Fluorite with Galena

specimen number:
1052399

location:
Weardale, Co. Durham, England, UK

description:
An attractive old classic from Britain with lustrous mostly gemmy purple cubic crystals of fluorite to 2.8 cm on edge covering the front of matrix with a galena crystal 3.3 cm in size. Micro-damage present but very minimal, this is in great condition considering how long this piece has been out of the ground. The specimen comes with an antique label that dates this to the early 20th century if not the 19th century. This label is shown at the end of the video. One photo shows the specimen under normal indoor lighting, the other photo taken outside in the sunlight.

Weardale in County Durham, England, is a historic mining district that has been worked since at least the 17th century for lead from hydrothermal veins in Carboniferous limestone. Mining expanded during the 18th and 19th centuries and later included extraction of fluorite as an important industrial mineral. The district is especially famous among collectors for its fluorite, which occurs as well formed cubic crystals often showing colors such as green, purple, and blue, sometimes with color zoning.

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