FLUORITE with SPHALERITE & QUARTZ. Sub-Rosiclare Level, W.L. Davis-Deardorff Mine, Cave-in-Rock District, Hardin Co., Illi...

Description

FLUORITE with SPHALERITE & QUARTZ
Sub-Rosiclare Level, W.L. Davis-Deardorff Mine, Cave-in-Rock District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA

Despite the considerable amount of Fluorite produced by the many workings in this district over several decades, there are distinguishing characteristics exhibited by specimens that can pinpoint the particular mine they came from. The combination of pale purple cubes with light golden cores, on a sparkly matrix of Quartz and dark Sphalerite, pretty well confirms the Deardorff Mine as the source of the large cabinet sized example seen here. Mined in 1947, somewhat early in the district's history, it shows the vibrant color that makes good Deardorff specimens so attractive to collectors - and according to economic mineralogist A. V. Heyl, "The Deardorff mine was THE specimen mine of the 1930's - 1950's. It closed in the early 1960's." Simple cubes up to 1.25 inches (3.2 cm) on edge pepper the scintillating upper surface of an altered limestone matrix normal for the area. Scattered in amongst the Sphalerite and the Quartz is an infrequent dark, cube of Galena, but you have to look closely to find one. The specimen is in pristine condition with no damage.
Overall measurements: 8 x 6 x 4 inches (20.3 x 15.2 x 10.2 cm). Offered at no reserve.

Provenance: Dan Weinrich, ex. Steve Neely Collection #512i [Hoppel Catalog # D1947]


[Scale: 1 inch, with mark at 1 cm]

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