Fluorite (GEM "phantom" cubes) (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Xianghuapu Mine, Xianghualing Sn-polymetallic ore field, Linwu Co., Chenzhou Prefecture, Hunan Province, China
Small Cabinet, 8.7 x 7.3 x 5.2 cm
Start Time: 02/07/2019 6:30:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 02/19/2019 6:30:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed

Item Description

An eye-catching specimen from the Xianghuapu Mine featuring a group of very sharp, highly lustrous, well-formed, GEM quality, "misty" green colored, stepped cubes of Fluorite with WATER CLEAR clarity in areas. The crystals show slight "phantom" color zoning, but perhaps the most interesting aspect is that some of them hosts ethereal, wispy "cloud"-like inclusions in their centers. I don't remember seening a Fluorite specimens quite like this from Xianghuapu. The Fluorites measure up to3.1 cm and have some small built up cubic faces on the edges, giving them wonderful character. I honestly can't see any damage of note on the display side, and the piece is so much fun to spin around in your hand and look at every side, as it's nearly completely crystallized all the way around. If you collect Fluorites or minerals of China, don't miss out on this attractiv piece from this prodigious specimen producing locality. Valued at $2,500 Ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection. Along with amassing one of the finest private mineral collections in the world, Steve is a renowned mathematician. His accomplishments include being awarded the Fields Medal in 1966 along with being the awarded the Wolf Prize in mathematics in 2007. You can read Steve's bio on the Mineralogical Record website ( https://mineralogicalrecord.com/labels.asp?colid=671&page=1 ) or on Wikipedia.

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