Blue John Stone is now only mined in two caverns: Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. This mineral, a colour banded form of Treak Cliff Cavern, is so beautiful that it has been prized for many hundreds of years.
Is there any Blue John left?
There are very few pieces of Blue John left today and the little that remains is either mined during the Winter months or sorted from the spoil heaps from past mining. No two pieces of Blue John are identical making this a very unique gemstone to possess.
Can you mine Blue John?
Modern Mining
Regular mining of Blue John has been carried out in the cavern since the 18th century. Technology has improved with time but great skill is still needed to obtain the mineral… Pictured below are shots taken during mining in Treak Cliff Cavern in January and November 2014.
Is Blue John fluorite rare?
Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar) is a semi-precious mineral, a rare form of fluorite with bands of a purple-blue or yellowish colour.
How old are Blue John mines?
about 250 million years old
The cavern takes its name from the semi-precious mineral Blue John, which is still mined in small amounts outside the tourist season and made locally into jewellery. The deposit itself is about 250 million years old.
How much does it cost to get into Blue John mines?
| Adults £17.00 | Children £11.00 |
|---|---|
| Senior Citizens £12.00 | Students £12.00 |
| Family Ticket (Two adults and two children aged 5 to 15) £50.00 |
Where is Blue John mineral found?
Castleton
Blue John Stone is found nowhere in the world but amongst the rocks of Treak Cliff Hill, Castleton. Blue John Stone is now only mined in two caverns: Treak Cliff Cavern and Blue John Cavern. This mineral, a colour banded form of fluorspar, is so beautiful that it has been prized for many hundreds of years.
How deep is the Blue John mine?
This cave descends for 214 feet, but the effort of reclimbing this distance back to the surface is relieved by the beauty of the caverns which are passed on the way.
Is Blue John the same as amethyst?
However, pieces described as Blue John may actually be Chinese Fluorite or Amethyst – both of which can bear a resemblance to the mineral and often mistaken for it, but visibly offer a very diluted and washed out colouring.
Is fluorite the same as Blue John?
Blue John is a multi-crystalline variety (formed of many crystal grains stacked together rather than a single crystal) of fluorite that has jagged bands alternating between dark purple-blue and light cream to yellow colours.
How can you tell a Blue John?
Blue John stone is found in only one place on earth, beneath Treak Cliff Hill near the pretty Peak District village of Castleton. Each vein has its own characteristic colour and banding of blue, purple, yellow and white.
Where is Blue John fluorite found?
Blue John (also known as Derbyshire Spar) is a semi-precious mineral, a form of fluorite with bands of a purple-blue or yellowish colour. In the UK it is found only at Blue John Cavern and Treak Cliff Cavern at Castleton in Derbyshire.
How much money is fluorite worth?
To give you some examples, a 4.3kg museum-quality natural purple edge fluorite & white quartz specimen is offered at $12,280 online. But you can also find some much more affordable fluorites online around $50.
Is Blue John only found in the UK?
Blue John Stone is a rare, semiprecious mineral found at only one location in the world – in the caves of Castleton, Derbyshire in the Peak District National Park.
What kind of milk is Blue John?
unpasteurized skim milk
Blue John it turns out is a derogatory term for unpasteurized skim milk. This milk has a faint blue tinged color, sort of like washing your fountain pen (remember those?) in the shirt pocket of your best white shirt.
What does the term Blue John mean?
skim milk
sometimes capitalized J dialectal : skim milk. especially : milk that is just beginning to sour.
Are there toilets at Blue John Cavern?
One of only two caverns where you can see the semi-precious mineral Blue John. Go on a guided tour of the caverns. There are toilets and a cafe.
Are dogs allowed in Blue John mines?
We love dogs! All well-behaved dogs on a lead are welcome in the visitors’ area and cavern.
How many steps does Blue John Cavern have?
245 steps
There are 245 steps into (and out again!!!) please take this in to account during your visit.
Are Blue Rocks rare?
Blue is one of the rarest colors in nature. Nevertheless, blue gemstones are always in demand for jewelry. While people have adorned themselves with blue stones for centuries, the quality and variety available today are unsurpassed.
Why is skim milk called Blue John?
As Mae explained, blue john made its way into the Southern language before the age of pasteurization and refrigeration. You kept your milk in a well to keep it cool and let the cream rise. Then you skimmed off the cream. If the remaining liquid had a light-blue cast, you had blue john.