Antique Genuine Natural Bavarian (Russian Crafted) Fifteen and One-Quarter Carat Faceted Neon Green Fluorite Semi-Precious Gemstone.

CLASSIFICATION: Faceted Neon Green Fluorite.

ORIGIN: Oberpfalz, Bavaria. 19th Century. Handcrafted in Yekaterinburg, Siberia, Russia. 19th Century.

SIZE: Length: 15mm. Width: 13mm. Depth: 8mm. All measurements approximate.

WEIGHT: 15.20 carats.

NOTES: Upon request we can set your gemstone as a ring, earring, or pendant.

DETAIL: Most everyone is familiar with fluoride used in many countries in drinking water as a preventative measure to combat tooth decay. It has also been useful to orthopedic specialists in the treatment of bone disease and in preventing and reversing damage to RNA and DNA. And who has not heard of fluorescent lighting or fluorescent ("glow in the dark") toys and light wands? Fewer will know that fluorite has also been used since ancient times as a flux to aid in the smelting of metals. But did you know that fluorite was popular for use in gemstones and gemstone carvings in ancient Egypt where it was used in the production of scarab amulets? That Pliny the Elder described the use of fluorite as a gemstone in first-century Rome, describing as well its magical and medicinal uses? Even through Renaissance and Victorian Europe colorful fluoride gemstones were very popular in their regal purple varieties; as well as a very famous and now frightfully rare banded purple and yellow variety from England!

This particular gemstone originated from one of the ancient sources of this gemstone, Bavaria, and brought to 19th century Russia where the jewelers of the Czars and of the noble and wealthy families produced the ornate jewelry of Byzantine Russia. Hand crafted by a 19th century Russian artisan, part of an heritage renown for the production of the elaborate gemstones and jewelry of the Czars of Medieval, Renaissance, and Victorian Russia. Produced for indigenous jewelry in the nineteenth century, fluorite gemstones of this size and quality are exceptional. Fluorite is valued for its color, and while the better grade gemstones are transparent, as is this gemstone, they nonetheless typically possess blemishes, and this gemstone is no exception. Though it is vividly hued, and very large, close scrutiny will reveal some small finely strands of particulate matter blemishing the gemstone. However to the casual admirer, it is clean to the eye, or nearly so, and seemingly without blemish.

There are large deposits of fluorite in Siberia and it has often been used in the jewelry produced for Russia's babushkas (grandmothers). Siberian fluorite is very popular and has been for centuries. However the more famous and costly fluorite used in the jewelry of the Czar's was that which originated in Bavaria or another famous variety from England. The trained eye will easily discern from the photo that the gemstone has been hand-faceted. The coarseness of the 19th century faceting is considered appealing to most gemstone collectors, and is not considered a detriment. Unlike today's computer controlled machine processes, the cut and finish of gemstones such as these is the legacy of an artisan who lived two centuries ago. Such antique hand-faceted gemstones possess much greater character and appeal than today's mass-produced machine-faceted gemstones.

This gemstone has great luster and sparkle, and it is absolutely transparent. However the gemstone is clearly not flawless. Of course flawless gemstones are usually not the product of Mother Nature. Flawless gemstones tend to be the hallmark of synthetic, or man-made gemstones. The blemishes this natural gemstone possesses are immediately discerned by the casual admirer, though anything more than a cursory glance will reveal a few blemishes. But to the casual admirer it is simply a nicely color, BIG gemstone. However magnified 400% or 500%, as it is here, you can see some these minor blemishes within the gemstone as well as occasional irregularities in the finish. However these characteristics are not only expected of hand-finished gemstones, you must also consider that two centuries ago the mining techniques even possible then, let alone in practice, did not allow the ultra deep mining operations which are so commonplace today.

Keep in mind that two centuries ago mankind was more or less limited to surface deposits or near surface deposits of gemstones. Higher quality gemstones which today are routinely mined from beneath hundreds of meters, even kilometers beneath the earth's surface, were simply inaccessible then. So antique gemstones must be appreciated as antiques first, gemstones second. The relatively superlative quality of contemporary gemstones routinely mined from deep beneath the earth's surface today were simply not accessible two centuries ago, or at least, only rarely so. However for most, the unique nature and character of antique gemstones such as this more than makes up for included imperfections which by and large, are only visible under magnification.

HISTORY: The ancient Egyptians were probably the first to use fluorite as a gemstone, both in the carving of statues as well as in the production of scarab amulets. The ancient Chinese also employed fluorite for gemstone carvings. There are many mentions of fluorite in ancient Roman texts. Pliny the Elder, the ancient Roman naturalist of Greek origin wrote of fluorite in 77 A.D. in his encyclopedia of natural history. Pliny describes fluorite as one of the world's most precious gemstones, and describes its healing and magical properties. In the ancient world many believed that fluorite was crystallized light, and as such, could bring light into the brain (enlightenment).

Ancient Roman sources also relate other mentions of fluorite, including a valuable vase taken by the Roman Emperor Augustus from the pharaoh's palace in Alexandria, Egypt. Roman sources also include an earlier incident where Julius Caesars's predecessor "Pompey the Great" took 6 fluorite vases from Mithridates' treasure and installed them in the temple of Jupiter. There are also descriptions in roman literature attesting to the "fact" that drinking alcoholic beverages from vessels carved of fluorite kept the drinker from getting drunk. Recently archaeologists have uncovered artifacts of carved fluorite were found in the ruins of Pompeii.

The name fluorite is derived from the Latin "fluo" or "fluere", meaning "to flow", in reference to its industrial use as flux in the smelting of metallic ores. Some of the more significant sources of fluorite in the ancient world included mines in (Oberpfalz) Bavaria, Bohemia, present day Hungary, Switzerland, Russia, and some very popular and valuable multi-colored banded deposits in Castledon, Derbyshire, England where Derbyshire Blue John, beautiful purple-blue and yellow fluorite was used for ornamental purposes, up until the nineteenth century when the deposits were exhausted. The name "Blue John" derives from french "bleu et jaune" (blue and yellow) characterizing its color. It is now scarce, and only a few hundred kilograms are mined each year for use in jewelry production.

Fluorite is a mineral with a veritable bouquet of brilliant colors ranging from purple and blue through green, yellow, pink and reddish orange, and deserves its reputation as "the most colorful mineral in the world. It is also prized for its glassy luster. Most specimens of fluorite have a single color, but a significant percentage of fluorites have multiple colors and the colors are arranged in bands or zones that correspond to the shapes of fluorite's crystals. To top it all off, fluorite is frequently fluorescent, phosphorescent, and even luminescent (will change color when warmed). In fact the term "fluorescent" as in fluorescent light tubes is derived from the name "fluorite".

In the eighteenth century, fluorite was powdered in water to relieve the symptoms of kidney disease. Fluorite is used on the body as well, in the treatment of bones, teeth (the source of fluoridation in drinking water) and cell structure. It also has been used to assist in the prevention and repair of RNA and DNA damage. Spiritualists purport that it helps eliminate the discord that causes infection and disease. This mineral's energy is purported to help the evolution of harmonious, peaceful and organized spiritual growth. It has been said to help clear the mind and heighten mental achievement while increasing the ability to concentrate. Also, that it helps one to see the truth behind illusion.

SHIPPING OPTIONS: All purchases are backed by an unlimited guarantee of satisfaction and authenticity. If for any reason you are not entirely satisfied with your purchase, you may return it for a complete and immediate refund of your entire purchase price. Most of these antique gemstones were originally part of two collections, one originating in India principally composed of gemstones originally mined in India, Burma, Ceylon, and Siam, and then hand faceted in India. The addition of a second accumulation of antique gemstones originally mined in the Urals in the mid to late 19th century (including alexandrite) completed the collection. These gemstones as well were hand finished. The Urals have been one of the world's major sources of precious and semi-precious gemstones for many centuries. As well, additional specimens are occasionally acquired from other institutions and dealers in Eastern Europe and Asia. These antique gemstones are now in the United States and are available for immediate delivery.

We ship inventory from the USA order fulfillment center near Seattle, Washington. Your purchase will ordinarily be shipping within 48 hours of payment. A certificate of authenticity is available upon request. We prefer your personal check or money order over any other form of payment - and we will ship immediately upon receipt of your check (no "holds"). We will accept PayPal payments. Please see our "ADDITIONAL TERMS OF SALE".