Campylite

Campylite

Dry Gill, Caldbekk Fells, Cumbria, England

A single piece. Size approx . 40mm x 28mm x 17mm. Weight approx. 40g.

This wonderful stone has characteristic campylite, large and shiny barrel-shaped crystals with a deep light brown and mustard yellow color. Mimetite is a lead arsenate chloride mineral that forms as a secondary mineral in lead, usually from the oxidation of lead glitter (galena) and arsenopyrite. The mineral's name comes from the Greek word Μιμητής, which means "imitator" and refers to the remarkable similarity of mimetite to pyromorphite. Campylite is a rarer form of mimetite. The crystals are then semi-circular and the dense formations resemble small barrels. Campylite occurs in the upper lead deposits due to the oxidation of galena or ceruscite. The most important deposits have been found at Příbram in Bohemia and at Dry Gill, near Wigton, Cumbria, England.