Tongbei, Fujian, China

6.8 x 5.8 x 5.3 cm
2.7 x 2.3 x 2.1 in

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2008 or earlier

Although many Spessartine/Quartz specimens were mined from Tongbei in the early 2000s, very few were recovered which also had Fluorite crystals. This specimen is especially rare in that both green and purple Fluorite is present - at opposite ends of the specimen. The pale green crystals are well formed, octahedral, with very smooth faces and a glassy luster. These crystals are very clear and within can be seen inclusions of Quartz. The dark purple crystals are crudely formed and opaque with a dull luster. Also present are orange/brown colored, semi gemmy Spessartine crystals with a high luster. The Spessartine crystals have almost completely covered a book of black colored Muscovite crystals giving the appearance of a mound of Spessartine crystals. The Smpky Quartz crystals are lightly colored and translucent. The bottom of the specimen has been sawed at multiple angles.

Condition: Good

Flaws: There appears to be a conchoidal fracture on the side of one of the main Quartz crystals which extends from the termination downward aproximately half way down the crystal. The surface of this fracture is lightly coated with an off-white colored materail indicating the crystal broke prior to having been collected/mined. There are the stubs of three other Quartz crystals on the edge of the specimen near the green colored Fluorite.

This mineral is also found in the following galleries: Minerals From China | Garnets | Quartz | Tectosilicates | Fluorite | Minerals Priced Between 100 and 199 Dollars