Fluorite (Mined: 1978)

Item Description

This is a lovely, classics association specimen from one of the most well-known localities in the United States. It's important to point out that this piece is not from recent mining, but dates back to 1978, when Rich Kosnar and his father-in-law Dave Bergman were operating the Sweet Home Mine for specimen recovery. They were actually the first two people in history to mine the Sweet Home specifically with the intent of recovering speicmens. While the Sweet Home Mine is best known for its phenomenal Rhodochrosites, it also produced some beautiful Fluorites. This small cabinet hosts many sharp, gemmy, crystals of purple Fluorite measuring up to 6 mm which are associated with thin prismatic crystals of Quartz on slightly iridescent black Sphalerite (due to with what appears to be a light coating of Bornite) plus metallic dark grey cubic Galena and minor brassy Chalcopyrite. As is often the case with Fluorite, crystals look best in sunlight, and when this piece is viewed in the sun, the color looks a bit more saturated. Excellent condition, no major damage and a good representative piece of this wonderful material to add to any Fluorite suite or a collection of Colorado minerals.
This specimen was self-collected by Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman and comes from this personal collection. Dave is now retired from mining, but he was formerly the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".