Fluorite with Sphalerite

Item Description

Most non-mineral collectors are familiar with Naica Mine in Mexico as it is world famous because for being home of the famous "Cave of Swords", a giant series of caverns that hosts the most exemplary Gypsum crystals in the world. In addition to Gypsum, this mine has produced superb examples of many species including some truly iconic Fluorites. This small cabinet sized specimen features several sharp, gemmy, colorless cubic crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 1.5 cm on edge which are associated with black Sphalerite and minor golden metallic Pyrite. The Fluorite crystals are in good condition, but the periphery is contacted where the piece was removed from the pocket wall. Classic material from this fantastic Mexican locale.
From the collection of Gary and Terry Butts of Livermore, Colorado. This husband and wife collecting duo were childhood sweethearts, and have been together since they began dating as teenagers growing up in East Des Moines, Iowa in the 1950s. Both of them had an early interest in the hobby thanks to the fact that Terry's parents had a keen interest in lapidary, which sparked an interest in rocks for both of them. Gary and Terry were featured in an article in the Des Moines Register on Feb 4, 1962 (see photo in this listing) highlighting their interest and prowess in the hobby as youngsters. Gary traveled to various localities around the US as a teenager with his father (who worked in the tin industry), to personally collect specimens. He then attended the School of Mines in Golden, Colorado and graduated in 1967 with a degree in extractive metallurgical engineering. We went to work for Duval Corp at the Esperanza Mine south of Tucson, Arizona and then work for Cyprus Mines, Hazen Research, Pincock, Allen & Holt and the Colorado School of Mines Research Institute. His final job was in the mineral and environmental division of Intertek Testing Services of London, which owned the Canadian mineral testing company, Bonder Clegg. Gary's various jobs allowed him to travel the world and build his collection by buying a lot of specimens in person when they were coming out of the ground. Additionally, Terry's uncle was a miner in Creede, Colorado and later owned a rock shop which supplied Gary with specimens from the area. The specimens in this auction represent what Gary and Terry considered the "cream of the crop" of their collection.