Specimen #2443

Name: Fluorite (color change)

Type: Gem

Locality: Afghanistan

Favorite? N

Fluorescent? N

Size: 11.0 mm x 7.7 mm

Weight: 2.55 ct

Acquired: 2012-06-01

Source: Arkenstone Auction

Label: N

Comment: (Was not able to photo under different lighting conditions). The famous quote from John Sinkankas was "gems are minerals after all". In our continued efforts to promote the importance of gemstones for ALL collectors, we want to give mineral collectors a chance at a rare cut stone that complements a choice mineral specimen from a classic locality. Some of the finest mineral collections in the world are accompanied by gemstones that either complete a "rough and cut" set for certain specimens, or simply show the beauty of particular species when they are faceted. We are offering this stone as an opportunity for collectors to expand their horizons and purchase gemstones that would supplement crystallized specimens in their collections. I think it is important for collectors to know that faceted stones can expand one's interests in minerals and can add a certain reverence to the hobby of collecting minerals. Fluorites are known from thousands of localities around the world, but recently there was a new find of some beautiful color change material in Afghanistan. The stones exhibit a beautiful Brandeis blue color in incandescent lighting, and changes to an green-blue color in direct sunlight. Now the color in sunlight is truly the optimal color for the material, and these gems remind me of certain blue Fluorites from Hardin County, Illinois that perform the same kind of color change. This "Pear" cut stone is a fantastic example of this color change material, and I have photographed it both under sunlight and incandescent lighting conditions to show the change in color. The stone is very very slightly included, but it is still very good quailty for this material. This is the only piece I have to offer of these attractive gems, so do not miss out on this one.

Minerals: Fluorite (CaF₂)

There is one picture on file

M02443-01.jpg:

Fluorite, Afghanistan - 8.0 x 12.0 mm - 2.55 cts - 38 stacked images