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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4112
Location: Germany
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Posted: Jun 07, 2015 04:34 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Two specimens from famous mines in Durham:
Mineral: | Galena, fluorite, calcite, chalcopyrite |
Locality: | Blackdene Mine, Ireshopeburn, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | Specimen size 6,5 cm, large galena crystal 2 cm |
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Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Rogerley Mine, Frosterley, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | Specimen size 9 cm, largest crystal 2 cm |
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Apr 18, 2016 14:29 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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A nice twinned fluorite from the Boltsburn Mine showing well-developed internal color zones.
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Boltsburn Mine, Rookhope District, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 3x2.5x2.5 cm overall size |
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Philip Mostmans
Joined: 08 Nov 2011
Posts: 43
Location: Mechelen
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Posted: Apr 19, 2016 05:40 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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That is really really nice!
New or old? ;-)
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Apr 21, 2016 17:22 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Another from the Boltsburn Mine. A classic combination from the flats on the Boltsburn East vein, likely recovered circa 1920.
Mineral: | Fluorite, Galena, and Siderite |
Locality: | Boltsburn Mine, Rookhope District, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 10x8x4 cm overall size |
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James Catmur
Site Admin
Joined: 14 Sep 2006
Posts: 1350
Location: Cambridge
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Posted: Apr 22, 2016 01:39 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Jesse
Thank you for re-starting these threads. I love Boltsburn-9434r.JPG
James
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Apr 22, 2016 12:55 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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One of the big problems with older specimens from North Pennine Orefield in England is lack of specific location information. Mining in the areas of Weardale and Alston Moor has gone on for at least the past millennium, and maybe even back to Roman times, and mineral specimens have been collected as curiosities for at least the past several hundred years. Until recent years, specific location information rarely, if ever accompanied the specimens, and only general locations such as "Durham," "Weardale," "Alston Moor," or "Cumberland" were given.
Geography and political history have further confused matters. The majority of specimens (particularly fluorites) recovered in recent years have come from Weardale, which is in County Durham (not to be confused with the city of Durham). Alston Moor adjoins Weardale to the west, and was in Cumberland, a separate county now known as Cumbria, and also has a few notable fluorite localities. Adding to this, East Allendale, located in the county of Northumberland just to the north of Weardale and Alston Moor also has some notable fluorite localities. What we have is essentially a single geological province (or "orefield") which is covered by three separate (and often changing) political divisions.
Some of the older and more prolific mines such as the Boltsburn (in Weardale) and Rotherhope Fell (in Alston Moor) are fairly well documented in collections such as Arthur Russell's, which is now in the NHM, London. Familiarity with these collections as a reference can sometimes allow one to make educated guesses as to which mines older, poorly located specimens may have come from. For specimens recovered prior to the early to mid 20th century time frame of these collections it is often impossible, and one must be satisfied with a general location such as "Weardale."
Unfortunately, modern mineral collectors are often not satisfied with vague and imprecise locations, which leads many dealers (and collectors) to make less than educated guesses as to exact locations for many older specimens. Once this "guess" gets put on a specimen label it then becomes "fact" for subsequent owners whether it was correct or not.
A good example of this tendency is the specimen below. This specimen came identified simply as coming from "Cumberland." I have been told by a couple of "authorities" that it is either from the Frazer's Hush or alternately Rotherhope Fell mines. While the specimen resembles material known from both, the problem is that the specimen itself came from the Philadelphia Academy of Science collection and can be dated to sometime prior to 1860. The known finds at Rotherhope Fell occurred around 1929-1930 and Frazer's Hush did not exist as a mine before around 1974 (the famous find of purple fluorite occurred in 1988). It could be from Weardale or it could be from Alston Moor. Without some compelling evidence, we're unlikely to be able to say more than that.
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 11x10x6 cm overall size |
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The specimen is from the T. B. Wilson collection, acquired by the Philadelphia Academy of Science in 1860. |
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Apr 22, 2016 15:14 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Another old "Cumberland" specimen from the T. B. Wilson collection/Philadelphia Academy of Science. A nice specimen but I have little clue as to which mine it may have actually come from.
Mineral: | Fluorite with Siderite |
Locality: | Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 8x7x6 cm overall size |
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: May 09, 2016 21:17 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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The Groverake Mine was a major ore producer during the latter part of the 20th century, but was not known for producing many specimens. This one's not half bad, however.
Mineral: | Fluorite, Quartz |
Locality: | Groverake Mine, Rookhope, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 11x6x5 cm overall size |
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Mineral: | _ |
Locality: | Groverake Mine, Rookhope, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Description: |
A photo of the Groverake Mine, taken March 1999, around the time of the mine's final closure. The site is currently in danger of being totally cleared. |
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Tobi
Site Admin
Joined: 07 Apr 2009
Posts: 4112
Location: Germany
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Posted: May 12, 2016 11:34 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Jesse Fisher wrote: | A photo of the Groverake Mine, taken March 1999, around the time of the mine's final closure. The site is currently in danger of being totally cleared. | A really good idea to add some photos and information about the localities of the minerals that are presented in our mineralogical trips, thanks Jesse!
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Philippe Durand
Joined: 10 May 2016
Posts: 628
Location: Normandie
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Posted: May 19, 2016 10:30 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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What a fantastic suite of fluorites ; I love that; thank you for showing that
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: May 24, 2016 11:51 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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A small but very sharp fluorite twin, recently collected from the Boltsburn West level. The crystal shows well developed vicinal faces and numerous internal color bands. The second photo, taken in LWUV light reveals complex internal zoning.
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Boltsburn Mine, Rookhope District, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 1.5 cm |
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28479 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Boltsburn Mine, Rookhope District, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Description: |
photo of previous specimen, in long wave UV light. |
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GneissWare
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1287
Location: California
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Posted: May 24, 2016 12:08 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Jesse Fisher wrote: | A small but very sharp fluorite twin, recently collected from the Boltsburn West level. The crystal shows well developed vicinal faces and numerous internal color bands. The second photo, taken in LWUV light reveals complex internal zoning. |
Very cool specimen!
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Jamison Brizendine
Joined: 27 Feb 2014
Posts: 128
Location: Northeast Ohio
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Posted: Jun 02, 2016 08:33 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Although I have seen many Rogerley Mine specimens over the years, this particular specimen is one of my favorite specimens from this locality in my collection. A small label attached to this specimen indicated that it was found in the Black Sheep Pocket zone, 2000.
Some background research on the mine and the specimen yielded some rather surprising information. Based on the year it was mined and its paragenesis, I believe the specimen to have come from the Greenbank Vein. I am providing Jesse Fisher’s description (from his website, but also from the January/February 2000 issue of Rocks and Minerals) of the paragenesis here:
“"... In vugs found in the Greenbank vein, the earliest mineral to form appears to have been one of the iron-bearing carbonates, which has since been oxidized to limonite. A pale green fluorite formed next, progressing to a pale yellow. A quartz druze was deposited on the surface of the yellow fluorite, which was then overgrown by a final layer of purple fluorite. A second generation of druzy quartz was the last phase to be deposited, and covers the euhedral purple fluorite within the pocket. This sequence of mineralization is not always complete, and appears to have ceased at the early "green" stage in some cavities.” (Fisher, 2000)
Hope you all enjoy it as much as I do!
References Cited:
Fisher, J., 2000, The Rogerley Mine, Weardale, County Durham, England: Rocks & Minerals, v. 75 (1), p. 54-61.
Mineral: | Fluorite, Quartz |
Locality: | Rogerley Mine, Frosterley, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 15 cm x 6.5 cm x 7 cm |
Description: |
Large cabinet specimen of druzy quartz over purple fluorite. From the Black Sheep Pocket, 2000. |
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Mineral: | Fluorite, Quartz |
Locality: | Rogerley Mine, Frosterley, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 15 cm x 6.5 cm x 7 cm |
Description: |
Large cabinet specimen of druzy quartz over purple fluorite. From the Black Sheep Pocket, 2000. This photograph shows a cross section of the paragenesis of the specimen. |
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GneissWare
Joined: 07 Mar 2008
Posts: 1287
Location: California
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Posted: Jun 02, 2016 09:16 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Great, and informative post! Nice specimen too. These Quartz/Fluorite combos are pretty rare from the Rogerley.
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Jun 02, 2016 11:32 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Yes, that specimen definitely came from a cavity on the Greenbank vein rather than the flats, which produce the green fluorite. During our first year at the mine (1999) we discovered a fairly large, pipe-like cavity on the vein near the far end of Lindsay and Mick's tunnel, about 50 feet (15 meters) past the entrance to the Black Sheep pocket. This cavity was named "The Weasel Pocket" because when we found it, the cavity was inhabited by a small creature, likely a stoat. The pocket was collected over the course of two years, and yielded some interesting quartz-coated fluorite clusters. Here is one that I've kept for myself.
Mineral: | Fluorite and Quartz |
Locality: | Rogerley Mine, Frosterley, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 10x7x5 cm overall size |
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28201 Time(s) |
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Aug 08, 2016 10:08 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Greetings to all from Weardale,
We are now finishing another summer season at the Rogerley (our 18th year!), and it has not been our easiest year. Along with the usual problems of old equipment that breaks down and fluorite pockets that disappear without warning, we have now the problem of local authorities who are looking closely at what all mineral collectors are doing in the UK. Although I do not yet know the outcome of this, it has the potential to make collecting, at least on a commercial scale much more difficult and expensive to comply with new regulations. But regardless, we have had many good years here and found many good specimens. Here is one that we found this summer. Cheers!
Mineral: | fluorite |
Locality: | Rogerley Mine, Frosterley, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 12 cm across |
Description: |
from the Bluebirds pocket zone, July 5, 2016. |
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Jesse Fisher
Joined: 18 Mar 2009
Posts: 629
Location: San Francisco
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Posted: Oct 04, 2016 14:12 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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The Heights Pasture Mine is a relatively small prospect on the Slitt vein, between the Heights Mine/Quarry and the Cambokeels Mine. It was worked for fluorspar between around 1905 - 1920. While photographing the specimen, I noticed that some of the crystals showed well-developed hexoctahedral corners on the cube. Modifications like this are uncommon, but not unknown on fluorite crystals from the Weardale region.
Mineral: | Fluorite, Galena |
Locality: | Heights Pasture Mine, Westgate, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 7x5x4 cm overall size |
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26248 Time(s) |
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Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Heights Pasture Mine, Westgate, Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Description: |
Well-developed hexoctahedral corners on the cube. |
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Tony L. Potucek
Joined: 29 Dec 2006
Posts: 98
Location: Arizona
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Posted: Oct 06, 2016 10:03 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Those hexoctahedral corners are very interesting and pleasing, Jesse! We'll have to have a discussion about those in Tucson at my watering hole.
best regards, tlp
_________________ Tony L. Potucek |
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antoniopedro
Joined: 03 Aug 2016
Posts: 6
Location: Madrid
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Posted: Oct 06, 2016 10:38 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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Hello,
I upload one of my fluorite from Durham. The purple color is very shine... Greetings,
Antonio Pedro
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Jamison Brizendine
Joined: 27 Feb 2014
Posts: 128
Location: Northeast Ohio
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Posted: May 11, 2017 13:41 Post subject: Re: A mineralogical trip through the regions of the UK - England / County Durham |
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I drove back from a wedding in Baltimore and on my way home, I decided to make a pit stop and visit the Carnegie Museum of Natural History in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The museum is well known for its outstanding exhibits of minerals, but one thing I was disappointed was the lack of specific provenance information for specimens. Often you find things like “Fluorite – England” or “Fluorite – Germany” or “Stilbite – India” without any other specific information.
While I was there I shot several pictures with my camera (since the museum doesn’t allow flash photography it was difficult to get good pictures) and with an IPad (I don’t own a smart phone).
One particular fluorite specimen stood out was this gemmy green fluorite, which was labeled as Weardale. It strongly resembles similar specimens from the Heights Mine, but that is just my personal opinion (Jesse Fisher knows more about English fluorites than me, so he probably could peg a more precise locality).
The measurements are a guess based on the photograph I took.
Mineral: | Fluorite |
Locality: | Weardale, North Pennines Orefield, County Durham, England / United Kingdom | |
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Dimensions: | 7 cm x 5 cm x 6.3 cm |
Description: |
Transparent green fluorite with minor galena. Carnegie Museum of Natural History specimen. |
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