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Fluorite from the Rogerley Mine, Cumberland County, England
No. 759: CC Triangle Split Barion Cut, 10.67 ct., 12.2 x 12.2 x ~11.5 mm, VVS, faceted by R. Drummond, $640.20
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Fluorite from the Rogerley Mine, Cumberland County, England
No. 759: CC Triangle Split Barion Cut, 10.67 ct., 12.2 x 12.2 x ~11.5 mm, VVS, faceted by R. Drummond, $640.20
Recently a group of mineral miners have reopened an old limestone quarry, the Rogerley Mine, in Cumberland County, England, to recover unusual gemmy green fluorite crystals that fluoresce a bright blue. The unusual aspect of this green fluorite is that it shows this strong blue fluorescence even under sunlight or ordinary incandescent light. The fluorite from this locality is an unusually deep green color. It can be faceted to yield spectacular collector's gems.
Fluorite is a very soft mineral and therefore unsuitable for use in jewelry. Because of its softness and ready cleavage, fluorite is very difficult to facet. In spite of its softness, when properly faceted, fluorite gemstones can display good scintillaton. Shown above is an expertly crafted Rogerley mine green fluorite. This gem displys only a hint of the strong blue daylight fluorescence of the orignal crystal; probably because the trace elements responsible for the fluorescene were localized in the outter layers of the original crystal. Even without the blue fluorescence, this is a gorgeous deep green fluorite gemstone. It would be a fine addition to any collection.