Fluorite with Pyrite

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Although a relatively new discovery, the rich green Fluorite from the remote Milpo mine in the Atacocha mining district in the Peruvian Andes are already viewed as a classic, such is their distinctive appearance. With the classic combination with small but bright golden metallic modified pyritohedron-cubic Pyrite crystals, the intense green, transparent cubo-octahedral Fluorite crystals present really well. The Fluorite crystals, although naturally not complete on their rear where they overgrow the sulphides, are a great shape on their main front-facing sides, showing mostly smooth pyramidal sides and smooth cubic faces, but with complex stepped faces on one side. They also show an apparent transition in colour, from intense green at the centre and top edges, but colourless nearer to the contact with the host sulphides. The largest crystal reaches 2.5 cm across in its longest direction. The sulphides include not only Pyrite, but Sphalerite, Galena and Arsenopyrite. Large miniature in size, this thinner, plate-like specimen displays really well when positioned upright and directional lighting really enhances the vibrant green colour of the Fluorite crystals.