Detailed information
Species
Mimetite, var. Campylite
Dimensions
15 x 18 x 14
mm
Weight
9 g
Locality
Dry Gill Mine Caldbeck Fells Cumbria, England
Condition
No recorded repairs
This thumbnail Mimetite may be small, but its form and appearance is magnificent. It is the variety known as Campylite, known only from Dry Gill in the Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, whose name is derived from "Barrel-shaped" and looking at these crystals you can see why. Consisting of a pure aggregate of clustered rounded crystals their appearance varies, with some olive-brown coloured and others a rich burnt-orange. In fact, the orange which shows as very glossy immaculately formed crystals, appears to be overgrown in places by the duller beige to olive-brown outer skin. Looking carefully at one of the main Campylite crystals, it appears to be twinned - with twelve curved prism sides, not six. Ex Malcolm Southwood collection, this is a superb Caldbeck Fells thumbnail.
