Fluorite (fluorescent) with Baryte

Item Description

The Hilton Mine is known the world over for its outstanding, golden-yellow cubes of Fluorite. Opened in 1824, it is the Hilton's Baryte-rich zones that have produced the majority of the quality Fluorites. To appreciate this association, you need not look any further than the Fluorite cubes here that are laced with fine, thin, white blades of Baryte. This is from old finds, probably the 1960s-1970s, and came out of an older collection to Tim. The largest of the cubes is about 2 cm, and the very slight, satiny luster belies just how gemmy the crystals truly are. Subtle phantoms of purple can be seen within the Fluorites, and of course they have the classic, brilliant, bluish-purple fluorescence that English Fluorites are known for. There is a little bit of wear on some of the cubes, but that does not really diminish the aesthetics of this large, representative, small cabinet piece. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection.