SOLD
MD-239915
Fluorite, Sphalerite, Quartz
W.L. Davis-Deardorff Mine, Ozark-Mahoning Group, Cave-In-Rock Sub-District, Illinois - Kentucky Fluorspar District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
Small Cabinet, 9.2 x 6.9 x 4.1 cm
SOLD
A fine, 3-dimensional specimen from the famous, but less well-known Deardorff Mine of the Illinois Fluorspar District. Well-placed and isolated sphalerite and fluorite crystals are set like jewels on the coral-like, drusy quartz matrix. The 1.3 cm, fuchsia, fluorite cube and 1.7 cm lustrous, twinned, jet-black sphalerite are stunning in their crestal locations. Smaller sphalerite and fluorite "jewels" are nestled in the drusy quartz framework. This is classic, old-time material from this mine dating from the 1930s to 1950s, as the mine closed in the early 1960s. The Deardorff was considered to be the specimen mine of this period in Southern Illinois.