Fluorite (unique color)

Item Description

A rarely seen cabinet sized display specimen from the Kalangui Fluorite Deposit in the Transbaikalia area of Far Eastern Russia. This is not only the best crystallized specimen of this material that we've ever had to offer, but it has an unusual and alluring color to boot. In reflected light, this group of cubic crystals have a dark purple hue, but when they're backlit, they show a unique warm pink hue internally. Additionally, the crystals have an almost metallic quality to them when backlit, with a somewhat satiny interior. I can't recall seeing a Fluorite like this from any other locality, especially with such a surprising color. The majority of the specimen is in good condition, as most of the crystals are damage free, and the only damage is around the periphery of the base where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. A selective deposition of what could be soft grey colored Quartz can be seen on several Fluorites for a nice touch. The largest crystal measures 1.6 cm on edge. It's hard to put a fair market value on this piece, but I would put it in the $2,500 range for the size, quality, unique color and rare locality. From the collection of the well-known mineral dealer and collector from Colorado, Richard ("Rich") Kosnar (1946-2007). In his later years, Rich assembled a suite of Russian mineral specimens, from classic and contemporary localities. This piece originally was part of the collection of Vladimir Pelepenko, who assembled arguably the greatest private mineral collection of Russian minerals in the modern age of collecting.