Witherite (fine old classic)

Item Description

Witherite is an uncommon but fairly well-known barium carbonate species. The species was discovered over 200 years ago, and the type locality at Brownley Hill Mine, England along with other mines in Cumbria have produced some of the most distinctive and classic specimens extant. In addition to the English pieces, the specimens from the Minerva #1 Mine in Illinois are among the best ever found. This particular specimen features large, sharp, well-formed, lustrous, pseudo-hexagonal (orthorhombic), light yellow color (nearly white), translucent crystals of Witherite measuring up to 4.4 cm with minor associated white Calcite and a tiny bit of pale lavender Fluorite. The piece is in good condition on the front with no real damage that I can see. The size, quality and relative obscurity on the market today make this a worthwhile specimen from one of the most famous mining districts in the United States. We had a value of $2,200 on this one. From the worldwide mineral collection of Albert Lewis Kidwell (January 1, 1919 - August 16, 2008). Al was a well-known mineral collector and research geologist with Carter Oil Company and later Exxon Oil Company in Houston, Texas. The phosphate species Kidwellite was named in his honor in 1974.