FLUORITE
Fluorite
Over the recent years, collectors have greatly changed their perspective on Fluorite. Many years ago, Fluorite was passed over by entry level and advanced collectors. As times and tastes matured and refined, Fluorite quickly became a favorite amongst beginner collectors, and connoisseurs alike. When discussing the favorite mineral of the age, Fluorite seems to be the resounding response. This is likely to do with the infinite variety of colors, and the wide range of habits, associations, and localities. Fluorite is the most popular mineral over the last three years by leaps and bounds. We are known to specialize in Fluorite, and we are proud to share this gallery, which contains the finest and most famous Fluorite specimens we have ever handled.
Fluorite on Chlorite included Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
13.0 x 16.0 x 10.8 cm
The 2022 Pocket, discovered at the famous Yaogangxian Mine, produced the most incredible shade of deep blue-green ever seen in Fluorites. This was arguably the finest matrix specimen recovered from the find, is regarded as one of the top specimens from the find in general. This piece is coined "The Northern Lights", and exhibits all of the top qualities to search for in a world-class Fluorite specimen; color, luster, clarity, and aesthetics are all present in top qualities.
Private Collection
Fluorite
Rosiclare Level, Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
10.3 x 17.0 x 10.1 cm
This famous Fluorite specimen from the Minerva No. 1 Mine is one of the finest examples in the entire world. The large size of the piece coupled with the mirror-like luster makes this piece stand out amongst the top 1% of Fluorite specimens from Illinois. The combination of the large, complete and euhedral crystals exhibiting classic and vibrant tri-color zoning, as well many etched and dissolved areas where Barite used to be present gives this piece a unique three-dimensional feel and appearance. This world-class specimen was formerly in the collection of Richard Heck.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Fluorite
NW Crosscut Orebody, Rosiclare Level, Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
11.5 x 12.5 x 11.5 cm
This famous example of Illinois Fluorite is a true one-off specimen, with an impossible morphology. This specimen was at one point two entirely different specimens, as the blue and purple crystal had formed above the yellow crystal, and was knocked loose due to tectonic shifting, where it then settled atop the yellow crystal, and became one piece. This piece was formerly in the collection of Ross C. Lillie, and Andrew K. Ford, and has earned the namesake "The Step Stool."
Private Collection
Fluorite on Calcite
Argentière Glacier, Chamonix, Chamonix-Mont-Blanc, Bonneville, France
7.0 x 6.3 x 5.0 cm
The pink Fluorites from the French Alps are a thing of legend in the mineral collecting world. Notoriously hard to obtain due to the brutal conditions of the mountains, and especially given the simple reality that there is a very limited time each year that these mountains are even habitable for strahlers to hunt for these treasures. This specimen is one of the few that boasts impressive clarity and luster. This specimen was formerly in the collections of Wally Mann, and Gail and Jim Spann.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
7.0 x 7.8 x 6.8 cm
This famous specimen has gone down as one of the greatest Fluorite specimens from the Yaogangxian Mine. This piece is known for its iconic color, as well as its unbeatable luster and clarity. The specimen has been featured in multiple publications, including the Ikons II book, published in 2024. This world-class piece was formerly in the elite collections of Wayne A. Thompson, and Jason Adams. This specimen was also featured in a major Manhattan mineralogical exhibition in 2022.
Private Collection
Fluorite with Barite inclusions
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
9.5 x 10.0 x 9.8 cm
One of the rarest and most attractive forms of Fluorite from Illinois is complete and euhedral yellow crystals exhibiting ideal color and brilliant, glass-like luster. Additionally, the presence of unaltered, complete Barite inclusions that are so clearly visible is exceedingly uncommon. This top-quality specimen displays some of the finest, rarest and most desirable traits possible in Fluorite specimens from Illinois. This piece was formerly in the Ross C. Lillie collection of Illinois minerals, as well as the esteemed and highly refined collection of Irv Brown.
Private Collection
Fluorite with Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
13.2 x 11.5 x 9.7 cm
This specimen is regarded as one of the best specimens recovered from the 2022 Pocket from the Yaogangxian Mine. This impressively large single crystal displays top luster, color, and clarity, and has a beautifully doubly terminated Quartz crystal shooting across the top. This specimen is arguably the best single crystal from the find, and is in sublime condition with all four corners intact, and not a single point of damage along the edges.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Dolomite
Shangbao Mine, Leiyang Co., Hengyang, Hunan, China
13.0 x 9.7 x 8.5 cm
This glorious Fluorite from the Shangbao Mine will always be known as one of the finest examples in the world for the locality. With a flawless main crystal boasting a 7.5 cm diameter, and ideal color and luster, this piece is a true wonder. Unlike the other finest examples, this Fluorite crystal is significantly more exposed, and is not buried in the matrix. This world-class Fluorite specimen was formerly in the elite collections of Marcus Budil, and Jason Adams.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Marcasite
Clay Center, Allen Township, Ottawa County, Ohio, USA
8.3 x 8.2 x 6.8 cm
Fluorite from Ohio is regarded as an American classic, and the golden-root beer color is the optimal color for the locality. Most examples are found on fragile, white blades of Celestite, and rarely exhibit any crystal isolation. This specimen is on of the more unique specimens that sits on a bed of crystallized Marcasite, and has one single, perfectly symmetrical mock twin of ideally colored Fluorites. The Fluorite crystals are in perfect condition, and have top, glassy luster.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Geocronite
Milpo mine, Atacocha mining district, Cerro de Pasco, Pasco province, Pasco, Peru
5.8 x 5.4 x 5.6 cm
The 2021 find of Peruvian Fluorites took the mineral industry by storm. The radioactive green color has become iconic, and is the new standard for green Fluorites. This piece is one of the few examples showing a Fluorite on the rare Geocronite matrix. This combination is desirable, as the Fluorites on Geocronite matrix are typically much clearer, and more lustrous than the specimens that are on a Bournonite matrix. This specimen was formerly in the collection of Jason Adams.
Private Collection
Fluorite with Calcite
Piaotang Mine, Xihuashan ore field, Dayu Co., Ganzhou, Jiangxi, China
6.9 x 6.5 x 5.0 cm
The Piaotang Mine, located in South-Eastern China, has not produced remotely close to the quantity, or quality of Fluorite as the more major production sites of China. This particular example is truly an exceptional specimen from the locality, and is one of the top two specimens out of the limited find. The fluorescent, "poker-chip" habit Calcites are perfectly nestled at the base of the Fluorite crystal, which glows a rich, inky purple when lit properly.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Matrix
Longyan, Fujian, China
5.2 x 4.6 x 4.5 cm
Chinese Fluorites have become some of the most popular collectible mineral specimens in the recent years. A problem with the Chinese localities is the extraction process of specimens, which often is not delicate. This results in heavy damage of specimens, which typically do not exhibit single, complete, or isolated crystals. This undamaged specimen has a complete crystal showing striking clarity and luster. This piece was formerly in the collection of Andrew K. Ford.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Quartz
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
13.0 x 10.3 x 9.8 cm
This specimen was the number one piece out of the pocket, discovered in the mid 2010s. Aside from the piece showing much higher quality crystals that are significantly more isolated, this specimen also contains the single best "Frenkel Defect" we have ever seen (the green corner on the center crystal." This occurs when an atom or an ion is displaced from its original location due to a thermally related reasons, and leaves a vacancy in its original location. This results in a color defect visible in the crystal.
Private Collection
Fluorite
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee
11.5 x 12.3 x 8.3 cm
The Elmwood Mine has produced many spectacular specimens, but one common feature that they all share is the lack of luster. This is one of the only pieces from the Elmwood Complex we have ever seen exhibiting glass-like luster consistently throughout the specimen. The crystal is also very large for a single crystal of this quality, exhibits such good clarity that the etching on the back side of the piece is visible through the front. The zoning of the crystal is also remarkable, and is rarely seen this sharp in Fluorites from Tennessee. This impressive specimen was formerly in the collections of Jack Halpern, Andrew K. Ford, and Dr. James Gebel.
Private Collection
Fluorite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
5.5 x 5.5 x 2.6 cm
This Fluorite shows the finest qualities of the famous blue Fluorites from the Minerva No. 1 Mine. Typically, most of these Fluorites are very dark and require heavy backlighting to reveal the rich colors, but this example is gem clear and requires no special lighting setup to show the vibrant and ideal colors. This piece also has complex surface textures while also exhibiting excellent luster. This top-quality specimen was formerly in the collections of Jack Halpern, and William Johnson.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Calcite
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan, China
8.2 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm
Isolation in Chinese Fluorites is typically the most desirable trait. When color, condition, clarity, luster, and contrast are also present, the specimen achieves the status of perfection. This Fluorite on Calcite specimen shows beautiful, rich color contrast between the matrix and crystal, and the crystal is in perfect condition, showing remarkable glassy luster and clarity. This specimen was formerly in the collection of William Johnson.
Private Collection
Fluorite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
6.2 x 10.1 x 7.1 cm
One of the most desirable things to have present on an Illinois Fluorite is glass-like luster. The great luster on this colorful specimen further highlights every one of the crystal faces and razor sharp edges. The small, "digitalized" crystals are uniquely lustrous, and well defined. The clarity of this piece is also remarkable, as it is gem clear, showing complete transparency in some areas of the crystals. This specimen was formerly in the famous Ross C. Lillie collection of Illinois minerals.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Sphalerite
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee
5.0 x 5.5 x 5.0 cm
Fluorites from the Elmwood complex are perhaps some of the most recognizable specimens in the mineral collecting world. The rich purple color, digitalized or etched surface texture, and Sphalerite, Calcite, Barite, Dolomite, and Galena associations. This piece has the best color the locality is known for, and sits perfectly isolated on a Sphalerite matrix. This perfect, small-cabinet sized specimen was formerly in the collections of Wayne Thompson, and Jason Adams.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Quartz and Pyrite
Yaogangxian Mine, Chenzhou, Hunan, China.
11.5 x 9.0 x 9.5 cm
Blue is typically the most desirable color in Fluorite specimens. The large, main crystal shows beautiful blue zoning, and sits perfectly on a contrasting Quartz and Pyrite matrix. The luster of the piece is exceptional, as is the impressive aesthetic. Uniquely, this piece shows the primary generation of Fluorite completely intact and exposed, while the second generation terminated early, not fully encasing the primary generation.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Sphalerite with Barite
Elmwood Mine, Carthage, Smith County, Tennessee
30.0 x 22.4 x 18.2 cm
The size of this museum-sized masterpiece is incredible; standing at thirty centimeters across, this specimen captivates viewers. The Fluorite is in astonishingly good condition for the size, and also exhibits ideal "Carthage Corners", something that is typically only seen in Fluorites from Tennessee. The isolation of the crystal is also impressive, as it sits perfectly on a bed of jet-black Sphalerite with bright Barite accents. This piece was formerly in the collections of Mark Pospisil, and Irv Brown.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Matrix
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
14.5 x 10.9 x 8.6 cm
One of the most uncommon phenomena observed in Fluorite from Illinois is intact matrix. This one of the only examples of Illinois Fluorite on a true rock matrix that came to the market, and it will forever represent the unique "toadstool" habit. The color of the blue portion of the crystal is optimal, and the unique isolation is extremely unique, and adds a striking and memorable aesthetic to the piece. This beautifully unique oddity was formerly in the collection of Vincent Rigatti.
Private Collection
Fluorite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
6.3 x 10.4 x 6.1 cm
This extremely well-known specimen is known as "The Butterfly." The uniquely formed "wings" are a result of spherical Barite crystals that were dissolved in situ. This negative space, leaves a "drill-hole" appearance underneath the Fluorite crystals, which also allows light to pass through them beautifully. This specimen was formerly in the collection of Jason Adams, as well as the collection of Ross C. Lillie, the most famous collection of Illinois Fluorites ever assembled.
Private Collection
Fluorite on Quartz with Barite
Taourirt Complex, Taourirt Province, Oriental Region, Morocco
8.0 x 7.0 x 3.8 cm
Fluorite from Morocco rarely exhibits this type of clarity, color, and luster. This specimen is the finest example of Moroccan Fluorite we have ever seen. The completion of the crystals combined with the incredible overall quality sets this piece worlds apart from the other examples that have circulated the market. This specimen was formerly in the collection of James Gebel, MD.
Private Collection
Fluorite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Hardin County, Illinois
10.0 x 10.0 x 9.6 cm
This glassy, richly colored Fluorite from Illinois shows why Fluorites from Illinois will always captivate the mineral world. The color of this piece is very unique, exhibiting a rich orange coloration with vibrant hues of pink and magenta. This specimen also displays a mirror-like glass luster, and requires little backlighting to show the colors. This specimen was formerly in the collections of Gary Hansen, and Vincent Rigatti.
Private Collection