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

An impressive 1.32kg natural fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall, featuring substantial smoky grey and pale green crystalline formations, translucent mineral sections and extensive golden-orange iron staining.

Measuring approximately 87.6mm × 119.9mm, this large Cornish mineral specimen displays a complex arrangement of interlocking fluorite crystals, naturally formed cavities and contrasting mineral textures. Its combination of smoky grey, pale green, creamy white and warm honey-yellow colouring is dramatically accentuated by vivid rusty-orange mineral deposits.

A substantial and visually striking example of British fluorite, particularly suited to collectors of historic Cornish mineral specimens.

Specimen Description

This impressive natural fluorite specimen features a broad, substantial formation with an intricate combination of translucent crystals, angular mineral surfaces and extensive iron-rich staining.

The specimen's colouring ranges from pale green and smoky grey to creamy white, honey-yellow and golden orange, with darker grey crystalline sections providing additional contrast.

Across its principal display face, numerous interlocking fluorite crystals form a richly textured surface. Larger translucent sections sit alongside smaller crystalline formations, creating an intricate arrangement of angular faces, natural fractures and recessed areas.

One of its most distinctive characteristics is the extensive golden-orange and rusty-brown staining distributed across the mineral surface.

These deposits follow natural fractures, coat sections of exposed crystal growth and collect within small cavities, creating a striking contrast against the cooler grey-green fluorite.

The upper portions display broad smoky grey crystalline areas surrounded by lighter green and creamy white mineral growth.

Several individual crystal faces possess a glassy appearance, while others display naturally frosted surfaces and irregular cleavage planes.

The specimen also features a particularly interesting recessed crystalline area, where angular fluorite crystals surround a natural cavity. Golden-orange staining is concentrated around the cavity and across the exposed crystal surfaces.

Within this area, smaller translucent crystals display a combination of pale honey, smoky grey and greenish colouring, with naturally stepped edges and reflective faces.

Turning the specimen reveals additional crystalline formations, including larger interlocking grey-green sections, cream-coloured mineral growth and extensive iron-stained areas.

The different viewing angles reveal considerable variation in crystal size, surface texture and colour distribution.

Its natural fractures, exposed crystal boundaries and irregular formation are characteristic of an unpolished mineral specimen.

At 1.32kg, this is a substantial collector's specimen with an impressive display presence, particularly when positioned to showcase its contrasting crystalline faces and iron-stained cavities.

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 natural colours, including green, purple, blue, yellow, grey, pink and colourless varieties.

These colour variations can result from trace impurities, structural defects and differences in the geological conditions present during mineral formation.

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

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 episodes of mineral deposition may create overlapping or interlocking crystalline formations.

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

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

The combination of translucent crystalline growth, naturally occurring cavities and extensive mineral staining makes this specimen particularly interesting from a geological perspective.

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 extensive crystalline growth, contrasting grey-green colouring and iron-stained surfaces of this specimen make it an interesting example of the mineral formations associated with fluorite-bearing veins.

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 substantial 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 visual depth.

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

The specimen's substantial weight and broad crystalline structure give it an 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, intricate crystalline 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: 1.32kg (1,320g)
• Dimensions: 87.6mm × 119.9mm
• Formation: Natural raw fluorite with interlocking crystalline growth, angular cleavage surfaces, cavities and iron-stained sections
• Colour: Pale green, smoky grey, honey-yellow, cream, white, golden orange and dark brown
• Features: Translucent fluorite crystals, extensive iron staining, natural cavities, angular cleavage surfaces 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.