Blue-Grey Fluorite with Pale Green Crystals & Iron Staining | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

An exceptional 1.57kg natural fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, displaying an impressive combination of deep blue-grey and smoky violet fluorite crystals, translucent pale green mineral growth and striking golden-orange iron staining.

Measuring approximately 149.3mm × 101.4mm, this substantial Cornish specimen features a complex arrangement of interlocking crystals, angular formations, natural cavities and contrasting crystalline textures.

Its most remarkable feature is the dramatic concentration of dark blue-grey fluorite crystals, which emerge from lighter cream and pale green formations to create a richly layered mineral structure.

A magnificent collector's specimen with considerable visual presence, particularly suited to enthusiasts of British minerals, historic Cornish mining localities and distinctive natural fluorite formations.

Specimen Description

This impressive natural fluorite specimen features a substantial, irregular formation composed of numerous interlocking crystalline sections.

The specimen displays a remarkable range of natural colours, including deep blue-grey, smoky violet, pale green, cream, honey-yellow and golden orange.

Across its principal display face, large blue-grey fluorite crystals form a dramatic central arrangement. Several of these crystals display well-defined angular faces, stepped growth patterns and naturally occurring surface striations.

The darker crystals possess a combination of translucent and more opaque areas, creating considerable depth and variation as light passes across their surfaces.

Some crystal faces appear smooth and glassy, while others exhibit naturally frosted textures, exposed cleavage surfaces and irregular growth features.

Surrounding these darker formations are extensive areas of pale green and creamy white crystalline growth, providing a striking contrast to the deeper blue-grey colouring.

The specimen's elongated formation includes a particularly distinctive projecting section, where pale cream and translucent mineral growth extends outward and terminates in a blue-violet crystalline area.

This natural projection gives the specimen an unusual silhouette and adds to its impressive three-dimensional appearance.

Throughout the main body, smaller fluorite crystals occur between the larger formations, creating intricate clusters and recessed crystalline cavities.

Several areas reveal naturally formed openings between the crystals, allowing the underlying structure and overlapping mineral growth to be appreciated.

The upper sections display additional pale green and honey-coloured crystalline formations, accompanied by extensive golden-orange and rusty-brown iron staining.

These deposits occur across exposed crystal faces, within natural fractures and around the edges of crystalline cavities.

The staining provides a warm contrast against the cooler blue-grey and green tones, emphasising the specimen's complex geological character.

One particularly interesting feature is the arrangement of darker fluorite crystals within a central recessed area. These crystals display angular faces, naturally stepped surfaces and varying degrees of translucency.

Elsewhere, smaller pale green and colourless crystals form intricate interlocking arrangements, with occasional reflective surfaces catching the light.

The reverse and side views reveal further variations in crystal size, colour distribution and mineral texture, making this specimen visually interesting from multiple angles.

At 1.57kg, this is a substantial natural mineral specimen with exceptional display potential and an intricate crystalline structure that rewards close examination.

About Fluorite

Fluorite (CaF₂) is a naturally occurring calcium fluoride mineral belonging to the halide mineral group.

It crystallises in the cubic, or isometric, crystal system and has a Mohs hardness of 4.

Fluorite is recognised for its extraordinary range of natural colours, including purple, blue, green, yellow, grey, pink and colourless varieties.

These colour variations can result from trace impurities, structural defects and changes in the geological conditions present during mineral formation.

Fluorite commonly develops within hydrothermal mineral veins, where heated, mineral-rich fluids circulate through fractures and cavities in surrounding rocks.

As these fluids cool or undergo changes in pressure and chemical composition, dissolved minerals begin to crystallise.

Successive episodes of mineral deposition can produce multiple generations of crystal growth, resulting in overlapping formations, colour variations and complex mineral associations.

Fluorite frequently occurs alongside quartz, calcite, baryte, galena and other minerals associated with hydrothermal deposits.

Its characteristic cubic crystal habit and perfect octahedral cleavage are important identifying features.

Natural cleavage can produce smooth angular surfaces, while repeated crystal growth may create stepped faces and intricate interlocking structures.

The contrasting blue-grey, smoky violet and pale green colouring visible in this specimen demonstrates the remarkable natural variation that can occur within fluorite mineralisation.

The golden-orange surface deposits are consistent with iron oxide or iron oxyhydroxide staining, although their precise mineral composition has not been analytically confirmed.

The combination of large crystalline formations, smaller interlocking crystals, natural cavities and extensive mineral staining makes this specimen particularly interesting from a geological perspective.

Wheal Mary Ann & Cornish Mining Heritage

Wheal Mary Ann is a historic mineral locality situated near Menheniot in south-east Cornwall, England.

The Menheniot district forms part of Cornwall's extensive mining landscape and is particularly associated with historic lead and silver extraction.

Although Cornwall is internationally recognised for its tin and copper mining heritage, the south-eastern districts also contain important lead-bearing mineral veins.

During the nineteenth century, mines around Menheniot worked deposits containing galena, the principal ore mineral of lead, which could also contain economically valuable silver.

These deposits formed through hydrothermal geological processes, as heated mineral-bearing fluids circulated through fractures in the surrounding rocks.

The resulting mineral veins contain a variety of associated species, including fluorite, quartz and lead-bearing minerals.

Historical geological documentation from the British Geological Survey identifies fluorite as an important gangue mineral at Wheal Mary Ann.

Gangue minerals occur alongside economically valuable ores but are not necessarily the primary materials extracted during mining.

Geological observations of Wheal Mary Ann describe multiple generations of fluorite mineralisation, indicating successive episodes of mineral deposition within the veins.

These processes can produce overlapping crystalline growth, variations in mineral colour and complex associations between different mineral species.

The substantial interlocking crystals, contrasting blue-grey and pale green colouring and extensive iron-stained surfaces of this specimen make it an interesting example of the mineral formations associated with fluorite-bearing veins.

Its reported origin at Wheal Mary Ann connects it with Cornwall's rich geological history and the industrial heritage of the Menheniot mining district.

Intention & Associated Chakras

Within traditional crystal healing practices, fluorite is associated with mental clarity, concentration, emotional balance and personal understanding.

Blue fluorite is traditionally linked with communication, clear expression and thoughtful understanding, while purple fluorite is symbolically associated with intuition and spiritual awareness.

Green fluorite is traditionally connected with renewal, emotional harmony and personal growth.

The combination of blue-grey, smoky violet and pale green colouring makes this specimen traditionally associated with the Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and Heart Chakra.

• Mental Clarity: Traditionally associated with concentration, clear thinking and understanding.
• Communication: Symbolically connected with honest expression and thoughtful communication.
• Intuition: Traditionally associated with inner awareness and personal insight.
• Emotional Balance: Linked with harmony, calmness and emotional stability.
• Personal Growth: Associated with renewal, learning and positive change.
• Focus: Traditionally connected with organisation, concentration and mental discipline.

Associated Chakras: Throat Chakra, Third Eye Chakra and Heart Chakra.

Primary Intention: Mental clarity, communication, intuition and emotional balance.

These associations reflect traditional spiritual beliefs and are not scientifically established effects of fluorite.

Natural Formation & Symbolism

This specimen retains its natural raw formation, displaying a substantial arrangement of interlocking fluorite crystals, angular cleavage surfaces, recessed cavities and naturally fractured mineral sections.

Its distinctive elongated structure includes a projecting crystalline section, creating an unusual and visually striking silhouette.

The deeper blue-grey and smoky violet fluorite contrasts with pale green, creamy white and honey-yellow crystalline areas, while golden-orange iron staining adds warmth and geological character.

Several areas reveal well-defined angular crystals with stepped faces, naturally occurring surface striations and varying degrees of translucency.

Smaller crystals occur between the larger formations, creating intricate crystalline pockets and richly textured surfaces.

Within traditional crystal symbolism, blue fluorite represents communication and clarity, purple fluorite is associated with intuition, and green fluorite symbolises renewal and emotional harmony.

Beyond these symbolic associations, the specimen's principal appeal lies in its substantial size, dramatic crystalline structure, contrasting natural colours and connection to Cornwall's historic mining heritage.

Specimen Details

• Mineral: Fluorite with natural iron staining
• Chemical Formula: CaF₂
• Mineral Group: Halides
• Crystal System: Cubic (Isometric)
• Mohs Hardness: 4
• Supplied Locality Attribution: Wheal Mary Ann
• Location: Menheniot, Cornwall, England
• Weight: 1.57kg (1,570g)
• Dimensions: 149.3mm × 101.4mm
• Formation: Natural raw fluorite with substantial interlocking crystalline growth, angular cleavage surfaces, cavities and iron-stained sections
• Colour: Blue-grey, smoky violet, pale green, cream, white, honey-yellow, golden orange and dark brown
• Features: Large blue-grey fluorite crystals, stepped crystalline growth, translucent pale green sections, natural cavities, angular cleavage surfaces, surface striations and iron staining
• Shape: Raw
• Finish: Natural, unpolished
• Quantity: One individual specimen

You will receive the exact specimen photographed. Natural mineral specimens may display irregular edges, fractures, inclusions, uneven surfaces, mineral staining and delicate crystalline formations.

The wooden display plinth and decorative flowers shown in the photographs are not included.

Sources & References

1. British Geological Survey – Plymouth and South-East Cornwall Area, Geological Memoir (Sheet 348). Geological documentation describing the Menheniot mineral veins, Wheal Mary Ann mineralisation and multiple generations of fluorite formation.
   British Geological Survey Geological Memoir
2. British Geological Survey – Silver, Mineral Resources Consultative Committee Mineral Dossier. Geological and historical information concerning the Menheniot lead-silver mining district.
   British Geological Survey Silver Mineral Dossier
3. Mindat – Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall. Mineral locality database documenting fluorite and associated mineral species.
   Wheal Mary Ann Mineral Locality
4. University of Cambridge – Fluorite Mineral Collection. Mineralogical information concerning fluorite's chemical composition, crystal system, cleavage and physical properties.
   University of Cambridge Fluorite Collection
5. Henwood, W. J. (1871). Observations on Metalliferous Deposits: On the Lead Mines of Menheniot, Lanreath and Saint Pinnock. Transactions of the Royal Geological Society of Cornwall, Volume 8, pages 699–722.