"Alien-Eye" Fluorite. Kudubis 19 farm, Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia. 10.7 x 8.5 x 5.2 cm (4.20 x 3.34 x 2.03 in)...

Description

"Alien-Eye" Fluorite
Kudubis 19 farm, Karibib District, Erongo Region, Namibia
10.7 x 8.5 x 5.2 cm (4.20 x 3.34 x 2.03 in)

Of all of the significant finds of Fluorite in mineral collecting history, the singular "Alien-Eye" find of 2007 is possibly one of the most sought-after, and, cruelly, one of the most limited in quantity, with specimens appearing on the market only once in a blue moon. This find was named for the unusual phantom/zoning pattern of the pocket: colorless edges, a sharp internal layer of deep purple-black, then eerily bright green centers that have an extraterrestrial presence, hence the pocket's famous name. Many Fluorite specimens of this find do not display well unless strongly backlit -being too dark for typical case lights- but this specimen glows with full saturation with only minimal backlighting, making it far more valuable due to its displayability. Both conjoined crystals have the classic "Alien-Eye" zoning (visible from every angle!) and a particularly glassy luster with three desirable 'frosted' faces, and only a few internal fractures, as these Fluorites typically have. This Fluorite has no repairs or restorations, surprising considering the size. The edges are in excellent condition, with virtually all of the tiny irregularities on the display side (of which there are few) being a product of natural modification, not damage. The only cleavage to be found is around the periphery where the specimen was extracted from the pocket. A famous example from the exact same pocket is the "Eyes of Africa," currently on display in the Perot Museum of Nature & Science in Dallas, Texas.

Ex. Collection of a Southern Gentleman.

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