Fluorite

specimen number:
2063443

location:
Hasties Quarry, Spar Mtn., Hardin Co., Illinois, USA

description:

Multi-generation fluorite specimen, the first generation colorless, to slightly orange due to iron oxide coating, hosting a second-generation of gemmy lustrous purple cubic crystals, the largest measuring to 2.3 cm on edge. This is in good condition. Nice example for this locality. The specimen comes with a previous label from the collection of Ray DeMark.

Located on Spar Mountain within the Cave-in-Rock subdistrict of Hardin County, Illinois, Hasties Quarry is set in the famous Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District. Geologically, the deposit consists of hydrothermal stratiform bedding-replacement deposits hosted within Mississippian-age limestone units, notably the Ste. Genevieve Limestone beneath sandstone capping layers. Mining in the Spar Mountain area began around 1900 with small-scale lead extraction, but quickly transitioned to major fluorite production as demand rose for steel flux. Today, active open-pit stone quarrying by the Hastie Mining Company regularly intersects historic underground workings and mineralized seams, exposing exceptional fluorite specimens. These collectable specimens feature sharp cubic crystal clusters in vibrant shades of yellow, purple, and blue, often associated with barite and calcite.

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