Fluorite on Arsenopyrite (ex Dr. Stephen Smale Collection)

Item Description

Like many mines in China, the Yaogangxian Mine has produced some superb quality Fluorites. This piece is an older specimen, probably dating back nearly 15 years (early 2000s) featuring a fine, quality, sharp, cubic crystal of Fluorite measuring 2.3 cm on edge sitting on metallic silvery colored Arsenopyrite on matrix. The best aspects of the Fluorite crystal is the beautiful blue-purple color, the fact that it's pretty gemmy and it's so aesthetically set on the matrix. Overall, there is very little damage, but it's still showy and great quality. This material is now a classic, and really good quality for what it is, so if you collect Chinese minerals or worldwide Fluorites, don't miss out on this attractive colorful display specimen. Valued at $900. 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.