Fluorite

specimen number:
2312246

location:
Denton Mine, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA

description:
Attractive cluster of glassy gem yellow to bluish purple cubic crystals, the largest measuring just over 3.0 cm on edge. This is in outstanding condition for such a large piece for this locality and species, just a couple of very minor micro-cleaving is present. Gorgeous when backlit as seen in the picture and at the end of the video.

The Denton Mine, located in Hardin County, Illinois, was put into operation in 1981 as part of the famous Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar Mining District. It was developed to extract valuable mineral resources from deep underground, reaching a depth of 640 feet. Geologically, the mine is situated within the Cave-in-Rock subdistrict, where mineralization occurred through hydrothermal processes involving mineral-rich fluids moving along fault lines and fractures. These hot solutions reacted with Paleozoic limestone and sandstone host rocks, resulting in extensive bedding replacement and cavity fillings. The Denton Mine became particularly renowned among geologists and collectors for producing world-class specimens of fluorite, often featuring striking blue cubic crystals, along with associated minerals such as barite, calcite, sphalerite, and galena.

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