Detailed information
Species
Fluorite
Dimensions
86 x 145 x 95
mm
Weight
1270 g
Locality
Koh-i-Maran Kalat District Balochistan, Pakistan
Condition
No recorded repairs
In terms of big, display-quality crystals of Fluorite this specimen from the mid-2010s finds at Koh-i-Maran, in Kalat District, Balochistan, Pakistan has much going for it. Forming a large cabinet-sized 3-dimensional ridge of large intergrown deep indigo-blue cubes, individually reaching an impressive 4.5 cm on edge, underneath, the massive centre of the vein is cream-grey with a sharp colour transition outwards. The colour of these Fluorite crystals is naturally quite dark (a dark teal-blue to dark grey in daylight), but with good directional lighting their colour improves dramatically to an electric-blue. The crystals, although cubes, present a quite distinctive 'stepping' of their faces, a feature seen in other mountainous 'alpine-type' Fluorite occurrences, namely the Weißeck area in Austria. Likewise, their slightly translucent to opaque appearance with lightly frosted surfaces is similar to the Austrian occurrence too. There is one area of damage towards one end of the specimen and a few small discrete chips to corners of the same side of the piece, but from the other side it is in excellent condition. For a country so embedded in the tradition of gem mining the appearance of large and spectacular Fluorite specimens certainly caught the attention of collectors. This great display specimen is certainly a fine advertisement of their quality and size. Ex Reverend Michael Keirle Collection (Jersey).
