Baryte on Witherite on Calcite

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To non-mineral collectors in the office, these Witherite crystals are termed, 'clouds', or 'cauliflowers'. Both are interesting concepts, but to me as an avid Witherite enthusiast their form is unique and fascinating. Like a few of the Witherite occurrences in northern England natural alteration has converted the surface of the crystals to a thin layer of Baryte (barium sulphate) with Witherite (barium carbonate) remaining inside. This alteration process has also naturally etched the Calcite upon which they sit allowing the Witherite to 'float' above the surface. The Baryte-coated Witherite crystals, which reach up to 1.9 cm across, present an unusual combination of bipyramid form but with truncated ends creating flattened hexagonal ends. It comes from the Hilton mine at Scordale, more famous for its amber-coloured Fluorite than its barium minerals. A fascinating yet pretty, small cabinet sized display specimen of Witherite from an unusual occurrence on the edge of the North Pennines.