Fluorite with Sphalerite

This magnificent large cabinet specimen of Fluorite with Sphalerite and minor Siderite is from the Diana Vein section of Beaumont mine, on the eastern periphery of the village of Allenheads. Looking at a map, this mine appears to be within the Weardale group but is just over the county boundary in Northumberland. This mine goes under two names, Allenheads mine being the original, then changing to Beaumont mine on becoming owned by the British Steel Corporation (BSC) around 1969. It was during this period of operation these beautiful Fluorite specimens were found and so it is more technically correct to label them Beaumont. The Fluorite crystals are mainly twinned and are all transparent grading to gemmy. They form as cubes and cuboids, the latter being an elongated habit and can measure up to 1.9 cm long. The Fluorite exhibits the subtle pale lavender hue, characteristic of when these were found in the flats parallel to the Diana Vein which were recovered around 1970. I have been regaled by many a fascinating tale from Ralph Sutcliffe of when he and Richard Barstow together would visit this mine and leave with countless wonderful specimens. Almost all of these were taken to the Munich Show and instantly sold, hence few found their way into UK-based collections. The Fluorite also adopts a pale vanilla yellow hue which contrasts beautifully against a pervasive underlying bed of crystallised black Sphalerite. Last but not least the specimen has great fluorescence! Beaumont mine Fluorite shows no natural daylight fluorescence, but under LWUV the Fluorite is brilliant purple to purple white and under SWUV, a feint ghostly white, yet distinct none-the-less. A stunning Fluorite with Sphalerite and creamy buff Siderite from Beaumont mine, Northumberland.