Pale Green Fluorite | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

A beautiful natural pale green fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, featuring softly translucent sage-green and champagne-coloured crystal formations, delicate creamy-white mineral coatings and scattered rusty-orange staining.

Weighing 185g, this attractive Cornish mineral specimen displays a substantial, naturally irregular formation with numerous interlocking crystals, angular cleavage surfaces and subtle variations in colour and transparency. Its gentle greenish-grey tones contrast with warmer honey and cream-coloured sections, creating an interesting example of fluorite from Cornwall's historic mining landscape.

Specimen Description

This distinctive specimen features a broad, irregular crystalline formation with a softly textured surface and numerous overlapping fluorite crystals.

The principal face displays a mixture of pale sage-green, greenish-grey, translucent champagne and creamy-white tones, creating a subtle, naturally varied appearance.

Unlike specimens dominated by large, clearly defined cubic crystals, this piece displays a more complex arrangement of smaller interlocking formations, fractured crystalline faces and areas of natural surface alteration.

Several sections reveal translucent fluorite beneath the lighter mineral coatings, allowing subtle variations in colour and internal structure to become visible under changing lighting conditions.

The upper portion features a gently raised, uneven formation with pale greenish-grey crystalline sections and small patches of rusty-orange staining.

Across the central face, numerous angular crystal fragments and naturally fractured surfaces create a layered appearance, with individual sections catching and reflecting light differently.

Some areas display a soft glass-like lustre, while others have a more frosted or matte finish due to natural surface textures and mineral coatings.

The specimen also contains scattered golden-brown and rusty-orange staining, particularly visible around crystal boundaries, natural fractures and the upper edges.

These warm-toned areas contrast with the cooler greenish-grey fluorite and add further geological character.

Viewed from the side, the specimen reveals a more elongated, wedge-like profile, with pale translucent crystal sections interspersed with creamy deposits and more concentrated orange-brown staining.

The reverse presents a lighter appearance, dominated by pale cream, soft greenish-grey and translucent mineral formations.

Numerous small crystalline surfaces are visible across this face, producing a delicate, uneven texture with subtle variations in transparency.

Another viewing angle reveals more pronounced angular crystal boundaries, with overlapping translucent sections forming a complex natural structure.

Under closer examination, the specimen displays individual crystal faces, internal fractures, small cavities and irregular mineral coatings.

Several pale greenish-grey crystals show characteristic geometric surfaces and stepped-looking edges, while neighbouring areas are covered by smaller crystalline growths.

Fine rusty-orange deposits are scattered across the surface, with some staining appearing concentrated along fractures and between individual crystals.

Measuring 68.8mm × 61.3mm and weighing 185g, this specimen offers an attractive combination of soft colouration, natural crystalline detail and historical locality interest.

Its gentle greenish tones and varied textures make it particularly appealing for collectors of British minerals and natural fluorite 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 recognised for its remarkable range of colours, including green, blue, purple, yellow, pink, brown and colourless varieties.

These colour variations may develop through trace impurities, structural defects and geological processes occurring during mineral formation.

Green fluorite can range from pale mint and delicate sage-green to deeper emerald and olive-green tones.

Some specimens display subtle grey or champagne undertones, particularly where translucent crystal sections overlap or where natural mineral coatings are present.

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

As the fluids cool or their chemical conditions change, dissolved minerals may crystallise along the walls of these openings.

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

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

This allows the mineral to separate along specific crystallographic planes, producing distinctive angular surfaces and naturally fractured formations.

Although fluorite commonly develops cubic crystals, its cleavage surfaces can create triangular and other geometric shapes when crystals are fractured.

Fluorite typically has a vitreous, or glass-like, lustre, although natural weathering, mineral coatings and surface alteration can produce a softer, frosted appearance.

Some fluorite specimens 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 recognised 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 around Menheniot extracted lead ores, particularly galena, which could also contain economically valuable silver.

The mineral veins of the district formed through hydrothermal geological processes, with 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 of particular geological interest 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 records 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 mined.

The memoir describes quartz as a significant vein-filling mineral, with chalcedonic material occurring along parts 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 overlapping crystalline formations, variations in colour and complex mineral associations.

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 soft greenish-grey colouring, translucent crystalline sections and natural iron-coloured staining.

Intention & Associated Chakras

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

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

Fluorite is also traditionally associated with the Third Eye Chakra, which represents intuition, awareness and clear thinking.

• Calm: Traditionally associated with peaceful reflection, emotional balance and a settled mindset.
• Mental Clarity: Symbolically connected with clear thinking, understanding and mental organisation.
• Emotional Balance: Associated with harmony, thoughtful reflection and emotional awareness.
• Focus: Traditionally linked with concentration, learning and maintaining attention.
• Intuition: Associated with perspective, awareness and personal insight.
• Spiritual Growth: Symbolically connected with self-awareness, reflection and understanding.

Associated Chakras: Heart Chakra and Third Eye Chakra.

Primary Intention: Calm 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 crystalline structure, irregular edges, exposed cleavage surfaces and areas of pale mineral coating.

Its softly translucent greenish-grey crystals create a gentle appearance, with overlapping formations producing subtle variations in colour and depth.

The numerous small crystal faces contrast with larger, more opaque sections, creating an interesting mixture of textures across the specimen.

Rusty-orange staining adds warmth to the otherwise cool-toned mineral, particularly around natural fractures and crystalline boundaries.

Within traditional crystal symbolism, green fluorite is associated with emotional harmony, calm reflection and mental clarity.

The softer green tones are often connected with the Heart Chakra, while fluorite's broader associations include concentration and intuitive understanding.

Beyond these symbolic interpretations, the specimen's appeal lies in its natural formation, subtle colour variations 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: 185g
• Dimensions: 68.8mm × 61.3mm
• Formation: Natural fluorite specimen
• Colour: Pale sage-green, greenish-grey, champagne, cream and rusty-orange
• Features: Interlocking fluorite crystals, translucent sections, angular cleavage surfaces, pale mineral coatings, internal fractures and natural orange-brown 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.