Fluorite with Quartz and Chalcopyrite - image 1

Fluorite with Quartz and Chalcopyrite

Unknown Owner

This lovely small miniature Cornish Fluorite is from the famous historic locality of Trevaunance mine at St. Agnes, but what is more significant is that it was from the famous collection of Philip Rashleigh (1729-1811). In more recent times it has passed through the dealerships of Ward's Natural Science Establishment in Rochester, New York, Lazard Cahn (1865-1940) in Colorado and the collections of Herb Obodda (1942-) and Arvid Pasto. How the specimen came to pass to the USA can probably be explained by Sir Arthur Russell who acquired part of Philip Rashleigh's collection from a descendant during the 1930s and dispersed duplicate material to several major mineral dealers, including Ward's. We have not been able to trace this specimen directly to Philip Rashleigh's catalogue, but it is very clearly from the late 1700s in its style, with the famous pyramidal extension to the cubic faces and association with Chalcopyrite and Quartz. It is a lovely, classic Cornish miniature, with a super story behind it.