Baryte (Stalactitic Section)

The term ‘Rake’ is a Derbyshire miner’s name for a mineralised vein and Dirtlow Rake was a large-scale vein system striking south-west for 2.2 km, just south of the village of Castleton.  Despite its simple mineralogy, the many mines which worked the deposit produced fine specimens of Baryte, Calcite and Fluorite.  This delightful small miniature is a small section of a Baryte stalactite, sometimes referred to as a pseudo-stalactite as the mode of growth is still not fully understood. Of cylindrical habit, the outer surface is a rough, bark-like crust of terminated Baryte blades coated in a light biscuit-tan limonitic layer.  One end has been sawn and lightly polished to display beautiful concentric banding in various tones of flesh and coral pink.  A lovely Derbyshire specimen.