Fluorite var. Blue John

Unknown Owner

This large and very thick specimen of the banded purple and white variety of Derbyshire Fluorite known as "Blue John" looks like a perfect project for someone with knowledge of rock cutting and polishing. It is from Old Tor mine and from David Hardman's collection and probably dates back to the 1960s, 70s or 80s as raw material of this quality is rarely available these days, and never from Old Tor mine. The two remaining accessible sites are the Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern. I don't have the specific knowledge to name the exact 'vein' from which this specimen came, but the sequence of colours can be used to pin "Blue John" Fluorite to individual veins. The size of this specimen is impressive and could been cut in multiple large area slices, or have one surface polished to accentuate the wonderful banding. The definition of banding displayed in this piece is superb, making it highly desirable.