Fluorite with Molybdenite (rare combination)

Item Description

Molybdenite and Fluorite together is a very rare combination, only reported a few times (from Korea, mostly) in the past. Usually, the association features fluorite with minute specks of molybdenite from Korea or from the several molybdenum-rich mines of the Dayu area in Jiangxi, China...nothing of interest to the collector beyond the rarity of association. Here, however, we have a balanced and well-developed combination with a sharp and isolated fluorite crystal AND a sharp and isolated molybdenite crystal on the same matrix! The fluorite is to 1.7 cm on edge, and 2.2 cm across the longest diagonal. The molybdenite is 2 cm. The fluorite is a modified cuboctahedron, with sharp little green "ice cubes" of fluorite as an accent to the right. No damage. This is from the private collection of a Jiangxi mineral dealer, sold during COVID times, and was said to have been found in 2008. I had been traveling in China since 2005 and never saw anything quite like this, for the combination, certainly not in modern years. A fine small cabinet specimen, this is valued $1500-2000 and is donated by The Arkenstone.

This specimen is part of the 2022 Dallas Mineral Collecting Symposium benefit auction, with proceeds benefiting Mineralogical Record, Rocks & Minerals, Tucson Gem and Mineral Society, and mindat.org. Thanks to all of our participants!

Billing for this auction will occur on Monday, August 22, for payment using PayPal or a credit card. Shipping will be billed at cost.