This week's EarthWonders newsletter has so much to pack in, we have split localities focus into a separate blog post.
New Community Features - Like and Comment on Specimens
Video tutorial for collectors - How to Sell on EarthWonders
Blue Fluorite - Is It Worth the Hype
5 stunning European blue fluorite localities
What localities and features do you want to see next? Tell us at newsletter@earthwonders.com or ping us on Instagram. If you are reading this and haven't subscribed to the newsletter - subscribe now and tell your collector friends! If you missed the previous issues of the newsletter - you can read it here.
Video Tutorial for Collectors - How to Sell on EarthWondersIf you are a collector and thinking to sell some of your specimens, this video is for you. We show you how to create and immediately list your item for sale or how to list an item you have already uploaded to your collection but only decided to sell now. If you have any questions - just ask support chat in the top right corner.
Like and Comment on Specimens - New EarthWonders Features
More mineral collectors are joining EarthWonders and uploading their collections and we are bringing new features for the community. Now EarthWonders members can like and comment on any specimen in our database. Owners who are EarthWonders members will be notified and see how many likes they got!
Like and comment on specimens on EarthWonders
New Refined Localities - Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and Spain
In Tucson we ended up talking to experienced dealers and collectors about blue fluorite which was enough for a dedicated blog post - Is Blue Fluorite Too Good To Be True? We wanted to find the best blue fluorite we could in the EarthWonders database and refined European localities across Italy, Switzerland, France, Germany, Austria and Spain for all species and specimens. As for blue fluorite, the database didn't disappoint and we found great examples from these 5 prominent sources.
See what else we have in your favorite European mines and don't forget to like and comment!
Email or Instagram us your favourite localities and if you can't find them on EarthWonders we will work on them next!
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France - Blue FluoriteAuvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France produces some of the most historically significant blue fluorites in Europe and specimens from its mines feature heavily in museums across Europe and globally. The specimens from this region often exhibit a deeper, more saturated blue than their counterparts elsewhere. The blue color is caused by the crystals being exposed to naturally occurring radiation sources nearby over millions of years. If displayed properly away from UV sources, the darker blue specimens are generally stable and don't fade for decades. Except La Barre mine specimens which are famous for their fading issues. Serious collectors of this locality will even store them in complete darkness and only bring them out occasionally. Others shop around specifically for more recent finds to experience the color close to original but few truly "fresh" specimens are on the market. Perhaps sellers are stockpiling the most recent finds waiting for the prices to go up.More from Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes
Beihilfe Mine, Germany - Blue FluoriteBeihilfe Mine, Germany is a classic location and was originally developed as a silver mine and look at it now - one of the most famous blue fluorite localities in Europe! These specimens are known for their exceptional depth of blue which you will normally only find in artificially irradiated fluorite. The crystals typically range from 0.8-4.2 cm and are prized for their exceptional transparency and sharp edges although deeper ink-blue specimens are also out there. Since commercial extraction ceased, blue Beihilfe specimens have become increasingly difficult to acquire and lucky owners hold on tight to them, occasionally showcasing them in publications. Do you have one? Publish it on EarthWonders and we would love to feature it!More from Beihilfe Mine
La Viesca Mine, Spain - Blue FluoriteLa Viesca Mine in Asturias, Spain has produced many different shapes of fluorite mostly of purple hues. Then in 2009 Galeria 49 pocket yielded large clear light-blue cubes in larger clusters with some main crystals over 6cm in size! The fluorite cubes are covered in tiny quartz crystals and what makes these different from other blues is their exceptional clarity best appreciated in person or in 3D. More from La Viesca mine
Le Burg Mine, France - Blue FluoriteLe Burg (Le Burc) mine in the south of France produced baby blue fluorite specimens similar to ones in the La Viesca mine in Spain, but more resinous in their luster and with more of a grey hue. If you are lucky to find a larger specimen from this classic locality, it will often sit on a quartz matrix AND be covered in shiny quartz! The combination of sharp edges on larger cubes and associated quartz look a little bit like ice covered in snow. Le Burg was the last fluorite mine operating in France and closed in 2006 and it certainly gave the best parting gifts.More from Le Burg mine
Weisseck area, Austria - Rainbow Fluorite (with some serious blue in it!)An honorary locality on the best of blue fluorite in Europe - Weißeck (Weisseck) area in Austria famous for its RAINBOW fluorite. These specimens combine rare colour with distinct bands of blue, purple, green and sometimes yellow and magenta in a single specimen, AND very distinct shape makes them instantly recognisable. These grow as interlocked stepped cubes and appear very dark, almost black until you backlight them and magic happens and piercing blue is revealed among other colors. The largest specimen from the area is a self-collected 50kg floater called the Dark Bull because it does look dark until lit. Weisseck rainbow fluorites are pretty rare, there aren't even many photos of them. If you own one - upload and share it in your collection!More from Weisseck area
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