Detailed information
Species
Fluorite, Galena, Siderite
Dimensions
76 x 85 x 45
mm
Locality
West Pasture Mine, Stanhope Weardale, Co. Durham England
Condition
No recorded repairs
This small cabinet-sized Fluorite from West Pasture mine at Stanhope, Weardale is the definition of perfection. Its display surface is covered in absolutely perfect intergrown cubes of pale sea green transparent Fluorite with extremely glassy surfaces. These crystals reach 2 cm on edge but are uniformly above 1 cm and have no perceivable damage. On the back, the matrix is a 1 cm thick layer of cream coloured Siderite overgrowing a core of Galena. This provides a solid and dense base, and texturally presents wonderfully the paragenesis which is sometimes lost on West Pasture specimens when they just have the typical dark limestone base. The colour of West Pasture mine Fluorite is unique within the Weardale area and this marvellous piece shows it perfectly. Ex George Farr collection.