Dolomite from Frizington Mine, England, UK

Dolomite is an important part of the mineral assemblage within the West Cumbrian iron mines but is often overlooked in favour of the brightly coloured and spectacular Baryte crystals and suite of Hematite varieties, including Kidney Ore, Pencil Ore and Specular Hematite. This Dolomite specimen is very distinctive in its form and has good history to it. It comes from G. Barker's collection (no. 505) but prior to that it resided in the Chicago Natural History Museum who themselves obtained it in 1937 from the American dealer E. Mitchell Gunnell (1903-1986). As is typical of Dolomite from the Cumbrian iron mines the Dolomite forms 'blades' coated with curved, often saddle-shaped crystals. This specimen though, has an unusual 'metallic' sheen to the Dolomite, much of which is bronze coloured on exposed surfaces and cream internally. A highly distinctive, and attractive Dolomite from Frizington in the heart of the former iron mining district.