fluorite - the Proctor Family Trust Collection Website

THE HALIDE FAMILY
THE FLUORITE AND HALITE (SALT) SPECIES: FLUORITE COMPOSED OF FLUORINE AND
CALCIUM IN A 1 : 2 = CaF2 – OR SALT COMPOSED OF SODIUM AND CHLORINE IN A 1 : 1 RATIO =
NaCL
FLUORITE
In almost all species the crystal colors are caused either by metal atoms or colored compounds trapped in the crystal
lattice at formation. However, in contrast, the brilliant and unique dispersal of colors in the Fluorite crystals we all
love so much are caused by imperfect crystallization at formation
formation, which results in various empty electron shells, thus
producing different energy levels which produce a kaleidoscope of colors. (see A Short Introduction
duction to Chemistry in the
introduction to this Proctor Family Trust Collection prospectus)
FROM THE YAOGANGXIAN MINE CHINA: There are six spectacular Fluorite specimens featuring cube
crystals in this Proctor museum collection from the famous Yaogangxian mine in China = one of the world’s most
prolific and diverse mines for producing superb specimens.
HALID-FLUO-1. (right) FLUORITE CUBES ON
QUARTZ CRYSTALS WITH PURPLE INCLUSIONS IN
THE CENTERS - YAOGANGXIAN MINE
MINE: Here we see
a perfect Quartz crystal
al cluster measuring 5” wide by 4”
deep, exhibiting ten Fluorite colorless cubes with bright
purple centers. Not only is this extremely uncommon and
aesthetic, but half the Fluorite cubes are interpene
interpenetration
twins.
-Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-2. (left) FLUORITE PURPLE CORNERS ON PALE
GREEN CUBES – YAOGANGXIAN MINE,, CHINA:
CHINA This second
purple Fluorite specimen measures 3” wide by 3” high by 3” deep, and
displays several interpenetration twins of cubed Fluorites. The
T largest
cube, 1.5” across, presents dark purple corners which creates an elegant
display piece. Why do these cubes have purple corners and
a the
previous cubes have purple centers? Empty electron = energy levels!!
levels
-Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-3. FLUORITE - DELICATE GREEN
CUBES WITH BEAUTIFUL PHANTOMS INDICATING
MULTIPLE GROWTH PHASES – YAOGANGXIAN
MINE, CHINA: Specimen measures 2.5” by 2.75”.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
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FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-4. FLUORITE - LIGHT
PURPLE CUBES, WITH
INTERPENETRATION TWINS –
YAOGANGXIAN MINE: Note the joints and
the interpenetration twin planes of twinned cubes
cubes.
Specimen measures 2.5” by 2.5”.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
HALID-FLUO-5. FLUORITE – OCTAHEDRON
PYRAMID CRYSTAL MADE OF ALL STEPPED
CUBES – YAOGANGXIAN MINE,
E, CHINA: This is a
pyramid shaped octahedral Fluorite,, 3” wide and 1.75”
high (looking like a stepped Mayan pyramid temple).
This one-of-a-kind group is made up entirely of minute
cubes with pre-octahedral, beveled
led edges between the
cube corners (best seen on the big top crystal) – and all
the cubes have a dusting of micro Pyrite
yrite crystals
sprinkled on their surfaces. Because
ecause octahedrons form
at high temperatures and cubes form at low temperatures
this is a unique and telling presentation. How
ow could this
sort of time capsule specimen
imen have formed? Obviously
at some intermediate temperature! Compare this picture
with the next, somewhat similar, presentation
presentation, which
displays a complimentary crystallization.
-Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-6. FLUORITE – OCTAHEDRON ON
QUARTZ, WITH MODIFIED CUBES ON THE PYRAMID
CORNERS “BEAR’S HEAD” – YAOGANGXIAN MINE,
CHINA: The specimen above iss another amazing Fluorite,
Fluorite
displaying an obvious pyramid shaped octahedral crystal on
Quartz. Each of its pyramid points is occupied by a cube
crystal,
al, again, with each of its edges (between the cube
corners) being beveled - a precursor trait to a modified cubooctahedron crystal. This specimen was probably formed at
some intermediate temperature. Specimen measures 3.5”
wide by 3.25” high.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
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FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-7. FLUORITE – ROSE,
ROSE PINK-COLORED
CLUSTER OF MANY INTERPENETRATION TWINNED
CUBES, WITH MAGENTA BANDING (PHANTOMS)
INSIDE: Here we see a stunningly beautiful, banded
stack of closely packed interpenetration
nterpenetration Fluorite cubes =
a unique example (the only one the Proctors have seen)
from the Annabel Lee mine, near Cave-In-Rock
Cave
city,
(Hardin County) in southern Illinois near the Ohio
River. All these Hardin county mines are now closed,
abandoned and under water. This specimen measures 4”
wide, 4” high by only 2.5” thick so it passes light easily to
show off this most unusual magenta color banding.
-Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-8. FLUORITE - DARKEST PURPLE CUBES
WITH INTERPENETRATION TWINS - BERBES, SPAIN: The
famous mines at Berbes, Spain usually produced multitudes of
specimens with small pale purple Fluorite cubes associated with
superb white bladed barite. This unique
nique specimen is probably the
PRIMO specimen from Berbes, and it’s purple color makes it one
of the best crytsals from any mine. Specimen measures 3.4” wide
by 2” tall.
-Jeff
Jeff Scovil photographs
HALID-FLUO-9. BLUE-GREEN
GREEN FLUORITE: A rare
color, with green phantoms from the Erongo Mountains
in Namibia. Specimen measures 3.5” high by 3.5” wide.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
89
FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-10. FLUORITE – PALE GREEN 3” CUBE PERCHED ON A FLAT MATRIX – DAL’NEGORSK,
RUSSIA: This very sculptural, 3” green cube of gemmy Fluorite is perched on the very top edge of the matrix, which
means the miners just plucked it off the wall rock. The few internal cleavage planes are an advantage to the viewer
because they cause the light to refract and disperse beautifully. This piece was found in the 1980s in the Nikolai mine at
Dal’negorsk, Russia, which is the most important of the five mines that make up the Dal’negorsk complex in far eastern
Russia, in the vicinity of the giant Russian submarine base at Vladivostok. Acquired from a private collection.
Specimen measures 5” wide, 6” tall and only 1.5” thick.
–Jeff Scovil photograph
90
FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-11. FLUORITE – PURPLE CUBES – ELMWOOD MINE, CARTHAGE, TENNESSEE: On this
masterpiece composition specimen, we see more than 20 gemmy purple Fluorite cubes dispersed in an isolated fashion
(so we can better study their individual crystal shape). The white Dolomite matrix makes for a perfect color contrast so
the crystals stand out better. Specimen measures 6” wide by 8” tall by 3.5” thick.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
91
FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-12. FLUORITE- WATER CLEAR, PALE GREEN CUBES – XIANGHUALING MINE, CHINA: These
amazing pale green gem crystals are so clear one could read a newspaper through them. In fact, we can even clearly see the
texture of the green matrix underneath. Acquired from a famous private collection in Monaco, Europe. Specimen measures
4.5” wide by 2.75” high.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
92
FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-13.
FLUORITE – STACK
OF PURPLE CUBES
ON A SAW TOOTH
EDGED GEMMY
CELESTINE
CRYSTAL –
MUSQUEZ, MEXICO:
Here we view a 3.75”
high stack of small
purple interpenetration
twinned Fluorite cubes
running up the center of
a very sculptural
Celestine crystal (an
uncommon strontium
sulfate species)
measuring 6.5” high by
3.5” wide and only 3/8”
thick (compare with
SULF-ATE-CEL-2 in
this collection).
Because of color
contrast, form,
composition and
perfection, we view here
an intensely interesting
specimen. Even the
Celestine crystal is very
different and superb for
the species.
FANTASTIC
COMPOSITION AND
AESTHETICS!!!
-Joe Budd photograph
93
FLUORITE CUBES (continued)
HALID-FLUO-14. FLUORITE PURPLE CUBES (WITH BACKLIGHTING) - OKARUSO,
NAMIBIA: Specimen measures 4.5”
wide by 4” tall.
-Lynn Sim photograph
HALID-FLUO-15. (below) FLUORITE – LUSCIOUS YELLOW CUBES WITH CHALCOPYRITE SPRINKLES ON
TOP – CAVE-IN-ROCK CITY, ILLINOIS: Displayed here is a beautiful specimen of very uncommon and superb rich
yellow Fluorite cubes ranging up to 2” across.
ross. Small Chalcopyrite crystals (a copper, iron sulfide species) are seen on
the surface of the cubes. From the Minerva #1 mine, Cave-in-Rock city,, Illinois. Specimen measures 5.5” wide, 5” tall
and 2.5” thick. All these classic southern Illinois mines in Hardi
Hardin
n county are closed and underwater and lost forever as a
specimen source. Acquired from the famous Ji
Jim Minette collection.
–Joe
Joe Budd photograph
94
CUBO-DODECAHEDRON
HALID-FLUO-23. FLUORITE: One could hardly expect to find better composition than seen here. A purple Fluorite
cube perched on a white Calcite matrix; actually this is a rare cubo-dodecahedron crystal, recognized by the beveled
edges between the cube points. From the second great Spanish Fluorite mine – La Collada in the same mountain
range in Catalonia, Spain - only 50 km from the other great European Fluorite mine, at Berbes Spain. This
specimen came from the famous Eric Asselborn collection in France, and only became available when he sold his entire
collection (considered one of the top three in Europe). This masterpiece specimen measures 3.5” high by 4.5” wide.
Please see the superb Berbes Fluorite (without matrix – HALID-FLUO-8) in this collection also considered to be the
best Fluorite from Berbes.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
95
FLUORITE OCTAHEDRONS
HALID-FLUO-16. FLUORITE OCTAHEDRONS – TWO BRIGHT GREEN, PYRAMID SHAPED CRYSTALS = A
BI-PYRAMID CRYSTAL WITH EIGHT FACES: This is reputed to be the finest large octahedron matrix specimen.
Found at this unique Reimbasmask, Cape Province, South Africa deposit. Specimen measures 3.5” wide by 4” tall.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
96
FLUORITE OCTAHEDRONS (continued)
HALID-FLUO-17. FLUORITE– ROSE COLORED OCTAHEDRONS – SWITZERLAND: This magnificent 2”
cluster of rose-colored, sharp octahedrons of Fluorite come from the most classic location: Goshenen Alp, Switzerland,
dug by one of the intrepid Swiss strahlers (alpine diggers) decades ago. On the right side of the roadway just before you
enter the St. Gotthard tunnel going into Italy from Switzerland, is a sign pointing upwards identifying the area called
Goshenen Alp. Of all classic species, pink Swiss octahedral Fluorite crystals are among the most coveted and sought
after by connoisseur collectors. The Swiss collectors consider these choice fluorites national treasures, and thus, seldom
are they allowed to escape the country. Acquired, by trade, from the famous Dr. Neely collection in Tennessee.
Specimen measures 3.25” high, and 3” wide.
–Joe Budd photograph
97
FLUORITE OCTAHEDRONS (continued)
HALID-FLUO-18.
HALID
FLUORITE – BI-COLOR –
PURPLE AND GREEN
OCTAHEDRONS –
XIANGHUALING MINE,
HUNAN PROVINCE,
CHINA: Seen here is a
magnificent 5” wide, 5” tall,
and
d 4” thick cluster of huge, 2”
to 2.75” bi-colored,
bi
purple and
green, octahedral Fluorite
crystals;
crystal remember that
octahedrons form at high
temperatures. Please compare
the previous,
previous classic rosecolored Swiss Fluorite
(HALID-FLUO-17),
(HALID
side-byside with this bigger specimen.
This magnificent matched pair
displays 2” octahedral crystals
of the two best color varieties!!
The three contrasting,
contrasting yet
complimentary colors (rose,
purple and green) are stunning
together.
together Also compare these
to the green octahedrons
HALID-FLUO-16.
HALID
-Joe
Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-19. FLUORITE –
OCTAHEDRONS - GREEN AND
PURPLE ON THE SAME SPECIMEN
WITH THREE GROWTH PHASES –
XIANGHUALING MINE, CHINA:
Another of the most unique Fluorites
from this immensely prolific and
classic China Fluorite mine is this 6”
wide and 4” high specimen featuring
two colors (not bi-colored) of sharp
(high temperature formation)
octahedrons that have different
compositions. There is a large green,
textbook perfect octahedron on top
with smaller purple octahedrons
underneath, which obviously formed
during different growth phases. This
makes a spectacular presentation,
but this assemblage has added clout because on the left side of it is the big green octahedron surrounded by a series of
rarely seen, stepped or tiered, intermediate shaped, green cubes (of lower temperature formation).
formation) These
intermediate, juvenile cubes of Fluorite are on top of all the biggest, sharpest green octahedrons.
octahedron They must have
formed as the specimen cooled. With careful observation we can see th
that each fine specimen tells a story of differing
temperatures, pressures, the impurities and possibly different cooling rates present in the pocket during several
formation stages. This recognition adds greatly to our awe and enjoyment of the specimen! If we can marvel over a
specimen for its unique beauty,
uty, color, form, composition, perfection or crystal sheen,
heen, then we should own it. These are
the criteria the Proctors have used to skim off the top fraction of the best of each species
species.
-Joe
Budd photo
98
FLUORITE - 8-SIDED OCTAHEDRONS (continued
continued)
HALID-FLUO-20. FLUORITE –
DARK PURPLE SINGLE
OCTAHEDRON ON QUARTZ –
FROM THE DE’AN MINE,
CHINA: We see here a perfect,
luscious purple and razor sharp, 8sided bi-pyramid octahedron of
Fluorite on an etched out Quartz
plate. These complete 8-sided
octahedrons (if they were taken off
the matrix to expose all eight sides)
are very symmetrical. Specimen
measures 3.25” by 2.75” and 1.5”
tall (to the octahedral tip).
-Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-22. FLUORITE - GEM GREEN OCTAHEDRONS - FROM THE SOUTH AFRICAN DEPOSIT AT
REIMBASMASK, CAPE PROVINCE: These two ssharp electric green octahedrons are balanced across from each other
and are extremely aesthetic on their matrix. Specimen measures 3.5” high by 44” wide. -Jeff
Jeff Scovil photograph
photo
99
FLUORITE (continued)
HALID-FLUO-25. FLUORITE - EXCEEDINGLY RARE, TAN-COLORED BALLS ON MATRIX - JALGAON,
INDIA: This is one of the most unique Fluorite specimens ever found because the top ball is so translucent that it
displays a partial cat’s-eye chatoyance. Additionally, no other Fluorite examples like this truly bizarre specimen were
found in any other country, and only a handful was found at Jalgaon, India. In all the searching done by the Proctors, this
was by far the best. Specimen measures 4.75” wide by 5.25” high.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
HALID-FLUO-24. FLUORITE - A PERFECT
GREEN OCTAHEDRAL FLUORITE ON A
MUSCOVITE MICA MATRIX - NAGAR
VALLEY, PAKISTAN: Specimen measures 2”
high by 3” wide; crystal is 1.5”.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
100
FLUORITE – 14-SIDED CUBO-OCTAHEDRON
OCTAHEDRON
HALID-FLUO-26. FLUORITE – GREEN, 2” SINGLE, PERFECT, CUBO
CUBO-OCTAHEDRON
AHEDRON ON A QUARTZ
QUAR
MATRIX: Rarely does one find a 2” perfect
perfect, 14-sided cubo-octahedron crystall sitting by itself on a pretty Quartz
studded matrix as seen here. This is an amazing crystal flashing two perfect adjoining and triangular faces alternating
with two perfect cube faces, making up the front faces on this textbook perfect cubo
cubo-octahedron
octahedron. Please carefully
compare this 14-sided
sided Fluorite crystal with the 14
14-sided cubo-octahedral Fluorite - HALID-FLUO
FLUO-28. This specimen is
rare because of the perfectly balanced size ratios between both the triangular and square faces. If this 14-sided
14
crystal
was off matrix and complete, we could count eight triangular octahedral faces and six square cube faces. From Orange
River, Namibia. The Quartzes are 0.5” to 1”
1”, and the specimen measures 3.75”
.75” wide and 4” tall. -Joe Budd photograph
101
CUBO
CUBO-OCTAHEDRONS (continued)
HALID-FLUO-28. FLUORITE – CLUSTER OF DARK PURPLE 14
14-SIDED = CUBO-OCTAHEDRONS
AHEDRONS ON
QUARTZ - DE’AN MINE, CHINA:: Here we see a 7” Quartz base, and perched on top is a 3” high mound of perhaps
erpenetration twins of luscious purple cubo-octahedrons
octahedrons with surprisingly even color dispersal.
thirty very translucent interpenetration
With close observation,
on, we can see there are no octahedral (triangular) faces here – but all cube, pentagon and hexagon
(six sides) faces,, which are most diagnostic for some cubo
cubo-octahedrons. These crystals are quite different from the 2”,
single, green cubo-octahedron
edron we just saw (HALID
(HALID-FLUO-26). A cube crystal has six faces and an octahedron has
eight faces, so these two shapes combined = 14 faces. The Proctors bought this specimen from the mine owner himself
(who knew very well what fine specimens sold for in the U.S.)
U.S.), and this miner said it wass the best group he found at his
mine. Although the miners and mine owners sometimes lie in order to romance the stone,, the Proctors tend to believe
this statement because of the many they looke
looked at, this is the best one they have seen.. Found at the famous De’an
De’a mine,
China. To see a perfect, isolated,, single crystal of this rare color
color, see specimen HALID-FLUO--29 below. Also, please
see Galena SUL-GAL-9 to view a perfect 66-sided cubo-octahedral face. -Joe
Joe Budd photograph
HALID-FLUO-29. FLUORITE – PURPLE, SINGLE, CUBO
CUBOOCTAHEDRON ON QUARTZ - DE’AN MINE
MINE, CHINA: Here we see an
absolutely perfect,
erfect, exceedingly dark purple single 14-sided cubooctahedron sitting on top of a thin Quartz “c
“cone”. The De’an mine is noted
for producing the best examples of these rare purple cubo-octahedrons.
Note the hexagonal face on the top left as well; this hexagonal face is one
of the diagnostic finger prints to identify a classic cubo
cubo-octahedral crystal.
Specimen measures 4” by 4” and 3” high.
-Jeff Scovil photograph
102