large Fluorite octohedron on Sphalerite

Item Description

This is an important fluorite for Mexico BECAUSE OF THE HUGE SIZE AND SHAPE OF THE LARGE GREEN CRYSTAL; and comes from 1970s-1980s finds at the famous Naica Mine! A very large, pastel green fluorite crystal sits perched on a nest of small, lustrous sphalerites here. Large octos from Naica are much more rare than the cubic forms, and seldom seen in this quality. The crystal measures 3 inches on a line. Actually, its frontal face terminates not in an octahedral point, but in a modified cubic termination (as coming out of the screen). One of the highlights of this fine old Mexican mineral collection assembled by Richard "Dick" Heck in the heyday of this mine. We knew him in the 1980s and his collection was always held in high regard. This fine piece was valued at the time we purchased it, around 2013, at $2500-3500. Joe Budd photos.