{"product_id":"vivid-purple-fluorite-on-quartz-from-steinkopf-south-africa","title":"Vivid Purple Fluorite on Quartz from Steinkopf, South Africa","description":"\u003cp class=\"PDq2pG_selectionAnchorContainer\"\u003eThis \u003cstrong\u003eVivid Purple Fluorite on Quartz from Steinkopf\u003c\/strong\u003e is a beautifully contrasting specimen, featuring a prominent cluster of deep purple to violet fluorite surrounded by a matrix of translucent to milky-white quartz crystals. The darker fluorite creates an exceptional focal point against the pale quartz, while the multiple viewing angles reveal an intricate arrangement of crystals, natural cavities and mineral growth.\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 Deep purple to violet\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eQuartz Colour:\u003c\/strong\u003e Colourless to translucent white\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 Intergrown fluorite crystals with prominent geometric faces and cleavage\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 87 g\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSize:\u003c\/strong\u003e 77 × 46 × 20 mm (Length × Width × Height)\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003ePreparation:\u003c\/strong\u003e Professionally cleaned and trimmed\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, one of the important rare-element pegmatite provinces of Namaqualand. These ancient pegmatites formed during the Mesoproterozoic, approximately one billion years ago, and their complex magmatic and hydrothermal evolution produced an extraordinary diversity of minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFluorite is specifically documented from pegmatites in the Steinkopf region, including the \u003cstrong\u003eNorabees I pegmatite within the Norrabees pegmatite field\u003c\/strong\u003e, where fluorite occurs alongside quartz and a diverse suite of other pegmatite minerals.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe defining feature of this specimen is the \u003cstrong\u003edramatic contrast between the deep violet fluorite and the pale quartz\u003c\/strong\u003e. The fluorite forms a concentrated crystalline zone towards the upper portion of the specimen, with numerous closely packed crystals producing a richly textured surface. Some of the crystals display distinct cubic geometry, while others are partially intergrown, creating a natural progression of faces and edges across the cluster.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe quartz provides an excellent natural backdrop. Its pale, translucent crystals surround and partially frame the fluorite, allowing the purple colour to immediately capture attention. Small areas of warm orange-brown mineralisation can also be seen within parts of the matrix, adding subtle additional colour to the otherwise predominantly white and purple specimen.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe reverse and side views reveal that the fluorite cluster is integrated into a much broader quartz-rich formation. This makes the specimen particularly interesting from a mineralogical perspective, as it illustrates the close association between fluorite and quartz within the mineral-rich pegmatitic environment of the Steinkopf region.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAt \u003cstrong\u003e87 grams\u003c\/strong\u003e, this is a compact specimen with an excellent display footprint. Its relatively low profile makes it easy to position in a mineral cabinet while the elevated fluorite cluster provides a natural focal point when viewed from the principal display angle.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFluorite has a Mohs hardness of approximately 4 and possesses perfect octahedral cleavage, so it should be handled carefully and protected from impacts and abrasion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eBring this captivating piece of Steinkopf mineralogy into your collection and enjoy the dramatic meeting of deep violet fluorite and luminous white quartz in a specimen with remarkable natural contrast.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"ForeverGems_SA","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":46652118958276,"sku":"S356","price":450.0,"currency_code":"ZAR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0273\/1599\/4699\/files\/S356PurpleFluoriteonQuartz_1.webp?v=1789213313","url":"https:\/\/www.forevergems.co.za\/products\/vivid-purple-fluorite-on-quartz-from-steinkopf-south-africa","provider":"ForeverGems_SA","version":"1.0","type":"link"}