Fluorite with Sphalerite (attractive color combination)

Item Description

There are few areas in the world more synonymous with Fluorite specimens than the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County in southern Illinois. This piece features several fine quality, very sharp, lustrous, well-formed, cubic crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 1.2 cm on edge sitting on minor matrix. In reflected light, the color of the Fluorites is a very dark purple (nearly black) hue, but in transmitted light, the color really shines through. Additionally, there is some reddish-brown associated Sphalerite mixed in between the Fluorite cubes, and when you backlight the crystals correctly, you can see a fiery deep red hue that shows up when the two species are combined in front of the same light source. The piece sits up beautifully on its own without the aid of a base of clay and really looks good from all sides. No major damage anywhere, only a few tiny imperfections. Hard to photograph, but BETTER IN PERSON, and a really nice example of this classic (and fast disappearing) material. Valued at $500.