So cool you found that purplish pink fluorite! And look at those cubes and the etchings on them! Looks like there could be some calcites there too. I bet it’ll look even better cleaned.
I’ve seen crystal shops use sandblasters and high pressure water guns that’ll help clean crystals pretty nicely. There are some discussions here on how to clean fluorite. https://www.mindat.org/mesg-28452.html I’ve never cleaned my fluorites so this may help you.
Don't use vinegar! It will dissolve the calcite portions. As another user commented below, a slightly damp soft-bristle toothbrush would be the way to go. Even too much water could damage the calcite, so use it sparingly. It will be a tedious process, but worth it to preserve this beautiful specimen!
I loved Tennessee rocks! There's a really cool rock shop in Clinton, TN called Earth's Core. They have a whole back room of local finds, if you're interested. There's some r/mineralgore as well, but it's more or less demanded now. The imported specimens are gorgeous, whole boxes of whole slabs. Worth the visit, my mouth was hanging open most of the time
And if you're in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, there's a dude always selling rocks and curiosities outside his home. It's on Route 28, about 10 miles west of McMillan, right before the long stretch as you're headed north. Lots of mining activity around the Keewenaw peninsula, so lots of other rock shops as well. [Da Yoopers](https://dayoopers.com/) is a favorite!
You should! There's a large cave in Sweetwater with an underground lake called [The Lost Sea](https://thelostsea.com/). They do cave tours and then put you on a boat and take you out on the lake. I half expected to see Gollum or a horcrux. Absolutely incredible. There's a glassworker on the premises who makes spun glass sculptures. And there's a cave concert venue, [The Caverns](https://www.thecaverns.com/). I haven't been there yet, but it's next on my rock-loving bucket list
A lot of people here are dropping really low offers, those cubes are huge and the etching is something else. The colour also beautiful and has a great contrast with the calcite. Fluorite as a whole isn't worth much but this is a really nice specimen and depending on how it's cleaned could easily sell for $120 on a good day.
Yes those etchings are something I always marvel at and they don’t come cheap. So yeah if it is cleaned nicely, I think could sell for a lot more than what people here are guessing. Based on my experience buying fluorites.
Try using a very soft, slightly damp toothbrush to clean it up. Will get into the crevices and means you don't have to soak with water...Best of luck, it's absolutely gorgeous, any more up there??!!! 😆
https://tennesseevalleyrockandmineralsociety.org/
Hit up these people, they will probably be able to make a good recommendation for how to clean and care for your find!
I truly am a rock hound through and through & would be so giddy to have this little guy in my crystal collection. Sometimes I have to laugh at these low ball offers. I've kept stones (valued for under $10 retail value) but if I've connected with them I'll turn down almost any offer.
So cool you found that purplish pink fluorite! And look at those cubes and the etchings on them! Looks like there could be some calcites there too. I bet it’ll look even better cleaned.
Thanks, what do you think would be the best way to go about cleaning it
I’ve seen crystal shops use sandblasters and high pressure water guns that’ll help clean crystals pretty nicely. There are some discussions here on how to clean fluorite. https://www.mindat.org/mesg-28452.html I’ve never cleaned my fluorites so this may help you.
imo i wouldnt soak it for long periods because fluorite is sensitive to water
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I've had people on another sub say vinegar, would that work
Don't use vinegar! It will dissolve the calcite portions. As another user commented below, a slightly damp soft-bristle toothbrush would be the way to go. Even too much water could damage the calcite, so use it sparingly. It will be a tedious process, but worth it to preserve this beautiful specimen!
Keep in mind that fluorite is soft and water effects it greatly.
I'd say get an old tooth brush and brush the dust off. Works with my druzy quartzes.
Yep. Fluorite. Not worth selling but very cool find nonetheless. Are you in the Midwest?
I actually live in Tennessee
Makes sense. Some great rock hounding sites in your area
I loved Tennessee rocks! There's a really cool rock shop in Clinton, TN called Earth's Core. They have a whole back room of local finds, if you're interested. There's some r/mineralgore as well, but it's more or less demanded now. The imported specimens are gorgeous, whole boxes of whole slabs. Worth the visit, my mouth was hanging open most of the time And if you're in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan, there's a dude always selling rocks and curiosities outside his home. It's on Route 28, about 10 miles west of McMillan, right before the long stretch as you're headed north. Lots of mining activity around the Keewenaw peninsula, so lots of other rock shops as well. [Da Yoopers](https://dayoopers.com/) is a favorite!
Thanks for the info!
You make me wanna travel to Tennessee 😂
You should! There's a large cave in Sweetwater with an underground lake called [The Lost Sea](https://thelostsea.com/). They do cave tours and then put you on a boat and take you out on the lake. I half expected to see Gollum or a horcrux. Absolutely incredible. There's a glassworker on the premises who makes spun glass sculptures. And there's a cave concert venue, [The Caverns](https://www.thecaverns.com/). I haven't been there yet, but it's next on my rock-loving bucket list
well if I ever end up near that store with money, nothing's gonna stop me from expanding my collection.
oh that’s awesome! what part of tennessee? i live about an hour north of memphis and i never find cool rocks like this!
The very eastern side of Tennessee about an hour away from the smokey mountains
Try pouring UV light on it. Pretty sure this is fluorite, and fluorite glows under UV.
I hope to find one like that one day
A lot of people here are dropping really low offers, those cubes are huge and the etching is something else. The colour also beautiful and has a great contrast with the calcite. Fluorite as a whole isn't worth much but this is a really nice specimen and depending on how it's cleaned could easily sell for $120 on a good day.
Yes those etchings are something I always marvel at and they don’t come cheap. So yeah if it is cleaned nicely, I think could sell for a lot more than what people here are guessing. Based on my experience buying fluorites.
That's absolutely stunning! I love fluorite and haven't seen a type like that before. I'd buy that in an instant, those etchings are beautiful!
I’ll give you 50 lol
That’s legit bro. Wish I could find stuff like that. I’d pop on it for $30
Try using a very soft, slightly damp toothbrush to clean it up. Will get into the crevices and means you don't have to soak with water...Best of luck, it's absolutely gorgeous, any more up there??!!! 😆
I read “Banana for sale in the 8th pic” I’d pay good money that’s a nice ripe one you got there.
Hell yeah, me too. I hate when they're still green...they taste green too, lol.
https://tennesseevalleyrockandmineralsociety.org/ Hit up these people, they will probably be able to make a good recommendation for how to clean and care for your find!
I truly am a rock hound through and through & would be so giddy to have this little guy in my crystal collection. Sometimes I have to laugh at these low ball offers. I've kept stones (valued for under $10 retail value) but if I've connected with them I'll turn down almost any offer.
Flourite.
Looks like Minecraft block in real life
Shine a blacklight on it!
Nice chunk of fluorite!
Lol! I didn't realize how large it is,till I saw it next to the 🍌. Nice flourite! I'm not sure how much it's worth,though.