Baryte

Most Baryte from the mines within the West Cumberland Iron Field is so characteristic of this area that it can be mistaken for no other region in the world.  This large cabinet specimen is from Parkside mine, just south of Frizington, a mine begun in 1855 working a large horizontal Hematite deposit in a shallow limestone.  Despite the big five famous species from these mines all being common minerals (Baryte, Calcite, Fluorite, Hematite and Quartz) they all occur as some of the best examples of their species found anywhere.   Iconic pale teal-blue Baryte crystals, frequently edged or tipped with carmine-red Hematite pigment, densely cover opposite faces of a wide plate of finely ribbed Baryte, dusted with micro-crystals of Calcite.  The primary Baryte crystals measure to about 5.5 cm long and 1 cm thick and are typically 3 to 4 cm wide.  One quite complex crystal measures 5.5 x 4 x 1 cm and all are translucent with a brilliant glassy lustre.  A delightful West Cumbrian Baryte.