Fluorite, Galena & Quartz (old classic ca. 1940-50s)

Item Description

An excellent and important large old-time two-sided combination locality piece from this less well-known mine. Beautiful, lustrous and translucent, rich violet-purple fluorites cubes, to 1.5 cm, are scattered and clustered on both sides of the sculptural piece. The front is peppered with sharp lustrous galena octahedrons and cuboctahedrons and both sides have a rich carpet of sparkly drusy quartz. This is classic, old-time combination material from this mine dating from the 1930s to 1950s, as the mine closed in the early 1960s. The Deardorff was considered to be the specimen mine of this period in Southern Illinois. Modest purple fluorescence. Nearly pristine, with only a few gently bruised fluorite cubes. Valued at $800-1000 and is possibly worth more for quality and rarity. The piece has two fine display views.