Hematite

$2,000.00

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Hodbarrow mine is one of the most famous mines in the West Cumbrian iron mining district because of the structural challenges it faced working out under the sea. Mineral specimens are less often seen from there compared with mines around Frizington further to the northwest. This superb classic botryoidal Hematite, of the variety known as 'Kidney Ore', is not only large and tactile, but is wonderfully provenanced to an individual pit - Moorbank Pit. Its overall shape is really fine, slightly reminiscent of an armadillo. Internally, underneath, the 'onion-skin' layering of the botryoidal Hematite is demonstrated extremely well with bands ranging from 11 and 2 mm in thickness. Salmon-pink patches in the very centre of the banding reflect areas of iron-included Calcite. A number 44 from the previous owner is painted on the underside of the specimen. The owner formerly worked in the iron-mining industry and assembled an extremely well-provenanced suite of Hematite specimens. A superb Cumbrian classic with remarkable provenance and great aesthetics.