GALENA on FLUORITE

SPECIMEN DESCRIPTION

Two groups, 1.5 x 1.5 cm and 1 x 1 cm respectively, of intergrown, cuboctahedral metallic grey Galena crystals with a slight yellowish patina sit on a very lustrous purple specimen of gemmy, cubic crystallised Fluorite. From Blackdene mine by the village of Ireshopeburn in central Weardale, County Durham, this is a choice and classic specimen from this famous mine. The iridescent lustre on the Galena crystals is uncommon, making it an unusual specimen and one of great beauty especially due of the gemmy quality of the Fluorite. Under LWUV the Fluorite fluoresces bright whitish-violet while in SWUV the specimen becomes almost invisible, emitting the palest ghostly white. A great Fluorite with Galena from Blackdene.