameter of 1.2" (3.1 cm) and are in excellent condition, showing almost no damage. All have very good cubic form and a pale green color and greasy to waxy luster, and all are transparent and quite clear, containing a few internal cleavage planes. A thin, gray quartz crust coats the bottom of the Fluorite crust.

Dims: 6.1 x 2.5 x 1.8" (15.5 x 6.5 x 4.7 cm)

Wt: 13.8 oz. (392 g)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

A single, large Fluorite crystal rests on the dolomitic limestone base of this cabinet piece. This crystal is in excellent condition, showing almost no damage, and measures about 0.9 x 0.9 x 0.7" (2.4 x 2.2 x 1.9 cm). It has excellent cubic form, with the pebbly, patterned surfaces that are common for crystals from this locality. One can see that this pebbly surface interferes with the view into the otherwise transparent and very clear crystal and gives it a dull, waxy luster. Its moderately pale purple color is likewise mostly caused by its surface, which has a dark violet color in a thin layer. It is rests on a druse of countless tiny calcite crystals and is accompanied by scores of tiny, white dolomites.

Dims: 5.4 x 2.5 x 1.3" ( 13.5 x 6.5 x 3.3 cm)

Wt: about 7.1 oz. ( 202g)

Xianghualin, Hunan Province, China

Many Fluorite cubes of various sizes make up a large part of this cabinet piece. The largest and most pronounced of these crystals measures about 1.1" (2.7 cm) along an edge and is in excellent condition, showing no appreciable damage. Its cubic form is very good, and though at least 4 of its corners seem to be cleaved off, these truncations are actually natural- one can see the crystalline patterns on their surfaces through a 10-power loupe. The smaller crystals are generally less than half the size of the larger and are in good condition, showing a paler green color than the large crystal. All are transparent and moderately to very clear, and have a dull pearly to waxy luster by which one can see a subtle patterning on their surfaces. I am not sure what the base rock is, but the piece is easily mostly Fluorite by weight. This specimen presents very well as a single green fluorite cube.

Dims: 6.7 x 4.0 x 3.8" (17.0 x 10.2 x 9.7 cm)

Wt: 2 lbs., 8.2 oz. (1.140 kg)

Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee, U.S.A.

This display piece consistrs of 3 intersecting Fluorite cubes that rest on a crystalline sphalerite base. These cubes are similar in size, ranging in diameter from 1.4 - 1.6" (3.6 - 4.2 cm), and are generally in very good condition- the largest shows a small impact scar on one edge, and the smallest shows considerable old damage that has healed slightly. All have excellent cubic form and heavily patterned surfaces and the common deep violet color. Their luster is greasy to waxy and their color is so deep as to render them only dimly translucent. The sphalerite crust shows damage in several areas but is generally in very good condition. All are heavily warped due to twinning and intergrowth, and all have the classic deep brown color and adamantine luster. A rather interesting, uniform indentation runs along the bottom surface of this base.

Dims: 6.4 x 4.1 x 2.8" (16.3 x 10.3 x 7.1 cm)

Wt: 1 lb., 11.1 oz. (768 g)

Qinlong Mine, Guizhou Province, China

At least 10 intersecting Fluorite crystals rest on the agate base of this display piece. These crystals reach up to 1.6" (4.2 cm) in diameter and are generally in very good condition- though there is considerable damage visible, all of it appears to be old and partly healed. The crystals have good cubic form and a waxy to dull luster. Some of the damage reveals a pale blue core that is surrounded by a thick layer of violet material. All are moderately to dimly translucent, though a few spots of dim transparence are present. The agate base is rather interesting; where visible amongst the Fluorites, its milky white agate base shows a definite botryoidal habit.

Dims: 3.1x2.0x2.2" (8.0x5.1x5.5 cm)

Wt: 6.5 oz. (182.7g)

Rogers Mine, Madoc, Ontario, Canada

This hand specimen contains two colors of fluorite. In a protected cavity are fine crystals of transparent green fluorite. On much of the rest of the specimen, including the cut base, is a mass of purple fluorite, mostly very damaged but with enough good crystals to verify their cubic habit. All of the fluorite fluoresces a bright purple under long-wave ultraviolet light. There are other minerals present as well, probably including barite and calcite.

Dims: 2.8x1.4x1.3: (7.1x3.6x3.2cm)

Wt: 2.24 oz. (63.3g)

Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Ohio, USA

A chunk of rock was cut and broken open to reveal two cavities. These are lined with fluorite crystals in three layers. The outer layer consists of pale brown crystals whose terminations are completely hidden by the upper layers. This layer fluoresces very bright yellow under long wave UV, and white under short-wave UV. The next layer is of small, transparent, brown fluorite cubes, which do a good job of blocking the UV from the underlying fluorite - the result is a bright "ring around the cavity". Finally, there is a number of excellent purple fluorite cubes, including one crystal measuring 7mm on the longest side. The purple on brown has a pleasing appearance, almost like an irridescence, as you examine the crystal.

Dims: 3,74x2.72x1.73" (9.5x6.9x4.4cm)

Wt: 11.37oz. (322g)

Rogerley Mine, England

This is a classic green fluorite specimen from the Rogerley Mine in England. Under long-wave ultraviolet light, it fluoresces a bright purple. The individual crystals (which coat one surface of the host rock) are all green, transparent cubes, with a slightly frosted luster. A fluorite specimen such as this is a necessary part of a fluorescent collection, as this is "fluorite".

Dims: 2.05x1.73x1.10" (5.2x4.4x2.8cm)

Wt: 1.82oz. (51.5g)

Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA

A yellow cube of fluorite is perched upon a calcite base. The crystal is well-formed and beautiful, although it is actually a rectangle instead of a cube. It fluoresces a pale yellow under long-wave ultraviolet. Actually, there are several other tiny cubes of fluorite, as well as a lot of tiny celestite crystals on this specimen. The fluorite is pale yellow, has a vitreous luster, and is transparent at one end, although the remainder is translucent due to internal fractures or inclusions (especially at the center).

Dims: 2.91x2.22x1.52" (7.39x5.63x3.85cm)

Wt: 6.44oz (182.2g)

Auglaize Quarry, Junction, Ohio, USA

This is a typical Auglaize Quarry fluorite. It has three layers of fluorite lining a cavity in the host rock. The first layer is pale brown, fluoresces bright yellow under LW UV, bright white under SW UV, and is only visible around the edges, as it has been completely covered by the other layers of fluorite. The second layer is pretty brown cubes which almost look like they have a coating of gold. And scattered about on top are numerous purple fluorite cubes, whose color (when examined with a loupe) is concentrated in an outer layer (about 0.2mm) of intense coloration, and a few of the cubes are missing that outer color layer and appear completely colorless. Thus this specimen displays 4 different colors of flourite.

Dims: 3.09x2.53x1.40" (7.85x6.43x3.56cm)

Wt: 6.90oz (195.3g)

Hunan, China

These Chinese fluorite crystals are pale green in color, and transparent, although the luster is dull due to a fine growth pattern on the surface. The largest cube of fluorite measures more than 17mm on a side.

Dims: 3.36x2.69x1.45" (8.54x6.84x3.69cm)

Wt: 9.51oz (269g)

Hunan, China

This specimen is a crust of pale green transparent fluorite crystals on a host rock which appears to be more fluorite cementing particles of something light brown. The fluorite crystals are all partial cubes, with a dull luster due to a finely pitted surface texture. The color seems uniform, and there is less damage than usual for a fluorite specimen of this size. The specimen does not fluoresce.

Dims: 0.98x0.59x0.52" (2.48x1.51x1.32cm)

Wt: 0.26oz (7.4g)

Elmwood, Tennessee, USA

This is a single purple cube of fluorite on a quartz post (looks like quartz druze over agate). The fluorite shows color banding, and is essentially transparent, although a complex crystal growth pattern on the faces obscures the clarity of the crystal. The crystal is nearly undamaged - I can see only two tiny dings to the edges, and none of the corners are cleaved, although there was a second attachment point whose base is broken, and which prevented the cube from being complete.

Dims: 3.98x2.92x2.16" (10.11x7.41x5.49cm)

Wt: 18.73oz (531g)

Dongsha, Hunan Provence, China

This specimen is mostly fluorite, including the two largest crystals. The fluorite is transparent and pale green, with some wispy inclusions. The shape appears to be distorted dodecahedrons, and the faces are smooth, but the terminations are jagged on a small scale. It flouresces a pale violet under long-wave UV. Accomanying the fluorite is a number of nearly transparent calcite crystals that appear white due to a complex surface texture. These glow pink under LW UV. Also present are numerous long, thin prismatic quartz crystals that are colorless but appear green due to a coating of chlorite.

Dims: 3.45x1.63x1.45" (8.75x4.15x3.68cm)

Wt: 6.37oz (180.4g)

Hunan, China

This fluorite specimen consists of a half dozen large and heavily intergrown fluorite crystals, plus dozens of smaller ones making a thick layer atop the host rock. The fluorite is very pale blue and highly transparent, with a vitreous luster. Some of the crystals have deep violet color splotches as inclusions, but what I find most interesting is that nearly all of the crystals have one or two thin violet color zones about 0.9mm below the surface and less than 0.1mm thick. These color zones give the visual appearance of an outline around each crystal. There is relatively little damage to the points and edges of this delicate mineral, although towards one end a point has been cleaved off and there is an area with a fairly smooth, curved fracture surface.

Dims: 1.72x1.39x1.09" (4.37x3.54x2.76cm)

Wt: 1.23oz (34.8g)

Ft. Wayne, Indiana, USA

A polycrystalline rock is host to a dozen or so cubes of fluorite. These are transparent and yellow, although they are so pale as to be nearly colorless. They all have a few internal fractures, and some hints of a milky veil inclusion. The crystals that are most exposed do show minor damage to edges and corners. The host rock is based upon a finely granular crystal mass which sparkles nicely and may be quartz, but even a loupe does not show individual crystals. On this are hundreds of colorless rhombic crystals of calcite, and thousands of tiny flat colorless trapezoidal crystals that look like barite (or celestite or a similar mineral). Under long wave ultraviolet, the fluorite glows a bright yellow (especially those milky veils), and under short-wave it glows a dim yellow.

Dims: 4.36x3.16x2.58" (11.07x8.03x6.55cm)

Wt: 27.27oz (773g)

Xianghua Lin, Hunan Provence, China

A single, large octahedral crystal of fluorite adorns this specimen. It is slightly distorted, as two faces are longer than the other two, and instead of a point, the termination is a short ridge, and the bottom 4 sides are buried or missing. The surface texture is very rough, so it is difficult to be certain, but I believe that the fluorite is transparent. Held under a bright light, there are indications of colorless areas deep within the crystal, and the dark host rock may also be visible, while the fluorite appears a pale green over-all. The host rock is a black mineral (opaque and vitreous), with no crystals to assist in identification, and it contains inclusions and a coating of transparent fluorite, followed by a layer of translucent white crystals that look like quartz, and these in turn are partially covered with yellow dimly transparent crystals that look like sphene (but of course they may be something else, perhaps even one of the hundred habits of calcite).

Dims: 3.93x1.87x1.55" (9.99x4.74x3.93cm)

Wt: 7.83oz (222g)

Rogerley Mine, England

A brown host rock is partially covered with hundreds of cubic fluorite crystals, a few of which are relatively large, and the largest exceeds 12mm on a side. Most are relatively uninteresting, with only a slight green color, but all glow brightly under long wave UV light. Their fluorescence is a bright blue or purple-white, probably several colors combined to make this one hard to describe. These green fluorites from the Rogerley Mine have another interesting characteristic - they look a pale green under incandescent light, and some areas look violet under sunlight.

Dims: 4.26x3.67x1.52" (10.83x9.32x3.87cm)

Wt: 18.98oz (538g)

Xianghua Lin, Hunan Provence, China

This is a pretty and unusual fluorite specimen from China. It is almost entirely fluorite, although there is a small amount of the quartz host rock exposed on one end of the specimen. The color is a slightly bluish-green (some might call it a "sea foam green"), with the color concentrated towards the base. If you hold it up to the light, the tips appear nearly colorless. What makes it unusual is the shape of the crystals. They are basically octahedrons whose sides are very bumpy, almost giving them a rounded appearance, and all appear (at first glance) to have their tops cleaved off. However, close examination reveals that these flat tops are really growth patterns similar to little drops of paint spattered on a flat surface. The "bumps" all over the sides look like rounded cubes, and if they were regularly spaced instead of random, the net effect would be more like a miniature pyramid built from stone blocks.

Dims: 2.36x1.59x0.88" (5.99x4.05x2.24cm)

Wt: 1.87oz (52.9g)

Xianghualin mine, Hunan Province, China

There are a number of fluorite cubes on this quartz host rock. The largest crystals are a pale green in color, and the numerous small fluorite crystals are a pale sky-blue. All are cubs, and especially the largest ones are in excellent condition, showing no damage. The quartz crystals are prismatic and basically colorless, although they have a rough exterior lending a milky appearance, plus many dark inclusions giving them a nearly smoky quartz appearance.

Dims: 3.41x2.71x1.29" (8.66x6.88x3.28cm)

Wt: 4.20oz (119.2g)

Ost-Sibirien, Dalnegorsk, Russia

A large green fluorite crystalis nicely perched on a black host rock. The fluorite is transparent a a pale lime-green in color, but shows no crystal form. Also, its surface is quite rough giving it a dull appearance. The host rock is mostly composed of quartz, and the surface is largely covered by thin, empty shells of (probably) milky quartz. Apparently, all of this was embedded within (and intergrown with) some other mineral, likely calcite, which has been etched away, exposing the fluorite. There are actually quite a few small crystals of fluorite, some of which are tiny cubes.

Dims: 2.19x1.95x1.83in (5.57x4.95x4.66cm)

Wt: 4.98oz (141.3g)

Rogerley Mine, England

This is not a very pretty fluorite specimen. While the crystals are transparent and have a rather unique green color with the slightest hint of blue, they have a moderate amount of damage and internal fractures causing an often milky appearance, plus the underlying matrix is mottled gray. Several of the fluorite crystals have a coating of this gray mineral, which I believe to be a dirty quartz crystal druze. Under long-wave ultraviolet, the specimen comes to life with a bright blue fluorescence typical of Rogerly fluorites.

dims mm=117.2x90.5x61.1

wt g=718

Xianghua Lin, Hunan Provence, China

The surface of this specimen is dominated by pale green crystals of fluorite. They are heavily intergrown and have a rounded appearance. The many flat surfaces are likely cleavage planes, although many of them have quartz crystals on top indicating that if they did cleave, it was not man made damage. There are so many quartz crystals that the specimen has a frosted appearance. There are also clear colorless blades that look like barite. All of this is perched upon a large piece of sphalerite which itself is transparent (!) and green in some places, yellow in others. Were it not for the heavy covering of fluorite, this might have made a very appealing sphalerite specimen, as transparent sphalerite is quite uncommon.

dims mm=36.88x34.35x29.68

wt g=58.9

Ost-Sibirien, Dalnegorsk, Russia

Several intergrown crystals of fluorite are set upon a bit of black host rock. The fluorite is a pretty shade of green, and it is transparent although that is difficult to see since the surface has a rough texture giving the fluorite a very dull (or soft) appearance.

dims mm=136.02x67.23x44.59

wt g=214

Dalnyegorsk, Russia

This unusual specimen consists of a base of intergrwon thin plates, allof which are coated with flower-like clusters of tiny rounded white quartz crystals, and upon this perch several intergrown crystals of transparent green fluorite. The fluorite crystals are generally incomplete octahedrons, yet the overall appearance is of a rounded mass. The fluorite fluoresces a pale blue under long wave ultraviolet.