Fluorite with Baryte and Quartz

Fluorite from the Berbes Mining District in north-western Spain never fails to thrill and almost always appears so characteristic of this area with a typical associations of opaque white Baryte and tiny glassy Quartz crystals.  This captivating specimen is a narrow, elongated wedge of matrix almost entirely encrusted with gemmy lilac to lavender cubic Fluorite crystals exhibiting exquisite zoning.  The crystals measure up to 1.6 cm on edge and there are plenty around this size.  In direct daylight the specimen takes on a new dimension.  Although not daylight fluorescent, bright sunlight illuminates the crystals bringing out stronger tones of sky blue and more intense lavender, mixed with the predominant lilac.  Under LWUV the Fluorite is completely non-fluorescent, whereas the Baryte does emit a good cream-white, similar to its daylight colour.  A magnificent cabinet specimen and one guaranteed to please.