Fluorite on Sphalerite (ex Ross Lillie)

Item Description

What a killer Fluorite-Sphalerite combination specimen from southern Illinois! Two nicely composed groups of glassy Fluorite crystals grace this gorgeous piece from the Minerva #1 Mine and are set upon a small cluster of Sphalerite crystals. The Fluorites all have a totally transparent, rich honey colored body, highlighted by a thin, 1 mm, purple phantom, followed by a 1 to 2 mm thick outer rim of blue, the latter two zones make the crystals appear dark and adds mystique to the Fluorites! These super lustrous Fluorites measure 0.6 to 1.8 cm on edge and most show some stepped growth features, but only in the very center of the crystal faces which makes the cube faces really bright! The Sphalerite has a sparkly sheen to it due to many tiny growth features on the faces of the tightly clustered crystals. It is also slightly translucent so it shows the rich brown-red color typical of "ruby jack" Sphalerite that has low iron content. Simply stunning! Ex. Ross Lillie and Tom Wiesner collections with labels noting RCL 1978, mined in 1981. Prior dealer label with $1250 price seems reasonable in hindsight.