Calcite

United Kingdom

0 for sale·Member since 2026

This magnificent large individual West Cumbrian Calcite crystal comes with a remarkable heritage. It was owned by the well-loved Leicester-based mineral dealer Roger Harker, who died very young in about 1980. However, his distinctive handwritten label affixed to it records a remarkable history. Found with three other specimens by Amos Treloar Jnr., this one was given by his father, Amos Treloar Snr., to Arthur Russell from whom the famous northern English mine historian Arthur Raistrick acquired it, later passing to Roger Harker in 1969. Amos Treloar Snr was manager at Nentsberry Haggs mine and it was there at Nenthead that he gave the specimen to Russell. The Calcite crystal is large and crystal clear, but has distorted growth on the reverse where it is included with orange iron oxides from its base upwards. It is in remarkably fine condition, with its front prism face providing an exceptionally smooth, clear window, measuring at least 3.7 x 3 cm. This crystal is itself over 5.5 cm in length. An old handwritten label accompanying this specimen records: Striated CALCITE. W. Cumb. A. T. Junr. No. 201. It is unclear if this label is from Arthur Raistrick, or Amos Treloar, but it is not a Russell label.