Pale Green & Honey Fluorite | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

A substantial natural pale green and honey-coloured fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall, featuring an impressive upright formation, translucent crystalline sections and contrasting golden-orange iron staining.

Weighing 590g and measuring approximately 107.5mm × 65.0mm, this striking Cornish mineral specimen displays an intricate combination of pale olive-green, smoky grey, soft honey-yellow and creamy white fluorite. Its elongated structure, natural cavities and exposed crystal faces make it a distinctive piece for collectors of British minerals.

Specimen Description

This beautiful specimen features a tall, irregular crystalline formation with a fascinating combination of colour, transparency and natural mineral texture.

Its predominant colouring ranges from pale olive-green and translucent honey-yellow to smoky grey, cream and milky white, with warm golden-orange iron staining scattered across the surface.

One face displays an intricate arrangement of interlocking fluorite crystals, with angular cleavage surfaces, translucent sections and small natural recesses that reveal the mineral's internal structure.

Several larger crystalline areas possess a glass-like appearance, allowing light to penetrate the stone and illuminate its pale green and golden tones.

Across the upper section, a particularly noticeable concentration of dark brown and rusty-orange staining creates a dramatic contrast against the lighter fluorite.

These natural deposits are consistent with iron-bearing mineral alteration and oxidation, particularly along fractures and exposed crystalline surfaces.

Turning the specimen reveals additional translucent green fluorite formations, some displaying elongated internal structures and layered crystalline growth.

The reverse features a mixture of larger glassy crystal faces and smaller interlocking formations, creating an uneven surface with numerous reflective areas.

Its lower sections are predominantly creamy white and pale yellow, with scattered mineral staining and naturally fractured surfaces.

The specimen's elongated shape gives it a particularly impressive presence when displayed upright, while its different faces reveal changing combinations of colour and crystal texture.

At 590g, this is a substantial example of Cornish fluorite, with an unusual natural structure that makes it particularly appealing for mineral displays and geological collections.

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 recognised for its remarkable diversity of natural colours, including green, purple, blue, yellow, pink, grey and colourless varieties.

These colour variations can result from trace impurities, structural defects and changes in the geological environment during crystal formation.

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

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

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

Its characteristic cubic crystal habit and perfect octahedral cleavage are important identifying properties.

Natural cleavage can produce smooth, angular surfaces, while repeated mineral deposition may create complex interlocking crystalline structures.

The pale green, honey-yellow and smoky grey colouring visible in this specimen demonstrates the natural variation found within fluorite mineralisation.

Its golden-orange and dark brown staining is consistent with iron oxide or iron oxyhydroxide alteration products, although the precise composition of these deposits has not been analytically confirmed.

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 extraction.

While Cornwall is internationally recognised for its tin and copper mining heritage, the south-eastern districts also contain important lead-bearing mineral veins.

During the nineteenth century, mines around Menheniot worked deposits containing galena, the principal ore mineral of lead, which could also contain economically valuable silver.

These mineral deposits developed through hydrothermal geological processes, as heated fluids circulated through fractures within the surrounding rocks and deposited dissolved minerals.

The resulting veins contain a variety of associated mineral species, including fluorite, quartz and lead-bearing minerals.

Historical geological documentation from the British Geological Survey identifies fluorite as an important gangue mineral at Wheal Mary Ann.

Gangue minerals are those occurring alongside economically valuable ores but which are not necessarily the primary materials extracted during mining.

Geological observations of Wheal Mary Ann describe multiple generations of fluorite mineralisation, indicating successive episodes of mineral deposition within the veins.

Such processes can create overlapping crystalline growth, changes in mineral colour and complex associations between different mineral species.

The contrasting pale green, honey-coloured and smoky grey sections of this specimen make it an interesting example of the crystalline diversity associated with fluorite.

Its reported origin at Wheal Mary Ann connects it with the rich mineralogical and industrial heritage of Cornwall's historic mining districts.

Intention & Associated Chakras

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

Green fluorite is traditionally linked with renewal, emotional harmony and personal growth, while yellow fluorite is symbolically associated with confidence, creativity and motivation.

The combination of pale green and honey-yellow colouring makes this specimen traditionally associated with the Heart Chakra and Solar Plexus Chakra.

• Mental Clarity: Traditionally associated with concentration, clear thinking and understanding.
• Emotional Balance: Symbolically connected with harmony, calmness and emotional stability.
• Personal Growth: Associated with renewal, learning and positive change.
• Confidence: Traditionally linked with self-belief and personal motivation.
• Focus: Associated with organisation, concentration and mental discipline.
• Creativity: Symbolically connected with inspiration and fresh perspectives.

Associated Chakras: Heart Chakra and Solar Plexus Chakra.

Primary Intention: Mental clarity, emotional balance and personal growth.

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

Natural Formation & Symbolism

This specimen retains its natural raw formation, displaying a tall, elongated arrangement of interlocking fluorite crystals and angular mineral surfaces.

Its pale green and honey-yellow sections contrast with smoky grey crystalline areas and creamy white mineral growth.

Natural cavities, exposed cleavage planes and irregular crystal boundaries create an intricate surface that changes in appearance when viewed from different angles.

Golden-orange and dark brown staining follows portions of the crystalline structure, adding warm earthy tones against the translucent fluorite.

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

Beyond these symbolic associations, this specimen's principal appeal lies in its impressive natural formation, varied crystalline textures and connection to Cornwall's historic mineral heritage.

Specimen Details

• Mineral: Fluorite with natural iron staining
• Chemical Formula: CaF₂
• Mineral Group: Halides
• Crystal System: Cubic (Isometric)
• Mohs Hardness: 4
• Supplied Locality Attribution: Wheal Mary Ann
• Location: Menheniot, Cornwall, England
• Weight: 590g
• Dimensions: 107.5mm × 65.0mm
• Formation: Natural elongated raw fluorite with interlocking crystalline growth and iron-stained surfaces
• Colour: Pale green, olive-green, honey-yellow, smoky grey, cream, white and golden orange
• Features: Translucent fluorite crystals, angular cleavage surfaces, natural cavities, contrasting mineral colours and iron 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.