Name: Fluorite with Galena
Brand: Crystal Classics
Price: 7500 USD
Availability: InStock

Updated 5d ago

Fluorite with Galena

This is a magnificent Weardale classic with exceptional display qualities. Mined way back in the 1970s (or earlier) when Heights mine near Westgate was the main source of high quality glassy twinned emerald-green crystals - the earlier Middlehope Shield mine having closed in the 1860s. Heights mine opened in 1847 and switched between being a lead mine and an ironstone mine, but was never especially successful in either regard. However, the vuggy replacement bodies in the mine yielded superb Fluorite specimens and were popular with mineral collectors during the mid-20th century until nearby quarrying operators decided to blow the adit level up in 1979. This dramatic large cabinet specimen from George Farr's remarkable northern England Fluorite collection is a thin plate of siliceous Quartz-veined ironstone both sides of which are studded with emerald-green interpenetrant twinned Fluorite crystals. The main display surface is more richly invested than the rear, and features crystals to 1.9 cm on edge, many of which are glassy and translucent/transparent and form in 'lines' down the length of the specimen. In sunlight, the crystals remain strongly green with less of the blue daylight fluorescence coming through than some of the other green Weardale Fluorites. There is some minor chipping to several of the Fluorite crystals, but when mounted upright this piece looks stunning, like a sculpture. Several rounded and tarnished dark grey Galena crystals are dotted in between the Fluorite crystals, providing a nice balance. This is an exceptional Heights mine piece - large and wonderfully attractive - probably from collecting during the 1970s when the 'Green Hole' pocket was discovered.

$7,500.00