A Yindu Pocket
Another page of specimens from the Yindu Mine— I have another update of more mixed specimens from this mine coming in the couple weeks, all from recent pockets and with appearances that vary greatly, though I picked this batch up and wanted to post them separately.
After 20 years of selling rocks, I have learned to buy what is coming out as it is being found— in almost every case, no matter how abundant, it inevitably stops and then the stuff gets hard to find (and difficult for me to buy). The spessartine/quartz combos or pyromorphite from China, the realgar from Peru, etc— what seemed like endless supplies eventually came to an end. I do not mention this I order to create hype, though with that said, what is currently being found that I find interesting is Yindu fluorite. I happen to be a little lucky to be here as this mine is producing very varied pockets, so I try to stay on top of discoveries as they are made. I found these to be particularly beautiful, most have dark purple cores (the purple is a bit lighter on the smaller crystals) and very clear light green outer layers. The majority of these do not need special lighting. However, this particular combination of color, transparency, and the matrix colors, combined with fluorite’s annoying tendency to not have its color be accurately depicted by cameras, makes them very hard to photograph. They do show up well in videos however, so while my photographs may be sub par, each piece is accompanied by a link to an Instagram video where you can see the specimen in greater detail.
List
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CYP01 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
13.7x 6.6x 2.6 cm
$1700
A beautiful cabinet sized specimen of fluorite cubes scattered on matrix, these have deep purple cores and ultra-transparent, light green outer layer. This comes from a pocket discovered with the last month.
Most specimens from this find were thumbnails, though I was quite happy to come across these larger plates. Because of the way blasting is done, it is somewhat unusual to find good, larger pieces-- and often times the larger ones are somewhat lacking in terms of color or internal features, or they require backlighting that is nearly impossible because of the opaque matrix.
Because the camera auto balances the brightness, and because of the transparency of the outer layers, these are a bit difficult to photograph, for a better idea of what this looks like, please see the video of this specimen:
There are a couple broken crystals, though I still think this is great for Yindu, there is just something very satisfying about the cubiness of the crystals, and the way they are scattered on the matrix.
CYP02 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
10.4x 7.0x 4.0 cm
$1400
This is probably my favorite one, because of the arrangement of the crystals.
A beautiful cabinet sized specimen of fluorite cubes scattered on matrix, these have deep purple cores and ultra-transparent, light green outer layer. This comes from a pocket discovered with the last month.
Most specimens from this find were thumbnails, though I was quite happy to come across these larger plates. Because of the way blasting is done, it is somewhat unusual to find good, larger pieces-- and often times the larger ones are somewhat lacking in terms of color or internal features, or they require backlighting that is nearly impossible because of the opaque matrix.
There is just something very satisfying about the sharp cubiness of the crystals, and the way they are scattered on the matrix.
Because the camera auto balances the brightness, and because of the transparency of the outer layers, these are a bit difficult to photograph, for a better idea of what this looks like, please see the video of this specimen:
CYP03 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
14.1x 11.0x 2.1 cm
$1450
A beautiful cabinet sized specimen of fluorite cubes scattered on matrix, these have deep purple cores and ultra-transparent, light green outer layer. This comes from a pocket discovered with the last month.
Most specimens from this find were thumbnails, though I was quite happy to come across these larger plates. Because of the way blasting is done, it is somewhat unusual to find good, larger pieces-- and often times the larger ones are somewhat lacking in terms of color or internal features, or they require backlighting that is nearly impossible because of the opaque matrix.
Because the camera auto balances the brightness, and because of the transparency of the outer layers, these are a bit difficult to photograph, for a better idea of what this looks like, please see the video of this specimen:
There are a couple broken crystals, though I still think this is great for Yindu, there is just something very satisfying about the cubiness of the crystals, and the way they are scattered on the matrix.
CYP04 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
7.5x 4.6x 2.2 cm
$635
A beautiful fluorite specimen from the Yindu Mine, these have purple cores and ultra-transparent, light green outer layer. The cores on this one are a little lighter, and I think that improves the overall color. This comes from a pocket discovered with the last month.
Because the camera auto balances the brightness, and because of the transparency of the outer layers, these are a bit difficult to photograph, for a better idea of what this looks like, please see the video of this specimen:
CYP05 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
5.4x 3.5x 2.8 cm
$400
A beautiful miniature sized specimen of fluorite cubes scattered on matrix, these have deep purple cores and ultra-transparent, light green outer layer. This comes from a pocket discovered with the last month.
Most specimens from this find were loose thumbnails, though I was quite happy to come across some matrix specimens.
Because the camera auto balances the brightness, and because of the transparency of the outer layers, these are a bit difficult to photograph, for a better idea of what this looks like, please see the video of this specimen:
CYP06 Fluorite with Calcite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
6.4x 4.4x 3.6 cm
$495
A beautiful combination specimen of fluorite with calcite, these have deep purple cores and ultra-transparent, light green outer layer. This comes from a pocket discovered with the last month.
Most specimens from this find were thumbnails, though I was quite happy to come across these larger specimens. Some specimens from this pocket had calcites associations, this one was particularly well arranged.
Because the camera auto balances the brightness, and because of the transparency of the outer layers, these are a bit difficult to photograph, for a better idea of what this looks like, please see the video of this specimen:
There is broken crystal below the calcite crystal-- I think it grew into the calcite and was structurally unsound so it probably never had a fighting chance, though I still think this is great for Yindu, particularly as a somewhat scarce combination specimen.
CYP07 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
12.4x 10.0x 2.7 cm
$1280
A cabinet sized plate of fluorite crystals on matrix, these are a combination of purple and green without distinct zoning, though the blended effect is a little reminiscent of some of the UK fluorite. This is a sizable plate for Yindu, with crystals reaching 2.4 cm. The main crystals are intact, though the outer areas have shearing... this was carved off of a much larger rock, actually it's fortunate that the main crystals were not destroyed, as usually happens...
This one photographs terribly-- please see the video for a better idea of what this looks like. With correct lighting, it gets even better... this was just taken in the living room with a fluorescent ceiling light, no special backlighting or bright lights.
The video can be viewed here:
CYP08 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
15.2x 9.6x 3.8 cm
$1400
A plate of flourite crystals on matrix, this one has a particularly sizable crystal for the mine, though there is a small chip on the corner. The rest of the matrix os covered with purple and green fluorite crystals, quartz, and manganocalcite that gives a nice degree of contrast.
Please see the video here:
CYP09 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
3.4x 3.2x 1.9 cm
$385
A pretty miniature sized specimen from this discovery, this one has the sharp purple phantoms and transparent outer layers that make them quite distinctive. Its also shares the matrix with some small quartz crystals and white calcites that add a nice degree of sparkliness and contrast.
The video can be viewed here:
CYP10 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
6.8x 3.9x 3.0
$465
A cluster of purple and green fluorite crystals form the Yindu Mine. From the sides you can see some green phantoms and zoning, through from the front they blend together to look a bit like a Rogerly fluorite.
A video can be seen here:
CYP11 Calcite, Fluorite with Quartz
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
12.9x 6.4x 5.7 cm
$495
A pretty cabinet sized specimen from this discovery, the crystals on the right side of the specimen have the sharp purple phantoms and transparent outer layers that make this pocket quite distinctive. Its also shares the matrix with some small quartz crystals and white calcites that add a nice degree of sparkliness and contrast.
As with all of these, the transparency, contrast, and natural tendency of some fluorite to not properly show its colors in photographs make these things super hard to photograph... the video in the link below gives a much better idea of what this looks like.
CYP11A Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
6.3x 3.5x 4.4 cm
$465
A nice example this discovery, the crystals have the specimen have the sharp purple phantoms and extremely transparent outer layers that make this pocket quite distinctive.
As with all of these, the transparency, contrast, and natural tendency of some fluorite to not properly show its colors in photographs make these things super hard to photograph... the video in the link below gives a much better idea of what this looks like.
One of the main crystals (top left) is incomplete on the back, and it's a little visible from he front.
Please see the video to get a better idea of what it looks like. The photographs of most of these are terrible.
CYP12 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
5.6x2.9x 2.9 cm
$180
A nice example of fluorite from this pocket, though with crystals are are more tightly packed. Like others from this pocket, this one has parole phantoms and very transparent greenish outer layers.
To get a better idea of what this piece looks like, please see the video:
CYP13 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
8.1x 6.3x 4.1 cm
$365
A nice example this discovery, the crystals have the specimen have the sharp purple phantoms and extremely transparent outer layers that make this pocket quite distinctive.
As with all of these, the transparency, contrast, and natural tendency of some fluorite to not properly show its colors in photographs make these things super hard to photograph... the video in the link below gives a much better idea of what this looks like. Tiny cleave on one corner.
I could probably have trimmed this further, but so many of these required trimming to remove broken parts or cut them down into manageable sizes...I thought it would be nice to leave a couple in a more natural state, without any sawing. If you wanted to though, this could be cu down into a great "toenail/ miniature."
Please see the video to get a better idea of what it looks like. The photographs of most of these are terrible:
CYP13A Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
9.1x 9.1x 2.8 cm
$800
A beautiful example of fluorite on matrix, with numerous tiny quartz crystals and white calcite rhombus that add a nice degree of contrast. There is some damage to the crystals near the bottom of the specimen.
These crystals have deep purple cores that are cubooctahedrons, and very transparent outer layers. Because of the matrix, light cannot pass through, though with good lighting these features can be appreciated. This one has fairly large crystals for the pocket.
As with most of these (especially this style from this pocket) the photographs are terrible...Please see the video to get a better idea of what it looks like.
CYP14 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
6.9x 4.4x 4.4 cm
$360
A nice example this discovery, the crystals have the specimen have the sharp purple phantoms and extremely transparent outer layers that make this pocket quite distinctive.
As with all of these, the transparency, contrast, and natural tendency of some fluorite to not properly show its colors in photographs make these things super hard to photograph... the video in the link below gives a much better idea of what this looks like.
The crystal connected to and below the main one is damaged.
Please see the video to get a better idea of what it looks like. The photographs of most of these are terrible:
CYP15 Fluorite with Calcite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
12.2x 7.7x 3.7 cm
$485
A nice cabinet specimen of fluorite with calcite, from the Yindu Mine. Like others from this pocket, the fluorite crystals show sharp purple phantoms with green outer layers. The luster on these is a bit more frosted than the others, though you can still clearly see the phantoms.
This could probably use a trim, but I though it was interesting to see the calcite with the fluorite. So many Yindu specimens are just matrixless cubes, or cubes on a plain muscovite matrix that has been cut down....This one was just intresting-- you can see there are to separate generations of calcite on the back, and it just felt more right to leave it this way. With that said, the corner of the specimen with the main fluorite crystals (and calcite and quartz) could probably be isolated into a very good and more "to-the-point" specimen....
A video is available here:
CYP15A Calcite, Fluorite with Quartz
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
7.3x 5.1x 2.2 cm
$385
A beautiful fluorite crystal with a purple core and a light green outer layer. This one is nestled in a bed of quartz crystals. Minor edge chipping.
Please see the video to get a better idea of what it looks like. The photographs of most of these are terrible:
CYP16 Calcite, Fluorite with Quartz
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
6.5x 4.7x 1.7 cm
$215
A cluster of green and purple fluorite crystals on a plate of quartz crystals. Because of the transparency of these crystals and the way they are set in the matrix (along with the quartz) its kind of a sparkly jumble... though still quite pretty. The video gives a much better idea of what it looks like:
CYP17 Calcite, Fluorite with Quartz
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
3.4x3.0x 1.2 cm
$175
A really pretty little "toenail", this one has nice lighter purple phantoms, and a transparent light green outer layer.
To get a better idea of what this looks like in person, please see the video.... the photographs are admittedly terrible:
CYP18 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
2.0x 1.7x 1.7 cm
$395
A great thumbnail sized specimen from this find-- most pieces I saw were off matrix, though this was one of the larger (and better) examples that I came across. This also seems to pretty much be the maximum size of the crystals from this discovery. This one has a purple cube-octahedral phantom, with light green outer layers. There is some internal fracturing that create some internal reflections, but still a great thumbnail for the find.
The longer edges are 2 cm, the diagonal is 2.6 cm.
A video is available here:
CYP18A Calcite, Fluorite with Quartz
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
5.3x 2.6x 2.1 cm
$185
A nice miniature sized specimen of fluorite on matrix, these have purple cores and very transparent outer layers. As with most of these, contrast is an issue because of the transparency combined with the color of the cores... please see the video for a better idea of what this looks like:
CYP19 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
1.75x 1.4x 1.55 cm
$165
A nice thumbnail sized specimen with a purple phantom and a very transparent green outer layer.
CYP20 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
1.95x 2.0x 1.7 cm
$175
A nice thumbnail sized specimen with a purple phantom and a very transparent green outer layer. This one is included with calcite near the base, and the back has also been overgrown by a later generation of calcite.
A video is available here:
CYP21 Fluorite
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
1.85x 1.7x 1.4 cm
$135
A nice thumbnail sized specimen with a purple phantom and a very transparent green outer layer. This one has calcite growing on the top, and some of the crystals are partially included.
The given dimensions are diagonals and the depth (because this one displays better positioned diagonally)
A video is available here:
CYP22 Calcite, Fluorite with Quartz
Yindu Mine, Chifeng Pref., Inner Mongolia A.R., China
8.1x 6.0x 4.2 cm
$295
A nice reference sample of fluorite from this pocket. These have deep purple cores and ultra transparent outer layers. There is some damage to some of the crystals.
A video is available here:
