Fluorite with Calcite

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The North Pennine Orefield in Northern England is renowned for a range of fabulous display quality mineral species and specimens. Top of that list comes Fluorite, simply due to its range of colours and wonderful large showy crystals that have been known about for centuries. Of all of the famous mines to have produced specimen-grade Fluorite there is one which I would describe as the "Holy Grail" of localities, and that is Rotherhope Fell mine. Also known as Rodderup Fell mine, it is the gemmy qualities of its Fluorite that set it apart from most other localities. Then there is the exceptional colour zoning too. Located in the west, in a fairly remote area of Alston Moor, the mine was visited while still working by Sir Arthur Russell and Bob King, both of whom collected superb specimens. However, once closed after the 1950s, the main mineral producing flats were flooded and have remained inaccessible since. This gorgeous miniature specimen from Rotherhope Fell mine is of the highest quality. The main crystal, which reaches 2 cm on edge, is intensely purple, glassy, displays wonderful colour zoning with darker outer bands, and shows superb crystal form with slightly beveled edges. On top of this is has a very slight overgrowth of Calcite. The side crystals of Fluorite are also optically superb and likewise display complex modified crystal edges. Simply a beautiful North Pennines miniature.