Fluorite - Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave in Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
Excellent large fluorite specimen with highly lustrous, complex colored crystals with up to 5.5 cm on the edge. Finely differentiated color zoning with alternating bands of brilliant yellow, blue and violet is characteristic of the best fluorite specimens from the Minerva #1 mine. A few chalcopyrites on some crystal faces contrast nicely with the intensely colored corners and edges of the cubic crystals.
An edge on this piece that has crystallized all around shows a recrystallized growth defect.
A beautiful classic from a well-known site that is unfortunately no longer in operation and therefore cannot produce new specimens of this unique quality.
Fluorite - Minerva No. 1 Mine, Illinois, USA
size
10.3cm x 7cm x 5cm
locality
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave in Rock, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA