Mimetite

specimen number:
1052527

location:
Dry Gill Mine, Caldbeck Fells, Cumbria, England, UK

description:
A classic British specimen with rounded lustrous crystal groupings of mimetite, this is the variety known as campylite, measuring to 1.2 cm across on matrix. Very slight micro-damage present, this still in good condition. The specimen comes with an antique label as shown at the end of the video dating this to the early 20th century if not earlier.

The Dry Gill Mine is located in the remote and rugged Caldbeck Fells of Cumbria, England, within the Northern Lake District. Geologically, the deposit is situated along a major north-south trending fault zone that cuts through the Ordovician-aged Skiddaw Group slates and volcanic rocks of the Eycott Volcanic Group. The mineralization consists of hydrothermal quartz veins that were heavily enriched with lead and arsenic, which later underwent intense oxidation to form a suite of rare secondary minerals. Historically, the mine was worked intermittently from the mid-18th century through the mid-19th century, primarily for lead and copper, though it was never a major industrial success due to its difficult high-altitude location. The site is world-famous among collectors as the premier locality for campylite, a distinctive barrel-shaped variety of mimetite. This variety is characterized by its curved, sub-hexagonal crystals that often resemble small casks or barrels, typically displaying a rich, saturated color ranging from brownish-red to a bright, golden-orange. These specimens are highly coveted for their unique crystal habit and represent a classic example of the specialized mineralogy found in the British Isles.

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