The History of Blue John Stone Order Ref: BLH001. 72 Minutes. Widescreen DVD. PAL £9.99 + £1.20 p&p
Blue John is the only semi-precious stone still mined in Britain. This rare blue banded Fluorspar has captivated people for over 300 years. It was once Britain's most important decorative stone and a symbol to the rest of the world of British 18th Century manufacturing. Many priceless collections are held in royal, public and private collections around the world.
But Blue John remains deeply mysterious. For many years, Scientists and Historians have struggled with the many unanswered questions surrounding one of Brtain's most famous natural treasures. What is the source of the strange blue banding? Where does the name come from? Who was the first to discover it? and why is one small hillside in Derbyshire the only place where you can find it?
This fascinating documentary gets deep underground and explores rarely seen Blue John workings left frozen in time. It traces Blue John's rise to fame from the very beginnings by uncovering ancient documents, talking to the experts, piecing toether clues and revealing the answers. This is the definitive history of Blue John Stone.