The Smartnet Newsletter was so enticing, a trip to the William Wise Mine,
noted for deposits of emerald green Fluorite, presented by Dr John Nicolas (University of Bridgeport), and the Keen N.H.Mineral Club.

Mine caretakers, kindly opened the mine to collecting for one day only, as this mine is normally closed to visitors and collectors.

Fluorite was mined at this location ,and other sites in the area, for use as flux in the making of steel. Today the mine is worked for specimens.

Fluorite is formed in hydrothermal veins, (cracks and fissures), that are in a fault in the country rock, (seen in the above photo, following the area of greenish water), along with Quartz, Barite and accessory gangue (non ore) materials, Molybdenite, Chalcopyrite, Galena, and Malichite.

Finding the Fluorite requires the use of heavy equipment, bulldozers and backhoes, to expose an area of the vein. High pressure water hoses are then used to clear away the mineral rich mud that fills the openings or pockets, exposing the crystalized formations.

Don't have a bulldozer? Try digging in the dumps, sometimes crystals are missed, and are waiting to be found.

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