HEF23-16
Fluorite with Strontianite and Sphalerite
Minerva No. 1 Mine, Cave-In-Rock, Hardin County, Illinois, USA
Large Cabinet, 17.7 x 10.1 x 6.7 cm
Ex. Kurt Hefendehl
SOLD

From the famous Minerva Mine, this bold and dramatic, large cabinet specimen is equal parts Fluorite, Strontianite, and Sphalerite. The gemmy Fluorites are classic Minerva, with yellow cores and light blue outer zones. The largest crystal is 2.4 cm on edge, and of course they fluoresce purple. The stout, complex Sphalerites are lustrous with the deep-honey color you would expect, they range up to 3.2 cm individually, and many of them are intergrown. This piece is aesthetically crowned by dozens upon dozens of lustrous and GEMMY Strontianite crystals up to 1.8 cm, and they contrast very nicely with both the Sphalerites and Fluorites. It is unusual to find them so gemmy, and even more unusual that they have an orange-white fluorescence, as opposed to simply white. This is a classic, highly-representative combination specimen for Minerva, which was finally closed in 1996. Minor damage at periphery and some damage to some Strontianites, but still a dramatic look and an old style.