Baryte on Fluorite (classic material)

Item Description

A classic and fairly hard to find combo specimen from the famous Minerva No. 1 Mine in Southern Illinois featuring dozens of sharp, lustrous, light blue colored bladed Baryte crystals measuring up to 1.3 cm, sitting atop a thin layer of deep royal purple color, crystallized Fluorite matrix. When backlit, the underlying Fluorite shows a strong grape jelly purple hue. The Barytes are largely in fine condition, with little damage, though some nicks can be seen. Although neither Baryte nor Fluorite are rare from this mine, this particular style / combo is not common and desirable for any collector of minerals from Hardin County.
From the collection of the recently deceased Alvaro Lucio, arguably the most well-known and accomplished mineral dealer and collector in Brazil. Alvaro graduated with a degree in civil engineering, mining and metallurgy from the Escola de Minas de Ouro Preto in 1949. He began his PhD in the United States and completed it at the Federal University of Minas Gerais. He worked as a professor of extractive metallurgy at UFMG, and also as a technical consultant for several companies in the sector. He was the author of several works, published in books and magazines around the world. He received several honors for his contribution to the development of metallurgy and the introduction of metallurgical physical chemistry in Brazil. His knowledge, solicitousness and enthusiasm will be greatly missed in the mineral world.