Alstonite (Co-Type Locality) on Baryte (Dr. S. Moreton Coll.)

Item Description

An uncommon, showy and sculptural two-sided miniature combination from this historic Alston Moor lead mine. The Brownley Hill Mine is the Co-Type Locality for Alstonite, a rare Ba-Ca carbonate. The mounded matrix is sprinkled on both sides with glassy, lustrous near colorless pseudohexagonal alstonite spikes with well-striated satin lustre faces. The crystals reach about 8 mm and are good sized crystals for the rare species and locale. The spikes rest among a dense coverage of white baryte blades. A rare accessory is the bronzy/brassy pyrite on both sides and the base. This historic old lead, then zinc mine operated until 1936. Choice and excellent combination material from the Dr. Stephen Moreton Collection and collected in the High Cross Vein between 1992-1994.