Fluorite on Adularia

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This specimen if from a find of fall 2008, which has really shocked the French fluorite collectors that I know, and is the kind of rare locality find that impresses outsiders as well. The color, luster, and transparency of these crystals is above average for Chamonix, more of a vibrant pink-red than the usual muted pink hues we have seen in most pockets of these rare Alpine fluorites. This specimen has crystals to 2 cm, perched on stark white, crystallized adularia (feldspar) matrix. It is a stunning association, and contrast. The crystals here are piled up, one atop the other. Note how gemmy and translucent the top crystal is. It has a termination that is complete all around, 360 degrees. In person, this has better luster than in the photos - it seems very hard to convey accurately. It has been since 1998 and the Pt Kurtz pocket that a single find of pink/red fluorite from the Alps has gotten so much attention and produced a new, unprecedented quality. This does not happen, thus, very often. Few good specimens were available, under several dozen.