Barite pseudomorph after Alstonite (rare material) (ex Dr. Wouter van Tichelen Collection)

Item Description

I've only seen a handful of these specimens in my life. Many crystals of triclinic Alstonite measuring up to 6 mm are coated / pseudomorphed by stark white Barite sitting on a matrix featuring small grey cubes of Galena and reddish-brown Sphalerite plus Quartz. No real damage that I can see, and certainly a must have for any fan of pseudomorphs or minerals from Cumbria. I don't know if there is another place on earth where Barite after Alstonite is found like this. For reference, this mine is also known for its attractive Witherite crystals, which are also sometimes pseudomorphed by white Barite. From the noted pseudomorph collection of Dr. Wouter van Tichelen of Belgium.