A strange, bizarrely clockwork, mimetite group consisting of elongated barrel-shaped yellow crystals coated by a second generation of iron-included (hematite) mimetite atop. A THIRD generation of tiny spiky crystals is on the backside, too! Large thumbnail size. Ex Scalisi collection

This is a famous variety of mimetite, locally known as campylite. However, this is a most unusual specimen in several regards! Originally the lustrous spheres, to 2.5 cm across, were rich green and then overgrown by a second generation of more typical tan campylite. The green showing through, makes this piece a unique coloration. Scattered about are tiny crystals of pastel blue plumbogummite dating it to the old finds here in the mid 1800s by the association. To top off the specimen there is a single crystal of white barite 4.5 cm across extending down the center of the specimen (another rare association). It has the label of Bryce M.Wright (circa 1860), arguably the greatest British mineral dealer of the heyday of these mines. It was later obtained in a museum exchange and long held in the Ralph Sutcliffe collection, and retains his label too. Greenbank acquired the Sutcliffe collection in 1991 and held this himself for nearly 20 years until now. Illustrated in the Greenbank Collection book, page 632, as a full page photograph. Most viewers of the collection consider this to be one of the most interesting and memorable of the large and diverse campylite/mimetite suite here, which was extensive (dozens of specimens!).

Lustrous, barrel shaped, dark tan colored crystals of mimetite var. campylite are emplaced on massive campylite and manganese ore. As seen in cross section the tan color is a secondary overgrowth on what were originally yellow colored crystals. This is an unusually robust specimen with large crystals of rich color - a reddish-orange in person. It comes from a surface open cut at the top of the fell, above the Dry Gill Mine. Collected in 1963 by Lindsay Greenbank and A. Walshaw in their exploratory work looking for an old entrance to the mine itself, this piece passed to Greenbank in the 1980s. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 34.

Discrete, barrel-shaped crystals, to 8 mm across, of lustrous green mimetite are aesthetically perched high on matrix. At least two of the crystals are also doubly terminated. From the Dry Gill Mine and ex. A. Walshaw collection, collected in their exploratory digs in the 1970s. This specimen was in Patricia's collection, specifically, at one time. Green is a rare color for this variety of mimetite, known locally as campylite.