Fluorite (gemmy "phantom" cubes) on Muscovite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

The Yaogangxian Mine has produced some superb quality Fluorites. It stands out as one of the top specimen producing localities in China for the quality and quantity of minerals found. This piece is an older specimen, probably dating back nearly 20 years (early 2000s) featuring fine, sharp, gemmy, purple and nearly colorless "phantom" cubic crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 2.3 cm on edge sitting on minor golden Muscovite on matrix. I can't find any real damage on the main Fluorite group, though there are a few rough spots on the periphery where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. Very attractive and good quality from this prolific mine. Priced at $1,850 retail. 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/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.