Calcite with Baryte

This miniature plate of mixed Calcite and Baryte, simply labelled ‘Derbyshire, England’ dates to the early days of mineral collecting, being labelled as No. 2088 in the Joseph Neeld (1789-1856) Collection.  Neeld catalogued this specimen as “2088.  New variety of carbonate of lime.  Derbyshire.”  The granular matrix of mixed spares is covered with terminated Baryte and Calcite crystals, all typically 2 to 5 mm tall and all the exact same light grey-cream.  On initial inspection the Calcite and Baryte are difficult to distinguish, but given time and magnification, the different crystal habits do become apparent.  An interesting and historic specimen.