Detailed information
Species
Fluorite, Sphalerite
Dimensions
95 x 67 x 57
mm
Weight
482 g
Locality
Elmwood Mine Carthage, Smith County Tennessee, USA
Condition
No recorded repairs
This showy cabinet specimen of lilac tinted Fluorite on Sphalerite is from the famous Elmwood mine at Carthage in Smith County, Tennessee, USA. Elmwood mine began operations in 1969 extracting zinc ore and quickly became established as a well know source for magnificent mineral specimens, particularly of Fluorite and Calcite. This superb specimen measures 9.5 cm tall and features two primary interpenetrant cubic crystals which vary from almost colourless shades of mauve through to lilac. As can be seen in the video, the colours intensify towards the edges of the prisms as the specimen is rotated. All faces have a rough texture due to being composed of stepped micro-cubic crystals which together form the large cubes., some areas of which are coated with a thin layer of lustrous white drusy Quartz crystals. These sit on a sturdy bed of dark Sphalerite, both massive and crystallised, varying from black to orange-red. This is an excellent combination of beautifully coloured Fluorite with Sphalerite from Elmwood mine.