Calcite

This rather superb, double sided Calcite is from the West Cumberland Iron Field in north-west England and appears to have done the rounds in North America before finally being repatriated to the UK.  Interestingly, the accompanying index card describes how it was purchased at the 2006 Tucson Show where “the dealer had no idea as to English calcites”.  I will not name either the dealer nor the card’s writer (a USA citizen I hasten to add), so whoever buys this can look forward to the salient details.  As is often the case with west Cumbrian specimens, no specific mine name is provided, just the town of Frizington.  It is typical and characteristic of Calcite from [Pallaflat Mine, Bigrigg], although this is closer to Egremont than Frizington.  Somewhat rounded, scalenohedral crystals of up to at least 1.5 cm, with nail head terminations, cover an approximately 11 x 6 cm convex, shell-like band of limonitic-Hematite matrix.  The Calcite crystals along the back edge of the top are tinted pinkish-red by Hematite inclusions.  The opposite side is like a geode with a similar, yet concave, Calcite crystal-lined 8 x 3 cm cavity and of equally good quality as the display face.  A delightful Cumbrian Calcite.