{"product_id":"fluorite-223","title":"FLUORITE","description":"Although Larkin’s quarry had been operating, albeit at a small scale, for many years, it only came to the attention of collectors in 2015 when a sensational find was made following a blast.  Larkin's quarry is near the village of Costelloe in Connemara, Co. Galway, in the far mid-west of Ireland.  It is almost exactly due west of Dublin and as close to the Atlantic as Dublin is to the Irish Sea.  Late stage mineralised veins in the Shannapheasteen Granite pluton yielded several sulphides, but it was the wonderfully crystallised, colour zoned Fluorite that gave instant fame.  I think it no exaggeration to say this unknown quarry became an acknowledged classic literally overnight with its Fluorite specimens now gracing collections around the world.  This particular largish miniature displays distinct single cubic Fluorite crystals of translucent to transparent, even gemmy, delicate cornflower blue with an outer shell of lilac, lavender and violet zoning.  Most prisms also display distinct, yet slightly ragged, bevelled edges.  Typically, the darker shades of purple seem to concentrate around the prisms’ edges, so creating a much lighter coloured square window on each face.  Collecting is strictly forbidden at this privately owned quarry, with any recovered specimens being sold to specifically chosen mineral dealers.  Larkin’s Fluorite is quite distinct from that of any other worldwide locality and makes for truly beautiful and stunning specimens.","brand":"Crystal Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46549815689391,"sku":"CC34931","price":1500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0710\/8516\/2671\/files\/CC34931.png?v=1770643008","url":"https:\/\/crystalclassics.com\/products\/fluorite-223","provider":"Crystal Classics","version":"1.0","type":"link"}