Baryte

A single prismatic crystal of Baryte from the West Cumberland Iron Field, mounted vertically on a clear square acrylic base. The prism measures 6.2 x 3.0 x 1.4 cm and varies between transparent and translucent, governed by internal structures and variations in the Baryte composition. In the areas where it is transparent, text can be read through the crystal. The general colour is a smoky, greyish yellow, sometime with hints of blue depending on the lighting conditions. It has an asymmetric chisel-shaped termination, the smaller face displaying a thin, near-surface layer of included earthy brick-red Hematite. A 2.5 cm long sliver of earthy red Hematite projects out from the prism’s base. A fine example of a characteristic West Cumbrian Baryte.