Fluorite (unique crystals) on Quartz

Item Description

From the 2014 discovery. These unique Fluorites from the Huanggang Mine made a big splash when they first hit the market. The combination of the beautiful blue color and the unique crystal habit sitting on the contrasting white Quartz is iconic for the locality. This small cabinet features attractive deep blue Fluorite crystals, that vary slightly from azure blue to more of an indigo shade depending on the light under which they are viewed. You can see a combination of cubic, dodecahedral and octahedral faces on many of the Fluorites, and the unusual curvature on the surface is certainly something that we don't see in the species often. The largest Fluorite measures 1.0 cm on edge. The Quartz crystals have a secondary overgrowth of smaller Quartz crystals and a white "wash" in areas, which brightens them up since they are more of a smoky grey hue underneath. There is a selective depostion of brownish pocket clay on some of the Fluorites, creating an interesting two tone effect. These are unlike any other Fluorites from any locality in China, which is really saying something considering the vast amout of localities that have produced Fluorite specimens since the 1990s. Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/labels.asp?colid=671&page=1 ) or on Wikipedia. Priced in the inventory at $950.