VERY FINE FLUORITE & QUARTZ. ...

Description

VERY FINE FLUORITE & QUARTZ
Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang Co., Hengyang Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
The amount of Fluorite found in the major collections of the World is all out of proportion based on availability. There is a magic to fine Fluorite specimens that has few rivals in the mineral kingdom. That distinction is very clearly brought home by this specimen from China. There were 12 specimens recovered from a single pocket, of which 2 were clearly superior to the rest. This is one of those two. The arrangement is deceptively simple: Two cubic Fluorite crystals to 1 1/4 inches, perched separately upon a matrix of 'saddle-shaped', white Dolomite crystals with scattered, colorless Quartz prisms rising here and there. It is in the details that the subtle appeal of the specimen can be truly explained. Though the Fluorites are cubic, they have multiple 'stepped' faces and a luster that isn't quite glassy and isn't quite matte. That they are quite transparent is brought home by the ease by which the blue-violet cores can be seen through an aqua blue-green exterior. The combined effect generated by the whole is startling in its power. This is arguably, one of the top Fluorite specimens ever offered at auction. There is one damaged Quartz crystal otherwise pristine condition. Overall measurements are 5 3/4 x 4 x 2 3/4 inches.



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