Detailed information
Dimensions
64 x 102 x 60
mm
Weight
511 g
Locality
Alston Moor Eden, Cumbria England
Condition
No recorded repairs
A really classy, highly lustrous pale purple Fluorite crystal aggregate from the Alston Moor area in Cumbria. The largest cube reaches 5.2 cm on edge, which is quite an impressive size and there a lot to like about this old-time specimen. It comes from a German collection with two larger size accompanying labels. The older label, which looks to date to the late 19th century, or earlier 20th, refers to Quartz in association when it is actually Calcite, but that could be an original labeling error. Predominantly Fluorite, the linear aggregate of three main intergrown cubic crystals is duller opaque to translucent pale grey internally but the outer parts are exceptionally glassy and present a lovely pale purple colour. There is slight 'nibbling' along the edges of the crystals, but the faces are really fine and a layer of tiny nail-head type grey-white Calcite crystals carpet selective Fluorite crystal faces, probably representing a 'way-up' feature. Similar, small Calcite crystals coat the back surface of the specimen showing that the fractured surface was tectonic with later deposition of Calcite upon it after fracturing. Minor small patches of dark brown Sphalerite are seen on the rear of the Fluorite and tiny inclusions of Chalcopyrite occur beneath the surface of the Fluorite on the Calcite-bearing faces and beige-coloured tiny lenticular Siderite crystals are present also. The vague attribution to 'Alston Moor' was commonplace during the 19th century. If indeed it is from the Alston Moor area the most likely candidate is Rotherhope Fell mine, but there is the possibility that it was from Weardale across the border into County Durham with many specimens from there being sold through shops in Alston. No doubt from the north Pennines, this is a fine Fluorite of a very good size and quality for display.
