Color-zoned Fluorite with Hydrocarbons

Item Description

Classic, color-zoned fluorite cubes from the famous Minerva No.1 Mine of Illinois. Beautiful sharp blue and purple edge phantoms enclose the attractively intergrown gemmy cubes with dramatically contrasting rich golden-amber interiors. The crystals have very glassy, satin luster, stepped-growth faces, adding character. The large cube is 2.7 cm on edge. There are a myriad of small purple cubes at the base of the specimen, as a bonus. One cube has a dinged corner. The amber fluorite has hydrocarbon inclusions and fluoresces yellow-white under both LW and SW UV light. The UV light also shows a patch of black bitumen on the piece. Ex Brooks Britt Collection. A showy and highly representative example of color-zone fluorite with hydrocarbons from the noted locale.