Translucent Blue Fluorite with Barite on Matrix

Translucent Blue Fluorite with Bladed Barite on Matrix | Zhejiang, China | 356 g

A cluster of translucent blue fluorite sits among cream-colored barite blades on this specimen from Zhejiang Province, China. The fluorite ranges from pale aqua at its thinner edges to deep blue-green where the crystals overlap. Tilt the piece toward the light and different faces brighten in turn, revealing fine internal lines and darker areas within the cluster.

The barite has a distinct texture of its own. Thin, closely stacked blades fan out around the fluorite, with a broad sweep of warm ivory and beige along the left side. A few violet accents peek through between the minerals, while the rough gray matrix frames the upper edge. The contrast between the glassy blue faces and the ridged barite gives the piece depth even in soft light.

At 10 cm long, it displays well with the blue cluster facing forward. Light from the side catches the edges of the barite blades and brings out the paler aqua tones in the fluorite.

Minerals — Blue fluorite with barite on matrix
Origin — Zhejiang Province, China
Dimensions — 10 cm long × 6 cm wide × 6 cm high (approx. 3.9 × 2.4 × 2.4 in)
Weight — 356 g (approx. 12.6 oz)