Detailed information
Species
Fluorite, Calcite
Dimensions
42 x 79 x 38
mm
Locality
Heights Mine, Westgate Weardale, North Pennines Co. Durham, England
Condition
No recorded repairs
Equant and distorted cubes of lavender-grey, strongly colour-zoned Fluorite form this beautiful miniature from Heights mine at Westgate in the Weardale valley. The crystals are developed to 2 cm on edge, usually with smooth glassy faces and razor-sharp edges. Some crystals adopt the much rarer distorted cubic form in which all the edges are of differing length. All Fluorite crystals are intensely colour-zoned in various subtle shades of light lilac-grey, with hints of green and purple and range between transparent, translucent, and frosted opaque cores. In direct sunlight the Fluorite emits a subtle yet beautiful daylight fluorescence. Cream druses of Calcite (or Aragonite) are draped over the edges and sides of some of the Fluorite crystals, adding contrast in colour and habit. A beautiful miniature colour-zoned Fluorite from Heights mine.
