Quartz on Hematite

Unknown Owner

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This remarkable specimen is one of the finest hematites recovered from England, for crystal quality, according to both Ralph Sutcliffe and Lindsay Greenbank (who should know!). It is not just specular, druse material as is commonly seen - but features real, sharp, disclike crystals. The luster is fantastic, like black mirrors. Atop these brilliant blades hangs like decoration a row of sharp quartz crystals of the unusual habit so desirable and unique to this mine (sometimes called beta quartz-like in form). All is atop a thin rind of hematite "kindey ore." This piece was the best specimen of a small pocket blasted into in 1978, by Raymond Clements. He was at the time the underground mine surveyor for this company and selected this specimen for his own collection, while the rest were sadly destroyed. It is very difficult to convey in photos how sparklign and vividly color contrasting this specimen really is, but the piece, winglike in its stretched-out appearance, is stunning in person. Illustrated in "Classic Minerals of Northern England," page 128. (Joe Budd photos)