Baryte on Dolomite with Calcite

One of the delights of the quite limited range of minerals from the iron mines of west Cumbria in northwest England is that they adopt so many habits and combinations, the variation in aesthetics would seem endless.  This exceptional large cabinet specimen is composed of an approximately 11 x 12 cm dome of lustrous cream Dolomite crystals overgrown by excellent Baryte crystals and a druse of terminated tiny candy-pink Calcite crystals.  It’s a combination which will stand out in any west Cumbrian suite.  The largest Baryte crystal measures 7 cm wide and stands over 5 cm tall above the Baryte and Calcite in which its base is nestled.  This particular crystal is a uniform 1 cm thick and forms a pseudo-octahedral prism of golden tan with a jagged crystallised cap of translucent milky to colourless Baryte.  The specimen sits perfectly for display and is a real beauty.