Fluorite with Sphalerite

Unknown Owner

Lustrous gem cubic crystal of fluorite 3.0 cm on edge perched beautifully up on matrix with lustrous black crystals of sphalerite. This is in very good condition. Minor barite is present. When backlit, the fluorite crystals exhibits sharp color zoning on the interior. A very fine combination piece.The Elmwood Mine, located in Smith County, Tennessee, is globally recognized as one of the most significant sources of high-quality mineral specimens. Development of the site began in 1969, with the mine officially opening for commercial production in 1975. Geologically, the mine is situated within the Central Tennessee Zinc District and targets Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) deposits. These minerals are hosted within the brecciated limestone and dolomite of the Ordovician-aged Kingsport Formation and Mascot Dolomite. The ore bodies were formed when mineral-rich hydrothermal fluids circulated through solution-collapse breccias, filling massive underground voids with spectacular crystals. While the mine was primarily developed for the extraction of zinc ore (sphalerite), it is famous for its world-class specimens of translucent orange calcite, deep purple fluorite, and lustrous barite clusters. Despite periods of temporary closure due to fluctuating metal prices, the Elmwood Mine remains a legendary locality for both its industrial output and its unparalleled contribution to mineralogy.