Fluorite (fluorescent , old classic!)

Item Description

Absolutely classic example of the famous English Fluorites from which the very word fluorescence is dervied, circa the mid 1800s. These purple crystals, many of which are penetration twins, are gemmy, lustrous, and they range up to 1.2 cm in size. Take this out in the sunlight, and these completely gemmy crystals light up like cubes of cut and polished, light-purple glass. The fluorescence is intense and, in fact, English Fluorites are where the term 'fluorescence' actually originated. You can see why. The mines in Cumbria first became active in the 12th century, and really ramped up activity in the 17th. Good Fluorites are one of treasured mineral species from Cumbria. Formerly in the collection of Walter Wust of Zurich. These pieces are part of a century-old Italian collection that was recently acquired.