Description
Overview – Exceptional A-Grade Fluorite from the Denton Mine, Harris Creek Sub-District
This listing features an outstanding A-grade Fluorite crystal specimen collected from the world-renowned Denton Mine in the Harris Creek Mining Sub-District, Hardin County, Illinois, USA. The Denton Mine is celebrated among mineral collectors for producing some of the highest-quality fluorite crystals ever discovered. The photographs provided show the exact specimen you will receive, carefully selected for its clarity, sharp crystal structure, and exceptional colour expression.
Every crystal is accompanied by a Certificate of Authenticity, confirming its natural origin and premium quality.
Fluorite from this district is prized for its gemmy transparency, well-defined cubic architecture, and vibrant hues. A-grade pieces, such as this one, exhibit superior form, minimal imperfections, and outstanding visual appeal, making them highly desirable for collectors, display enthusiasts, and geological study.
Geological Background – The Harris Creek Mining Sub-District
The Harris Creek Sub-District forms part of the historically important Illinois-Kentucky Fluorspar District, long known for its rich mineral veins and world-class fluorite. The region’s geology consists of Mississippian-age limestone formations, cross-cut by hydrothermal fractures through which mineral-rich fluids once flowed.
As these hot fluids cooled within cavities and fissures of the host rock, they precipitated fluorite, along with associated minerals such as barite, sphalerite, and calcite. The Denton Mine is particularly famous for producing:
- Large, sharply formed fluorite cubes
- Strong purple, blue, or blue-violet coloration
- Distinct internal zoning and growth patterns
- High-octane fluorescence under UV light
These geological conditions produced some of the finest fluorite crystals ever found in North America.
Mineralogy – Fluorite Crystal Structure and Appearance
Fluorite is a calcium fluoride mineral (CaF₂) belonging to the cubic crystal system. It is known for its perfect cubic habit, excellent cleavage, and wide colour range influenced by trace elements and natural radiation exposure.
This A-grade specimen from the Denton Mine displays hallmark features including:
- Well-developed cubic crystal faces, often sharp and highly geometric
- Strong colour saturation, with rich hues that may include purples, blues, or subtle zoning
- High translucency, allowing internal detail and reflections to shine through
- Possible colour zoning, typical of Harris Creek fluorite and highly valued
- Glass-like lustre, especially under direct light
- Clean internal structure, characteristic of A-grade classification
Fluorite’s vibrant colours arise from natural impurities and defects within the crystal lattice, making every specimen visually unique.
Origin Environment – Hydrothermal Vein Formation
This fluorite specimen formed in moderate-temperature hydrothermal veins, where mineral-charged fluids circulated through the limestone strata. Over thousands of years, fluctuations in fluid chemistry and temperature caused sequential deposition of fluorite layers, producing the distinctive zoning and clarity seen in top-grade pieces.
Cavities within the host rock provided open space for unhindered crystal growth, resulting in the exceptionally sharp and well-defined crystals associated with the Denton Mine.
Collectible and Aesthetic Qualities
Collectors worldwide consider Denton Mine fluorite among the most desirable mineral specimens due to:
- Its historical significance in American mineralogy
- Exceptional crystal purity and form
- Intense, appealing colour
- Limited supply, as the mine is no longer active
This piece is ideal for mineral displays, educational collections, or as a centrepiece in a curated crystal arrangement.
Your Specimen
The A-grade Fluorite specimen offered here was selected for its superior crystal formation, vivid colour expression, and excellent overall condition. The images show the exact crystal you will receive, and full sizing is clearly displayed.
Your purchase includes a Certificate of Authenticity, guaranteeing that this is a genuine, naturally formed Fluorite from the Denton Mine, Harris Creek Mining Sub-District, Hardin County.
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