Witherite with Fluorite

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The Ozark-Mahoning mine at Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, USA is known for its fine Fluorite specimens. Only two species are recorded from this mine, Fluorite and Witherite and although both are present on this specimen, it is the Witherite which dominates. On a 6 x 4.5 cm base of cream and white Witherite, a 4 cm tall Witherite crystal rises, forming the rear half of a hexagonal crystal whose interrupted front prism faces are coated with a white earthy thin crust of probable Baryte. Sprinkled over this and along the front face are many purple-lavender cubic crystals of Fluorite, the largest by far measuring 1.3 cm on edge. The Fluorite typically has darker purple edges and corners with the body grading to a lavender-white. This interesting specimen comes with an old German thin card label printed 'Sammlung Fr. G. Ulses' and is ex. the Dr Josef Clemente Collection of southern Germany.