Species: Fluorite
Locality: W.L. Davis-Deardorff mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, Illinois, USA
Size: 23 x 18 x 7.5 cm.
Ex. Richard “Dick” Inden Collection, Ex. Vinnie Rigatti Collection
Superb very large group of complex, gemmy pale lilac-purple Fluorite crystals with minor black hydrocarbons from the W.L. Davis-Deardorff mine, Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, Illinois, USA. The Davis-Deardorff mine, according to Ross Lillie and others, was one of THE specimen producers in the 1950’s and 60’s, but good large undamaged specimens are very seldom-seen from there today. This aesthetic example features complex cubic fluorite crystals in which a fractal-like parallel-growth phenomenon has resulted in many small cubes forming larger cubes. From the collection of southern Illinois geologist and mineral collector Richard “Dick” Inden. Comes with a custom acrylic display base by Sunnywood. Mark Cross photo.