Derbyshire Minerals is passionate about preserving and showcasing the natural beauty of minerals through the art of stone carving. With decades of experience in the industry, Richard has honed his skills to perfection, ensuring that each sculpture he produces is a true masterpiece.

The interesting and unique coloured rocks and minerals of Derbyshire have been prized and worked for at least five centuries and probably much longer. These rocks and minerals were generally referred to as ‘Derbyshire Spar’. A phrase much used in the Peak District and further afield for at least three hundred and fifty years, now almost redundant from even Derbyshire dialect.

The name appears to have been given or applied to practically any ‘sparkly’ rocks, minerals, combination of minerals, and even fossils from Derbyshire. 

Blue-John and other varieties of Fluorite, Calcite, Baryte, Galena and Quartz were all mined for decorative uses. The limestone was prized for its many fossils and was found in coloured varieties from white, red, brown, green, pink, orange and of course the coveted ‘Black Marble of Ashford’ which is actually a bituminous grey limestone that polished to a jet black gloss.

These Derbyshire Spars were often cut, shaped or polished ornaments and sold from self styled shops they referred to as ‘Museums’ or ‘Museums of Petrifaction’.

These were the ‘products of Petrification’ and those who worked them referred to as  ‘ Petrifactioneers ‘

The people, materials, craft, skills and techniques once commonplace across the county, now sadly condensed over a century and a half, to just a handful of people and workshops.

So with this knowledge, it is our responsibility to preserve these crafts and traditions for future generations to both create and enjoy.