The Blue John convex mirror is one of the results of my buying spree at the Tucson Gem & Mineral Show. Each pf the “rays” is a flourite crystal point. Each one is unique in coloring and banding. The inside curve of the frame is covered with small spheres of flourite in a variety of the crystal’s colors.
The Blue John convex mirror will be placed in one of my showrooms at a later date. Nothing leaves here till the pandemic has lost its strength.
Note: The flourite mineral used in this mirror is not true Blue John. It is the same crystal but Blue John is very rare and is distinguished by its colors and banding.
The Blue John convex mirror is around 7 inches in diameter.
Jewelry for walls!
Blue John is one of the oldest and most famous varieties of Fluorite in the world, found only near Castleton in Derbyshire, England. It is highly prized for its unique purplish-blue and cream yellow color, and its fourteen distinctive veining and banding patterns, created by filmy inclusions of petroleum millions of years ago. This striking material was utilized throughout the 18th and 19th centuries for use in fireplace panels, vases, urns, clocks, jewelry and other stately ornamentation. The mineral is now scarce, having been mined out later as flux ore, though small amounts are still mined each year from the famous Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern for ornamental and lapidary use. The name Blue John is believed to come from the French bleu-jaune, meaning “blue-yellow,” and is also referred to as Derbyshire Blue John and Derbyshire Spar.
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Through a long and dangerous method Blue John can be made Sturdy enough for carving. Traditionally it involves drying, heating, soaking in resin and the use of a vacuum to make the stone hard enough for working.
Many stunning objects were made during the 18th and 19th century. Only the aristocracy or wealthy merchants and traders could afford objects made of Blue John. The best came from the workshops of Derbyshire, England.
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