Detailed information
Species
Fluorite
Dimensions
60 x 72 x 40
mm
Weight
151 g
Locality
Cäcilia Mine, Freiung, Stulln Wölsendorf Fluorite Mining District Upper Palatinate, Bavaria, Germany
Condition
No recorded repairs
Cäcilia mine, at Freiung in the Wölsendorf Fluorite Mining District, Bavaria, Germany was an important Fluorite producer, not only industrially, but for specimens too. Started in 1933, the mine continued operating through until in 1975 after which the processing plant remained active, but supplied with ore from neighbouring Hermine mine. This miniature specimen is relatively pure Fluorite, forming a thick bed of cubic crystals, the crystals displaying the typical stepped fashion, pale green colour, and with the distinctive brick-red outer zone caused by inclusions of Hematite which is so well known from this deposit. The cubic crystals show an unusual slight concave curvature to their surface, producing a bowl-like effect. There is some damage around the periphery of the specimen, but the central crystals have sharp edges, and where the faces contain Hematite inclusions microscopic cubic Fluorite crystals form a sparse overgrowth. A lovely miniature Wölsendorf Fluorite, displaying all of the classic features.