Amazing Fluorite Deposits of Illinois and Kentucky

Speaker: Alan Goldstein, Interpretive Naturalist &Park Paleontologist, Falls of the Ohio, Clarksville, IN

Topic: Amazing Fluorite Deposits of Illinois and Kentucky

Alan has been the interpretive naturalist and park paleontologist at the Falls of the Ohio State Park since 1993, and in his own words is “a published author, rockhound, amateur astronomer, and nature photographer”.

He has been investigating, collecting, and writing about the Illinois-Kentucky fluorspar district since 1982. Alan won the Friends of Mineralogy Best Article of the Year 1997, for his The Mineralogical Record  article on The Kentucky -Illinois Fluorite District (v. 28, n. 1, p. 3-49). He has also written for Mineral News and contributed to the American Mineral Treasures volume. Alan has helped support the Ben. F. Clement Mineral Museum in Marion, Kentucky, by establishing digs and an annual mineral show.

Alan Goldstein presents a visuals enhanced current state of the District.

The Illinois fluorite district

Mining in the Illinois-Kentucky fluorspar district began in 1835 and ended in 1995. North America’s finest specimens of fluorite, strontianite, benstonite, alstonite and paralstonite were recovered in bedding-replacement deposits north of Cave in Rock, Illinois. Additionally, world-class specimens of barite, calcite and sphalerite have been collected. While the Minerva No. 1, Denton and Annabel Lee mines were among the greatest specimen producers, they were merely the end of a long line of mines filling museum and private collections since the early 20th century. Substantial ore reserves remain, so the future of new minerals coming to light is bright when economic conditions become favorable.

The program is fit for every age, and guests are welcome at our meetings.