This fluorite crystal is transparent, colorful with subtle zonations, and RAZOR SHARP. The edges are to 4 cm in length, and you can cut your finger on them, they are so perfect. The crystal is completely transparent in person, and shows subtle cubic phantoms inside that are hard to capture with the camera. The piece is a complete floater, as the fluorite rests on a shard of quartz from which crystals pop out on either end of the plate to accent the fluorite. This is a superb specimen in every sense of its aesthetics, from the noted China collections of Steve Smale.. Joe Budd photos

An intense, very deeply colored fluorite with color that is literally the saturation of grape jelly. This is from a small pocket that came out only a few years ago, and was sold even in Mexico for a super premium. Most of it, if not all, was controlled by the New family (a dealership) and Jason New kept the best in his collection (which I purchased in 2010). This specimen, with crystals exceeding an inch, shows beautifully from several angles. Most of these few specimens were not recovered in pristine condition. Although it has some contacting attachment points in back, and one noticeable ding on a side crystal to the left of the main frontal crystal, this is in good shape otherwise and certainly displays dramatically. A choice Mexican fluorite specimen. Joe Budd photos

This specimen comes from a unique pocket hit in the late 1990s, featuring small hexagonal APATITES perched on the rhodochrosite, with a bonus of little jewel-like cubic purple fluorites for accent. The three larger crystals reach 2 cm across, and have very good cherry-red color, not the more commonly seen (today) pale, partially-ripe strawberry hue. This specimen has been in a private collection for some time, and was recently given to me for sale. I believe their asking price to be very fair, in light of recent prices I have seen on specimens remaining with the former miner, as they also are buying back specimens in the marketplace for resale now. Comes with custom lucite base. NOTE: I am selling this for a friend and i think he lowballed the price. this is, i feel, a pretty good deal...

A very aesthetic and unusual specimen from this classic mine, with a thick coating of sparkling white quartz over large fluorite octohedra. THEN, LATER in the history of this pocket, more fluorite was deposited on top of the quartz layer, making for little lavender tufts of fluorite poking out like mushrooms from the sharper quartz crystals underneath. I have not previously had such a good example of this multiple-generation material from the mine, nor seen one so aesthetic and balanced, as this piece. Ex Karl Faddis Collection (a Seattle-area native collector) - he specialized in minerals of the Northwest USA and British Columbia. Joe Budd Photos.

A superb specimen from the noted China collection of Dr. Steve Smale, this piece has balance and contrast. It is pristine and complete all around with crystallized calcite on the backside as well as the front. The finely isolated fluorite crystals measure to 4 cm and show amazingly intricate effects of oriented growth patterning in both color (purple zones) and in form (flat vs. stepped faces). The piece is simple in geometry but mesmerizing in complexity. This was probably found in the mid-2000s. For its combination of qualities, I rate it VERY HIGHLY. Joe Budd Photos.

A remarkable Alpine fluorite from the single greatest pocket of modern times, which was worked by French field collector Frederic Eva from 2006, for a few years. Many crystals from this pocket had mattte faces or more pink color, with less saturation. This piece is lustrous on all major octohedral faces. This piece practically GLOWS with intense pink-red color, very saturated throughout and with no pale zones. IT IS MUCH BETTER IN PERSON, DESPITE ACCURATE PHOTOS, AS THE CAMERA CANNOT SEE HTE INTENSITY AND DEPTH OF THE EYE. THIS IS NOT JUST "ANOTHER" PINK FLUORITE, BUT A STEP BEYOND MOST. The crystals are complete all around 360 degrees, and have absolutely no damage whatsoever. They are fat, robust, and just plain "juicy," for lack of a better word. The combination of those qualities with an overall aesthetic display, is rare. The piece has a small amount o fmatrix granite still attached at the bottom, as well. Taken together, this is a rarified level of quality, and I was shocked to have been able to buy it dirty all these years after it had been mined and set aside in a French collection, still with pocket material on it that needed to be cleaned off in preparation. Joe Budd Photos.

Witherite from Illinois sets the standard for the species, to most collectors. The only competitors are old English specimens, and there are few enough of them - plus they are white or chalky in color. This piece has amber-colored witherite intergrown over fluorite, and makes for a very choice small cabinet specimen. These mines are now closed and defunct, and good witherites have not been found in decades in any case, from any locality. The specimen was collected in the mine in 1971 by collector Bob Bartsch, and given to his friend Al Ordway on his return to California. It is a very aesthetic, choice example of the material from this mine both for its color and form, as well as exceptional luster for the species. Joe Budd Photos.

Witherite from this locality , seldom seen in this quality today, is considered by most to set the standard for the species for beauty. This piece has a complete-all-around, gorgeous witherite cluster situated on a transparent, sharp fluorite crystal. It is a rare combination piece with balance and aesthetics both. The color is also exceptional. From the Cal Tech collections, by authorised exchange to a private collector a few years ago, this is a major piece in its size range, for what it is. Joe Budd Photos.