Galena on Fluorite

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Blackdene mine is adjacent to the small village of Ireshopeburn by the River Wear, from which the name Weardale is derived. This lead and fluorspar mine is amongst the oldest in County Durham, dating to at least the early 15th century (early 1400's). This lovely cabinet specimen is composed of almost colourless, pale lavender to light blackberry purple cubic Fluorite crystals ranging from about 0.2 to 1.1 cm on edge. Interestingly, the colour grades according to crystal size, with the smaller crystals being the palest and the largest, the deepest colour. Several complex greyish silver Galena crystals are scattered over the Fluorite, the largest measuring 2.3 cm across. The Galena tends towards octahedral crystals, although examined closely, looks like symmetrically interlaced rotated cubic crystals. In direct daylight just the largest Fluorite crystals naturally fluoresce, creating a scattered patchwork of bright Royal purple crystals. Under LWUV the entire coverage of Fluorite is a superbly bright mix of lavender and lilac while in SWUV this diminishes to a ghostly pale sky blue.