Baryte (old classic circa 1800s)

Item Description

A classic group of translucent to gemmy, bladed, soft blue-grey Baryte crystals from the historic mines in Frizington, Cumbria, England, one of the world's great localities for Baryte. These sharp, spear-point, tabular Barytes have a superb, glassy luster with a beautiful blue hue, with an overall aesthetic that is striking. Probably mined during the late 1800's, the terminations are water-clear, a characteristic highly desired but not often found. The dominant crystal is doubly-terminated. A few of the crystals are missing their terminations, but this has little effect on the quality and presentation of this significant cabinet specimen. Better even in person, this superb cluster is one of those rare pieces that caused me to draw my breath in the instant I took it out of the box. Previously in the Miller collection from the 1800’s, after which it went to James B. Cone and the Wadsworth Atheneaum, and then to the Loomis Chaffee School (this label style is known to have that history). From the large worldwide collection of historical minerals, of George Elling of New Jersey. This is a SUPERB example, with excellent color better than usual. Valued $5000-plus