{"product_id":"fluorite-400","title":"FLUORITE","description":"Usually, we talk of Fluorite in terms of cubes, octahedra, or combinations of both producing weird and wonderful crystal forms but this masterpiece of nature is something totally different. In fact, it is extremely rare that I use the term 'masterpiece', but this specimen is so striking in its appearance and rare crystal form that it demands greater attention and focus. Its form is two-fold, presenting a typical cubic external shape to the Fluorite, but the inside is exposed, revealing a process and texture well-known from Elmwood mine, but almost unheard of anywhere else. BUT, and this is a big but, this naturally etched variety is usually (and even then they are rare) seen as loose 'ice-cream cone' shaped individual 'crystals' rather than still on matrix. This very special specimen shows not only the finished product of this natural etching, so to speak, but also the whole context behind it. I liken it to the coiled sting of a scorpion waiting to strike its target with precision, but the sharply pointed, stepped, but also conical etched form occurs twice and their angle of trajectory is not by chance, but developed precisely along the internal structure of the original Fluorite cube. Surrounding these etched 'cones' is a bed of what looks like ice shavings, finely crystallized etched remnants of the internal structure of the Fluorite. Not only is this a fascinating specimen to explain - preserving the original outer cube on one side and the 'eaten' etched core on the opposite side - but it is beautiful too, with its lovely purple colour and fine translucency - truly amazing. An exceptionally rare American classic, and an Elmwood mine specimen that isn't Calcite.","brand":"Crystal Classics","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":58921584001359,"sku":"CC63411","price":5662.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1011\/3748\/2063\/files\/CC63411_Fluorite_Elmwood_mine_USA_IMG_2135ed.jpg?v=1790694023","url":"https:\/\/crystalclassics.co.uk\/products\/fluorite-400","provider":"Crystal Classics UK","version":"1.0","type":"link"}