Fluorite with Galena on Sphalerite - image 1

Fluorite with Galena on Sphalerite

Unknown Owner

The Hill-Ledford mine is one of the lesser-known localities in the Cave-In-Rock Mining Sub-District, Hardin County, Illinois, USA, but has produced distinctive Fluorite specimens, often associated with Sphalerite and Galena. This lovely cabinet specimen was formerly owned by Fluorite specialist Jesse Fisher and shows this association of minerals really well. Forming a large thin plate, both sides are covered in crystals, but the Fluorite shows a subtle shift in tone from one side to the other. As is typical of Hill-Ledford mine, the Fluorite crystals are purple but with a dull, matt, frosted appearance. On one side most are individual cubes to about 1.3 cm on edge, but on the other side they are twinned. The side with individual cubes is very fine, but the other side does display some damage to the crystals. Nevertheless, this is still an excellent Fluorite from a lesser seen locality.