Detailed information
Species
Sphalerite
Dimensions
97 x 112 x 48
mm
Weight
354 g
Locality
Smallcleugh Mine, Nenthead Alston Moor District Cumbria, England
Condition
No recorded repairs
Smallcleugh mine near the ancient mining village of Nenthead in Alston Moor, Cumbria is one of the most famous localities for well-crystallized Sphalerite in England. There is no history associated with this cabinet-sized display specimen, but it was quite likely collected during the 1980s or 1990s when this mine was extensively explored by mineral collectors. Rather than being dominated by a few large aggregated Sphalerite crystals - like some of the real old-timers - it has the lovely contrast of hundreds of well-spaced 4 to 5 mm wide glossy black individual crystals sat upon an open-textured white background. Yes, it is 'just' Sphalerite, but it is a very pretty and well-crystallized piece for this famous mining area and most of the crystals are pristine.