Detailed information
Species
Fluorite
Dimensions
117 x 124 x 42
mm
Weight
728 g
Locality
Le Beix Mine, Herment Puy-de-Dôme Auvergne, France
Condition
No recorded repairs
This large cabinet specimen displays the classic powder-blue coloured Fluorite for which Le Beix mine, Herment, Puy-de-Dôme, Auvergne, France is famous. The mine operated from 1906-1977 and reached a depth of 244 metres. The whole display surface is covered in stepped cubic crystals most of which are between 10 and 15 mm on edge. A larger and slightly darker blue crystal is on one edge, but has damage to one corner. There is damage around the edges of the specimen, but internally the crystals are good, and colourful. Some of the crystals display internal zoning and the overall blue colour varies depending on the light source. The lustre of the crystals is not totally glassy, but more 'matt' with translucent interiors. The base of the specimen is made of much coarser purple Fluorite, but this colour doesn't show through to the display surface. This is a really fine larger specimen of well-crystallized Fluorite of great colour from one of France's most famous Fluorite producing mines.