Fluorite with Siderite

A beautiful small cabinet specimen of intergrown gemmy mauve Fluorite crystals associated with a later development of well-formed golden-biscuit coloured and saddle-shaped Siderite crystals. It is immediately apparent this is from Boltsburn mine at Rookhope in County Durham, principally because of its almost unique reddish-purple colour and the aesthetic dusting of Siderite crystals. Of all the mines in and along the Weardale valley, specimens from Boltsburn are probably the most valued and sort after. The Fluorite crystals measure to 2.8 cm on their longest axis as several crystals display the elongated form of the cube, a habit occasionally seen in Weardale specimens. These crystals display interpenetrant twinning and some colour zoning. On close examination the Siderite is beautiful, forming as crisp deep curved saddles the colour reminiscent of golden syrup. This is an aesthetic display specimen from the world famous Boltsburn mine. The Fluorite displays a light purple daylight fluorescence and under LWUV the crystals have bright purple faces edged by purple-white rims and corners.