Pale Sea-Green Fluorite | Wheal Mary Ann, Cornwall

A beautiful natural pale sea-green fluorite specimen from Wheal Mary Ann, Menheniot, Cornwall, displaying delicate mint-green colouration, translucent crystalline faces, icy-white mineral growth and contrasting golden-orange staining.

Weighing 105g, this attractive Cornish mineral specimen features overlapping angular crystal formations, subtle variations in transparency and a combination of glass-like and softly frosted surfaces. Its gentle colouring and historic mining locality make it a lovely addition to a British mineral collection.

Specimen Description

This charming specimen displays a delicate combination of pale mint-green, soft sea-glass green, icy white and translucent champagne, with scattered rusty-orange mineral staining.

The specimen has a naturally irregular, slightly elongated formation, with a broad crystalline centre surrounded by overlapping angular mineral growth.

Its most distinctive feature is the pale green fluorite visible across the central and lower sections, where translucent crystal faces reveal subtle internal cloudiness and changes in colour intensity.

Several broad, angular surfaces intersect across the specimen, producing a naturally geometric appearance.

Some crystalline areas possess a glass-like lustre, while others have a softer, frosted texture that catches and diffuses the light.

Along the upper surface, smaller pale and almost colourless crystalline sections create a delicate, layered appearance.

These lighter areas contrast beautifully with the slightly deeper sea-green fluorite beneath them.

Fine natural surface markings, stepped crystalline boundaries and irregular edges add further detail to the specimen.

One side reveals a particularly attractive arrangement of overlapping crystal faces, with pale green sections transitioning into creamy-white and champagne-coloured mineralisation.

Small patches of golden-orange and rusty-brown staining are visible along several crystal boundaries and outer edges.

These markings are consistent in appearance with iron-bearing mineral staining, although their precise composition has not been independently confirmed.

From another angle, the specimen displays a more compact arrangement of pale green crystalline faces, with slightly clearer areas visible beneath the frosted outer growth.

The natural contrast between the translucent central fluorite and the more textured surrounding crystal growth gives this piece considerable visual interest.

Its irregular edges, internal fractures, intersecting crystal boundaries and subtle mineral staining are characteristic features of an unpolished mineral specimen.

Measuring 34.6mm × 56.3mm and weighing 105g, this is a lovely example of pale sea-green fluorite attributed to the historic Wheal Mary Ann locality.

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 admired for its remarkable range of natural colours, including purple, blue, green, yellow, pink, brown and colourless varieties.

These colours can develop through structural defects, trace impurities and geological conditions during crystal formation.

Green fluorite may range from the palest mint and sea-glass shades to deeper emerald, olive and forest-green tones.

Variations in colour and transparency can occur within a single specimen, creating subtle differences in appearance as light passes through individual crystalline sections.

Fluorite commonly forms 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 temperature, pressure or chemical composition, dissolved minerals may crystallise within the available spaces.

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

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

This means the mineral can separate along particular crystallographic planes, producing distinctive angular surfaces.

Although fluorite commonly forms cubic crystals, natural cleavage and breakage can create triangular, stepped and irregular geometric formations.

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

Some fluorite specimens exhibit fluorescence under ultraviolet light, although this property varies between individual specimens and localities.

Ultraviolet fluorescence has not been confirmed for this specimen.

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 region 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.

These deposits developed through hydrothermal geological processes, with heated mineral-rich fluids circulating through fractures in the surrounding rocks.

Over time, these fluids deposited a varied assemblage of minerals, including quartz, fluorite, galena, siderite, calcite and other associated species.

Wheal Mary Ann is particularly interesting because historical geological investigations document complex relationships between successive generations of mineral deposition.

The British Geological Survey's geological memoir covering Plymouth and South-East Cornwall identifies 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 extracted.

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

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, combining delicate sea-green colouration, translucent angular crystal faces and naturally occurring mineral staining.

Intention & Associated Chakras

Within traditional crystal healing practices, green fluorite is associated with emotional balance, mental clarity, personal growth and maintaining a peaceful perspective.

Pale green fluorite is commonly connected with calmness, harmony and clear thinking.

Its gentle green colouration is traditionally associated with the Heart Chakra, symbolically representing emotional balance, compassion and peaceful connection.

Fluorite as a mineral is also frequently associated with organisation, concentration and supporting a calm, balanced mindset.

• Peace & Calm: Traditionally associated with tranquillity, relaxation and emotional harmony.
• Mental Clarity: Symbolically linked with clear thinking, understanding and mental organisation.
• Emotional Balance: Commonly associated with maintaining perspective and emotional steadiness.
• Focus: Traditionally connected with concentration, learning and thoughtful decision-making.
• Growth: Green fluorite is symbolically associated with personal development and positive change.
• Harmony: Traditionally linked with balance, compassion and peaceful communication.

Primary Chakra: Heart Chakra.

Secondary Chakra: Third Eye Chakra.

Primary Intention: Peace, calm and mental clarity.

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

Natural Formation & Symbolism

This specimen retains its natural crystalline structure, displaying overlapping angular surfaces, subtle internal fractures and contrasting translucent and frosted areas.

Its slightly elongated, irregular formation creates an attractive silhouette, while the broad central crystalline faces give the specimen a distinctive geometric appearance.

The pale sea-green colouration creates a soft, almost aquatic appearance, contrasting with the icy-white and champagne-coloured crystalline sections.

Several crystal faces display fine natural surface markings, while smaller intergrown sections create additional texture along the specimen's outer edges.

Scattered golden-orange mineral staining highlights selected crystal boundaries and fractures, adding warmth to the otherwise cool colour palette.

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

Beyond these symbolic associations, this specimen's principal appeal lies in its delicate natural colouration, intricate crystalline structure 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: 105g
• Dimensions: 34.6mm × 56.3mm
• Formation: Natural fluorite specimen
• Colour: Pale sea-green, mint-green, icy white, champagne and golden-orange
• Features: Translucent crystal faces, overlapping angular formations, frosted crystalline textures, natural surface markings and mineral 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.