Chinese Fluorite Specimens

 

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I believe Chinese fluorites to be one of the most under appreciated of mineral specimens on today's market.  For about a decade they have been readily available at dirt cheap prices.  That is quickly changing as collectors learn to appreciate their multitudes of colors, forms and associations.  These are specimens to be moved on quickly (remember what happened to Tri-state fluorites!) while many are still available.

 

 

OKE-276

OKE-276    Fluorite and Dolomite on Quartz    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.   10 cm long specimen with an interesting mix.  Groupings of dolomites and fluorite cubes to 1.2 cm on edge coat the primary display face of this piece.  Much of tha backside is also mineralized but this is predominantly quartz.  Lots going on here.  A couple tiny dings but still very displayable and attractive.   28$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-251

OKE-251    Quartz on Fluorite    Xianghauling Cassiterite Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou District, Hunan Prov., China.  This is an old and very unusual specimen which may just be a one-on-a-kind.  The cluster measures 8.8 x 5 x 5.5 cm and is composed of light white, transparent (gemmy), octahedrons of fluorite up to 2,2 cm on edge.  This very rare color and form is partially coated by “pop corn” quartz.  There is great crystal separation and the crystals also stand out in relief quite nicely.  I have never seen another specimen from this mine (or any others) quite like this.  This specimen is damage free and displays nicely from several views.  A very unique piece which should find a home quickly with a collector who looks for the unusual and attractive.   Only 325$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-249

OKE- 249    Fluorite and Quartz (minor pyrite and calcite overgrowths and inclusions)   Shangbao Pyrite Mine, Leiyang City, Hunan Prov., China.   Here is a very old (mid-1990s) piece that is seldom seen any more.  Nice blue cubes with complex surfaces and some white fluorite, second generation, overgrowths.  Also minor pyrite and calcite overgrowths which add interest to this unusual specimen.  Big white quartz points have purple cores.  Some of the fluorites have white faces from fluorite coatings.  12.5 x 9.5 x 6 cm with fluorites to 2.3 cm on edge.  Zero damage on this complex and interesting piece.  450$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-257

This pic is too dark

Bottom

OKE-257    Fluorite and Dolomite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.   Beautiful damage free floater of blue fluorites mixed with some minor cream colored dolomites.  The fluorites reach a respectable 2.4 cm each on edge and form a cluster measuring 9 x 4.7 x 4.5 cm.  They have lightly frosted surfaces, are gemmy and have light purple phantoms.  A highly desirable specimen from this prolific mine.    550$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-223

Pyrite and Quartz close up

Complex fluorites...

OKE-223    Fluorite, Pyrite and Quartz    Sui Ko Sau Mine, Hunan Prov., China.  Great specimen for those looking to find the unusual.  These fluorites are cubes modified by dodecahedrons.  They are water clear and the unusual part…they are nucleated on barite balls.  So, inside each fluorite is a ball of white opaque barite.  Backside of plate is also mineralized.  Big fluorite has a couple very ting pin marks on surface.  9.5 x 6 x 3 cm.  Very nice and interesting.  60$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-213

OKE-213     Fluorite     Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  A single cube measuring 3 cm on edge.  A complex surface texture makes the cube look etched but it is actually bluish purple and clear.  There seems to be corner phantoms.  The bas is tiny clear fluorites, arsenopyrites and other minerals all in minor amounts.  No damage.  Another unusual specimen.  60$

 

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-211

Back

OKE-211    Fluorite, Pyrite and Quartz    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.   Lots going on within this specimen…first generation quartz in large milky crystals which in turn are covered by fluorites of a light blue color, Pyrites and a second generation of tint clear quartz.  The fluorites are quite nice with lots of pyrite inclusions.  The piece is a floater and damage free.  Measures 10 x 7 x 4 cm.  70$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-161

OKE-161    Fluorite    Xianghuapu, Linwu County, Chenzhou District, Hunan Prov., China.   Huge cluster of green cubes to \over 4 cm each on edge.  The cluster is a dome shaped piece which is in excellent condition.  There are two or three small rubs and one badly dinged cube on the backside.  Great condition for such a large piece.  Approximately 28 x 22 x 14 cm in size.  Cubes have great clarity and a frosted surface effect yet retains a nice satin luster.  Nice phantoms in some crystals.  The matrix is brown and can be viewed through many of the crystals and between them in a coulpe of places.  A fine specimen to bring some size contrast to a collection focusing on smaller specimens or an excellent home decor piece.  1,950$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-128

Back

OKE-128    Fluorite, Calcite, Quartz    RESERVED   Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.   Other than a couple internal fractures and a couple of tiny calcite blades penetrating its surface this is nearly as perfect as nature can make a fluorite.  Gemmy and smooth this cube measures 3.5 cm on edge.  To its side are blades of white calcite which reach 2 cm each.  The matrix is composed of plates of calcite? that are a light white/ cream color which show off the fluorite without being distracting.  The backside and bottom are fully terminated (the bottom being mostly large tabular quartz crystals) so the piece would be considered to be entirely float material.  In one pic it looks like there is a corner ding but there is zero damage to this specimen.  Some contact on what is rear/ basil exposure of fluorite (bottom left in "Back" photo.  There are tiny chalcopyrites sprinkled about the surface of the specimen with none being much more than a millimeter in diameter.  The entire specimen measures 9 x 9 x 5.6 cm.  Exceptional in all respects.   1,600$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-072

OKE-072    Corner Phantomed, Skeletal Fluorite on Arsenopyrite, Quartz and Mica    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  Beautifully displayed fluorite on a fine mineral mix.  The cube has rare corner phantoms.  It also has a couple very tiny chips which hide themselves well and are only noticeable with magnification.  It is a very good piece.  170$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-160

OKE-160    Fluorite    Shanboa Pyrite Mine, Leiyang City, Hunan Prov., China.  An unusual specimen which has several cubes with amazingly complex phantoms.  There is one cube missing on the display face.  A nice piece to trim down to half the size, removing the damage and isolating the best of the cubes, but I’m going to leave it as is.  8 x 5.5 x 4.5 cm.   80$

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-157

OKE-157    Fluorite on Quartz    Xianghauling Cassiterite Mine, Linwu County, Chenzhou District, Hunan Prov., China.   Beautiful green, frosted octahedra of fluorite on white quartz.  Largest crystal has a big surface contact where another crystal once was.  This is not very evident but I do consider it to be damaged and have discounted the specimen accordingly.  The fluorites have nice separation on the matrix and are growing on all sides of this complex matrix.  The biggest of the crystals is over 3 cm on edge and sits centrally within the 11.5 x 11 x 7.5 cm piece.  A nice deal on an attractive grouping of octahedral fluorite.   50$

 

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-074

OKE-074    Fluorite and Feldspar pseudo. after Dolomite on Quartz    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  A fine double terminated clear yet somewhat milky quartz crystal with a 1.1 cm fluorite.  The fluorite is almost water clear with light purple phantom.  The feldspar pseudo is near the tip of the quartz crystal.  A beautiful, yet tiny specimen.  There is a contact behind the fluorite but this is regrown.  No damage to this fine floater.  If you like them small and highly aesthetic….here it is.  45$

 

 

 

 

OKE-070

OKE-070    Fluorite on feldspar pseudo after Dolomite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  This single cube of deep purple fluorite measuring 1.4 cm in edge is nicely placed on the pseudomorph of dolomite.  The overall size of the specimen is 3.5 x 3 x 2 cm.  Very minor baisal contact and no damage.  Only 15$

 

 

 

 

OKE-204

OKE-204    Fluorite on Quartz    Jiangxi Prov., China.   7.3 x 6.9 x 5 cm plate with one large (3.5 cm diameter) and several smaller (to a cm ball like crystals of green fluorite on white quartz.  The fluorites are cuboctahedrons which have tiny cubic overgrowths which make them look highly frosted in appearance.  Sawn down to size and displayable in several ways.  A nicely proportioned specimen with zero damage.  125$

 

 

 

 

OKE-218

OKE-218    Fluorite and Calcite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  A quartz plate which has a complex purple penetration twin of fluorite.  Tiny ding to one corner of fluorite which isn’t noticeable without magnification.  Fluorites measure 2.5 cm across.  Piece is 9 x 6 x 2.6 cm.   A great value at….. 15$

 

 

New Fluorite from Yaogangxian Mine in China

This mine always seems to have some new surprise for mineral collectors.  This year it was these interesting fluorites.  They have an unusual light brown interior color, are often quite gemmy and often exhibit exquisite phantoms.  I saw, and purchased, pieces to over 30 cm in length at this year’s Tucson Show but I believe the smaller ones to be more aesthetic in their form.  Some are almost sculptural.  At least six different dealers had this material so I assume it will be readily available for at least the next year or so.  I did not load up on these given that they were relatively common but selected those I found that hit me as being more unique.

 

OKE-219    Fluorite and Calcite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  The smaller pieces like this one can be very sculptural and aesthetic.  This one is a nice little cluster with cubes to 1.2 cm on edge.  The specimen measures 8.5 x 7 x 2.5 cm and has the unusual phantoms expected from this new material in large quantities.  Backside of specimen is almost entirely coated by brown calcites.  Only a tiny contact and one dinged cube.  Excellent specimen.  120$

OKE-219

Back

 

 

 

 

 

OKE-215

Back?

OKE-215    Fluorite and Calcite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  The smaller pieces like this one can be very sculptural and aesthetic.  This one is a nice little cluster with cubes to 1.7 cm on edge.  The specimen measures 6 x 5 x 3.3 cm and has the unusual phantoms expected from this new material.  Damage free.  Only a tiny contact on the base, otherwise a floater.   50$

 

 

 

 

OKE-179

OKE-179    Fluorite and Calcite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  The smaller pieces like this one can be very sculptural and aesthetic.  This cluster is composed of cubes to 2.2 cm on edge which have interesting clay? phantoms.  The specimen measures 7.7 x 5.6 x 4 cm.  There is only minimal contact on the backside of the piece so it is a floater with no other damage.  The phantoms in this one are simple unbelievable.  They are tapered from the faces downward into the crystal.  Tough to describe…Very displayable, fine specimen  130$

 

 

 

 

OKE-143

Back

OKE-143    Fluorite and Calcite    Yaogangxian Mine, Bai Shi Du, Chen Xhou, Yizhang County, Hunan Prov., China.  The smaller pieces like this one can be very sculptural and aesthetic.  This cluster is composed of cubes to 1.5 cm on edge which have interesting clay? Phantoms.  The specimen measures 9 x 6 x 2.8 cm and has a small piece of matric rock locked into its form.  There is only minimal contact where I have mounted it on the acrylic plate so it is basically a floater with damage to any other spots.  Fine and very displayable.  Greener in color than the photo indicates.  110$

 

 

 

 

OKD-492

OKD-492     Barite on Fluorite    Xi Fang, Xing Guo County, Jiangxi Prov., China.   These are the specimens discussed in a recent Mineralogical Record show review.  Very hard to get material!!!!  I had the pick of three flats of material from all the dealers I work with and I managed to high-grade seven specimens worthy of the high prices being asked for them. Other dealers estimate this find as having as few as 30 specimens total! Almost all were damaged to some degree, including a few of these.  The remaining specimens were all grabbed up by another dealer without his even looking in the boxes!  And that was that.  This large plate is damage free with big cubes to 2.1 cm each.  13.5 x 10 x 3 cm with a sawn flat base.  The barites are high in luster and deep gold in color.  Not a lot of barites but still very attractive and highly desirable specimen.  400$

 

 

 

 

OKD-495

Barite close up.

OKD-495     Barite on Fluorite    Xi Fang, Xing Guo County, Jiangxi Prov., China.   These are the specimens discussed in a recent Mineralogical Record show review.  Very hard to get material!!!!  I had the pick of three flats of material from all the dealers I work with and I managed to high-grade seven specimens worthy of the high prices being asked for them.   Other dealers estimate this find as having as few as 30 specimens total!  Almost all were damaged to some degree, including a few of these.  The remaining specimens were all grabbed up by another dealer without his even looking in the boxes!  And that was that.  A beautifully formed plate of fluorites to 2.6 cm on edge measuring 12 x 9 cm.   3 cm thick with a sawn flat base this specimen displays very nicely.  Nice light purple casts/ partial phantoms.  Damage free and aesthetic.  380$

 

 

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