Fluorite with Galena, Sphalerite and Siderite

Item Description

Outstanding old English Fluorite combination specimen from Weardale which, rarely, has galena associated with the fluorite! These are from the late 1800s, and possibly older still. The Fluorites consist of smaller sized, up to 1.1 cm, lavender colored cubic crystals forming in small groups of clusters and as solitary cubes. Many have subtle zoning to them with some cubes being transparent and others translucent having the internal white-ish frosting seen in so many English Fluorites. These Fluorites are sitting on the earlier forming complex crystals of steel gray Galena and finely bladed tan Siderite. There are also a few tiny Sphalerites that can be seen on the Siderite as well. The specimen has a nice balance and verticality to it as the minerals are spread evenly across the display face. While the piece is not pristine, as the majority of these old English Fluorites seldom are, there is minimal visual impact to the specimen's display. This specimen stands out not only due to the quality of its small but mighty elegant lavender Fluorites, but the contrasting colors and textures of the combined minerals that are blended together making for an interesting and an aesthetic display. Highly fluorescent under both short and long wave UV. Ex. Jack Halpern Collection No. 2750. He purchased this from Gene Schlepp in the 1980s (for $1250 - in real uninflated USD compared to today!) and the timing is right that it probably came out of the historic 1800s-era Northwestern University collection of minerals, which Gene was dispersing at the time. In any case, it is a historic specimen and yet shows the beauty and appeal we want in modern specimen extraction as well. Fluorescence is a bonus for any fluorite from this classic locality, which is near the origin of the fluorite that gave us the word, Fluorescence, itself! Valued $2500-5000.