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Blue John Stone
is found nowhere in the world
but amongst the rocks of Treak Cliff Hill, Castleton. Blue John Stone
can now be found in only 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. Vases found amongst
the ruins of Pompeii are thought to be made
from Blue John stone.
The mineral
was much in demand in the 18th century for ornamental vases
and columns in some of the finest houses in Britain, most
notably Chatsworth, home of the Duchess of
Devonshire.
The most
substantial veins were worked out so that larger pieces are
no longer made. The origin of the name 'Blue John' is
thought to have come from the French 'bleu et jaune',
meaning 'blue and yellow'.
Treak Cliff Cavern is one
of only two working Blue John Stone mines in the world and extracts
approximately 0.25 tons per year. The stone is now used for small
decorative objects and jewellery.
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