Fluorite (GEMMY "phantom" crystals) with Calcite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

This is truly a gorgeous, three-dimensional display specimen of excellent quality Fluorite crystals associated with compressed Calcite crystals from the famous Xianghualing Mine. This mine is one of the most well-known localities for Flourite in China. The Fluorite crystals on this specimen are predominatnly cubic in habit, but show graceful stepped dodecahedral modifications along the edges. The largest crystal meaures 2.5 cm on edge and all of them are very sharp, lustrous and well-formed. Additionally these Fluorites are VERY gemmy on the exterior edges and show gentle internal "phantoms" and a bit of a "misty" quality in the center. The back of the specimen hosts a few gemmy, white / colorless, compresses Calcite rhombs. The piece is in superb condition all around and the only real damage is on the back edge. Overall it's a stunning piece with great form and aesthetics. This is a very good quality piece of this desirable material, and would make a great addition to a Fluorite suite, or a collection of Chinese minerals. BETTER IN PERSON, it was incredibly difficult to convey the quality in the photos. Valued at $2,000 for the form, aesthetics and quality. Ex Dr. Stephen 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.