Fluorite

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If you are interested in funky textures in Fluorite crystals then this cabinet-sized purple Fluorite from the famous Ozark-Mahoning mine at Cave-in-Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA could be of interest. Around the edges, one might be tricked into thinking that these are just normal large cubic purple Fluorite crystals but upon closer inspection one rapidly realizes that some strange natural etching, or dissolution, has taken place distorting the crystals in a fascinating way. With sharp perfect corners and straight edges it is the central planes of the cubic faces that have been 'eaten' away, leaving behind a complex and structurally challenging situation to explain. With sunken, pitted surfaces, one might expect the surfaces to be frosted and etched, but some of the cavities are filled with small stepped cubes, suggestive of recrystallization. The 'main' Fluorite crystals reach up to 2.2 cm edge with the largest crystal showing a complete etched 'chasm' running through the centre and edges too. Small golden Chalcopyrite crystals are seen within some of the Fluorite. Ex Arvid Pasto Collection.