Witherite with ALSTONITE
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Crystal ClassicsFeatured
Tucson, Arizona, USAThe rare barium carbonate Witherite, the barium analogue of Strontianite, is certainly considered a Classic Mineral of Northern England. Its early history is a complicated one. Originally thought to have been found at Alston Moor during the 1780s, it turned out that the Type Material analysed by William Withering was in fact from Anglezarke in Lancashire, but that false locality details had been provided to protect the supply! Later, in the early 1800s, Witherite was discovered at Alston Moor at Wellhope Head, in well-formed pseudohexgonal tabular crystals. However, finds of an entirely different crystal form, as geometrically perfect, twinned pyramidal and bipyramidal crystals made at Fallowfield mine, near Hexam in Northumberland in the 1820s set a totally new standard for the species - one which has stood the test of time. This superb small cabinet specimen was labelled by its previous owners as from Alston Moor, but it is absolutely classic Fallowfield mine, right down to the association with tiny Alstonite crystals. It is an extremely fine example, displaying four magnificent, doubly-terminated Witherite crystals, the two largest measuring 3.5 cm in length and another to 3.3 cm. Each crystal is translucent and with a flat, earthy textured white surface coating. The terminations to most of the crystals are in very good condition. To add to the splendour of this specimen, dozens of sharp, scalenohedral (dog-tooth) Alstonite crystals surround the Witherite. Alstonite, although named after Alston Moor, has Co-Type Localities, one of which is Fallowfield mine. This is a gorgeous example of Witherite from Fallowfield mine which comes with its own custom made acrylic base with milled recess and backing supports. The earliest accompanying label is from a German institutional collection and appears to date to the latter part of the 19th century.
Product details
Species
SizeSmall Cabinet
Dimensions5.7 x 8.0 x 4.8 cm
Listed on12/02/2024
Locality
SKUCC28371
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Mineral guide
Learn about Witherite
distinctive pseudo-hexagonal twin crystals, white-cream color, UV fluorescence, scarce, prized specimens from Settlingstones, Alston Moor.
Regional guide
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