HEF23-53
Fluorite (fluorescent)
Tounfit Caidat, Midelt Cercle, Midelt Province, Draa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Small Cabinet, 9.5 x 8.3 x 6.2 cm
Ex. Kurt Hefendehl
SOLD

Tounfit Caidat, in the Eastern High Atlas of Morocco, produced some very interesting and attractive Fluorites beginning in 2006. The eye is drawn to this one beginning with the subtle surface patterns here. On this large, small-cabinet specimen, the Fluorites crystals are sharp cubes up to 4.4 cm. The intense violet color reminds me very much of the great Fluorites from the Elmwood mine, but this particular tint seems rather singular, and is so rich and vibrant that it seemingly just jumps right into the eyes. Another exceptional characteristic is the fluorescence, in which the cores of the crystals fluoresce yellow under SW, and the outer zones a deep purple under LW. This fluorescence is remarkable and unexpected. A few crystals on the left side of the piece have small contacts, but these satin-like Fluorites are otherwise in excellent condition. The size, sharpness, and superb color are very aesthetic and special in their own right. You simply do not find pieces of this quality from Tounfit Caidat available often. It is certainly not modern material.