Fluorite

specimen number:
1052563

location:
Weardale, Co. Durham, England, UK

description:
Classic old British specimen, this one from the 19th century. Large lustrous gemmy brightly fluorescent crystals of fluorite measuring to almost 5.0 cm in size across the top of matrix. Some damage present as seen. At one time the spine large example was part of the collection of German collector Wilhelm Hoyer and dates to the 19th century. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video.

The Weardale mining district, located in County Durham, England, is a historic center of the Northern Pennine Orefield. Geologically, it consists of Mississippi Valley-Type (MVT) deposits where mineralizing fluids formed hydrothermal veins and replacement bodies within Carboniferous limestones, sandstones, and shales. These veins are world-famous for producing exceptional fluorite specimens, often occurring as sharp, penetrating twin crystals with a distinctive purple or green color and strong fluorescence. Historically, mining in the region dates back to Roman times, primarily for lead, but reached its industrial peak in the 18th and 19th centuries. As the demand for lead declined, the focus shifted to fluorite for use as a flux in steelmaking. Notable operations like the Heights, Rogerley, and Blackdene mines have been active at various times, with some small-scale specimen mining continuing into the 21st century despite the cessation of large-scale commercial ore extraction in the late 1900s.

Wilhelm Hoyer was a prominent 19th-century German collector and engineer based in Hannover who assembled a significant and refined mineral collection. During the mid-to-late 1800s, Hoyer was known for his keen eye for European classics, frequently acquiring top-tier specimens from active mining districts like the Harz Mountains and the British Isles. His professional background in engineering and infrastructure allowed him to connect with many contemporary mineral dealers and academics of the era. Collections from this period are highly valued today for their historical provenance, often accompanied by original handwritten labels that track the movement of minerals through the great European cabinets of the 19th century. After his passing, portions of his collection were integrated into major institutional and private holdings, preserving his legacy as a dedicated curator of mineralogical history during the golden age of European mining.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.