Fluorite with Chalcopyrite
stock #22.1-641
Bethel Level, Annabel Lee Mine, Ozark-Mahoning Co.
Illinois,
United States
6.8 x 6.2 x 5.6 CM (cabinet)
price: $260
Fall 22
A sharp lemon yellow Fluorite corner with light blue outer zones and included by Chalcopyrite crystals. From the last era of mining at the Annabel Lee, this has very fine luster, sharp edges and contacted only on the back. The underside is the point of removal, the display face is in quite good condition as seen. As any nice Southern Illinois Fluorites are becoming harder to find (especially at a reasonable price), this is a very good value. Better in person.
Witherite
stock #21.1-323
Minerva Mine #1, Rosiclare Level, Cave in Rock
Illinois,
United States
3.2 x 2.9 x 1.8 CM (thumbnail)
price: $300
Late Summer 2021
Textbook perfect form and top quality Witherite crystal on matrix from the Minerva Mine. It is not often we see a super Witherite in thumbnail size, this is in perfect condition, no damage and looks fine from any angle. The form of this piece looks much like a classic English Witherite but it is from Illinois where this is a quite rare habit. There were just two important localities for fine Witherites worldwide, Cumbria in the UK and the Minerva Mine in the USA. Both locales are now classics and neither produces anything today. This piece is also intensely fluorescent.
Fluorite - USA classic, vintage 1950
stock #21.1-326
Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
4.4 x 3.3 x 2.5 CM (miniature)
price: $280
Late Summer 2021
A nearly pure bright yellow color Fluorite with a tiny faint zone of light blue on some edges. This is an old piece with a tattered label dated 1950. The color and translucency is excellent, there are some edges that are slightly rough, the back and one side are the point of removal. The display side of the two main cubes is in nice condition. There is one round "Barite hole" on a face that adds a nice accent. Close exam of the wider faces shows many geometric growth structures and a little stepping, the luster is wet looking.
Strontianite on Barite
stock #21.1-312
Minerva #1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
10.6 x 7.7 x 5.3 CM (cabinet)
price: $750
Late Summer 2021
Superb combination specimen of Strontianite crystal ball-clusters on contrasting Barite blades. A classic southern Illinois specimen that is far more esthetic than typical for these species. The famed Fluorites from this mine tend to overshadow the excellent (and more rare) Strontianites. In perfect, undamaged condition, the Barites are in two generations and have a pale blue hue while the Strontianites in "puffball" form are a pale yellow creme color. In person the luster and sparkle are especially impressive. Strontianite is not usually a very attractive mineral but is respected especially from the classic localities on Europe, but not often an attractive specie. This specimen that is as fine as can be found from the USA and far more attractive than usual.
HOLD Celestite on Calcite
stock #HOLD AX-7-024-(294)
Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
3.9 x 2.6 x 2.3 CM (small miniature)
price: $180
new year 2021
A small but very esthetic specimen from the prolific Fluorospar region of Southern Illinois. Ex. Larry White collection, the Celestite (or Celestine for many) is a terminated flat prism set on light yellow Calcites. Unusual in its composition, this piece has considerable display impact despite the small size and is in excellent condition. This zone produced many thousands of great Fluorite specimens but very few good Celestites were saved.
Calcite with Fluorite
stock #20.1-256-(1080)
Denton Mine, Harris Creek Sub District, Hardin County
Illinois,
United States
6.8 x 4.9 x 3.8 (cabinet)
price: $330
new year 2021
A southern Illinois classic, a mass of transparent, gemmy Calcite crystals are the sparkling background to some small purple to blue Fluorites. The bright luster of these Calcites are hard to appreciate in photos but in person the visual impact is strong. This choice Denton Mine specimen is from the collection of Les Hitchings which he obtained in 1992, from the last period of mining there which produced some exceptional Calcites.
Wurtzite - very unusual locale and form
stock #19.1-339
Blackjack Mine, Galena District, Jo Daviess County
Illinois,
United States
5.3 x 4 x 2.7 CM (cabinet)
price: $440
new year 2021
A very unusual piece unlike typical Wurtzite and from a locale that is not known for the specie. This piece comes from the Fred Meisner collection, the original label is dated 1943. The balls of radiating translucent crystals of Wurtzite are similar to some rare pieces found long ago in the Tri-state Lead-Zinc District, but these are from the Galena, Illinois area. These are also more translucent and a bit more distinct than the Tri-state pieces with a marked resinous luster. With good magnification the elongate nature of the individual crystals is evident. A significant piece for the locality and a nice Wurtzite of this habit.
Remarkable dark Fluorite crystals that have a bright yellow core that is only seen inside the holes left by former Barite rosettes. These Barite holes have a distinctive structure, these are a waxy cone shaped void that shows the detail of the long-gone Barite crystals. These Barite holes are well known from the region but the color zoning on this one is unusual and is especially impressive when backlit. The Fluorite is overall dark, sharp and lustrous with some edge scuffs, so perhaps not for strict perfectionists. The main interest is of course the Barite holes up to 1 CM across that penetrate the inner bright yellow center of the Fluorite. In Some light this looks like a dark purple but most of the color is really the exterior coating of Bitumen which is nearer to a black color.
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