Hematite var. Pencil Ore

Unknown Owner

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"Pencil Ore" is a variety of Hematite which as far as I know is unique to the West Cumbrian Iron Mining District. It has nothing to do with writing, but is in reference to how the nodular botryoidal masses of Hematite fracture, or splinter, to form narrow, often pointed or tapering shards. This quite long example is not specifically pointed at either end, but displays the distinctive very smooth surface fracture often seen in 'Pencil Ore'. Unusually for West Cumbrian Hematite specimens it is well-provenanced to a specific mine, and Lindal Moor mine near Barrow-in-Furness is not often represented in collections of Cumbrian minerals. Fortunately, the collector of this specimen worked in the industry back in the 1960s and took care in labelling and documenting specifically where material came from.