Pale Green Fluorite Crystal Cluster | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

Pale Green Fluorite Crystal Specimen – Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall

A beautiful natural Cornish fluorite specimen displaying delicate seafoam-green, pale mint and translucent grey-green crystal formations, complemented by warm rusty-orange mineral staining. Attributed to Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, this 180g specimen features an unusual angular formation, intergrown crystalline surfaces and subtle variations in transparency.

With its soft green colouration, naturally pointed silhouette and contrasting mineral textures, this specimen makes an attractive addition to any collection of British minerals, Cornish fluorite or historic mining specimens.

Specimen Description

This distinctive specimen features a naturally irregular, angular formation with an almost triangular profile when viewed from certain angles. Its pale green crystalline body rises towards a prominent upper point, creating an interesting sculptural appearance.

The predominant colouration ranges from delicate mint-green and seafoam to muted sage, translucent grey-green and creamy white. These colours blend across the specimen, with some areas appearing almost colourless while others display deeper green-grey tones.

Several exposed crystal surfaces exhibit a glassy to slightly frosted lustre, reflecting light differently depending on their orientation and degree of transparency.

The main crystalline face displays a particularly attractive combination of translucent green mineral sections and angular crystal boundaries. Some areas reveal internal cloudiness, while others allow light to penetrate more readily, creating subtle depth within the specimen.

One of its most distinctive features is the warm rusty-orange staining visible across selected crystal surfaces, fractures and recessed areas. These markings contrast beautifully with the cooler green colouration.

The orange-brown deposits are consistent in appearance with iron-bearing mineral staining, although their exact composition has not been independently established.

From the side, the specimen reveals a more pronounced angular profile, with overlapping crystal sections forming a series of natural ridges and projecting surfaces.

The rear displays additional pale green and creamy translucent material, together with irregular crystalline textures and smaller areas of darker mineral colouration.

The close-up photograph highlights the specimen's natural crystal geometry, including angular faces, intergrown formations, internal colour variations and the distinctive orange staining between crystal sections.

Some areas appear relatively smooth and translucent, while others display fine crystalline growth, naturally uneven surfaces and a more granular texture.

This contrast between larger crystalline sections and smaller intergrown mineral formations gives the specimen an interesting geological character.

Weighing 180g and measuring 56.9mm × 53.1mm, this is an attractive Cornish fluorite specimen combining gentle green colouration, naturally angular crystal growth and contrasting earthy mineral markings.

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 by mineral collectors for its exceptional variety of colours, which include green, purple, blue, yellow, pink, colourless and combinations of several shades within individual specimens.

Its most recognisable crystal habit is cubic, although octahedral and more complex crystal forms also occur.

Fluorite possesses perfect octahedral cleavage, meaning that it can separate along specific crystallographic planes. These cleavage surfaces may produce angular features that resemble naturally developed crystal faces.

The mineral is typically transparent to translucent and commonly exhibits a vitreous, or glass-like, lustre.

Its varied colouration can result from structural defects, trace elements and other processes affecting the crystal lattice.

Green fluorite ranges from extremely pale mint and seafoam shades to rich emerald-green tones. Some specimens display distinct colour zoning, while others contain more subtle variations distributed throughout their crystalline structures.

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 their chemical conditions change, dissolved minerals may precipitate and gradually form crystals.

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

Repeated episodes of mineral deposition can produce complex intergrowths, overlapping crystals and variations in colour or mineral association.

Some fluorite specimens exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, although this property varies between specimens and cannot be assumed without testing.

The natural angular surfaces, colour variations and intergrown mineral textures visible in this specimen demonstrate the varied appearances associated with fluorite-bearing mineralisation.

Wheal Mary Ann & Cornish Geological Heritage

Wheal Mary Ann, near Menheniot in south-east Cornwall, is a historically significant mineral locality associated with the region's lead and silver mining industry.

The Menheniot district contains important mineral veins that were exploited during Cornwall's nineteenth-century mining expansion.

Although Cornwall is particularly famous for its tin and copper mines, the Menheniot area became notable for lead and silver-bearing mineral deposits.

The area's mineralisation occurs within structurally controlled veins cutting Devonian sedimentary rocks.

Historical geological records describe the Menheniot mineral veins as containing galena, quartz, chalcedony, fluorite, siderite, calcite, baryte and associated sulphide minerals.

Galena, a lead sulphide mineral, was particularly important because certain deposits contained economically significant quantities of silver.

Wheal Mary Ann formed part of this wider mineral-producing district, where underground workings followed mineralised veins through the surrounding geological formations.

The British Geological Survey's Plymouth and South-East Cornwall geological memoir identifies fluorite as a major gangue mineral at Wheal Mary Ann.

Gangue minerals occur alongside economically valuable ore minerals, although they are not necessarily the principal materials being extracted.

The same geological documentation describes quartz as a principal vein filling at Wheal Mary Ann, with chalcedonic material occurring along the vein walls.

Crystalline quartz, galena and siderite are also recorded within the mineral sequence, alongside fluorite.

Importantly, geological evidence indicates that at least two generations of fluorite mineralisation may have occurred at the locality.

This suggests a complex geological history involving repeated episodes of mineral deposition and changing hydrothermal conditions.

Historical geological studies describe fluorite occurring both before and after particular stages of galena deposition.

These relationships are especially interesting to mineral collectors because they demonstrate how a single mineral vein can develop through multiple geological events.

The wider Menheniot district is recognised for its mineralogical diversity, with fluorite forming part of a historically important assemblage of lead-silver vein minerals.

For collectors of British minerals, specimens attributed to Wheal Mary Ann offer a tangible connection to Cornwall's mining heritage and the geological processes responsible for its distinctive mineral deposits.

This specimen's supplied locality attribution places it within that historic mineral-producing district.

Intention & Associated Chakras

Within traditional crystal healing practices, green fluorite is particularly associated with emotional balance, mental clarity, peaceful reflection and personal renewal.

Its gentle green colouration is traditionally linked with the Heart Chakra, while fluorite more generally is associated with concentration, clear thinking and understanding.

• Calm: Traditionally associated with emotional balance, peaceful reflection and creating a sense of inner tranquillity.
• Clarity: Symbolically connected with clear thinking, concentration and organising thoughts.
• Emotional Balance: Associated with processing emotions, restoring perspective and maintaining a balanced outlook.
• Spiritual Growth: Traditionally linked with self-awareness, personal understanding and emotional development.
• Renewal: Green fluorite is symbolically associated with fresh perspectives, personal renewal and positive change.

Associated Chakras: Heart Chakra and Third Eye Chakra.

Primary Intention: Calm.

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

Natural Formation & Symbolism

This specimen retains its naturally angular crystalline structure, exposed mineral faces and contrasting areas of translucent green and earthy orange material.

The pale green fluorite provides the principal visual feature, with its delicate colouration becoming particularly attractive where light passes through the more translucent sections.

Its distinctive pointed silhouette and overlapping crystalline surfaces give it a naturally sculptural quality.

The rusty-orange markings add further visual interest, emphasising the specimen's natural textures and the varied conditions associated with mineral deposition and alteration.

In traditional crystal symbolism, green fluorite is associated with emotional harmony, renewal and peaceful reflection.

Its green colour is also symbolically connected with nature, balance and personal growth.

Beyond these traditional interpretations, the specimen offers an appealing example of natural Cornish mineralisation and a connection to the historic mining landscape of Menheniot.

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: 180g
• Dimensions: 56.9mm × 53.1mm
• Formation: Natural intergrown fluorite-bearing mineral specimen
• Colour: Pale mint-green, seafoam, sage-green, translucent grey-green, creamy white and rusty orange
• Features: Angular crystalline structure, translucent green mineral sections, natural intergrowths, contrasting mineral staining and irregular crystal 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, surface alteration, uneven textures and delicate exposed crystal formations.

Display supports, acrylic stand, 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 recording fluorite and associated mineral species, with historical references.
   Wheal Mary Ann Mineral Locality
4. University of Cambridge – Fluorite Mineral Collection. Mineralogical reference covering fluorite's chemical composition, cubic 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.