Fluorite with Sphalerite

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Well-known from the Fluorite deposits in Hardin County, Illinois, but certainly not common, epitaxial growth of Fluorite upon earlier cubes make for very distinctive specimens. This fine example from Arvid Pasto's famous Fluorite collection displays two areas of epitaxial overgrowth upon a greyish-white corner of a cube. The overgrowth stands out really well due to its noticeable purple colour and pronounced overhanging appearance in places, and includes colour-zoning too, from light to darker purple. There is some light chipping along the edges of the epitaxial Fluorite and around parts of the main Fluorite crystal but this is a great example of this rare crystal habit. A few small, glossy, dark brown Sphalerite crystals compliment the piece, sat isolated upon the surface of the main Fluorite crystal.