Fluorite

specimen number:
2102184

location:
Blanchard claims, Socorro Co., New Mexico, USA

description:
Gorgeous cluster of blue translucent semi lustrous cubic fluorite crystals, the largest 3.5 cm on edge. These exhibit nice color zoning. Beautiful when backlit as seen in the video and picture, this is in very good condition.

The Blanchard Claims, located in the Hansonburg District of Socorro County, New Mexico, are world-famous for producing aesthetic, deep blue fluorite specimens. Geologically, the site is a Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) deposit where mineralization occurs in the Pennsylvanian-aged Council Spring Limestone. Large voids and solution cavities within the limestone provided the space for hydrothermal fluids to deposit spectacular cubic fluorite crystals, often featuring a distinct sapphire-blue color and frequently associated with galena, barite, and linarite. Historically, the area was first worked for copper and lead in the late 1800s, but modern mineral specimen mining became the primary focus in the mid-20th century. The claims were famously worked by Ora Blanchard starting in the 1940s, and they have remained under various private leases for specimen recovery through the present day. Because the mine was never subjected to large-scale mechanized milling, many of the delicate crystal pockets were preserved, cementing the locality as a premier source for high-quality American fluorite.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.