Fluorite

Unknown Owner

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Elmwood Mine produced thousands, maybe tens of thousands, of fluorites in its heyday through the 1980s and early 1990s, before shutting down large scale specimen production - and yet of all the fluorite found, these so-called "gem corners" have stood the test of time as unique and collectible. Specimen production resumed briefly later in a few spurts, but was mostly calcite and simply not with the same quality of fluorite coming out. These gem window fluorites are a thing of the past era. This large, dramatic specimen is a complete crystal that shows the unique effect of this style. Honestly, I am still not sure there is a fully good explanation for how they form like this, although I understand it is a dissolution process where the corners are more resistant to dissolving and so they stay gemmy while solutions in the pocket modify other parts of the crystal. Usually, this happens quickly (one supposes) and leaves the gem corners as "floaters" amidst loose crystals, where the corners sit upon a tapering pedestal of etched-looking fluorite beneath. These are often seen for sale, and many exist. This piece, however, shows the corner still as part of the original full crystal, before it has severely etched or detached (whatever the term may be), and lost its original cubic form. It is really a startling contrast of color and texture, here. These are like no fluorite from anywhere else in the world, and were always rare even at Elmwood amongst the crowd of regular fluorites. A large piece, in good size for collectors. The crystal is approx 4 x 4 inches and complete, but standing with the corner on top, it is 13 cm (just over 5 inches) across. Complete on the back, a floater. From the Jack Halpern Collection