MINERVA NO. 1 — A SPECIAL PIECE WITH SERIOUS HISTORY

MINERVA NO. 1 — A SPECIAL PIECE WITH SERIOUS HISTORY

This is the kind of Illinois Fluorite that has everything—color, contrast, composition, associations, and an incredible trail of provenance.

From the legendary Minerva Mine No. 1, Hardin County, Illinois, this beauty features large, commanding cubic Fluorites with incredible deep purple zoning surrounding glowing amber/honey interiors. Draped across and around the cubes are masses of bladed Barite, creating an almost sculptural frame around the Fluorite. The contrast is absolutely killer.

Backlit, the piece completely transforms. Those warm golden interiors ignite while the darker purple zones become even more pronounced. It’s a perfect example of why Minerva No. 1 produced some of the most celebrated American Fluorites ever collected. The mine was renowned for exceptional Fluorite as well as Barite and other associated species. (ISGS Library⁠)

But what makes this specimen even more special is the PROVENANCE. The original labels document its journey through multiple respected collections:

Ex. Jimmie DuFoe Personal Mineral Collection — labeled as Fluorite from the Annabel Lee / Cave-in-Rock, Illinois area, noting lite/dark purple phantomized crystals with unusual crystal overgrowths

Ex. Charles M. Noll Collection — Collection No. 4722, labeled Fluorite from Cave-in-Rock, Illinois

Ex. Paul Siegel Collection

Ex. Weinrich Minerals, Inc., St. Louis, Missouri — Specimen No. 2312172, labeled Barite with Fluorite, Minerva Mine No. 1, Hardin Co., Illinois

That collection history is part of the specimen. Each old label represents another chapter in the life of a crystal that came out of the ground decades ago and continued moving through the hands of collectors who recognized just how special it was.

THIS is what collecting is all about. A beautiful specimen is one thing. A beautiful specimen with its history still attached is something else entirely.

Minerva Mine No. 1, Hardin Co., Illinois, USA Fluorite with Barite Ex. Jimmie DuFoe • Charles M. Noll • Paul Siegel • Weinrich Minerals