Detailed information
Dimensions
101 x 110 x 80
mm
Locality
Nentsberry Haggs Mine Alston Moor, North Pennines, Cumbria England
Condition
No recorded repairs
Witherite, a relatively rare barium carbonate, crystallises in the orthorhombic system and forms pseudo-hexagonal prisms of variable geometry at Nentsberry Haggs mine on Alston Moor in Cumbria. In this incredible specimen, the prisms are completely flattened to form hexagonal crystalline plates of around 3 cm on edge, about 5.5 cm across flats and 5 to 8 mm thick. Of translucent pale straw-yellow, the plates are stacked to form a large pagoda-like stepped tower emanating from a mixed Witherite and grey granular matrix. A magnificent and heavy cabinet display specimen.
