Hematite

$2,500.00

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This is a most peculiar specimen, the like of which I have never seen before. It is botryoidal Hematite, similar in appearance to the well-known 'Kidney Ore' found in the West Cumbrian iron mines, but look at the underlying shape of the Hematite - it is cubic. Explaining this is difficult, as the Hematite is usually seen as stalactitic layered masses within relict cave systems. This specimen is clearly a replacement of (a pseudomorph) or cast after (epimorph) a long gone cubic mineral. The obvious possibilities are Fluorite or Pyrite, but in the iron mines Fluorite usually post-dates the deposition of iron oxides and Pyrite is rarely seen in the iron mines. In this instance the cubes reach 2 cm on edge and appear to show a twinned habit atop this specimen, the base of which is more Hematite, but of a more typical porous layered variety. To best display these wonderful epimorphs the specimen needs to be mounted upright. Stainton quarry is a limestone quarry, but formerly had iron workings attached to it as the iron mineralization in west Cumbria is often associated with the limestone beds. This specimen is from an older collection assembled in Cumbria when the mines were still operating, so it is likely that this piece was found maybe 30 or 40 years ago. A extremely unusual, and perhaps unique specimen, from the West Cumbrian iron mining district.