Cave-in-Rock Hardin County Fluorite
Cave-in-Rock Hardin County, Illinois has a long history of producing some of the worlds finest fluorite specimens. There were many mines in the Southern Illinois/Northern Kentucky area but 3 mines became very famous to Rockhounds due to the many forms of fluorite found there. The three best known mines are the Minerva Mine which was sunk in 1942 and is 680 feet deep. The Denton Mine is 640 feet deep and was put into operation in 1981 while the Anna Belle Lee Mine was brought on line in 1984 at a depth of nearly 1,000 feet. Due to the tilt or dip of the rock units, some places in the mines are 1200 to 1300 feet below the surface. These mines have been closed for some time now. Although we hear that there is a mining company boring a new mine, we have seen no fluorite from that location as of yet.
Fluorite is a widespread and common mineral. It often occurs as a primary mineral in veins or as a mix of lead, zinc and silver ores. Fluorite is also found in sedimentary rocks such as limestones and dolomites as well as in igneous rocks such as granites. Fluorite occurs commonly as cubic, octahedral and dodecahedral crystals in many different colors ranging from colorless and completely transparent to yellow, green, blue, purple, pink or black. Crystals may be large and penetration twins are fairly common. “Hoppered” specimens are in great demand. Fluorite may glow blue or violet in SW or MW ultraviolet light.
Item# 1FLUOR08215555
Old Stock Honey Fluorite with Blue and Purple Phantoms from Cave-in-Rock, IL
$139.00
This is an excellent old stock specimen of Honey golden yellow Fluorite with Purple and Blue Phantoms. This rare piece also has tiny dots of Pyrite in the Fluorite. This is an excellent collector specimen from the Annabel Lee Mine in the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County, IL
Weighs 2.88 oz. or 0.18 lb. (81.5g) and Measures 1.8 x 1.5 x 1.3 inches (4.6 x 3.9 x 3.4 cm)
Item# 2FLUOR08219624
Old Stock Yellow Fluorite with Purple Phantoms, Marcasite, Barite and Calcite from Cave-in-Rock, IL
$106.00
This is an exceptional old stock specimen of Yellow Fluorite with Purple Phantoms. This rare piece also has tiny dots of Marcasite, white Barite and a very interesting formation of Calcite Spires. This is an highly desirable collector specimen from the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County, IL
Weighs 4.34 oz. or 0.27 lb. (123g) and Measures 2.1 x 1.8 x 1.6 inches (5.5 x 4.6 x 4.1 cm)
Item# 3FLUOR08213939
Yellow Fluorite with Purple Phantoms, Quartz, Calcite and Witherite
$199.00
This is an amazing old stock specimen of Yellow Fluorite with Purple Phantoms. This rare piece also has Quartz, Calcite and Witherite. Rainbow effect can be seen on this specimen. This is an rare collector specimen from Rosiclare near the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County, IL
Weighs 12.2 oz. or 0.76 lb. (347g) and Measures 3.2 x 3.1 x 1.9 inches (8.2 x 7.9 x 4.8 cm)
Item# 4FLUOR08211753
Fluorite with Sphalerite, Barite, Galena and Pyrite
$249.00
This is a wonderful old stock specimen of Fluorite coated with fine crystals of Sphalerite, Galena and Pyrite. This rare piece becomes mesmerizing the longer you look at it. There are many neat formations to see on this one. This is an exciting collector specimen from the Annabel Lee Mine in the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County, IL
Weighs 12.8 oz. or 0.8 lb. (364g) and Measures 3.4 x 2.9 x 2.4 inches (8.6 x 7.3 x 6.2 cm)
Item# 5FLUOR08215133
Fluorite with matrix of Sphalerite, Barite and Pyrite
$139.00
This is an interesting old stock specimen of Fluorite coated with a matrix of small crystals of Sphalerite and Pyrite in Barite . There are many unique formations to see on this one. This is an exciting collector specimen from the Annabel Lee Mine in the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County, IL
Weighs 23 oz. or 1.44 lb. (656g) and Measures 4.3 x 3.8 x 2.8 inches (10.9 x 9.6 x 7.1 cm)
Item# 6FLUOR08217795
Old Stock Dark Purple and Honey Yellow Fluorite with minor Calcite
$239.00
This is an old stock specimen that is in great demand. It has stepped and textured dark purple Fluorite with highly visible minor calcite crystals topping off this piece which also has a side with Honey Yellow Fluorite. This is a very special collector specimen from the Minerva #1 Mine in the Cave-in-Rock area of Hardin County, IL
Weighs 18.8 oz. or 1.17 lb. (533g) and Measures 4.7 x 2.5 x 2 inches (12.1 x 6.4 x 5.1 cm)
Item# 7FLUOR082156132
Yellow Fluorite with Purple Rind and etched with Purple Fluorite
$459.00
This is very rare and unique special old stock specimen of bi-color Fluorite. It has yellow steps and cubes with edges and flats etched by natural formation with purple Fluorite. It almost looks like the purple was sprinkled on the yellow fluorite. Specimens like this very rarely become available. This piece is from our personal collection and is an amazing collector specimen from Cave-in-Rock, Hardin County, IL
Weighs 20 oz. or 1.25 lb. (570g) and Measures 4.6 x 4 x 2 inches (11.8 x 10.1 x 5.1 cm)