Fluorite (''ice crystals'')

Item Description

The Naica Mine is one of the most celebrated mineral localities in the world. It's not just for the fine collector quality mineral specimens, but it's also the home of the famous "Cave of Swords" (sometimes called the Cave of the Crystals) which lies nearly 1,000 feet underground and hosts giant Gypsum (Selenite) crystals that measure nearly 40 feet in length! Outside of these amazing Gypsum crystals, Naica is famous for some of the most beautiful mineral specimens from any Mexican locality, including some iconic Fluorites. This robust cabinet display specimen was mined circa late 1960s-early 1970s and features incredibly well-formed, VERY gemmy, razor-sharp, octahedral crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 4.3 cm, which have an optic colorless beauty, which is not terribly common for Fluorite. Typically Fluorite crystals have some kind of color due to a chemical chromophore, but when you find crystals like this it actually means the crystals are quite pure in terms of chemical composition. The famous colorless Fluorites from Dalnegorsk, Russia are often referred to as "ice crystals", and I see no reason why the same nickname can't be applied here. Virtually every crystal on this specimen is undamaged, save the underside of the periphery where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. Associated minerals include rhombic white Calcite, small prismatic grey Quartz crystals and a bit of Pyrite. Very little matrix can be seen. The piece has a small wooden prop glued to the underside so the piece sits and displays quite nicely. Overall it's one of the most impressive pieces of this specific type that I've seen Naica. Octahedral crystals are rare from this locality, and combine that crystal habit with wonderfully water clear colorless crystals, as you have a fantastic overall piece from this storied mine in Chihuahua. Priced at $5,000 in the inventory.