Sugar Fluorite with Quartz Coating, 421 g

Description

This specimen is a piece of sugar fluorite from China with its surfaces largely covered by a dense coating of small quartz crystals that give a sparkling, frosted appearance. The blocky fluorite form beneath the quartz is visible at edges and through areas where the coating is thinner, and the piece measures H 11 × W 7 × D 4 cm and weighs 421 g.

Mineral context

Fluorite is calcium fluoride (CaF2) and commonly forms cubic crystals. Many fluorite specimens fluoresce under ultraviolet light, although UV behaviour varies between specimens.