Fluorite on Baryte (ex Lockhart Coll., 1973)

Item Description

Here is an impressive, large combination piece of superbly phantom-zoned Fluorite on a large knob of crystalline Baryte from the famous Minerva No. 1 Mine in Illinois. Seven Fluorite crystals ranging in size from 1.5 to 8.3 cm on edge, and with great luster, are grouped in a linear array across the top of this piece. The Fluorites are dominated by a yellow, translucent body with a thin, 2 mm, dark purple zone followed by an outer, 2 mm, medium blue zone; both are best seen on edge views. The Fluorites are then attractively arranged on a matrix of contrasting snow-white Baryte that is finely crystalline for dramatic contrast of both color and sparkle! The result of this color combination is a visually impressive piece, fairly unique compared to most others. A recent deaccession this year, from the collection of well-known collector Brent Lockhart, who has won the Desautels Trophy in Tucson and from whom we also bought the Swiss subcollection you can now see (in part) on www.irocks.com. A note from Brent follows: "Rob, I got that one in late 1973, for what was a LOT of money back then - 40 bucks! I think I worked like 2 1/2 days of hard labor to earn enough for that one. But that was back in the days when mine run crystallized Illinois Fluorite was running about three dollars a pound. So the fact that that one had an individual price of $40.00 sets it apart! It cleaned up nicely! It was purchased from the well-known miner/dealer Oscar Sisman at the source." Such specimens, in cabinet size (large cabinet, even) and without repair or restoration, are very hard to obtain today and sell for huge prices even with repairs and restoration - of which this has none. It is an important specimen for the beauty, sharp building-blocks arrangement, and contrast of colors. We valued it at $25,000.