Fluorite

specimen number:
2013375

location:
Denton Mine, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA

description:
A grouping of penetration twinned gem purple fluorite crystals, the largest 2.3 cm on edge standing up from a matrix covered by much smaller fluorite crystals. This is in very good condition with just slight micro-chipping present. From the early 1980s, these penetration twinned fluorite specimens were never very common. Even when the mines were working, they were considered quite rare. Today they are almost unheard of on the market in this kind of quality. Sphalerite is present as well.

The Denton Mine in Hardin County, Illinois was part of the Illinois Kentucky Fluorspar District, a region that became one of the leading sources of fluorite in the United States during the 20th century. The mine worked fluorite vein deposits hosted in limestone and produced fluorite along with associated minerals such as calcite, galena, and sphalerite. Operations were carried out by underground mining methods and contributed to the districts role in supplying fluorspar for steel and chemical industries. The mine is now inactive but remains known among collectors for fluorite specimens from southern Illinois.

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