Fluorite with Actinolite Inclusions

Ex. Collection of Thomas Campbell, Black Hills, South Dakota

A cluster of deeply saturated pink-to-red octahedral fluorite crystals. The main crystal features a sharp chisel-tip termination and the different faces of each crystal vary from glassy transparent to a matte luster that adds texture to the specimen. Upon close viewing, one can see ultra-fine needles of greenish actinolite trapped inside. Few localities have produced pink-red fluorites like this solitary find at the Huanggang Fe-Sn Deposit in China, and similar specimens from the historic sources in Göschenen Valley, Switzerland and Chamonix, France are prized — and priced — accordingly.