Detailed information
Species
Quartz, ps. after Fluorite
Dimensions
85 x 72 x 54
mm
Locality
Holmbush Mine Stoke Climsland, Callington District Cornwall, England
Condition
Repaired
This small cabinet specimen from Holmbush mine, near Stoke Climsland, Cornwall is remarkable. The mine is probably best known for the acicular form of carbonate-rich Fluorapatite known informally as 'Holmbushite', but rarely Quartz casts after cubic Fluorite are found, usually of poor quality. This specimen is amazing, displaying white drusy Quartz forming several pseudomorphs after cubic crystals of Fluorite measuring to 1.7 cm on edge as well as at least one similarly sized epimorph (a hollow cast). Not only are the pseudomorphs/epimorphs extremely well-formed, they are large and eminently displayable. It should, however, be noted that the completely hollow one nearest to the edge has been repaired - reattached due to a break. This would be a fine specimen from anywhere, but from the Holmbush mine, a mine reputed to have worked for copper-tin and silver-lead from the 17th century to the late 19th century, this is exceptional. Ex Peter Burr collection, acquired by him c.1990 from Nick Carruth.