Pale Green & Smoky Grey Fluorite with Iron Staining | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

A substantial natural pale green and smoky grey fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, featuring a broad crystalline formation, translucent mineral sections and striking golden-orange iron staining.

Weighing 745g and measuring approximately 108.7mm × 92.0mm, this impressive Cornish mineral specimen displays an intricate combination of pale green, smoky grey, creamy white and honey-yellow fluorite. Its prominent angular crystal surfaces, naturally fractured sections and contrasting rusty-orange deposits make it a distinctive addition to any British mineral collection.

Specimen Description

This substantial fluorite specimen features a broad, irregular formation with a fascinating combination of colour, crystalline texture and natural mineral alteration.

Its predominant colouring ranges from pale green and translucent smoky grey to creamy white, soft honey-yellow and warm golden orange.

One of its most distinctive characteristics is the extensive iron staining distributed across the specimen, particularly through the central crystalline sections and along naturally occurring fractures.

These rusty-orange and deep brown deposits create a dramatic contrast against the lighter fluorite, highlighting the mineral's angular structure and intricate internal boundaries.

The principal display face features broad, translucent fluorite sections interspersed with darker smoky-grey crystalline areas. Some surfaces possess a glass-like appearance, while others display naturally frosted textures and irregular cleavage planes.

Several prominent crystal boundaries are visible through the central portion, where iron-rich staining follows fractures and separates the differently coloured mineral sections.

The specimen's outer edges are predominantly creamy white and pale yellow, with scattered golden-orange deposits extending across the crystalline surface.

Turning the specimen reveals a particularly interesting reverse, featuring an uneven arrangement of smaller interlocking crystals, natural cavities and concentrated areas of rusty-orange mineral staining.

The reverse also displays smoky grey and translucent green sections beneath the iron-stained surface, creating additional depth and variation.

Close examination reveals angular cleavage faces, reflective crystalline surfaces and small natural recesses within the mineral structure.

The contrast between its broad, relatively flat crystalline faces and its more heavily textured reverse gives the specimen a different appearance from each viewing angle.

At 745g, this is an impressive example of Cornish fluorite, with a substantial natural formation and striking mineral 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 recognised for its remarkable variety of natural colours, including green, purple, blue, yellow, grey, pink and colourless forms.

These variations can develop through trace impurities, defects within the crystal structure and differences in the geological conditions present during mineral formation.

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

As these fluids cool or undergo changes in pressure and chemical composition, dissolved minerals begin to crystallise.

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 features.

Natural cleavage can produce smooth, angular surfaces, while successive periods of mineral deposition may create complex interlocking crystalline formations.

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

Its golden-orange and dark brown staining is consistent with iron oxide or iron oxyhydroxide alteration products, although the precise composition 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.

Although 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 deposits formed through hydrothermal geological processes, as heated mineral-bearing fluids circulated through fractures in the surrounding rocks.

The resulting mineral veins contain a variety of associated 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 occur alongside economically valuable ores but 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.

These processes can produce overlapping crystalline growth, variations in mineral colour and complex associations between different mineral species.

The contrasting pale green, smoky grey and honey-coloured 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 Cornwall's rich geological history and the industrial heritage of the Menheniot mining district.

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, smoky grey 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.
• Grounding: Symbolically connected with stability, awareness and a balanced perspective.

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 broad arrangement of interlocking fluorite crystals, angular cleavage surfaces and naturally fractured mineral sections.

Its pale green and smoky grey crystalline areas contrast with creamy white and honey-yellow formations, while extensive golden-orange iron staining adds warmth and depth.

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

The specimen's substantial size and broad structure give it a particularly impressive display presence.

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, the specimen's principal appeal lies in its impressive natural formation, contrasting mineral textures and connection to Cornwall's historic mining 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: 745g
• Dimensions: 108.7mm × 92.0mm
• Formation: Natural broad raw fluorite with interlocking crystalline growth, angular cleavage surfaces and iron-stained sections
• Colour: Pale green, smoky grey, honey-yellow, cream, white, golden orange and dark brown
• Features: Translucent fluorite crystals, prominent iron staining, angular cleavage surfaces, natural cavities 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, 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.