Fluorite on Quartz

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The Yaogangxian mine in Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province is one of the most important mineralogical sites in the whole of China, having produced an exceptional diversity of species, but notably with many forming in display quality crystal forms. Not only that, but some individual species present in a staggering range of colours and forms, Fluorite being the prime example. This pretty miniature specimen of Fluorite on Quartz is from Arvid Pasto's famous Fluorite collection (no. AEP1182). Extremely glassy and with good transparency, the single violet coloured cube of Fluorite reaches 2.5 cm on edge and has great symmetry with sharp well-formed edges with just the tiniest of 'nibbles' on the upper edges and one missing corner towards the back. It also shows very nice colour zoning, with a darker purple 'rim'. It sits well for display upon one main prismatic, largely colourless Quartz crystal with a number of much smaller pale violet Fluorite cubes scattered around the Quartz alongside the base of the main Fluorite crystal. Under high magnification these Fluorite crystals are seen to contain interesting dark grey to black hair-like filaments, perhaps of Stibnite, or a sulphosalt. A very attractive miniature from this famous mine. Illustrated as figure 133 in Arvid Pasto's 2009 book, Collector's Guide to Fluorite.