FMF - Friends of Minerals Forum, discussion and message board

[Mathias]

Dear All,

Today I visited a mineral exchange in Belgium, Hannut, a 90-minute drive from my home.
I bought a Fluorite specimen from vendors who had most of their specimens packed in newspapers from the early 70's. The vendors were clearly from long before that time.
The fluorite I bought is a large one, almost 50 cm and heavy.

The label reads: "Fluorite, 1939, Esterel mountains, France.

Is there anybody out there who can suggest a more specific locality?

Thanks,
Mathias

[lluis]

Hi Matthias

Maybe that would serve you (as John Betts said one time (or so I think to remember, to place a site when you are not sure, should begin with "maybe...."... Sorry...

https://www.mindat.org/photo-1108726.html

With best wishes

Lluís

[Jordi Fabre]

Yes, Maraval Mine, and not a bad one, BTW.

[Roger Warin]

Hannut Show (about 50 km west of Liege): 2023, 03 5.
1st show after winter in Wallonia. It is held on 1 single day.
Never, the public attendance was so important.
Admission price = € 0. Price per table meter = € 60.
Large restaurant area, which subsidizes the show.
Raymond Vanderlinden has been organizing this show for 30 years.
140 exhibitors.
Note: Hannut is a very well managed, very dynamic small town located in a province of great agriculture.

A remarkable exhibition showed the best specimens of amateurs, including those of the well-known Mario Pauwels.
After 10 years of work, the Greenlaw Project team has reopened the galleries covered with fluorites, at the bottom of a 250-foot (80 m) shaft.

[Mathias]

Hi, yes, I fully agree, its a super nice show, with many local vendors, most of them from within radius of 250 km. I've seen the Mario Pauwels show, there are absolute top quality specimen among them.
Catering is also excellent. And it is a show where you can still find bargains if you arrive early, at 8 am. It starts at 10 but at 8 you can just enter. Though small compared to Ste. Marie, this is the show that I enjoy second most.