Fluorite with Barite inclusions,

Minerva No. 1 Mine, Ozark-Mahoning group,

Cave-In-Rock Mining Sub-District, Hardin County, Illinois, USA

9.5 cm tall x 9.5 cm wide

ex-collection Ross Lillie & Irv Brown

This fluorite is a group of large glass like cubes of lemon yellow color. It has inclusions near the surface of white barite balls and a stunning thin blueish/purple stripe at the very edges of the crystal. The most sought after fluorite producing locality in the United States is Hardin County, Illinois. This fluorite was mined in 1994 and is considered to be among the finest known yellow fluorites from Illinois. True yellow fluorite in large transparent crystals from anywhere in the world is a great rarity. The Minerva mine is long closed and will not likely ever be reopened.