Fluorite with Dolomite

The West Cumberland Iron Field is known for its famous five ‘iconic’ species, one of which is gemmy blue Fluorite from the Ullcoats-Florence mine by the town of Egremont.  The combination of blue cubic Fluorite crystals on curved, saddle-shaped, buttermilk-cream Dolomite can only be from this mine and is one of the most sought-after specimen combinations from the British Isles.  Although at first appearance there appear to be two Fluorite crystals, there are in fact five, four being intergrown and all combined are slight smaller than the adjacent 1.5 x 1.1 x 1.1 cm single crystal.  This blue gemmy crystal group has a crust of small, iron-stained, translucent red Fluorite cubes over their rear faces, imparting a brick red tinge to their transparent sky blue interiors.  Sitting on an aesthetic bed of Dolomite crystals, this makes the perfect combination.  Ullcoats mine was (and remains) connected to Florence mine.  Almost all blue Fluorite is attributed to Ullcoats although the majority was mined in Florence.  During the period, ore was trammed underground from Florence across to the Ullcoats shaft.  From here it was brought to surface and hence was attributed to Ullcoats.  At least one pocket of blue Fluorite was found in Ullcoats, so it is probably best to label the specimen as the Ullcoats-Florence mine.  End of lecture!  No matter which of these mines, it’s a gorgeous specimen.