Description
Detailed Description
This cabinet specimen features gorgeous sharp yellow fluorite crystals (up to 1.4 cm) upon a plate of matrix. Many of the fluorite crystals have great transparency, and faint phantoms are visible. The fine phantom lines are purple, and this specimen includes a couple of tiny crystals on the matrix where a lilac colour predominates. A fine layer of pyrite coats some of the fluorite crystals creating an aesthetic contrast. In excellent condition, this one of the three high-quality cabinet specimens from this find that I’ve seen – sadly, all the others I saw were damaged. A few incomplete crystals around the periphery and a couple of imperfections can be found if you search for them, but nothing distracting. Stands perfectly for display as photographed. This is an exceptional yellow fluorite.
About These El Hammam Mine Fluorites
The El Hammam Mine has long been a well-known locality for fluorite specimens. This recent small pocket has produced unusually fine sharp yellow crystals.
The hue of these fluorites varies, depending on the light source (common for fluorite), from a warmer honey-yellow under halogen, to a slightly brighter yellow in daylight and even a bit bolder under cool-temperature LED lighting. (This effect is different with each specimen, some show it more and some less). The depth of the yellow colour also varies from one specimen to the next thanks to the fine, faint purple phantoms in many of the crystals.
