Colleen Thomson's Photo Gallery

DWK-032Calcite CaCO₃ , Marcasite FeS₂

Westenfeld quarry, Sundern, Hochsauerlandkreis, Arnsberg, North Rhine-Westphalia, Germany

Dimensions: 55 mm x 27 mm x 34 mm

A superb rosette of Marcasite crystals adorn this single scalenohedral tan coloured Calcite crystal.

The calcite itself has a sandy type of texture, which seems to be made of thousands of calcite rhomb's like scales totally covering the surface, whilst the well crystallised Marcasite rosette, made up of many crystals, sits on it like a jewel, glinting with a blue-petrol green iridescence, contrasting beautifully against the sandy tan of its calcite host.
The Marcasite rosette is approximately 10 x 9mm.

0GR-N1WFluorite CaF₂

Greenlaws Mine, Daddry Shield, Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK

Dimensions: 58 mm x 34 mm x 28 mm
Field of View: 80.7 mm
Largest Crystal Size: 28.6 mm

A recrystallized fluorite specimen or 'FUNKY' as the mining crew call them ( after their funky or strange and unusual crystal growths).

This particular funky is from the lesser-known area of the Crib Room Pocket.

Very few specimens were recovered from the pocket and only a handful of these recrystallized bits are known to exist.

Most specimens from the Crib Room Pocket are distinguishable by the iron-stained underside and often a small etched cavity where it may have once been attached to something.

The original crystal corner on which the recrystallization seeded itself is clearly seen as a darker, more translucent crystal with the majority of the specimen showing opaque to waxy lustre as is typical for these funkies, and with a pale pinkish lilac to yellowish pastel tone which changes as you move it.

The recrystallized areas show elongation of the cubes and often reticulated crystals some with curved faces.

Also of note are the secondary micro fluorite crystals growing on the main Crystal face, clearly seen when the light is side on to the specimen.

Images were taken in natural daylight.

An absolutely splendid example of these extraordinary recrystallised fluorites.

Poster for Oxford Mineral & Fossil Shows 2019

Poster for Oxford Mineral & Fossil Shows 2019 from May show. Artwork depicting Fluorite from Morocco and a Nautiloid. all graphics / concept by Colleen Thomson

Oxford Mineral & Fossil Show

Oxford Mineral & Fossil Show poster 2018

General view of the Oxford Show in Exeter Hall, Kidlington

General view of the Oxford Show in Exeter Hall, Kidlington, where collectors come together four times a year to buy classic and new finds and to socialise with friends over a bacon roll and cuppa.

17U-E4XFluorite CaF₂

Heights Quarry, Westgate, Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK

One of the finest, glassy /gem Fluorite groups I have seen from this locality. Many water-clear crystals,probably a second generation over frosted cubes not of the deep bottle green but varying shades and depths of green throughout the specimen. Unusual and aesthetic. Specimen approximately 17 x 8cms. Being shown here by Peter Ward at the Bakewell show 2013

9VR-QUPMimetite (Var: Campylite) Pb₅(AsO₄)₃Cl , Psilomelane

Dry Gill Mine, Caldbeck, Allerdale, Cumbria, England, UK

Dimensions: 80 mm x 60 mm

classic specimen of Mimetite var Campylite over Psilomelane. This one was in the collection of the Mineral Department British Museum (noted by the label)and now resides in the collection of Peter Ward.

KHQ-3JGGalena PbS

Blackdene Mine, Ireshopeburn, Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK

Galena specimen collected by Richard Barstow, with his original White personal collection label (the Green labels were for his 'retail' specimens) - Specimen is approx. 110 x 8cms and in the Peter Ward Collection ( Peter was probably with Richard when he collected this)

V5N-F88Fluorite CaF₂

Blackdene Mine, Ireshopeburn, Stanhope, County Durham, England, UK

superb and rare example of a flattened modification to a Fluorite from Weardale. This one is in the Peter Ward Collection and is very large at approximately 5 x 8cms.

0HA-W5XWitherite BaCO₃

Nentsberry Haggs Mine, Alston Moor, Eden, Cumbria, England, UK

Dimensions: 4 cm x 3 cm x 3 cm

Classic Witherite specimen collected from the 2nd Sun Vein , Admiralty Flats in Nentsberry Haggs Mine by Pete Ward in 2009.
Colleen Thomson Collection #B1315