Sphalerite on Fluorite (ex Ross Lillie Collection)

Item Description

What a showy, three-dimensional and fine quality cabinet display piece of this classic material from Hardin County. A predominant pair of sharp, well-formed, gemmy, rich grape jelly purple colored Fluorite cubes are accenting my smaller secondary Fluorites and dotted by glistening, sharp, attractive "Ruby Jack" Sphalerite crystals all over. The Fluorites have a distinctive and eye-catching "stepped" formation to the cubes, so they have a rigid three-dimensional appeal which highlights the Sphalerites even more. The piece has minimal damage on the display side, and even the underside of the piece has a bit of recrystallization. When backlit, you can see the Fluorites are not only quite gemmy (WATER CLEAR in areas), but the inclusions of the little Sphalerite crystals make for deep red highlights within. Very good quality and despite the fact that there were many of these years ago, they are quickly disappearing from the market. From the famous collection of southern Illinois minerals of Ross Lillie. Priced at $1,850.