Calcite on Fluorite, etc. (RARE! - ca. 1954) ex Ross Lillie Coll.

Item Description

A RARE, exceptional and sculptural large old-time calcite and fluorite combination from this long extinct obscure Hardin County fluorite mine. Mineral specimens of ANY type are EXTREMELY RARE from here. A fantastic, pristine, large 12.5 cm three-generation calcite scalenohedron is dramatically attached to the cluster of fluorite cubes with RARE accessories. The broken calcite base reveals the original glassy, translucent gray scalenohedron has a creamy calcite overgrowth. Striking gemmy, highly lustrous light amber stepped-growth calcites strikingly cover the exterior. The densely intergrown fluorite cubes, to 3.3 cm, appear to be very dark purple to nearly black in moderate light, but increasing light intensity reveals grape purple with pretty violet translucence! A super and rare bonus is the rich peppering of micro sparkly, brassy chalcopyrites, quartz and calcite crystals. Ex Ross Lillie Collection # 1703. According to his label, the piece was mined in ca. 1954 and he purchased the piece from the family of miners who found it in 1995. A rare and superb, perhaps UNIQUE large combination from the obscure locale. Value? Hard to say, but $2000-3000 seems fair. A MUST for the species or locality collector.