Pale Green & Blue Fluorite | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

A distinctive natural fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, featuring delicate pale green and blue-grey crystalline areas, translucent cream-coloured sections and contrasting rusty-orange mineral staining. Its elongated formation, intricate crystalline textures and naturally weathered surfaces make this an attractive example of historic Cornish fluorite.

Weighing 105g, this specimen displays a fascinating combination of softly coloured fluorite, angular crystal faces and fine sparkling crystalline growth. The scattered orange-brown staining highlights the mineral's natural fractures and crystal boundaries, adding warmth and depth to its otherwise cool, muted colour palette.

Specimen Description

This beautiful specimen features an elongated, irregular formation with a mixture of pale green, blue-grey, translucent cream and soft yellow-green crystalline sections.

The overall shape is relatively narrow and horizontally extended, giving the specimen a distinctive profile when displayed.

Across the principal face, areas of pale green fluorite are interspersed with darker blue-grey crystalline patches and lighter, almost colourless mineral growth.

The darker areas appear concentrated towards several exposed sections, creating subtle contrasts between the translucent and more opaque portions of the specimen.

Small angular crystal faces are visible throughout, displaying fluorite's characteristic geometric structure and naturally fractured surfaces.

Several sections reveal a slightly glassy lustre, while others have a frosted or granular appearance associated with natural surface alteration.

One of the specimen's most attractive features is the presence of fine sparkling crystalline growth across portions of its surface.

These tiny crystals create a delicate textured appearance, particularly where they cover the pale green and cream-coloured sections.

Under closer inspection, the crystalline surface reveals numerous small reflective faces, irregular cavities and interlocking mineral formations.

Scattered throughout the specimen are distinctive rusty-orange and golden-brown patches, consistent in appearance with natural iron oxide staining.

These warm-coloured areas occur along exposed crystal boundaries, within shallow recesses and across sections of the lighter crystalline material.

The staining varies from small orange speckles to more concentrated patches, creating a naturally mottled appearance.

One side reveals a particularly attractive arrangement of blue-grey fluorite surrounded by pale green and cream-coloured crystals.

Here, the contrast between the darker crystalline sections and lighter surrounding material gives the specimen additional depth.

From another angle, the elongated formation reveals broader areas of pale green fluorite, with angular faces and naturally uneven edges.

The reverse displays a greater concentration of orange-brown staining across a predominantly pale crystalline surface.

This side has a more rugged appearance, with small cavities, irregular mineral growth and scattered darker inclusions or coatings.

The variation between its faces makes the specimen especially interesting to examine from different angles.

Its crystalline surfaces range from translucent and softly reflective to rougher, more heavily textured areas.

Natural fractures and cleavage planes are visible throughout the formation, reflecting the physical characteristics of fluorite.

Measuring 75.1mm × 28.1mm and weighing 105g, this specimen offers an attractive combination of unusual shape, subtle colour variation and detailed natural mineral textures.

Its pale green and blue-grey fluorite, contrasting rusty-orange staining and delicate crystalline growth make it an appealing addition to a collection of British minerals, Cornish fluorite or historic mining specimens.

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 well known for its extraordinary range of natural colours, including purple, blue, green, yellow, pink, brown and colourless varieties.

Individual specimens can contain several colours within the same crystalline formation, sometimes producing distinctive zones, bands or irregular colour transitions.

These variations can arise through crystal lattice defects, trace impurities and other geological processes affecting the mineral during formation.

Green and blue fluorite may develop their colouration through different combinations of structural defects and naturally occurring impurities.

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 undergo chemical changes, dissolved minerals crystallise within the available spaces.

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

One of fluorite's defining physical properties is its perfect octahedral cleavage, which allows the mineral to separate along specific crystallographic planes.

This characteristic produces distinctive angular fractures and geometric surfaces, many of which are visible in naturally fractured specimens.

Although fluorite commonly develops cubic crystals, its cleavage properties can create triangular, stepped and irregular angular formations.

Fluorite typically exhibits a vitreous, or glass-like, lustre, although natural weathering, mineral coatings and surface alteration can produce frosted or matte appearances.

Some fluorite specimens also exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, although this varies considerably between individual specimens and mineral localities.

Ultraviolet fluorescence has not been confirmed for this particular piece.

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 renowned for its tin and copper deposits, the south-eastern part of the county also contains important lead-bearing mineral veins.

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

The mineral veins developed through hydrothermal geological processes, with heated mineral-rich fluids circulating through fractures in the surrounding rocks.

These fluids deposited a varied assemblage of minerals, including quartz, fluorite, galena, siderite, calcite and other associated species.

Wheal Mary Ann is particularly interesting because historical geological studies document complex relationships between successive generations of mineral deposition.

The British Geological Survey's geological memoir covering Plymouth and South-East Cornwall identifies 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 geological memoir describes quartz as a significant vein-filling mineral, with chalcedonic material occurring along portions of the vein walls.

Crystalline quartz, galena and siderite are 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 deposition under changing geological conditions.

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

Fluorite from historic Cornish 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, with its pale green and blue-grey crystalline areas, contrasting rusty-orange staining and distinctive elongated formation.

Intention & Associated Chakras

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

Green fluorite is commonly connected with the Heart Chakra, symbolically representing emotional balance, harmony, peaceful reflection and personal understanding.

Blue fluorite is traditionally associated with the Throat Chakra, representing communication, self-expression and clear thinking.

The combination of green and blue fluorite is sometimes interpreted as representing harmony between emotional awareness and thoughtful communication.

• Calm: Traditionally associated with peaceful reflection, emotional balance and a settled mindset.
• Mental Clarity: Symbolically connected with clear thinking, understanding and mental organisation.
• Focus: Traditionally linked with concentration, learning and maintaining attention.
• Emotional Balance: Green fluorite is associated with harmony, reflection and emotional awareness.
• Communication: Blue fluorite is traditionally connected with thoughtful expression and understanding.
• Personal Growth: Symbolically associated with learning, self-awareness and developing perspective.

Associated Chakras: Heart Chakra and Throat Chakra.

Primary Intention: Calm and mental clarity.

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

Natural Formation & Symbolism

This specimen retains its natural crystalline structure, irregular edges, exposed cleavage surfaces and areas of mineral staining.

Its elongated shape gives it an unusual profile compared with more compact fluorite specimens.

The pale green and blue-grey crystalline sections create a soft, muted colour palette, while the scattered rusty-orange staining introduces contrasting warmth.

Small reflective crystal faces are visible across several surfaces, giving the specimen a delicate sparkle when viewed under direct lighting.

Other sections display rougher, more weathered textures, adding to its natural geological character.

The contrast between translucent fluorite, darker crystalline areas and orange-brown mineral coatings makes each viewing angle slightly different.

Within traditional crystal symbolism, green fluorite is associated with emotional harmony and peaceful reflection, while blue fluorite is connected with communication and mental clarity.

Beyond its symbolic associations, the specimen's appeal lies in its distinctive natural shape, subtle colour variation, intricate crystalline textures 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: 105g
• Dimensions: 75.1mm × 28.1mm
• Formation: Natural fluorite specimen
• Colour: Pale green, blue-grey, cream, yellow-green and rusty-orange
• Features: Elongated formation, translucent fluorite, blue-grey crystalline areas, fine sparkling crystal growth, natural cleavage surfaces and orange-brown mineral 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 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.