Fluorite (''ice crystal'') on matrix

Huanggang Fe-Sn deposit, Hexigten Banner, Chifeng City, Inner Mongolia, China
Ex. Dr. Stephen Smale
Small Cabinet, 8.3 x 6.3 x 5.3 cm
Start Time: 03/02/2023 7:00:00 pm (CST)
End Time: 03/09/2023 6:45:00 pm (CST)
Auction Closed
Winning Bid: $445

Item Description

A highly aesthetic small cabinet of these classic Fluorites from the Huanggang Mine. This piece features a predominant, 5.1 cm, sharp, gemmy, colorless octahedral crystal of Fluorite sitting on drusy Quartz on host rock matrix. You can see small cubic modifications on the corners of the Fluorite crystal, which gives it character. This a classic example of the "ice" Fluorite crystals which get their name due to their lack of any color (a sign of chemical purity for Fluorite) and excellent internal gemminess. Minor black Sphalerite and dark green Hedenbergite can be seen on the piece as well for a nice touch. The piece is incredibly showy and aesthetic and displays wonderfully as you can see from the photos. The Fluorite crystal is nearly damage free, but there is a small roughness on the front edge of the crystal. Priced at $4,500 retail. 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/biographies_labels/smalestephen/ ) or on Wikipedia.

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Bidding History

Bid Amount Bid Time
$445 03/03/2023 11:34:07 am (CST)
$444 03/03/2023 11:34:07 am (CST)
$435 03/03/2023 11:33:55 am (CST)
$425 03/03/2023 11:33:55 am (CST)
$415 03/03/2023 11:33:48 am (CST)
$405 03/03/2023 11:33:48 am (CST)
$395 03/03/2023 11:33:15 am (CST)
$385 03/03/2023 11:33:15 am (CST)
$375 03/03/2023 11:33:06 am (CST)
$365 03/03/2023 11:33:06 am (CST)
$355 03/03/2023 11:32:56 am (CST)
$345 03/03/2023 11:32:56 am (CST)
$335 03/03/2023 11:32:45 am (CST)
$325 03/03/2023 11:32:45 am (CST)
$315 03/03/2023 11:32:35 am (CST)
$305 03/03/2023 11:32:35 am (CST)
$295 03/03/2023 11:32:25 am (CST)
$285 03/03/2023 11:32:25 am (CST)
$275 03/03/2023 11:32:13 am (CST)
$265 03/03/2023 11:32:13 am (CST)
$255 03/03/2023 11:32:01 am (CST)
$245 03/03/2023 11:32:01 am (CST)
$235 03/03/2023 11:31:52 am (CST)
$225 03/03/2023 11:31:52 am (CST)
$215 03/03/2023 11:31:45 am (CST)
$205 03/03/2023 11:31:45 am (CST)
$195 03/03/2023 11:31:36 am (CST)
$185 03/03/2023 11:31:36 am (CST)
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$165 03/03/2023 11:31:25 am (CST)
$155 03/03/2023 8:08:58 am (CST)
$145 03/03/2023 8:08:58 am (CST)
$135 03/02/2023 9:28:31 pm (CST)
$125 03/02/2023 9:28:30 pm (CST)
$101 03/02/2023 9:17:42 pm (CST)
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$36 03/02/2023 9:17:30 pm (CST)
$31 03/02/2023 9:17:30 pm (CST)
$10 03/02/2023 9:10:08 pm (CST)