Grey-Green & Honey Yellow Fluorite | Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall

A distinctive natural grey-green and honey yellow fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, displaying translucent smoky-grey crystal sections, soft golden-yellow colouring, creamy-white crystalline growth and warm rusty-orange mineral staining.

Weighing 110g, this beautiful Cornish specimen features an irregular, layered formation with contrasting translucent and opaque areas. Its combination of muted grey-green fluorite, honey-coloured crystal surfaces and naturally weathered textures makes it an attractive addition to a British mineral collection.

Specimen Description

This fascinating fluorite specimen displays a beautiful combination of smoky grey-green, pale champagne, honey yellow, creamy white and warm golden-orange tones.

Its irregular, roughly wedge-shaped formation reveals several overlapping crystalline sections, each displaying different levels of transparency and surface texture.

One of its most striking features is the broad area of translucent grey-green fluorite extending across the central portion of the specimen.

These smoky, glass-like surfaces contrast beautifully with the softer honey-yellow and creamy-white crystalline material surrounding them.

The grey-green sections display angular boundaries, internal fractures and overlapping cleavage surfaces that create depth within the mineral.

Viewed from different angles, light passes through the more translucent areas, revealing subtle variations in colour and internal structure.

Along the upper edge, pale cream and champagne-coloured crystal growth forms a naturally uneven surface, with small areas of golden-yellow staining.

One side of the specimen displays particularly attractive honey-yellow and amber-coloured mineralisation, creating a warm contrast against the cooler grey-green fluorite.

The reverse reveals additional crystalline detail, including larger translucent grey sections, pale yellow mineral growth and angular internal structures.

Natural fractures and cleavage planes create reflective surfaces throughout the specimen, giving certain areas a delicate glass-like lustre.

Small patches of rusty-orange and brown staining are scattered across the crystal surfaces, visually consistent with the presence of iron-bearing mineral material.

These natural markings contribute to the specimen's distinctive appearance and highlight its geological character.

Some areas appear smooth and translucent, while others exhibit a more granular, frosted or naturally weathered texture.

The combination of contrasting colours, complex crystalline formations and naturally irregular surfaces makes this an especially interesting specimen to examine from multiple angles.

Measuring 50.3mm × 45.8mm and weighing 110g, this individual specimen is attributed to the historic Wheal Mary Ann mineral locality in Cornwall.

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 particularly admired for its remarkable variety of natural colours, including purple, green, blue, yellow, pink and colourless varieties.

Its colouration can be influenced by trace impurities, structural defects and geological conditions during mineral formation.

Grey-green fluorite may display muted sage, smoky green or translucent grey tones, while yellow varieties can range from pale champagne to rich golden amber.

Colour variations within individual specimens can reflect differences in crystal growth, internal structure and the conditions under which mineralisation occurred.

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

As these fluids cool or experience changes in pressure and chemical composition, dissolved minerals may crystallise.

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

One of fluorite's defining physical characteristics is its perfect octahedral cleavage.

This allows the mineral to separate along particular crystallographic planes, producing distinctive angular surfaces.

Its vitreous lustre, variable transparency and intricate crystal formations make fluorite especially appealing to mineral collectors.

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 mining.

Although Cornwall is internationally recognised for its tin and copper deposits, the south-eastern region also contains important lead-bearing mineral veins.

During the nineteenth century, mining operations around Menheniot extracted lead ores, particularly galena, which could also contain economically valuable silver.

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

Over time, these fluids deposited a varied assemblage of minerals, including quartz, fluorite, galena, siderite and other associated species.

The British Geological Survey's geological memoir covering Plymouth and South-East Cornwall documents fluorite as an important gangue mineral at Wheal Mary Ann.

Gangue minerals occur alongside economically valuable ores but are not necessarily the principal materials being extracted.

The memoir describes quartz as a significant vein-filling mineral, with crystalline quartz, galena and siderite also documented within the mineral sequence.

Historical geological observations indicate that at least two generations of fluorite mineralisation occurred at Wheal Mary Ann.

This suggests that the mineral veins experienced multiple episodes of mineral deposition under changing geological conditions.

Such processes can produce complex mineral associations, overlapping crystal formations and variations in mineral growth.

Fluorite from historic Cornish mining localities is particularly appealing to collectors interested in British mineralogy, geological history and the country's mining heritage.

This specimen offers an attractive example of fluorite attributed to Wheal Mary Ann, combining smoky grey-green translucency, warm honey-yellow colouration and naturally contrasting mineral textures.

Intention & Associated Chakras

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

Green fluorite is traditionally connected with the Heart Chakra, symbolically representing emotional harmony, compassion and renewal.

Yellow fluorite is commonly associated with the Solar Plexus Chakra, representing confidence, motivation and personal strength.

• Mental Clarity: Traditionally associated with clear thinking and understanding.
• Focus: Symbolically connected with concentration and mental organisation.
• Emotional Balance: Associated with harmony and a balanced outlook.
• Confidence: Traditionally linked with self-belief and personal empowerment.
• Personal Growth: Symbolically connected with self-development and positive change.
• Calm: Associated with peaceful reflection and emotional steadiness.

Associated Chakras: Heart Chakra and Solar Plexus Chakra.

Primary Intention: Mental clarity, emotional balance and confidence.

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

Natural Formation & Symbolism

This specimen retains its natural crystalline formation, displaying an irregular, layered shape with overlapping fluorite sections.

The translucent grey-green areas create a striking contrast against the warmer honey-yellow and creamy-white mineral growth.

Angular crystal boundaries and natural cleavage planes reveal the mineral's distinctive internal structure.

Small areas of rusty-orange staining add further visual interest, emphasising the specimen's natural geological character.

Some crystal surfaces exhibit a smooth, glass-like lustre, while others display a more textured or naturally frosted appearance.

Within traditional crystal symbolism, green fluorite is associated with emotional harmony and renewal, while yellow fluorite represents confidence and personal empowerment.

Beyond these symbolic associations, the specimen's principal appeal lies in its contrasting natural colours, intricate crystalline structure and connection to Cornwall's historic mineral-producing landscape.

Specimen Details

• Mineral: Fluorite
• Chemical Formula: CaF₂
• Mineral Group: Halides
• Crystal System: Cubic (Isometric)
• Mohs Hardness: 4
• Supplied Locality Attribution: Wheal Mary Ann
• Location: Menheniot, Cornwall, England
• Weight: 110g
• Dimensions: 50.3mm × 45.8mm
• Formation: Natural fluorite specimen with associated crystalline material
• Colour: Grey-green, honey yellow, champagne, creamy white and golden amber
• Features: Translucent crystal sections, angular formations, internal fractures, natural mineral staining and contrasting crystalline textures
• 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 acrylic display support, wooden 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.