Description
The universe has 13.8 billion years of history. Some of it fits in your hand. Illinois’ Cave-in-Rock fluorite district produced some of history’s greatest fluorite specimens — giant cubic and octahedral crystals in purple, yellow, and green. The cubic cleavage is perfect in three directions; split any crystal and you get smooth, mirror-perfect faces. The purple comes from color centers caused by natural irradiation.
This specimen originates from Cave-in-Rock, Illinois, USA, one of the world’s most significant localities for this type of material. Collectors and scientists have drawn from this region for generations, and for good reason: the combination of geological conditions here produces specimens of exceptional quality and clarity.
Every specimen is unique. Photographs approximate the visual experience, but the real thing — its weight, its luster under a raking light, the way it catches the corner of your eye — can only be experienced directly.
