Helgustadir mine ( Icelandic : Helgustaðanáma [ˈhɛlkʏˌstaːðaˌnauːma] ) is a mine in the east of Iceland where Iceland spar (a form of transparent calcite ) was mined from the mid-17th century to the 20th century. It is the source of the largest and clearest known Iceland spar specimen and the source of most museum specimens of Iceland spar.
6-447: It was declared a nature reserve in 1975. The mine is located near Eskifjörður , east of Iceland. Helgustadir mine consists of two mines, known as the upper and lower mine. Crystals from this area are known for exceptional clarity, leading to the mineral being named "Iceland spar". Iceland spar from Helgustadir mine was used in optical devices used in physics, chemistry, and geology, most importantly Nicol prisms . The nature reserve
12-774: Is 0.9 hectares . Since 2010, it has been on the Environment Agency of Iceland's red list of areas that are likely to lose their protection status. Being a nature reserve, tampering with the rock formations and removing crystals is forbidden. Despite that, visitors often take samples with them, causing a disruption of the area. The problem has gotten worse as tourism has increased, with some visitors filling their backpacks with samples. 65°02′01″N 13°51′09″W / 65.0336°N 13.8526°W / 65.0336; -13.8526 Eskifj%C3%B6r%C3%B0ur Eskifjörður (in original spelling; Icelandic pronunciation: [ˈɛscɪˌfjœrðʏr̥] ), or Eskifjördur ,
18-438: Is a town and port in eastern Iceland with a large fishing industry. With a population of 1,043 it is one of the most populous towns in the municipality of Fjarðabyggð . Eskifjörður had 302 inhabitants in 1901, 425 in 1910, 619 in 1920, 758 in 1930, 671 in 1940, 673 in 1950, 1741 in 1960, 936 in 1970 and 1 084 in 1981. It obtained the rights and privileges of an official trading place ( verslunastaður ) as early as 1786 und
24-579: Is located in a commercial building, "Gamla búđ", which was built in 1816. The museum displays artefacts that illustrate the fishing and seafaring history of East Iceland. It also displays various reminders of local trade, industry and medicine from times past. The First Free Church in Iceland was built in Eskifjörður in 1884. Eskifjörður has one of the most beautiful rare stone collections in Iceland, with thousands of polished, cut and original stones from all over
30-485: The new municipality of Fjarðabyggð ("fjords-settlement"). The other villages composing the municipality are: Fáskrúðsfjörður (662 inh.), Mjóifjörður (35 inh.), Neskaupstaður (1,437 inh.), Reyðarfjörður (1,102 inh.) and Stöðvarfjörður (203 inh.). A sculpture by Ragnar Kjartansson is located along the main road in Eskifjördur, commemorating the mariners who drowned at sea. The Maritime Museum of East Iceland
36-416: Was awarded municipal status ( kaupstðurréttindi ) on 10 April 1974. It developed into a booming community after Örum & Wulff, a powerful Danish trading company, had opened a trading post in 1798. In 1802 Kjartan Þórlaksson, the first Icelandic merchant who was not a Dane, settled down in Eskifjörður and started a successful business. Eskifjörður joined Neskaupstaður and Reyðarfjörður in 1998 to form
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