Fluorite, Cave-in-Rock district, Hardin County, Illinois

There is much to describe with this classic Illinois fluorite specimen. Colours range from mostly light purple to colourless, but the smoky appearance is due to natural hydrocarbon staining (much of the piece was thinly coated with bitumen which I cleaned off). Additionally, note the "speckling" which, I believe, is from inclusions within the fluorite. The specimen's main side is very nicely crystalized, looking somewhat like "Minecraft cubes" as my 9 year old son likes to point out! Unfortunately, when I acquired this specimen, it had cleaved into two large pieces which I have since repaired but is not noticeable. Ex Garry Kolodinsky collection. From Cave-in-Rock district, Hardin County, Illinois. Dimensions: 4 cm x 5.5 cm x 11 cm