Calcite

specimen number:
2102259

location:
Pallaflat Mine, Bigrigg, Egremont, Copeland, Cumbria, England, UK

description:

Classic British specimen with gem quality lustrous scalenohedral crystals of calcite to 1.5 cm in size across the top of a hematite rich matrix. Minimal cleaving along the edges of the matrix, this is in good condition.

The Pallaflat Mine, located near Bigrigg and Egremont in the West Cumberland iron ore district of Cumbria, was a significant producer of high-grade hematite. Geologically, the deposit consisted of massive replacement bodies, known as flats and sops, where iron-rich hydrothermal fluids replaced Carboniferous Limestone along faults and bedding planes. This geological setting provided the perfect conditions for the growth of spectacular secondary minerals within open cavities, or vugs, in the limestone. Historically, the mine was most active during the mid-to-late 19th century, with major operations commencing around 1874 under the Pallaflat Iron Ore Company and continuing until the early 20th century, eventually closing around 1914. While the mine was primarily an industrial source of iron, it is immortalized in mineralogy for its world-class calcite crystals. These specimens are famous for their varied habits, including sharp rhombohedrons and the iconic "butterfly" twins, which often exhibit a delicate pinkish hue or a glass-like clarity that ranks them among the finest calcites ever found in the British Isles.

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