Fluorite (''ice crystals'') on matrix

Item Description

A highly aesthetic small cabinet of these classic Fluorites from the Huanggang Mine. This piece features several sharp, gemmy, colorless octahedral crystals of Fluorite measuring up to 3.7 cm across sitting on beautifully contrasting black Sphalerite matrix. 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. The piece is incredibly showy and aesthetic and displays wonderfully as you can see from the photos. The Fluorite crystals are all virtually damage free, but there is a small roughness than can be seen on the underside, where it appears there is some etching in places. Priced at $4,000 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.