$500Median
1494Sold (12 mo)
$250Last sale
Fluorite from Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hengyang, Hunan, China
Ex. Dr. Stephen Smale Collection
A refined and highly aesthetic miniature fluorite from the celebrated Shangbao Mine, presented as a complete floater with crystallization on all sides — a feature that immediately elevates its desirability. Formerly in the distinguished collection of Dr. Stephen Smale, the specimen carries both mineralogical and provenance significance.
The crystal exhibits classic Shangbao stepped cubic growth, with tightly terraced faces cascading inward in rhythmic geometric progression. The surface texture is crisp and intricate, giving the cube a subtly architectural appearance — as though carved in successive transparent layers.
Clarity is exceptional. The fluorite is remarkably transparent, allowing light to penetrate deeply and reveal dramatic internal zoning. Subtle transitions from pale aqua to soft lavender and faint smoky-violet tones create a quiet but powerful chromatic interplay within the crystal’s interior. Under strong illumination, the zoning becomes even more pronounced, with phantom-like cubic outlines suspended within.
The specimen is complete on all sides — a true floater — with no point of attachment. Small, well-formed calcite crystals are perched delicately on the upper surface and also present beneath, confirming its free growth in an open cavity. These calcite accents add contrast in both color and form, their creamy, slightly translucent rhombohedra softening the strict cubic geometry of the fluorite.
Edges are sharp, faces are well preserved, and the balance of proportion is highly pleasing for a miniature. The stepped growth combined with internal transparency gives the piece remarkable depth relative to its size.
Shangbao fluorites are globally admired for their precision and clarity, yet complete floaters with strong zoning and aesthetic calcite association are distinctly less common — particularly examples with documented provenance from a respected historic collection.
This is a specimen that rewards close examination. At first glance, it is a pristine cube; under light, it becomes a layered architectural study in transparency and internal structure.
A sophisticated miniature — complete, luminous, and classically Shangbao.
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1 for sale·Member since 2025
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