FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[headstashcrystals]

I have been collecting minerals for about two years now and have only recently become interested in fluorite's. I prefer higher end rare specimens. I don't really know to much about fluorite's other than the fact that i find them extremely attractive. I was hoping that maybe someone could point me in the right direction as to what some of the more desirable mines and pockets might be. Which fluorite's might be more rare, and are there any one time finds to look out for. Older material is also something of great interest. Thank you in my pursuit of great minerals!!!!!

[Jesse Fisher]

Where to begin? There are many great fluorite localities worldwide, some currently or recently productive and many now closed and no longer producing.

In the US:
The Southern Illinois Fluorspar District - the most famous mines are the Denton, Annabel Lee and Minerva #1, all active in the 1980s-90s but now closed.

Elmwood and Gordonsville mines in Tennessee - have produced some fabulous fluorites in combination with calcite, Baryte and sphalerite during the same time period as S. Illinois.

Mexico:
Many locaities but perhaps the most famous are Naica and the mines around Muzquiz, both of which still occasionally produce specimens.

England:
Again, many localities, both in the North Pennines orefield and south in Devon and Cornwall. The mines in the south are older and good specimens now hard to come by. Mining in the north, particularly in and around Weardale carried on through much of the 20th century so specimens are easier to come by. Mines such as Boltsburn, Heights, Hilton, Blackdene, Cambokeels and Frazer's hush all produced wonderful things. The Rogerley Mine is currently being worked for fluorite specimens, which can be found around the web and at many shows including Tucson (disclaimer time- I'm involved with that project).

European Continent:
Very good fluorite specimens have come from the Berbes area in the northern Spanish region of Asturias, including a recent find at the Llamas Quarry. Other productive mines include La Viesca, Emilio, and Moscona.

France has many famous fluorite mines, all of which are now closed. Perhaps the most well-known localities outside the country are the Le Beix and Le Burg mines, both famous for very nice blue fluorite.

Germany, like France has many fluorite localities, and like France, all are now closed. Perhaps the most famous area is the Erzgebirge (Ore Mountains) in the state of Saxony. Locations including Halsbrucke, Annaberg and Pohla have produced some great specimens.

Russia:
Several of the mines around Dalnegorsk in the far east have and sometimes still yield excellent fluorite specimens - often absolutely water clear and colorless.

China:
Many, many locations currently or recently producing specimens. A few favorites include Xaogangxian, Shangbao, Xainghaulin, and the Huanggang Mine in Inner Mongolia.

Africa:
Several mines in Morocco have and occasionally continue to produce good fluorite specimens. Perhaps the best is El Hammam. In Namibia the Okorusu Mine is famous for green fluorite with complex purple internal color bands. Also, the Erongo mountains for the unusual "alien-eye" fluorites. Some very nice green octahedral fluorite on white quartz has recently come from Riemvasmak in South Africa.

There are many more - start by searching for fluorite in various countries on Mindat.org and looking at the photos. The photo galleries here on FMF have lots of fluorite photos submitted by users. Prowling dealer websites can also give you a good idea of what's available. Journals such as the Mineralogical Record and Rocks & Minerals have published many articles about famous fluorite localities. And of course, attend as many shows as you can and look around!

Cheers!

[Peter Seroka]

Hi

Jesse has covered almost all of the most famous fluorite localities; however, there are hundreds, if not more other deposits and/ or mines, known for their extraordinary specimen.
If you really want to get caught by the "fluorite fever", you should try to obtain the below listed publications, which cover the best ever finds of fluorites from thre past til now.

*1. https://www.mineralienatlas.de/lexikon/index.php/Seroka%2C%20Peter%20%282001%29%20-%20Fluorit%20-%20Daten%2C%20Fakten%2C%20Weltweite%20Vorkommen
(the standard fluorite fact book, 5.200 localities, in German)

*2. Crystal forms of fluorite
https://www.mindat.org/forum.php?read,6,318916,318916#msg-318916
(brand new fantastic fluorite book in German and French)

*3. New Book: La Fluorita. Un siglo de minería en Asturias (world's best Spanish fluorites, in Spanish)

*4. https://www.spathfluor.com/_open/open_us/us_op_collec/us_collections.htm ( Best French fluorites, E. Guillou-Godkovsky)

*5. Goldstein, A., 1997; The Illinois-Kentucky Fluorite District; MinRecord: Vol. 28, 1

*6. Rustemeyer, P., 2002; Verrückte Fluorite; Lapis: 27, Nr.9 (in German)

I have been a fluorite collector for many years, having assembled a collection of aprox. 1.400 world class specimen within a period of amost 25 years; guess, one of the best private collections ever assembled. (sold)

Best regards
Peter Seroka

[Jordi Fabre]