Pale Green & Honey Fluorite Crystal Cluster | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

A characterful natural Cornish fluorite specimen featuring an intricate combination of pale green, translucent grey, soft honey-yellow and creamy crystalline formations, beautifully contrasted by rich rusty-orange and earthy brown mineral staining. Originating from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, this 150g specimen displays densely intergrown crystals, naturally weathered surfaces and an appealing variety of mineral textures.

With its contrasting colours, rugged formation and historic Cornish mining locality, this specimen is an interesting addition to any collection of British minerals, natural fluorite or geological specimens.

Specimen Description

This distinctive fluorite specimen has a naturally irregular, roughly triangular formation, with a broad base rising towards an uneven upper ridge.

Its principal crystalline surface is composed of numerous closely intergrown, angular crystals displaying a beautiful mixture of pale mint-green, muted grey-green, translucent honey-yellow and creamy white.

The individual crystal sections vary in size, with some forming small, tightly packed clusters and others displaying larger, more defined geometric faces.

Several areas exhibit a glassy lustre, particularly where light catches the translucent green and honey-coloured crystals. Other sections appear more frosted or naturally weathered, creating a pleasing contrast in surface texture.

One of the specimen's most distinctive characteristics is its extensive rusty-orange and brown mineral staining. These earthy deposits occur across the upper edges, between individual crystals and throughout portions of the surrounding matrix.

The staining is visually consistent with iron-bearing mineral alteration, although its precise composition has not been independently established.

The front-facing surface reveals a particularly attractive arrangement of pale green and honey-coloured crystals surrounded by contrasting orange-brown material.

Some crystal faces appear relatively transparent, allowing glimpses of internal colour variation, while others display cloudy inclusions and a more translucent appearance.

The close-up photograph highlights the specimen's complex crystalline structure, revealing numerous small angular faces, overlapping mineral growth and natural variations in colour and transparency.

Several crystal sections exhibit pale yellow-green tones, while others appear almost colourless or slightly smoky grey.

From the reverse, the specimen displays a noticeably more rugged appearance, with extensive rusty-orange and dark brown surface alteration contrasting against pale crystalline areas.

This difference between the more exposed crystalline face and the heavily mineral-stained reverse creates two distinctly different viewing perspectives.

The side profiles reveal additional pale mineral growth, irregular crystalline surfaces and earthy staining concentrated along the specimen's natural edges.

Unlike highly transparent fluorite specimens dominated by large individual cubes, this example is particularly interesting for its densely intergrown crystal textures and contrasting mineral associations.

Weighing 150g and measuring 54.5mm × 60.8mm, this is a compact but visually detailed specimen with plenty of natural geological character.

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 widely admired for its remarkable range of colours, including green, purple, blue, yellow, pink, colourless and combinations of several shades within a single specimen.

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

The mineral possesses perfect octahedral cleavage, meaning it can separate along specific crystallographic planes. These cleavage surfaces may create angular formations that resemble naturally developed crystal faces.

Fluorite typically exhibits a vitreous, or glass-like, lustre and can range from transparent to translucent.

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

Green fluorite can range from extremely pale mint and seafoam shades to deeper emerald-green tones, while yellow fluorite may display delicate champagne, honey and golden colouration.

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

As the fluids cool or their chemical conditions change, dissolved minerals can precipitate and gradually develop crystalline formations.

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

Repeated episodes of mineral deposition can create complex intergrowths, overlapping crystals and variations in mineral composition.

The combination of translucent fluorite, pale crystalline material and rusty-orange mineral staining visible in this specimen is consistent with the complex mineral associations found in historic hydrothermal vein environments.

Some fluorite specimens exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, although this property varies and has not been confirmed for this individual piece.

Wheal Mary Ann & Cornish Geological Heritage

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

While Cornwall is internationally renowned for its tin and copper deposits, the Menheniot district became particularly significant for its lead and silver-bearing mineral veins.

These deposits were exploited during the nineteenth century, when underground mining formed an important part of the region's industrial economy.

The Menheniot mineral veins occur within Devonian sedimentary rocks and are associated with hydrothermal mineralisation.

Historical geological records describe a varied mineral assemblage including galena, quartz, fluorite, chalcedony, siderite, calcite and baryte.

Galena, a lead sulphide mineral, was particularly important because certain deposits contained economically valuable 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 an important gangue mineral at Wheal Mary Ann.

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

The geological memoir 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.

Of particular mineralogical interest, 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.

Such relationships demonstrate how mineral veins can develop over multiple geological events rather than forming during a single period of crystallisation.

The wider Menheniot district remains an important area of interest for collectors of British minerals and historic Cornish mining specimens.

Specimens attributed to Wheal Mary Ann provide a 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, fluorite is associated with mental clarity, emotional balance, concentration and peaceful reflection.

Green fluorite is particularly linked with emotional harmony and the Heart Chakra, while fluorite more generally is associated with the Third Eye Chakra and clear thinking.

• Calm: Traditionally associated with emotional balance, peaceful reflection and inner tranquillity.
• Mental Clarity: Symbolically connected with concentration, organisation and clearer thinking.
• Emotional Balance: Associated with maintaining perspective and processing emotions.
• Spiritual Growth: Traditionally linked with self-awareness, personal understanding and reflection.
• Focus: Often associated with concentration, learning and mental organisation.

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 natural crystalline structure, irregular edges, exposed mineral faces and extensive areas of earthy surface staining.

The pale green and honey-coloured fluorite provides a delicate contrast against the darker rusty-orange and brown mineral deposits.

Its densely intergrown crystal formations create an intricate surface that reveals different details when viewed from changing angles.

The mixture of translucent and more opaque sections adds depth, while the surrounding weathered material emphasises the specimen's natural geological character.

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

The softer yellow tones are sometimes symbolically connected with optimism and clarity, although these associations are cultural rather than scientifically demonstrated.

Beyond its symbolic interpretations, this specimen is particularly appealing for its natural mineral textures, contrasting colouration and connection to the historic Cornish mining 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: 150g
• Dimensions: 54.5mm × 60.8mm
• Formation: Natural fluorite-bearing mineral specimen with intergrown crystalline material
• Colour: Pale green, grey-green, honey-yellow, creamy white, rusty orange and earthy brown
• Features: Densely intergrown crystals, translucent mineral faces, extensive orange-brown staining, natural matrix 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, 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.