{"product_id":"striking-purple-fluorite-on-quartz-steinkopf-south-africa","title":"Striking Purple Fluorite on Quartz, Steinkopf South Africa","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eStriking Purple Fluorite on Quartz\u003c\/strong\u003e is a charming small specimen from the Steinkopf area of South Africa, centred around a prominent purple fluorite crystal contrasting beautifully with a bed of pale to translucent quartz. The fluorite displays attractive lavender to deeper violet tones, with broad geometric faces and natural surface textures that become especially interesting when viewed from different angles.\u003cspan class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchor\"\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eSpecimen Details\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eMineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Fluorite on Quartz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eChemical Formula:\u003c\/strong\u003e CaF₂\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLocality:\u003c\/strong\u003e Steinkopf area, Northern Cape, South Africa\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeological Setting:\u003c\/strong\u003e Orange River Pegmatite Belt\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGeological Age:\u003c\/strong\u003e Mesoproterozoic, approximately 1 billion years\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eFluorite Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lavender to medium and deep violet-purple\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuartz Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e White to translucent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eTransparency:\u003c\/strong\u003e Translucent to locally semi-transparent\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eCrystal Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e Prominent blocky fluorite crystal with associated intergrown quartz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eAssociated Mineral:\u003c\/strong\u003e Quartz\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWeight:\u003c\/strong\u003e 24 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e Thumbnail (27 × 31 × 22 mm)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Professionally cleaned\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eDisplay:\u003c\/strong\u003e Ready for display\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe Steinkopf area forms part of the \u003cstrong\u003eOrange River Pegmatite Belt\u003c\/strong\u003e, a major geological province of Namaqualand renowned for its mineral-rich and highly evolved pegmatites. These ancient geological bodies formed during the Mesoproterozoic, approximately one billion years ago, and their complex history produced a remarkable diversity of minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFluorite is documented from pegmatites in the Steinkopf region, including the \u003cstrong\u003eNorabees I pegmatite within the Norrabees pegmatite field\u003c\/strong\u003e, where it occurs alongside quartz and a diverse assemblage of other pegmatite minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis specimen is particularly appealing for the contrast between its \u003cstrong\u003epurple fluorite and pale quartz\u003c\/strong\u003e. The main fluorite crystal has a substantial, blocky form and displays numerous natural geometric faces and cleavage surfaces. Its colour varies subtly from lighter lavender around some edges to richer violet-purple through the more strongly coloured portions, giving the crystal an attractive sense of depth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSmall areas of golden-brown mineralisation can also be seen around the fluorite, providing warm accents against the cool purple and white colour palette. The quartz forms a natural supporting base and creates an attractive frame around the fluorite, making the principal crystal immediately apparent when the specimen is viewed from its preferred display angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eDespite its compact dimensions, the specimen has a pleasing three-dimensional character. The prominent fluorite crystal rises above the quartz matrix, while the reverse and side views reveal how the two minerals are naturally integrated. At just \u003cstrong\u003e24 grams\u003c\/strong\u003e, it is an excellent choice for collectors who enjoy smaller specimens with a clearly defined mineral association.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFluorite has a Mohs hardness of approximately 4 and possesses perfect octahedral cleavage, so it should be handled with care and protected from impacts or abrasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eA delightful addition to a fluorite collection, this petite Steinkopf specimen combines rich purple colour, contrasting quartz and an appealing natural crystal form in a compact display piece.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_SA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46652173484228,"sku":"S357","price":120.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S357SmallPurpleFluorite-Steinkopf_1.webp?v=1789213811","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/striking-purple-fluorite-on-quartz-steinkopf-south-africa","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}