Fluorite

This beautiful small miniature gemmy yellow Fluorite is from The Bull Vein at Lady Annabella mine, close to Eastgate in Weardale, County Durham, England. Specimen recovery mining began here in the summer of 2020, working a Fluorite-rich bench in the old Eastgate quarry, formerly known as Blue Circle Cement Quarry. The Bull Vein, named for local collector Fred Bull, has produced a staggering variety of top quality Fluorite and this is a fabulous example. The more fully intact prism measures 2.5 x 1.8 x 1.7 cm and is ice clear with much of the crystal approaching gem quality. Placed in front of newsprint, the words are as legible through the Fluorite as when it is removed. Although the prism first appears entirely yellow, its surfaces adopt a blue cast. Examined closely with a loupe we see stunning blue colour zones within the Fluorite, parallel to the outer faces. Under LWUV the crystals display cool lavender white edges framing faces of pale plum purple. A specimen of great beauty from Lady Annabella mine.