Description
The fluorspar and baryte deposits near the Czech border in northeastern parts of Bavaria are famous, and the Johannesschacht [Johannes shaft], operated on-and-off from the mid-1920s until the late 1970s is one of the better known localities. It yielded Fluorite in many colors, one of which is shown in this magnificent specimen. Deep purple crystals cover this great miniature specimen. Some say the deep color is caused by a distortion of the crystal lattice due to naturally occuring radiation. And it is true that the granite in the area has produced many uranium minerals. A superb Fluorite specimen from a locality that is no longer accessible, the Johannesschacht was finally sealed in 2016.