Fluorite with Barite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

This locality was known for producing some attractive Barite / Fluorite combos about 10 years ago, but they are notably scarce on the market now. This piece features several fine quality, sharp, lustrous, gemmy, rich blue and green colored stepped / stacked cubes of Fluorite measuring up to 2.6 cm on edge associated with a couple of groups of white bladed Barite and minor dark greenish-black Sphalerite. There is no matrix on the piece, but the reverse side of the specimen is mostly recrystallized where it detached from the pocket wall, so it's nearly a complete "floater". You can see from the photos that the piece displays beautifully from a few directions. The color of the Fluorites is what really matters here, and the piece truly looks better in person than the photos might indicate. It's even better looking in sunlight! If you're a fan of Chinese minerals or showy small cabinet association pieces, don't pass this one up. You may never see another one quite like as nothing has come out of this mine for a few years. Valued at $3,750 in the inventory. 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.