FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Tobi]

After I finally managed to make a good photo of this specimen, I want to add Xianghualing Mine, Hunan, China to my favourites:

[Jesse Fisher]

Things seem to have gone quiet here, so here's a new one - at least to me.

[Tobi]

[VRigatti]

Haven't posted in a long time, but here is a nice fluorite from the Josefa-Veneros vein, in the La Collada mining area, Asturias Spain.

[Jesse Fisher]

I recently had the chance to help dealer friend John Veevaert unpack a fluorite collection he had recently acquired.Ironically, the first thing we pulled from the boxes turned out to be a Rogerley fluorite that came from the Jewel Box pocket in 2007! Following on were a fair number of large lumpy Chinese bits that somehow had escaped being reduced to hydrofluoric acid. Hiding amongst the lot, however, was this wonderful Denton Mine specimen. I recall a period of time when you could go into rooms at the Tucson or Denver shows and see hundreds of such things. Ross Lillie once told me that at the time there were a few local rock shops in Southern Illinois where one could buy specimens priced by the weight, regardless of the quality. If one had an eye for what was good, one could do nicely by it, as I'm sure Ross and a few others did! Those were the days....

[Jesse Fisher]

Where's everyone gone? Are fluorites falling out of favor?

[Nadz Khwaja]

[VRigatti]

Here is a sharp cubic clear fluorite with purple around the edges, and accented by poker chip calcite. Within the cubic crystal is a dark purple cuboctohedral phantom. Very uniqie and beautiful. Measures 8x8x6 cm.

[VRigatti]

This fluorite is from the Rosclare level, Cave in Rock, S. Illinois. The gemmy blue fluorite is second generation sitting atop a pale yellow fluorite "matrix". The base of the blue fluorite has been partially etched and has a layer of pale barite crystals. Overall dimensions are 14 x8 x 8cm and the blue crystal is 2.6 cm across. Joe Budd photo

[Tobi]

[James Catmur]

Not yet Jesse, but maybe people are too busy?

[Philippe Durand]

This Valzergue fluorite is a killer. The best I have seen; very clear, and with nice contrast on the white quartz matrix.

[VRigatti]

This teal blue large fluorite cluster with accenting dolomite is from a relatively new find at the Green Fluorite mine, Chenzhou China. This specimen measures 13 x 13 x 8 cm and is contacted on the back side where it was removed from the pocket.

[Tobi]

[Jesse Fisher]

Something new from the West Level of the Boltsburn Mine. Unusual blue color for Weardale.