{"product_id":"dcfypm2i_n","title":"MINERVA NO. 1 — A SPECIAL PIECE WITH SERIOUS HISTORY","description":"\u003cp\u003eMINERVA NO. 1 — A SPECIAL PIECE WITH SERIOUS HISTORY\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is the kind of Illinois Fluorite that has everything—color, contrast, composition, associations, and an incredible trail of provenance.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFrom the legendary Minerva Mine No. 1, Hardin County, Illinois, this beauty features large, commanding cubic Fluorites with incredible deep purple zoning surrounding glowing amber\/honey interiors. Draped across and around the cubes are masses of bladed Barite, creating an almost sculptural frame around the Fluorite. The contrast is absolutely killer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBacklit, the piece completely transforms. Those warm golden interiors ignite while the darker purple zones become even more pronounced. It’s a perfect example of why Minerva No. 1 produced some of the most celebrated American Fluorites ever collected. The mine was renowned for exceptional Fluorite as well as Barite and other associated species. (ISGS Library⁠)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eBut what makes this specimen even more special is the PROVENANCE. The original labels document its journey through multiple respected collections:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEx. Jimmie DuFoe Personal Mineral Collection — labeled as Fluorite from the Annabel Lee \/ Cave-in-Rock, Illinois area, noting lite\/dark purple phantomized crystals with unusual crystal overgrowths\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEx. Charles M. Noll Collection — Collection No. 4722, labeled Fluorite from Cave-in-Rock, Illinois\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEx. Paul Siegel Collection\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eEx. Weinrich Minerals, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri — Specimen No. 2312172, labeled Barite with Fluorite, Minerva Mine No. 1, Hardin Co., Illinois\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThat collection history is part of the specimen. Each old label represents another chapter in the life of a crystal that came out of the ground decades ago and continued moving through the hands of collectors who recognized just how special it was.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTHIS is what collecting is all about. A beautiful specimen is one thing. A beautiful specimen with its history still attached is something else entirely.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMinerva Mine No. 1, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA\u003cbr\u003e Fluorite with Barite\u003cbr\u003e Ex. Jimmie DuFoe • Charles M. Noll • Paul Siegel • Weinrich Minerals\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"22sGEMS","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":49144620843227,"sku":null,"price":7500.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0528\/3584\/4251\/files\/DcFYPm2I_n.jpg?v=1786860236","url":"https:\/\/22sgems.com\/products\/dcfypm2i_n","provider":"22sGEMS","version":"1.0","type":"link"}