Witherite with Fluorite, Minerva No 1 Mine, Illinois, USA

Witherite is a rare barium carbonate used in glass, cement, steel hardening and sugar refining, and the Minerva #1 Mine has produced some of the best of the species. Witherite has such unique forms that I often think they are alien, like this piece. The odd form, colour and luster are just bizarre yet elegant. The main witherite is set on white calcite with blue fluorite on the opposite side. Of course the both the witherite and fluorite fluoresce! Ex Garry Kolodinsky collection. From: Minerva No 1 Mine, Cave-in-Rock District, Hardin County, Illinois, USA. Dimensions: 5.5 cm x 7 cm