| Description |
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| Comments: | Specimens are dark brown to black due to the presence of iron in solid solution. Small crystals less than 2mm are sometimes of the ruby variety.
Of particular interest and great rarity are specimens from the replacement deposit above the Hydraulic Shaft, which have fossils coated by white calcite and sprinkled with black sphalerite crystals to 1cm.
The deposit was originally discovered by David Lloyd, and Richard Barstow in the 1970's. David was testing the level wall for hollow sounds indicating a possible cavity, when part of the wall collapsed in leading to this remarkable deposit.
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| Colour: | Black, dark brown |
| Quality of samples: | Good crystals or rich for species - important (!) |
| Rarity at site: | Extremely common |
| Confirmation |
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| Validity: | Believed Valid |
| References |
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| References: | Dunham K C, Geology of the Northern Pennine Orefield , Vol 1, Tyne to Stainmore. HMSO |
| Data |
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| Mineral Data: | Click here to view Sphalerite data |
| Locality Data: | Click here to view Smallcleugh Mine, Nenthead, Alston Moor District, North Pennines, North and Western Region (Cumberland), Cumbria, England, UK |
| Photo Gallery | View Gallery (56 photos) |
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