Fluorite with Sphalerite and Pyrite

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Milpo mine in the remote Atacocha mining district in Peru has recently come to the attention of mineral collectors because of the beautiful vibrant green Fluorite crystals which often display complex cubo-octahedral forms. This fine miniature specimen looks like a mini green version of the Giant's Causeway in Northern Ireland with its hexagonal columns. Forming a 2 to 2.5 cm thick sloping layer the cubo-octahedral crystals are aligned and stepped. Along the base a thin layer of 1 to 2 mm size Pyrite pyritohedron crystals are developed and minor tiny dark brown Sphalerite crystals are scattered across the surface of the Fluorite. The Fluorite crystals are not glassy but mostly have matt, naturally etched faces, but their form is wonderfully complex. The Fluorite crystals are internally translucent and with backlighting they have a bright, vibrant green colour, slightly darker towards the centre where the Pyrite obscures the light from below. A funky Milpo mine Fluorite.