Fluorite with Chalcopyrite (ex Dave Bergman Collection)

Item Description

A full-sized miniature display specimen of Fluorite from the famous Denton Mine. The piece is features a very sharp, gemmy, multicolor "phantom" cubic crystal group of Fluorite which is studded by small metallic golden Chalcopyrite crystals. When backlit (it looks best outdoors), you can see a combination of pleasing purple and blue hues internally. A good quality overall piece from this famous locality in southern Illinois. No real damage that I can see on the display side with the naked eye, save one small contact on one of the corners. A great piece to add to your collection, especially if you collect Fluorites, Southern Illinois specimens, or pieces with fine crystals. From the collection of Colorado mining legend, Dave Bergman who acquired the piece from his son-in-law Richard Kosnar, whose hand-written label accompanies the specimen. Dave is now retired, but among other things, he was the foreman and primary person in charge of recovering specimens at the famous Sweet Home Mine near Alma, Colorado during the late 1970s. He is also the maternal grandfather of Brian Kosnar. See Dave's photo mining at the Sweet Home on page 58 of Peter Bancroft's book "Gem and Crystal Treasures".