CHINESE FLUORITE COLLECTION of SHANGBAO AND YAOGANGXIAN FINDS from 1997-2009

CHINESE FLUORITE COLLECTION of SHANGBAO AND YAOGANGXIAN FINDS from 1997-2009

Yaoganxian Mine fluorite started coming out in abundance in the mid 1990s, sometimes cheap and sometimes not in those early days, and in a huge variety of styles. This collection of exceptional, choice specimens was built by a dealer in China as a private collection, over many years of cherrypicking the flow. Now, as the mine slows down a bit and the lower levels of the mine are actually closed at this point, this collection has been sold. Additionally presented here are about a dozen specimens of strangely colored light-sensitive ("Metamerism") fluorites on dolomite, from a late-2008 pocket at the Shangbao Mine. It took the collector, based in China recall, ten years to cherrypick all these styles, and to also maintain a very high quality level. Of course, being a passionate quality freak, this collector paid high for the top specimens in the size range if they had the perfection sought, and so many of these stayed in China instead of drifting to the US for sale. This update and the next one represent picks from dozens of pockets over a decade, thus, and not any one find. For the new Shangbao pieces, a premium should be attached to those specimens on the good dolomite crystals, which makes this find stand out.

See All Specimens by scrolling down, below: 70 specimens on 5 pages

OR Click here to view UPDATE PART I (31 specimens):
of this CHINA FLUORITE Collection

UPDATE PART II: Miniatures, a few small cabs, and Thumbnails from the same collection that were selected for their quality by the same stadnards as above, but mostly in the $100-500 range. Some real sleepers, here!

OR Click here to view UPDATE PART II (39 specimens):
of this CHINA FLUORITE Collection

US$ € EURO ¥ YEN £ POUND CAN$ AUS$
(click on a page number to go to that page:)

page 1 / 5 - 70 specimens selected - next - bottom - back to the Galleries

CHFLO2-82 - Fluorite on Dolomite - AUS$ 378
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 6.9 x 6.0 x 3.4 cm

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A most unusual piece for this mine, with a rich purple color. This is from the dolomite pockets at the end of 2008. The crystal is 2.1 cm across, translucent when strongly lit, and intensely purple. There is a really good contrast with the lustrous dolomite matrix and minor bits of sparkling pyrite. The chinese dealers and sources valued these purple Shangbao pieces very high, when they came out. This pocket, with the dolomite association, will I think go down with time as one of the great Chinese fluorite finds.

CHFLO2-78 - Fluorite - AUS$ 270
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 7.1 x 6.4 x 3.8 cm

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Fluorite from Shangbao, Hunan Province, China [db_pics/china/cflo78a.jpg]

Fluorite from Shangbao, Hunan Province, China [db_pics/china/cflo78a.jpg]

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Fluorite from Shangbao, Hunan Province, China [db_pics/china/cflo78b.jpg]

Fluorite from Shangbao, Hunan Province, China [db_pics/china/cflo78b.jpg]

A most unusual piece for this mine, with a lavender color. This is from the dolomite pockets at the end of 2008, and features several large intergrown cuboctohedra, with internal phantoms. It would be much pricier but for a few VERY small dings, which are admittedly present. The chinese dealers and sources valued these purple Shangbao pieces very high, when they came out.

CHFLO2-66 - Fluorite - AUS$ 486
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 7.0 x 5.4 x 4.3 cm

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This is a very rare combination from the mine, with purple fluorite cubes to 2 cm included by acicular crystals of either stibnite the rare species bismuthinite (some folks say its one, others maintain it is the other: I havent analysed) . It looks like silver hairs inside the fluorite. So far as I know, this is a unique association to this mine (in either case). The crystals of fluorite are perched on top and form a sharp horizon line, with great sharpness. BETTER IN PERSON!

CHFLO2-63 - Fluorite - AUS$ 216
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
miniature, 4.1 x 3.9 x 3.5cm

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Fluorite from Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China [db_pics/china/cflo63c.jpg]

Fluorite from Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China [db_pics/china/cflo63c.jpg]

A large, bluish, phantomed crystal of translucent fluorite�.and a floater, overall!

CHFLO2-57 - Fluorite - AUS$ 378
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
miniature, 3.2 x 2.8 x 2.6 cm

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This is a very rare combination from the mine, with a deep purple fluorite (perfect and complete, mind you) richly included by acicular crystals of the rare species bismuthinite. It looks like silver hairs inside the fluorite. Once, these were labelled stibnite or cosalite but I have seen them labelled bismuthinite in recent years though I have not analysed it myself. Now, I am told most people label them stibnite but I am not aware of an analysis i can cite. Minute bits of chalcopyrite are in association on the bottom of the piece. Except for a contact on bottom, a slight one at that, the cube is complete. So far as I know, this is a unique assoiation to this mine.

CHFLO2-58 - Fluorite - AUS$ 486
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
miniature, 5.0 x 3.6 x 3.0 cm

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A totally gem clear, transparent crystal measuring 1 inch across is perched upright on a bit of matrix and accented by thin translucent white calcite blades. This is a very choice miniature from a single cahracteristic pocket that produced a unique style. The quality, the transparency here, is amazing and distinct even from other very fine pockets at this mine

CHFLO2-38 - Fluorite with Calcite - AUS$ 270
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
miniature, 4.3 x 3.9 x 2.5 cm

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Absolutely transparent, purple crystals like purple ice cubes, coated with a contrasting carpet of thin, translucent, bladed calcites, , really makes this piece stand out. The edges are razor-sharp. This well-balanced miniature is from a one time pocket, several years ago, with this nice association

CHFLO-34 - Fluorite with Dolomite - AUS$ 2159
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 8.6 x 8.1 x 5.5 cm

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This specimen is an oddball for the pocket, with a 5-cm-across GEMMY, transparent, complex cuboctohedral crystal just beautifully displayed on a pedestal of more translucent, rough fluorite. The smooth , glass-like surfaces of the dominant crystal are amazing, about the best polished look you can ask for in a fluorite specimen. Minor dolomite and pyrites accentuate the fluorite, giving it a needed accent. This is a very unique, and sparkling, specimen. Purple or lavender-colored crystals in this pocket were few and far between, it seems. The Chinese asked a huge premium for them, I am told. I have seen only a few amidst the green-blue colors more common in the pocket. This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It should be remembered as a very distinct style, something different from any we have seen before for the mine or a fluorite combination.

CHFLO-33 - Fluorite on Dolomite - AUS$ 2159
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 9.7 x 5.3 x 4.3 cm

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Dramatic purple-zoned, cuboctohedral fluorites to 3 cm across, are perched on a beautiful cluster of lustrous dolomite and quartz. The dolomites have a porcelain-like look to them. This piece is 3-dimensional and complete, all around. It can be displayed horizontally or vertically as you wish, with equal effect (and would be complete on all sides except the bottom, if horizontal). Purple crystals in this pocket were few and far between, it seems. The Chinese asked a huge premium for them, I am told. I have seen only a few amidst the green-blue colors more common in the pocket. This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It should be remembered as a very distinct style, something different from any we have seen before for the mine or a fluorite combination.

CHFLO-31 - Fluorite - AUS$ 8637
Yaogangxian Mine, Hunan Province, China
cabinet, 13.3 x 10.3 x 5.7 cm

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This is a choice, stunning fluorite because of the complex form, and the subtle contrasts and symmetries of the stepped faces and oriented color layers on many edges. The large fluorite cluster, which is absolutely pristine, is perched atop a cluster of sparkling, clear quartzes. It is, overall, a most unlikely assemblage, especially to survive in this condition. There are a few internal fractures, but the surface is unamarred and the interior is otherwise completely transparent. One of the highlights of this collection, it is also one of the larger pieces here.

CHFLO-28 - Fluorite on Dolomite floater - AUS$ 1026
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 7.4 x 6.0 x 4.1 cm

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Dramatic purple-zoned, cuboctohedral fluorites to 1.8 cm across, are perched on a beautiful cluster of 2 crystals of dolomite, a floater that is complete all around! Overall, a very unique association I have not seen before and with two minerals both of high quality. The dolomites have a porcelain-like look to them. Purple crystals in this pocket were few and far between, it seems. The Chinese asked a huge premium for them, I am told. I have seen only a few amidst the green-blue colors more common in the pocket. This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It should be remembered as a very distinct style, something different from any we have seen before for the mine or a fluorite combination.

CHFLO-27 - Fluorite on Dolomite floater - AUS$ 972
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 7.6 x 6.2 x 3.1 cm

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Dramatic purple-zoned, cuboctohedral fluorites to 2.5 cm across, are perched on a thin, elongated crystal of dolomite, a floater that is complete all around! Overall, a very unique association I have not seen before and with two minerals both of high quality. The dolomites have a porcelain-like look to them. Purple crystals in this pocket were few and far between, it seems. The Chinese asked a huge premium for them, I am told. I have seen only a few amidst the green-blue colors more common in the pocket. This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It should be remembered as a very distinct style, something different from any we have seen before for the mine or a fluorite combination.

CHFLO-21 - Fluorite on Dolomite - AUS$ 972
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
small cabinet, 9.2 x 6.3 x 4.7 cm

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A large, juicy, 3-cm crystal sits in a cluster with smaller fluorites, on a bed of small dolomite crystals, all on massive dolomite. This piece has unusually rich seafoam green-blue color and really for color impact is among the best here, though its phantoms are minimal. This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It should be remembered as a very distinct style, something different from any we have seen before for the mine or a fluorite combination. NOTE: these exhibit the photographic property of metamerism. They change colors from halogen and professional bulbs (more blue) to indoor fluorescent lighting and even natural sunlight (more green). Examples from both are shown here. The change is startling if you do not expect it, and quite pronounced in the right lighting.

CHFLO-14 - Fluorite on Dolomite - AUS$ 3239
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
cabinet, 12.3 x 12.0 x 7.2 cm

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This dramatic piece features a pristine, 8-cm-across dolomite cluster of high quality, splaying from a cluster of gemmy, lavender-colored fluorite of very unusual form and color for this mine. The fluorite is very unusual...only a few of this style were recovered. It is pristine, complete on the display face although contacted in back, and totally translucent. The dolomite is a very good size and has a sparkle to it, a sheen of pearlescence, which is appealing. This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It should be remembered as a very distinct style, something different from any we have seen before for the mine or a fluorite combination.

CHFLO-10 - Fluorite on Dolomite - AUS$ 3509
Shangbao, Hunan Province, China
cabinet, 13.8 x 10.4 x 5.2 cm

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This is from a new pocket found at the end of 2008, and quietly trickled into Tucson in 2009. It is a select, cherrypicked piece featuring subtly phantomed, green-blue fluorite perched on beautiful, lustrous, dolomite crystals. The dolomites have a porcelain-like quality to them and the stark contrast in texture and geometry is appealing. The fluorite is pristine over the length of the display face and the crystals measure to 4 cm. They are extremely 3-dimensional, really jumping off the plate. The dolomite plate is complete on the display face, sawed on the back to remove it cleanly from the host matrix. I know that quality specimens from this pocket were going for prices much higher than this, under the table and privately at Tucson. It will, in retrospect, turn out to be one of the more interesting fluorite combinations from China and is really a unique combination as well.

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Rob Lavinsky, rob@irocks.com

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