Baryte

Unknown Owner

Two, off-matrix, colourless, translucent to semi-transparent Baryte crystals in tight parallel growth from Silverband (Baryte) mine on Dun Fell in Cumbria. The crystals display internal crazing, so characteristic of Baryte. A little natural contact damage to the termination of the slightly smaller crystal is present, the result of the intersection with a former Baryte blade. Silverband mine was first worked between 1820 and 1879 for lead, then between 1939 and 1963 for Baryte. Open cast working of Baryte also took place during the 1970s and 80s. The specimen is accompanied with Ralph A. Sutcliffe (Nelson, Lancs.); Michael E. Smith (Pocklington, Yorkshire) and Peter S. Burr labels.\n