Description
This fluorite from the Skardu District in Baltistan, Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan. Skardu is an immense district that contains hundreds of known pegmatites and dozens of active mines that are producing a variety of gemstones and associated minerals including fluorite. It is a halide and it contains the elements Ca and F. It its pure form it is colorless however it can be found in a wide range of colors that are determined by trace impurities within the crystal matrix. Pink is the rarest of the colors of fluorite. This piece has a modified octahedral habit with terminated surfaces on all sides. It would be a floater except for some minor quartz and schorl tourmaline matrix that is attached (photo 6). It is transparent with a vitreous to glass luster. This piece measures 1 7/16 x 11/16 x 3/4 inches or 37 x 20 x 19 mm.
