Hi Michael,
Witherite is Barium Carbonate, it can be found at several mines in
Shropshire, most notably Snailbeach. In Shropshire it seems to be found
below the main barite (barium sulphate) workings.
Witherite is generally considered poisonous. I understand it is easier
to abstract the barium from the carbonate form than the sulphate form.
Underground Witherite looks very similar to Barite, but if you put a
cap-lamp behind it, it glows with a pinkish tinge (at least at
Snailbeach it does - although the sample that the Shropshire Mines Trust
have in the loco shed glows with a yellow tinge).
>J B Richardson's book 'Metal Mining' states that a watercolour pigment is
>made (or was then) from witherite, can any one tell me what this pigment was
>and if it is still produced.
Kelvin Lake
Shropshire Caving & Mining Club ^o^
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