Fluorite on Sphalerite

$2,450.00

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The ArkenstoneFeatured

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This large specimen features a cluster of nearly colorless lavender and gemmy fluorite crystals to 7.5 cm across, perched on large crystals of black sphalerite. There is a thin darker purplish color zoning at the terminations of the fluorites but what really catches the eye are the hundreds of minute inclusions of what seem to be tiny spots of darker purple-black fluorite floating within the lavender to colorless fluorite. We believe these are the products of point reactions due to radiation in the ground altering the color centers of some fluorite molecules, and making these dark spots. The effect is mesmerizing. A large oldtimer, this is in excellent condition on the front except for some minor contacting around the edges of the fluorites, and a few tiny corner portions. The fluorites are actually mostly complete around the back due to microcrystallization covering the surface where they must have previously broken off from matrix attached to the back of them. This makes them very translucent, and easily backlit even in room light, especially when compared to more typical large and dark Elmwood fluorite crystals which might be more 3-dimensional in back but do not transmit light well. There are a few small cleaves here and there, as we said, but trivial in context and hard to see. Nevertheless, the price on this impressively-sized specimen is also adjusted down, accordingly, although it has a huge display impact when you look at it! Old material from the 1980s, from the collection of Consie and Dalton Prince, Houston mineral dealers in the golden era, who kept a private collection of Elmwood. Strongly fluorescent, as a bonus (presumably due to petroleum inclusions).