Hematite ps. after Calcite

This rare pseudomorph of Hematite replacing Calcite crystals is from Stank mine, near to Barrow-in-Furness, in south-west Cumbria. Prior to county boundary changes in 1974, this had been part of Lancashire, and so would have been when this specimen was mined. I can't say with any authority just how rare such pseudomorphs are, but of all the west Cumbrian specimens I've seen over the past few decades I can count these on one hand (and not using all fingers!). Examined closely, the Hematite forms gently undulating mammillary surfaces to the sharply defined former Calcite crystals, with a smooth to velvet texture and of brick to terracotta-red. The base reveals metallic, dull silver grey Hematite pseudomorphing the internal structure of the original Calcite crystals together with a few millimetre sized white Calcite crystals. This is ex the Mike Brooke Collection and comes with one of his labels.

Unknown Owner

Product details

Species

Hematite, Calcite

SizeMiniature

Dimensions2.6 x 2.7 x 2.0 cm

Locality

UK, England, Stank Mine

Added on06/21/2025

Comments

Known provenance

2025/07