Gemmy Fluorite xls (fluorescent) Kay Robertson Coll.

Item Description

Mineral specimens attributable to the Slitt Vein of the famous and ancient Blackdene Mine at Weardale are rare and are seldom on the market. Lead mining started in the area in the 1400s and fluorspar mining started in the early 20th century. The mine closed in 1987. Both sides of this very rich and showy undulating and vuggy specimen are covered with gem interpenetrating fluorite cubes. The very glassy pairs on the front, to 2.2 cm, vary from pretty light green to light lavender to colorless and have glass-clear to satin luster faces. All of the smaller crystals on the vuggy back are light green and are gemmy to translucent. Interesting chemistry on this two-sided rib. Purple fluorescence. Ex Kay Robertson Collection # 622 and comes with a Scott Williams label. Kay is a prominent California collector, who specialized in European classics (see the article in the March-April, 2007 Mineralogical Record). Rich, excellent and uncommon Blackdene Mine fluorite.