Fluorite with Pyrite and Aragonite, Sauberg Mine, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Germany

These fluorite cubes are aligned like mountain ridges but are not covered in snow but fine pyrite and bulbous aragonite; a very curious combination. The fluorite reacts strongly to 365nm UV light, turning a brilliant purple when exposed. The fluorite ranges from light purple to gray in daylight and essentially has no matrix...it is all fluorite. A classic German locality, the Sauberg Mine is now a tourist attraction after closing back in 1990. The mine exploited tin and tungsten veins also rich in fluorite. Notably the mine is the type locality for fluorapatite. The specimen is also accompanied by an older label predating the previous owner. Ex Garry Kolodinsky collection. From: Sauberg Mine, Ehrenfriedersdorf, Saxony, Germany. Dimensions: 7 cm x 11 cm