Fluorite

This rare American fluorite specimen features an impressive octahedral crystal from the famed William Wise Mine in Westmoreland, Cheshire County, New Hampshire. Renowned for its green fluorite, the mine supplied fluorspar for early American industry while producing highly sought-after collector specimens. Despite minor bruising around the periphery, this classic piece showcases a striking, translucent crystal with a rich bright green colour and frosted, stepped-growth faces—instantly recognizable as material from this historic locality. The crystal glows beautifully when backlit and exhibits a vibrant purple fluorescence under UV light.

The William Wise Mine began production in the late 19th century as a fluorite source for fluxing iron ore and ceased operations around 1919. Though intermittently worked for specimens since, fluorite from this locality remains highly prized for its exceptional colour and distinctive crystal form.

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This specimen comes from the collection of Dr. Peter Tarassoff, a prominent figure in mineralogy, particularly known for his work at Mont Saint-Hilaire (MSH). His diligent collecting and examination efforts have led him to be the first to identify at least 35 species and discover 12 new species, not only at MSH but also at other alkaline localities. Dubbed the "Dean" of Mont Saint-Hilaire collectors, Peter was honoured with the naming of the new species petarasite in 1980. He has authored or co-authored numerous mineralogical articles and has been a member of the Mineralogical Association of Canada since 1964. Additionally, Peter has volunteered at the Redpath Museum for the past 21 years, where he was formally appointed the Honorary Curator of Mineralogy. In recognition of his significant contributions to mineralogy, Peter was awarded the 2017 Pinch Medal