Calcite from Goose Green Mine, Cumbria, UK

Specimen pieces of Calcite from Goose Green Mine, Frizington, Cumbria, part of the West Cumberland Iron Field.

These specimens were collected in 1978 by Roy Starkey, a prominent British mineralogist, and come with his identification label.

The label is in reasonable condition but I've encased it in clear plastic for its protection - can be removed from this easy enough.

There isn't too much information readily available on the Goose Green Mine, only that mining began in 1855 and may have ceased in 1892. It was briefly worked again from 1910-1913.

• #1 - 67.5x51.9x50.4MM - a reasonably plain specimen on the surface, but with a fantastic pink glow under 365nm UV light.
• #2 - 32x29.4x14.8MM - a very aesthetic piece in my opinion. Dark red Calcite crystals coat one side of a Quartz matrix; the crystals are heavily stained with Iron oxides. Under magnification the calcite appears to be rather stepped.
• #3 - 86x68.8x31.5MM - white Calcite crystals sit atop a bed of iron-stained red crystals. Minimal UV response on the white crystals.
• #4 - 95.2x66x27.6MM - white crystals on an iron stained matrix, with a mild pink UV response under 365nm.