$2,500.00 €2,073 £1,790.00 approx. This specimen is priced in US dollars, all other prices are approximate.
Milky white Calcite crystals to 7 x 4 x 4 cm are scattered over a blocky light fawn tan coating of Siderite crystals covering a black limestone matrix. This striking cabinet specimen is from Blackdene mine at Ireshopeburn in Weardale, County Durham. The specimen is accompanied with a detailed label from a well-known collector of fine British minerals. On this he has noted “The locality of this specimen is a little suspect as I have seen nothing similar from Blackdene Mine (although the mineralogy is consistent with this locality)”. However, this specimen was purchased at a London show in 1990 and this remark then written. Mindat has appeared since then and looking at Calcite from Blackdene we now see several specimens which give credence to this as the correct locality. The Calcite crystals have translucent faces which grade towards an opaque white core. They have nail head terminations and prisms of a complex habit and bright lustre. This is a really good example of beautifully crystallised Calcite from Blackdene mine.