Galena with Fluorite, Siderite

specimen number:
1052404

location:
Alston Moor, Cumbria, England, UK

description:
A beautiful classic North of England combination piece with lustrous cubic crystals of galena measuring to 4.0 cm on edge across the top of a siderite crystal covered matrix with gemmy purple crystals of fluorite measuring to 2.5 cm in size. Whatat first appears to be damage on one of the crystal edges is perfectly natural crystallization and this is quite nice. Many of the fluorite crystals exhibit twinning. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video and dates to the early 20th century if not the 19th century. One photo is taken under normal indoor lighting, the other photo taken outdoors in the sunlight.

Mining at Alston Moor in Cumbria, England has a long history dating back to Roman times, with major development occurring from the 17th through the 19th centuries. The district became one of the most important lead mining areas in Britain, working hydrothermal veins that cut Carboniferous limestone and sandstone. Galena was the principal ore mineral, often containing significant silver, and was mined from numerous small underground operations scattered across the moor. The area is also well known among mineral collectors for fine specimens of fluorite, calcite, and other secondary minerals from this classic northern England mining district.

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