Fluorite

Unknown Owner

This crystallized aggregate of Fluorite is absolutely exquisite. The mines in the Caravia mining district, Asturias, in northern Spain are renowned for the complexity and variation in crystal forms of Fluorite. This cabinet-sized display specimen is a perfect example. It is from the Jaimina mine on the north-eastern end of the Obdulia vein which appears to have produced less specimens than the nearby Llamas quarry. Consisting of a solid aggregate of intergrown large glassy, mid- to deep purple Fluorite crystals, to over 2 cm in size, the real pleasure is the attention to detail. If you are able to zoom in on the photos, look carefully at the complexity of the crystal faces. The forms are mesmerizing. What would normally be simple cubes, have intense development of the dodecahedral face, forming wide bevelled edges. If that wasn't interesting enough, the corners have been modified too, to create what appear to be tetrahexahedrons. Then, these edge modifications, have delicate surface striations, from growth patterns. The glassy surface lustre is extremely bright making the specimen exude class. A truly outstanding Spanish Fluorite of the highest quality.