Fluorite (GEM blue cubes) (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

Like many mines in China, the Yaogangxian Mine has produced some superb quality Fluorites. This piece is an older specimen, probably dating back nearly 15 years (early 2000s) featuring an intergrown group of fine quality, sharp, cubic crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 3.6 cm on edge. The two best aspects of the Fluorite crystals are the intense beautiful blue color, and the fact that they are INCREDIBLY gemmy, and virtually WATER CLEAR! To find such good sized, robust, richly colored crystals with such an alluring strong blue hue is rare from China. The base of the specimen hosts a mix of Quartz crystals with minor silvery Arsenopyrites and a coating of tan Muscovite. Overall, there is very little damage, save the periphery where the piece was extracted from the pocket. One of the larger crystals has a "rub" on the back, but it doesn't really stand out when displayed. This is a classic, and really good quality for what it is, so if you collect Chinese minerals or worldwide Fluorites, don't miss out on this attractive colorful display specimen. Valued at $3,000. Ex Dr. Steven Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/labels.asp?colid=671&page=1 ) or on Wikipedia.