Fluorite with Chalcopyrite

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An instantly recognizable classic, the rich amber core and thin purple outer band seen within this attractive large miniature Fluorite specimen is a dead giveaway to its origins at the Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, and in particular the Minerva No. 1 mine. Off-matrix, two well-formed intergrown cubic crystals with cleaved bases, sit nicely for display with glossy, but not glassy faces. Under magnification these faces show fascinating complex growth patterns in beautiful detail. With great internal translucency its superb colour zoning is quite striking when backlit. Its largest crystal reaches 4.5 cm on edge and its edges show just very light nibbling with an equally tiny chip barely visible on the main crystal corner. Sparse small golden to brassy tetragonal Chalcopyrite crystals sit on some of the Fluorite surfaces adding to its classic Minerva No. 1 mine form. This is a really fine Fluorite, nicely balanced in size with great, large, visible cubes with superb colour zonation and in great overall condition.