The Graeber Jones Pocket was the first pocket discovered at the Diana Maria mine during June 2017. Initially it contained green, interpenetrant twinned fluorite crystals usually growing on equant, stubby quartz crystals, milky in appearance and tinged slightly yellow due to iron. The outer faces of the fluorite crystals tend to be a gemmy sea-green, with many of the centres slightly cloudy, in paler, mossy shades of green. This small zone quickly gave way to beautiful deep leaf-green to emerald-green twinned fluorites, often with distinct colour zoning. Zoned crystals often have a gemmy intense blackberry-purple centre surrounded with gemmy green faces. It is observed that these fluorites always grow on stubby quartz crystals, often of stalactitic form.

Named for Charles Clavert “Cal” Graeber Jr., well-respected USA collector/dealer and one of the previous owners of Rogerley mine, and for British collector/dealer Ian Jones.

Figure: Fluorite with cloudy green centres on quartz, Graeber Jones Pocket; 6.7 x 6.4 x 4.3 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics.

Figure: Colour-zoned fluorite on quartz, Graeber Jones Pocket; 6.0 x 4.7 x 3.3 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics.

Figure: Fluorite on quartz, Graeber Jones Pocket; 10.6 x 5.8 x 4.5 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics.

Figure: Close-up of the specimen featured in the photo above, showing beautiful and intense colour-zoning. The main crystal measures approximately 1.8 cm along its top right edge. Graeber Jones Pocket. Photo: Crystal Classics.

Figure: Fluorite on quartz with strong colour zoning. Graeber Jones Pocket; 7.0 x 6.1 x 2.9 cm.

Figure: Fluorite on quartz. The same specimen displaying strong daylight fluorescence. Graeber Jones Pocket; 7.0 x 6.1 x 2.9 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with blackberry-purple corners and mossy-green interiors. Graeber Jones Pocket; 10.1 x 11.0 x 4.5 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics.

Figure: Fluorite with quartz. The uppermost cubic crystal measures 1.7 cm on edge. Graeber Jones Pocket; 14.5 x 12.2 x 6.5 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics.

Fluorite from the Bypass Pocket is easily recognised by the intensely dark purple daylight fluorescent of the large interpenetrant twinned crystals which sit on a bed of smaller single intergrown Fluorites.

Most crystals, both single and twinned, tend to form as elongated cubes and are of a good transparency with a bright yet waxy lustre. The twins attain 2.5 cm and readily fluoresce in both natural and artificial light.

In daylight their intensity turns them near-jet black, contrasting sharply against the surrounding nickel-emerald-green single crystals. Under LW Ultraviolet all crystals fluoresce an intense blue-lilac with lavender-white rims.

The Truffle Pig Pocket yielded some of the most spectacular Fluorites ever encountered in this mine, exemplified by their size, colour and gemminess.

Cubic crystals to 14 cm on edge have been recovered, although average more like 3 to 7 cm. The crystals are an unvarying intense, rich gemmy chromium-green, transposing to more translucent centres. All have razor-sharp edges, gemmy faces and crackled chromium centres and in daylight the edges and corners fluoresce bright purple.

The faces tend to have flat reflective borders adjacent to their edges with rougher, cubically-stepped face centres. Under LWUV the Fluorites fluoresce brilliant lavender-white.

This pocket lies at the intersection zone of the Greenbank vein and the Sutcliffe vein in the Diana Maria mine and is a fabulous highly enriched cavity zone that has produced some truly outstanding specimen combinations of gem green Fluorite and Galena crystals.

Fluorite in the Heavy Metal Pocket typically forms elongated cubes with crystals averaging 2 cm and up to 5 cm on edge, although these tend to have clouded opaque cores which extend to their outer faces.

The smaller crystals are often entirely gemmy with beautiful dark emerald green and ice-clear interiors.

The darkness of the teal-green Fluorite in the Milky Way Pocket earnt its name from its near blackness and speckled by star-like bursts of milky-white patches in all the crystals.

These nearly always form as equal and equant interpenetrant cubes, yet range in size from sub-cm to 3.5 cm.

Their faces are all mirror-smooth, display few growth patterns and have a brilliant glassy lustre. The degree of white frosting varies between crystals; in some it dominates but tends to diminish in the larger twins.

Areas of greyish-colourless Quartz crystals occur rarely between the Fluorites. In daylight they fluoresce an incredible intense black-purple.

The evocatively named Snowstorm Pocket occurred at the contact between the Sutcliffe vein and mineralised flat. This contained gemmy green fluorite twins coated with snow-white aragonite. The fluorite occurs mainly as green gemmy twins on quartz overcoated with snow-white aragonite. Occasionally, crystals can be a grassy to sea-green and, rarely, a purplish-green.

Named for snow-white Calcite (then thought to be aragonite) associated with this pocket.

Figure: Purple fluorite coated in drusy aragonite, Snowstorm Pocket; 8.2 x 7.5 x 4.3 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

Figure: Green fluorite twin coated in drusy aragonite. Snowstorm Pocket; 2.2 x 2.3 x 1.8 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

Figure: Purplish-green fluorite directionally coated in aragonite. Artificial light (left) and mixed UV (right). Snowstorm Pocket;17.5 x 11.8 x 5.5 cm. Photos: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

Figure: Green fluorite on drusy aragonite, Snowstorm Pocket; 3.8 x 2.7 x 3.2 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

Pavel’s Pocket occurred on the south side of the Sutcliffe vein in a very hard jasperised limestone. The deep purplish-green fluorite is often prettily crazed with snowy-white centres and are typically directionally coated in drusy snow-white aragonite with one or two fluorite faces still visible. A frequent feature of this pocket is that of a larger gemmy purple twin emerging from the matrix. This observation of intense purple fluorite from the vein corroborates in-situ observations at the Greenbank vein. In daylight, the fluorite fluoresces an intense blackberry-purple.

Named for Pavel Škácha, discoverer of the pocket.

Figure: Purple fluorite with aragonite, Pavel's Pocket; 11.9 x 8.2 x 5.5 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

Figure: Purple-green fluorite displaying cloudy-white centres. Pavel's Pocket; 7.2 x 7.3 x 4.3 cm. Photo: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

The Emerald Peaks Pocket is characterised by small green untwinned fluorite crystals coating an ironstone matrix, over which much larger, gemmy emerald-green twinned crystals grow. Specimens show remarkable artificial UV and daylight fluorescence.

Named for the fluorite’s colour and crystal habit in this zone.

Figure: Fluorite on ironstone, shown in artificial light (left) and mixed UV (right). Emerald Peaks Pocket; 9.9 x 5.0 x 3.5 cm. Photos: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

Figure: Fluorite on ironstone, shown in artificial light (left) and mixed UV (right). Emerald Peaks Pocket; 10.2 x 8.5 x 3.8 cm. Photos: Crystal Classics Fine Minerals.

The Green Hill Pocket are most distinct with large intergrown single fluorite crystals, sometimes on a quartz matrix. The fluorites have beautiful gemmy corners with frosted and crazed green-mossy interiors, making spectacular combination. In daylight, the corners fluoresce intense blackberry-purple while their centres remain translucent, leaf-green mossy interiors, giving a stunning contrast.

Named for the lush green slopes of Fatherley Hill, on the side of which the Diana Maria mine is situated.

Figure (below): Fluorite on massive yellowish-mauve fluorite, shown in artificial light. Characteristic of this pocket each individual cube has an opaque milky-green centre that extends outwards to the centre of each face. However, most corners are a quite gemmy deep emerald-green which fluoresce intense neon purple. Green Hill Pocket; 16.4 x 13.0 x 7.8 cm.

The Hidden Forest Pocket was discovered and mined in summer 2021. It lies at the intersection of the Sutcliffe and Greenbank veins, a zone of potentially more complex and varied mineralogy due to co-mingling of the two different hydrothermal solutions.

Fluorite in this pocket is completely masked by an unattractive thick layer of rust coloured Calcite.

Advantageously however, this has protected the Fluorite hidden beneath, so once the Calcite is removed, the unmasked Fluorite is magnificent and completely undamaged.

The overall appearance is that of gemmy forest green with a mirror-like lustre. Once backlit the crystals reveal remarkable colour zoning, characteristically with a thick forest green outer skin, then a bright lemon band surrounding an inner core of gemmy purple mauve. Specimens also display bright purple daylight fluorescence.

Admittedly, the Naughty Gnome Pocket is a cool name and a fun play on alliteration, but it was inspired by its subterranean, rather goblinesque green with minor, greyish silver Galena.

Gnomes are far more benevolent than goblins despite these, apparently, being rather naughty!

Discovered late in 202a1 on the River Catcher Vein, this was the first significant find since the Autumn Pocket in 2019.

The pocket is complex and requires careful development and extraction. Near to the pocket’s top the Fluorite occurs against contrasting sucrosic white and iron-stained micro-crystals of Quartz.

Moving down, the Quartz content gradually diminishes to where only Fluorite is present. Fluorite crystals range from gemmy deep leaf green to a more bluish sea green with frosted cream centres which fluoresce blue in daylight.

Discovered in April 2018 while removing unstable quarry face material from around the exposure of the Sutcliffe vein in preparation for underground operations. The entire pocket contents were bought by Marshall Sussman of Crystal Cellar, LLC. Once again, the colour of the Fluorite was very different to that of the nearby pockets mined during 2017, this time being beautiful shades of spring leaf-green, with variations of pastel and lime green. Another remarkable feature of this pocket was much of the Fluorite is coated in an overgrowth of opaque, snowy-white Calcite, but uniquely, this does not coat the interpenetrant Fluorite twins, leaving them fully exposed. The striking contrast between the Fluorite and Calcite only enhances the specimens even more. Crystal faces sometimes show the tetrahexahedral form and several specimens contained excellent examples of fluid inclusions.

Named for its truly magnificent and aesthetic specimens.

Figure: Fluorite, cubic crystals, some with modified faces and a fluid inclusion (left); 7.3 x 5.6 x 4.7 cm. Detail (right); Fluorite showing containing a spherical fluid inclusion (bubble) and tetrahexahedral upper face. FOV 5.9 cm. Queen of Green Pocket, Diana Maria mine.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. This specimen is as found, in that the Calcite only overgrows single Fluorite crystals, leaving the interpenetrant twins magnificently exposed. Queen of Green Pocket; 14.2 x 12.1 x 4.5 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. A splendid interpenetrant twinned Fluorite crystal framed with snowy-white Calcite. The Fluorite shows daylight fluorescence and tetrahexahedral faces. Queen of Green Pocket; 4.5 x 3.6 x 3.0 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite, with the twinned crystals in their natural, un-coated state. Paul Harter Collection. Queen of Green Pocket; 7.7 x 6.2 x 4.5 cm.

Figure: A stunning, slightly fluorescing specimen, in delicate shades of spring leaf-green. Queen of Green Pocket; 9.1 x 5.6 x 2.9 cm.

Discovered in late 2018, this small pocket is characterised its high content of the lead sulphide mineral Galena, typically as light metallic grey cuboctahedral crystals of up to 3 cm across. The Galena has naturally etched and pitted faces and occurs with lilac-pink, purple and greyish-sea-green Fluorite crystals as individual cubes to 0.8 cm on edge. These specimens have a pervading coverage of sparkling micro-Quartz crystals as sucrosic druses over and in between the Fluorite and Galena.

Named for the abundance of crystallised Galena (lead sulphide) occurring with the Fluorite.

Figure: Galena with Fluorite and Quartz, Galena Pocket, Diana Maria mine; 17.1 x 11.5 x 7.6 cm.

Figure: Galena with Fluorite and drusy Quartz, Galena Pocket, Diana Maria mine; 13.0 x 10.8 x 6.5 cm

This pocket was discovered in Autumn 2018 adjacent to, and connected with, the Galena Pocket. The two pockets clearly show similarities in their deep purple Fluorites and drusy coatings of lustrous micro-Quartz crystals. Depletion of lead in the depositional fluid chemistry has resulted in only minor amounts of Galena throughout the Purple Haze Pocket. The colour of Fluorite appears hazy because of the naturally frosted crystal faces and the complexity of colour zoning within individual crystals and interpenetrant twins. Very rarely, the pocket produced Fluorites distorted to an orthorhombic-like habit wherein all three axes are of unequal length.

Named for its colour and in tribute to Jimi Hendrix’s classic track Purple Haze.

Figure: Fluorite with Quartz. The upper Fluorite crystal shows a distorted form of the cubic habit where each of its three axes are of a different length. Such crystals are uncommon from any of the Weardale mines. Micro-crystals of Quartz part-coat the Fluorite. Purple Haze Pocket; 5.0 x 2.9 x 2.1 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Quartz. A large deep blackberry-purple Fluorite crystal elongated along the vertical axis and sat on a bed of much smaller Fluorite crystals coated in creamy-white Calcite. Purple Haze pocket; 5.3 x 4.5 x 4.0 cm.

Figure: Detail of the main Fluorite crystal appearing an intense blackberry-purple in reflected light and exhibiting complex green, yellow and purple colour zoning in transmitted light. Purple Haze Pocket; 5.3 x 4.5 x 4.0 cm.

Discovered in November 2018 within the Southern Flats. This pocket is characterised by 1 cm + cubic crystals of gemmy, mossy emerald-green fluorite. Crystals which are not gemmy are often shades of moss-green with cream to pale creamy-green crazed centres. When crazed, the faces are typically crazed also, but with gemmy corners reminiscent of the Green Hill pocket (2017). Fluorite is present as both single and twinned crystals and the larger crystals exhibit magnificent deep mauve-blue daylight fluorescence. The gemmy cubes typically measure from 0.7 to 1.4 cm and are occasionally distorted with one of the three crystallographic axes longer (i.e. a1=a2<a3).

The Fluorite is often coated with creamy-white Calcite either as undulating botryoidal coatings or delicate platy rosettes to 4 mm across. The largest fluorite is a 2.6 x 2.0 x 1.8 cm cube with smaller interpenetrant twins set in a bed of off-white, creamy Calcite in the form of rosettes.

Named for the gem quality green Fluorite discovered in November 2018. For the gem-quality Fluorite single and twin crystals and its month of discovery.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Excellent light emerald-green, semi-transparent interpenetrant twinned crystals contrasting beautifully against drusy mounds of snow-white Calcite. In this pocket the larger Fluorite crystals are naturally not with Calcite whereas the smaller crystals tend to be completely obscured. November Gem pocket, 9.3 x 7.7 x 3.3 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Gemmy emerald green crystals as interpenetrant twins surrounded with a thin veneer of Calcite coating smaller Fluorite crystals. November Gem pocket, 7.9 x 6.7 x 6.5 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Gemmy emerald-green Fluorite crystals heavily coated in drusy snow-white microcrystalline Calcite. November Gem pocket, 10.1 x 9.0 x 3.7 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. A stunning cabinet specimen of smaller cubic Fluorite crystals coted in drusy snow-white Calcite with larger twinned Fluorite crystals remaining uncoated. Although the larger, interpenetrant twins do not appear to be epigenetic (post) with the Calcite, they are often seen in Diana Maria mine to be left uncoated by the Calcite phase, save for the lower edges of where the crystals are attached to the matrix or adjacent Fluorite crystals. Such specimens have not been treated in any way to remove the Calcite from the bigger Fluorites and are totally natural. The Fluorite forms as rich emerald-green crystals with sharp edges, mirror-like faces and display good blue-lilac daylight fluorescence. November Gem pocket, 11.1 x 10.9 x 4.7 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Single cubic Fluorite crystals cover an altered limestone matrix, between which pinkish-creamy tan platy Calcite crystals nestle. Standing proud of the specimen is a gemmy, deep emerald-green twin Fluorite. The smaller Fluorites have cloudy and frosted milky-green centres with some transparent edges and part-faces. November Gem pocket, 10.2 x 6.5 x 4.4 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Detail of interpenetrant Fluorite twin showing the clarity of the crystals and their intense and beautiful colour. The horizontal crystal measures 2.2 cm on edge. November Gem pocket, FoV 3.2 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Gemmy deep emerald-green crystals of Fluorite with razor-sharp edges and highly reflective faces surrounded with snow-white micro-botryoidal Calcite. The Fluorite crystal faces either exhibit concentric growth patterns or mirror-bright faces that enhance the transparency of individual crystals. November Gem pocket, 10.3 x 7.2 x 4.3 cm

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. A very fine large cabinet specimen of Fluorite coated by a thick botryoidal layer of snow-white Calcite and large gemmy single and twinned Fluorite crystals in two focused clusters. The Fluorite is extremely fluorescent in UV and daylight with the crystals here seen to be emitting a rich blackberry-purple. November Gem pocket, 22.0 x 10.9 x 4.8 cm

Figure: Fluorite: A small cabinet specimen of intergrown sea-green Fluorite crystals, some gemmy and some with frosted centres, crowned with a magnificent deep emerald-green gemmy interpenetrant twin. November Gem pocket, 7.0 x 4.5 x 3.6 cm

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Another specimen from this pocket with a thick, drusy coating of snow-white Calcite with individual interpenetrant Fluorite twins punctuating the surface. The Fluorite is gemmy and of a superb rich lime to almost chrome-green with all crystals tinged with purple-blue daylight fluorescence. November Gem pocket, 9.3 x 7.7 x 3.3 cm

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Another example of thick, drusy, snow-white Calcite with individual gemmy interpenetrant Fluorite twins. The Fluorite’s colour is stunning deep leaf-green. November Gem pocket, 13.0 x 8.4 x 5.7 cm

Figure: Close-up of the primary Fluorite crystal group emitting an intense purple-blue due to daylight fluorescence. November Gem pocket.

Discovered in November 2018 within the Southern Flats. This pocket is characterised by 1 cm + cubic crystals of gemmy, mossy emerald-green fluorite. Crystals which are not gemmy are often shades of moss-green with cream to pale creamy-green crazed centres. When crazed, the faces are typically crazed also, but with gemmy corners reminiscent of the Green Hill pocket (2017). Fluorite is present as both single and twinned crystals and the larger crystals exhibit magnificent deep mauve-blue daylight fluorescence. The gemmy cubes typically measure from 0.7 to 1.4 cm and are occasionally distorted with one of the three crystallographic axes longer (i.e. a1=a2<a3).

The pocket is characterised by the abundance micro-crystalline of Quartz occurring with green Fluorite. The pocket contained a considerable variation in the habit and colour of Fluorite and Quartz. In order to convey such variation to collectors, three examples are noted below:

Example 1: Fluorite with Quartz and Calcite. 2 to 3 mm glassy Quartz crystals coat an ironstone matrix over which snowy-white calcite surrounds and part-covers Fluorite crystals. Some Calcite occurs as small (5 mm) lenticular saucer-like crystals. The Fluorite is emerald-sea-green, with the odd crystal showing internal yellow reflections with cubes to 1.5 cm. Crystal faces are glassy to silky when complex growth features are present.

Example 2: Fluorite with Quartz, Galena and Calcite. On an ironstone matrix, the top surface is completely coated with 1-2 mm Quartz crystals, colourless to light smoky brown and tan. The Fluorite is a candy peppermint green in cubes to about 6-8 mm and to 1.3 cm on one specimen. Black tarnished galena crystals to 4 mm are patchy, forming as modified cubes and octahedral crystals with flattened tips.

Example 3: A specimen with minor Fluorite and larger Fluorite cubic crystals. Cubes to 1.5 cm as singles and interpenetrant wins. Many crystals are very gemmy and of a beautiful deep leafy-emerald green. The larger Fluorites display intense deep lilac-purple in daylight. A very small patch (10 x 6 mm) of off-white lenticular Calcite sits between the fluorite crystals.

Named for the sparkling sucrosic texture and colour of the glassy colourless Quartz crystals that surround and envelope the green Fluorite crystals.

Figure: Fluorite on Quartz with Galena. A large cabinet specimen of Fluorite occurring as single and twinned crystals richly overgrowing a bed of iron-tinted micro Quartz crystals with occasional small Galena crystals in cubic and cuboctahedral habits. Many of the Fluorite crystals have translucent frosted centres with more gemmy darker green corners. Green Sugar pocket; 16.0 x 12.0 x 6.0 cm.

Figure: Fluorite on Quartz with Galena. Sigle cubic Fluorite crystals to 1.5 cm partly surround a bed of 1 to 2 mm lustrous and clear, colourless Quartz crystals. Most of the Quartz takes on a light chocolate-brown hue due to iron inclusions and cuboctahedrons of matt lead-grey Galena to about 4 mm follow the distribution of the Fluorite. The Fluorite has light sea-green clouded centres with translucent to gemmy corners which show natural fluorescence. Green Sugar pocket; 7.0 x 7.0 x 3.0 cm.

Figure: Fluorite on Quartz. Individual sea-green Fluorite crystals scattered over a pervasive drusy coating of colourless and highly lustrous Quartz crystals. It is sometimes tempting to name specimens according to their shape; in this case perhaps Nessie after the famous “Surgeon’s photo” of the Loch Ness Monster! Green Sugar pocket; 16.8 x 14.0 x 11.0 cm.

Figure: Fluorite on Quartz. The reverse side of the same specimen, appearing more duck-like in this profile! Green Sugar pocket.

Figure: Green Sugar pocket; 7.0 x 4.0 x 4.0 cm.

Figure: Green Sugar pocket; 15.0 x 9.0 x 5.0 cm.

Figure: Green Sugar pocket; 13.5 x 10.0 x 5.0 cm.

Figure: Detail of above specimen.

Another pocket in the southern flats and immediately adjacent to the Sutcliffe vein. The Frosterley pocket was discovered in December 2018 and lies about midway between the November Gem and Green Sugar pockets. The Fluorite is of a high-quality emerald to slightly sea-green, often gemmy and does not display any signs of internal colour zoning. Some zones within the pocket were devoid of accessory minerals while in other sections the Fluorite associated with Calcite or Galena or, occasionally, both Calcite and Galena.

Named for the nearby village of Frosterley, first recorded as Forsterlegh in 1239, meaning 'the forester's clearing'. In the Middle Ages Forsterlegh lay outside the hunting park created in Weardale by the Bishop of Durham, the nearest entrance to this being its eastern gate, now the village of Eastgate.

Figure: Fluorite. A superb cabinet specimen of deep emerald-green Fluorite occurring as single and twinned crystals to about 1 cm on an iron-rich altered limestone. Occasional crystals have white frosted centres, but the majority are of good transparency and frequently of gem quality. As with most of the Fluorite from this mine, rare earth elements are present which generate excellent daylight fluorescence. Frosterley pocket, 14.2 x 9.1 x 3.8 cm.

Figure: Detail of an elongated Fluorite crystal on the same specimen, showing a slight purple-blue fluorescence and excellent clarity.

Figure: Fluorite with Galena. A small cabinet specimen of sea-green Fluorite as both equant and elongated cubic crystals. The larger crystals tend to form twins (a characteristic often seen in twinning) and these are of a much deeper shade of green, approaching emerald-green. A little dull grey Galena is present, as naturally etched octahedral crystals. Frosterley pocket, 8.1 x 7.7 x 5.7 cm.

Figure: Detail of the upper middle right Fluorite twin on the previous specimen, aptly displaying its uniformly naturally pitted surface which gives the interpenetrant twin a velvet-like texture, enhanced even more here by the blush of purplish-blue fluorescence. The individual crystals of this twin show an elongated habit, a nice feature sometimes seen in Fluorite from a few of the Weardale mines. Frosterley pocket; overall specimen size 8.1 x 7.7 x 5.7 cm.

Figure: Detail of the lower left Fluorite twin on the previous specimen. This shows a much-reduced degree of natural etching to the first close-up, so allowing the translucency of the crystals to show. Fine, concentric growth patterns of very low relief cover the surface of the crystal faces but are only visible given the correct orientation and direction of incident light. Frosterley pocket; overall specimen size 8.1 x 7.7 x 5.7 cm.

Figure: Etched lead-grey Galena crystal (lower middle right) on the previous specimen. The morphology is unusual in that both the cubic and octahedral forms are present, but as intergrown crystals and not the cuboctahedral form. This nestles between deep sea-green Fluorite crystals which range from being heavily crazed to very gemmy. Frosterley pocket; overall specimen size 8.1 x 7.7 x 5.7 cm.

Figure: Fluorite. A stunning gemmy interpenetrant twin of deep leaf-green Fluorite set amongst heavily internally clouded peppermint-green Fluorite cubes on an altered limestone matrix. Frosterley pocket, 7.4 x 4.8 x 4.5 cm.

Figure: Detail of the interpenetrant twin crystal that measures 1.7 cm on edge. The crystal is almost perfectly transparent and of high gem quality. What may appear to be internal crazing is in fact reflections of where the crystals contact the underlying Fluorite. Frosterley pocket; overall specimen size 7.4 x 4.8 x 4.5 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Individual single cubic crystals of Fluorite set against a pervasive snow-white coating of Calcite which masks the smaller Fluorite crystals. It is the larger Fluorite crystals that remain uncoated with Calcite, a feature observed in several other pockets within Diana Maria mine. The larger crystals tend to be quite gemmy, of mid-deep sea-green and occasional crystals show an elongated habit. Frosterley pocket, 8.9 x 5.7 x 3.5 cm.

Figure: Close-up of a pair of interpenetrant twinned Fluorite crystals with sharp, well defined edges, elongated crystal habits and concentric micro-stepped growth patterns on the faces. The habit of the Calcite can also be seen clearly, as a drusy, pisolitic to colloform continuous coating. Frosterley pocket, overall specimen size 8.9 x 5.7 x 3.5 cm.

The River Catcher vein was discovered during geological mapping of Rogerley quarry in the spring of 2017; up to this time the outcrop had gone unrecognised, or at least unrecorded. This vein is approximately 35 m north of the Sutcliffe vein and strikes parallel to it. Initial work around the River Catcher outcrop (to make safe the quarry face) exposed good-sized cubic crystals of Fluorite in varying shades of yellow, together with some Quartz and Calcite.

Named by the original SRK Consulting (UK) Ltd. geological survey team for a local golden ale named “Rivet Catcher”, in tribute to this traditional and local shipbuilding skill. However, at some point between consuming the ale and naming the pocket, the name was misconstrued as “River Catcher”. This name was deemed the nicer, and so it stuck. This is a purely fictious name as no such river is known to exist.

Figure: Fluorite with Quartz. Large equant Fluorite cubes to about 3 cm are stacked-up on a small crystalline Quartz matrix. The Fluorite is golden honey-yellow to a root beer-brown, depending on the quality of light it which it is viewed. The crystals have translucent to partly transparent edges, appearing more gemmy at the corners and with whitish crazed and frosted centres. River Catcher vein (Opencast operations), 7.1 x 6.0 x 6.0 cm.

Figure: Fluorite with Quartz. An interesting specimen, again consisting of relatively large honey-yellow Fluorite cubes with a little attached cryptocrystalline Quartz. The bottom left crystal has a slightly curved upper face that can be seen dipping towards the lower left in both images. River Catcher vein (Opencast operations), 8.6 x 5.6 x 4.0 cm.

Figure: A magnified image showing the patterned surface texture on many of the Fluorite crystals on this specimen. Although many are not perfect, the marks are hexagonal and are sunk into the crystal face and many can be seen to contain a smaller hexagon at or near their centre. These features are the casts of Quartz crystals. The Quartz originally seeded and developed on Fluorite crystal faces and it appears that the Fluorite continued to crystallise to a point where it envelopes the contact point of the Quartz crystal. Well crystallised Quartz crystals are still present on some specimens. Some subsequent process (tectonic, chemical, etc.) then removed the Quartz leaving the sunken hexagonal casts (depressions) in the Fluorite crystal surface. These casts are related to processes associated when Babel-quartz forms epimorphs in a co-developed associated mineral. This phenomenon was originally observed in Quartz-Fluorite contacts in the Bere Alston mines in Devon. Such quartz structures are named for their likeness to the mythical Tower of Babel, referenced in Genesis (11:1-9). River Catcher vein (Opencast operations), 8.6 x 5.6 x 4.0 cm.

Figure: Sketch showing an internal view from within a Fluorite crystal of the Babel-type casts entering the crystal from the outer crystal face. These are imprints of the bases of individual Quartz crystals and have formed either by continued growth of the Fluorite around the Quartz or by some chemical etching process initiated by the Quartz. These epimorphs are seen on many of the River Catcher vein specimens.

Figure: Fluorite with Quartz. A splendid cabinet size specimen of highly lustrous deep golden-amber Fluorite cubic crystal studied with jewel-like stubby crystals of Quartz. The Fluorite forms both single and interpenetrant twins and varies in colour from rich deep amber to golden syrup and pale butterscotch-yellow. The Fluorite crystal attain 2.7 cm along their elongated axis and the combination of equally high lustrous Fluorite and Quartz is superb. River Catcher vein, 10.0 x 8.4 x 5.8 cm.

Figure: Enlarged views of two Fluorite crystals sprinkled with tiny Quartz crystals on the precious specimen. The Fluorite is partly gemmy; is sometime twinned; can exhibit concentric surface growth patterns and frequent shallow inverse casts after Quartz. Tiny Pyrite crystals are also present, often included within the Fluorite, but very close to the surface. River Catcher vein, overall specimen size 10.0 x 8.4 x 5.8 cm. River Catcher vein, overall specimen size 10.0 x 8.4 x 5.8 cm.

Figure: Magnified views respectively taken from the two previous enlarged images. The multi-concentric hexagonal depressions of Babel Quartz-type casts are clear seen contrasting with the reflective surface of a Fluorite crystal. In both images, quite gemmy well-developed Quartz crystals are still present adhering to the Fluorite crystal surfaces. River Catcher vein, overall specimen size 10.0 x 8.4 x 5.8 cm.

Figure: Two magnified images showing crystal development growth patterns on Fluorite crystal surfaces. Some surfaces are heavily patterned (as shown here) and some (often adjacent faces) show no patterns; these are the highly lustrous and reflective faces. Many near-surface sub-mm Pyrite crystals can be seen in the first image with some clearly showing their cubic form. River Catcher vein, overall specimen size 10.0 x 8.4 x 5.8 cm.

An elongated pocket just on the southern margin of the Sutcliffe vein and aligned to the Queen of Green pocket which lay just outside the adit portal. Papa’s pocket was discovered at the intersection of the first north-westerly crosscut off the main drive. Although separate from Queen of Green, the Papa’s pocket contains zones of similar high-quality Fluorite, characterised by deep emerald-green twinned crystals, many of which are gemmy.

Named for Peter Schlegel, discover of the pocket and Diana Bruce’s father.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Choice, gemmy interpenetrant twined crystals surmount a cluster of paler, sea-green Fluorite crystals with crazed and frosted centres and edged with drusy coatings of snow-white Calcite. The second image (below right) shows the same specimen fluorescing bluish-purple in natural daylight. Papa’s pocket, 6.0 x 5.9 x 3.4 cm.

The Gushing Water pocket was discovered in late June 2019 within the Sutcliffe vein, a few metres north-east of the Purple Haze pocket.

The Fluorite tends towards shades of yellow, while exhibiting many variations and the inclusion of pale blues, lilacs, purples and greens. Examples from two specimens are pictured here and both, on close examination, display excellent colour zoning within the crystals.

Named for the large flow rate of water issuing from this pocket. It is connected to a high permeability fracture within the Great Limestone unit.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. Large, razor sharp-edged cubic crystals of root-beer to yellowish-Champaign Fluorite are enveloped in scattered druses of pure snow-white Calcite. Although not apparent in this photo, many of the Fluorite crystals contain superb concentric colour banding, parallel to their edges; see the magnified image (next photo) of this specimen. Gushing Water pocket, 11.5 x 8.7 x 4.5 cm.

Figure: Close-up detail of one face of the central crystal on the same specimen. Subtle internal colour zoning is revealed and the accompanying cartoon highlights the number of colour bands when examined under magnification. Gushing Water pocket, detail of above.

Figure: Macro-photo of colour zoning in another specimen from the Gushing Water pocket. In this specimen the Fluorite crystals are predominantly colourless and clear but exhibit the most delicate and subtle bands of pale yellow and blue close to their edges. The overall specimen size is 9.5 x 5.5 x 5.5 cm.

Figure: Diagram highlighting internal colour zoning of some Fluorite crystals on the above specimen. Under high magnification the colour bands around the outer edge are perfectly linear and parallel to the outer face and to each other. The diagram is sketched based on the crystal in the previous photo, but incorporating traits observed is other crystals on the same specimen.

Discovered on the southern margin of the Sutcliffe vein in June 2019 while advancing the main drive along vein towards the north-east. A small pocket containing Fluorite in many shaded of apple green and sometimes associated with drusy white Calcite. The colour is reminiscent of good West Pasture specimens, when the colour tended more citrus apple-green rather than yellowish-green. Although not always first apparent, the Wye-Aye Fluorite can be subtly banded in alternating subtle shades of green, lilac, purple and honey-yellow.

Pocket named for the exclamation in local dialect “Wey-Aye” but pronounced “Why-Aye”. It means “Well Yes, of course!” and is sometimes extended to “Wey-Aye man”. It is commonly used as a friendly greeting. “Geordie” is the name given to the dialect used around Newcastle upon Tyne and this extends as far south as Weardale. The name was chosen by Rogerley miner Simon xxx. To maintain the correct pronunciation, the phonetic spelling has been adopted for the pocket name.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite. A small cabinet specimen of mid-dark apple-green Fluorite as intergrown single cubes and dusted with small drusy patches of pinkish-cream to milky-white Calcite. The largest crystal measures approximately 2.8 cm on edge. Wye-Aye pocket, 10.0 x 7.5 x 3.3 cm.

Figure: Detail of the largest crystal measuring about 2.8 cm on edge. In this enlarged view hints of the delicate colour zoning can be seen around its edges. When magnified even further many more colour bands and zones are apparent; see cartoon diagram below.

Diagram: Cartoon showing the sequence of colour zoning in Fluorite crystals from the Why-Aye pocket. The colours in the sketch are obviously exaggerated but do accurately represent the subtle changes and delicately thin bands present. Some of the colours, particularly the honey-yellow bands and mossy zones can only be seen under increased magnification, say, x 10. The purple, mauve and yellow zones are delicate and are lost when observed from a normal viewing distance.

This small pocket was discovered in July 2019 near to the centre of the Sutcliffe vein, some metres further along from the Purple Haze pocket on the Sutcliffe vein sub-drive. This Fluorite pocket is characterised by the rich intensity of the blackberry-purple crystals, frequently partly coated with iron-stained light tan lenticular Calcite. The Calcite coats the Fluorite preferentially, often on two or three adjacent sides, indicating the “way-up” direction. When iron stained, the Calcite is reminiscent of the siderite coatings often seen on Fluorite from some other mines along the Weardale valley, Boltsburn for example.

Pocket named for its discovery on this date in 2019.

Figure: Fluorite with Calcite and minor Quartz. A choice cabinet specimen of intense blackberry-purple cubic Fluorite crystals to 3.8 cm with a preferential coating of light tan Calcite. The Calcite forms as sub 3 mm lenticular crystals and frame the Fluorite to aesthetic advantage. Around these are patches of drusy snow-white Calcite overgrowing Fluorite and small euhedral, colourless to milky Quartz crystals. 4th July pocket, 11.3 x 11.0 x 7.0 cm.

Figure: Detail of one Fluorite crystal from the previous image showing the rich depth and intensity of colour in the specimen. Some of the very first Fluorite finds from the Greenbank vein in the early 1970s were described a “blackberry purple”, but the whereabouts of most of these is unknown, these specimens from the 4th July pocket certainly convey the true meaning of this descriptive term. 4th July pocket, overall specimen size 11.3 x 11.0 x 7.0 cm.

Figure: A single, off-matrix, large Fluorite interpenetrant twin of remarkable intense blackberry-purple colour, measuring 4.1 cm along its maximum dimension. The Fluorite from this pocket display heavily stepped faces due to the surface growth patterns but remain highly lustrous. 4th July pocket, 4.1 x 3.3 x 2.5 cm.

Figure: A magnificent large cabinet specimen of translucent, intense deep blackberry-purple Fluorite in cubic crystals to 3.9 cm along edge. The specimen is a mix of single and twinned crystals surrounded by a preferential coating of iron-stained, light tan Calcite. These coloured Calcite crystals drape over the edges of the Fluorite crystals, giving a gently rounded edge in contrast to the razor-sharp edges of the Fluorite. The crystals are framed by extensive patches of snow-white Calcite and a little colourless, glassy Quartz. 4th July pocket, 15.0 x 10.2 x 6.0 cm.

Figure: A magnificent twinned Fluorite crystal photographed on the previous specimen in both reflected and transmitted light. The true intense colours are conveyed in this image along with the surface’s characteristic heavy growth patterns. In transmitted light the crystal displays good translucency and a strong fuchsia pink dappled mauve. See following sketch.

Figure: Sketch of colour zoning in a 4th July pocket Fluorite crystal showing the outer colour bands and inner uniformly coloured core.

A very small cavity excavated while developing the sub-drive along the Sutcliffe vein. The exact position was not recorded, but it was in the Northern Flats, close to 4th July pocket. The few Fluorites specimens recovered in mid-July 2019, are noteworthy for their amber-lemon translucency enclosed by an outer rim inky-blue colour zoning.

A cavity in the Northern Flats of the Sutcliffe vein, too small to be named as a pocket and with only a few specimens extracted. However, the characteristics and aesthetics of these few specimens are worthy of entering the records of Diana Maria mine.

Figure: Fluorite. A choice miniature of intermeshed Fluorite twinned crystals as cubes (to 2.1 cm) and elongated cubes (to 2.7 cm). The crystals are translucent, filled with curtains, wisps and filaments of internal reflection planes and with an overall colour of pale amber to an amber-lemon. The crystals are edges with a deep outer rim of intense mauve and purple with a light bluish-white inner zone. However, under magnification the zoning is much more complex, see following sketch. Northern Flats (unnamed small cavity), 5.3 x 4.2 x 3.9 cm.

Figure: Magnified view of the cubic Fluorite in the previous specimen, displaying the subtle colour zoning. The precision and delicacy of the linear coloured features is superb; see the following sketch. Northern Flats (unnamed small cavity), main crystal approximately 2.1 cm across; overall specimen size 5.3 x 4.2 x 3.9 cm.

Figure: Magnified view of the elongated cubic Fluorite crystal in the previous specimen, again displaying the excellent outer colour zoning. It is interesting to note that when a crystal is viewed obliquely, i.e. not normal (at 90°) to one of its axes, the colour zoning is not apparent. This is demonstrated in the twinned crystal, sitting diagonally to the vertical crystal, where its edges look to be uniform lemon yellow. Northern Flats (unnamed small cavity), main crystal approximately 2.7 cm tall; overall specimen size 5.3 x 4.2 x 3.9 cm.

Figure: Fluorite. A beautifully colour-zoned miniature of honey-yellow and purple Fluorite. Pale lemon to creamy translucent white Fluorite forms the matrix to two predominant Fluorite crystals which are best viewed side-on. The purple bands around the edges contrast aesthetically with the rich golden honey interiors and on close examination reveal much more complex and delicate banding. The sketch (lower right) is a representation of the internal zoning detail and highlights just how narrow some of the bands are. River Catcher vein (Opencast operations), 4.9 x 4.0 x 2.5 cm.

Figure: Sketch illustrating the complexity of colour zoning in this Fluorite specimen. No doubt at even greater magnification even more separation of bands would become apparent.