Fluorite

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Blackdene mine in the upper reaches of Weardale is most frequently associated with very large specimens of Fluorite, usually purple, and quite often associated with fine cubo-octahedral Galena crystals. This specimen from George Farr's collection is very different. Miniature in size it exudes character, displaying an intense mid-green core (with a little Galena) with pale purple outer zones to the cubic crystals which reach 1.5 cm on edge. So subtle is the purple colour, that the underlying green colour shines through as a central core, with a purple rim intensifying when viewed down the edges. The surface of the Fluorite is not fully glassy, but is still quite bright and reflective. Small Chalcopyrite crystals sparsely scattered upon the surface provides additional character. There is some minor damage (abrasion) to some of the crystal edges of the Fluorite, but the highly distinctive character of the specimen makes it very attractive.