RLIL14A-29
Fluorite With Calcite
Rosiclare Level, Minerva #1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock District, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA
Small Cabinet, 5.8 x 3.0 x 3.0 cm
Ex. Ross Lillie
SOLD
Sublime combination of two Calcite crystals resting on a cluster of light blue Fluorites, from the Minerva Mine. The beautiful, tapered Calcites are like elongated rosebuds, with a nice color and very good luster. The longest is 3 cm. The Fluorites are gemmy with silky faces, and the largest is 2.1 cm across. Only one small corner of one Fluorite has been cleaved, otherwise the overall condition of the specimen is excellent. Mined in 1993, this was a special pocket found in robbing pillars towards the end of the mining. When it came out, I recall freaking out about the color and saving up a year to buy one from this pocket. The color is simply "special" and is more obviously so in person. It is not a deep blue, or the most glassy. But there is something about this rich, saturated pastel blue color that made people go crazy to buy one. Since that time, I have only seen a few turn up again for sale. Outstanding aesthetics!