Sphalerite and Galena on Fluorite With Calcite - image 1

Sphalerite and Galena on Fluorite With Calcite - image 2

Sphalerite and Galena on Fluorite With Calcite - image 3

Sphalerite and Galena on Fluorite With Calcite

Unknown Owner

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Every now and then we get a surprise from these "fluorite mines," and that is what Lillie loved to add to his own collection. Here is a remarkable "combo specimen" that is just beautiful and complete all around, aside from anything else. It is an old piece from 1988, with purple fluorite crystals to 2.5 cm (showing beveled edges) across along with a splendent, battleship gray galena crystal (measuring 3.7 cm across), perched aside a stalactite of jet-black sphalerite crystals. Those are incredibly lustrous and to 1.5 cm across. In addition, a druse of nearly colorless calcite has formed in the interstitial spaces between sphalerite crystals. The calcite crystals glow a light tan color under fluorescent light. Lillie notes on his label that he thinks this is an example where "dissolution of spar results in shells or hollow casts of sphalerite/spar...excellent specimen." RCL 1010