Botryoidal Hematite with Quartz from Egremont, England

This hematite specimen comes from the historic iron mining district of Egremont in Cumbria, England. The hematite forms a compact surface with rounded to botryoidal structures and a steel-gray to black color.

Numerous small, colorless quartz crystals sit on the hematite. They show a rhombohedrally dominated habit characteristic of classic quartz specimens from the former county of Cumberland. Under direct light, the metallic hematite contrasts clearly with the vitreous quartz crystals.

Measuring 5.2 × 4.0 × 2.0 cm, the piece belongs to the small cabinet specimen size category. It weighs 93 g.

Hematite and Quartz from the West Cumberland Iron Field

The area around Egremont was one of the most important iron ore mining districts in West Cumbria. Hematite occurred there in massive, botryoidal, and crystallized forms. Quartz is one of the characteristic associated minerals and locally forms the rhombohedrally dominated crystals known as the Cumberland habit.

The combination of botryoidal hematite, small quartz crystals, and the classic British locality makes this a characteristic specimen from the Egremont mining district.