Fluorite w/ Siderite ex Dr. S. Moreton Fluorite Coll

Item Description

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Dramatic, sculptural and rich large fluorite with RARE siderite from this old well-known lead mine in the famous Weardale area. The densely intergrown cubes, to 2.4 cm, have a striking preferential coating of sparkly oxidized micro siderite crystals, which are surrounded by a fantastic secondary overgrowth of matte-lustre, translucent gray fluorite. These cubes look skeletal or hoppered, a stunning visual effect with the siderite! Cubes on the edge of the piece display the gray overgrowth on the lustrous, gemmy to translucent, glassy rich purple cubes with frosted white areas, typical for the locale. Ex Dr. Stephen Moreton Collection, collected in 2005 and illustrated in the MINDAT Photo Gallery for the locale with a 2005 photo. Dr. Moreton was the author of a 2005 article on the mine in the Journal of the Russell Society. This historic mine was active from 1850-1884, but was reopened in 2010 with the purpose of collecting fluorite specimens and studying the deposits around Weardale (MINDAT). This sculptural large fluorite has two fine display views and is a RARE two-generation style with rare siderite. BRIGHT fluorescence! Valued at $2000-2500.