Etched Fluorite w/ hydrocarbons (Ross Lillie Coll.)

Item Description

A dramatically etched and highly unusual sculptural fluorite combination from this famous mine and the Ross Lillie Collection # 1759. A striking 7.0 cm, lustrous, translucent, amber monolith has stunning chevron-shaped etching! AND the monolith is capped by purple fluorite included with hydrocarbons. The fluorite glows, when backlit. The heavily etched base of the piece is richly coated and included with hydrocarbons. Live oil fluoresces straw-yellow and the dead oil (bitumen) is non-fluorescent. The monolith has fantastic uneven purple fluorescence mimicking the chevron forms! Collected in February, 1990 in advance mining in the newly developed Cross-cut Orebody by Jerry Haney, a truck driver. "From a very highly petroliferous zone in the orebody. Classic etching from this portion of the mine." Valued at $1200-1500.