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

Item Description

Sculptural and impressive large mounded two-sided fluorite from this old well-known lead mine in the famous Weardale area. The lustrous, translucent variable rich purple cubes are dominated by the striking large cubes at the crest, which reach 4.2 x 3.9 x 3.0 cm. A surprising and RARE accessory on the back are the rich preferential coatings of sharp oxidized siderite crystals. Ex Dr. Stephen Moreton Collection, collected in 2003 and illustrated in the MINDAT Photo Gallery for the locale with a 2018 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). BRIGHT purple fluorescence! Valued at $2000-2500 in our acquisition of the Moreton collection a few years ago. BETTER IN PERSON