Stilbite with Magnetite from Leveäniemi, Sweden – Rounded Aggregates on Ore Matrix

This Stilbite specimen from the Leveäniemi Mine near Svappavaara in northern Sweden shows numerous yellowish to yellow-green, rounded to rosette-shaped Stilbite aggregates on a dark, magnetite-rich ore matrix. The Magnetite does not occur as free-standing crystals, but is predominantly disseminated and incorporated into the matrix.

Measuring 8.0 × 6.0 × 4.0 cm and weighing 245.7 g, this is a cabinet specimen. The Stilbite aggregates mainly cover the more open front side and occur there in numerous groups on and between the darker areas of the matrix.

Rounded to rosette-shaped Stilbite aggregates

The Stilbite shows a yellowish to yellow-green coloration and is opaque. The surface of the aggregates is finely crystalline and shows a subtle luster under direct illumination.

Characteristic of this specimen is the rounded to rosette-shaped development. The aggregates consist of numerous very small, densely intergrown crystals, creating a granular to finely textured surface.

The Magnetite forms the dark contrast to the lighter Stilbite mineralization. It occurs predominantly as grains disseminated throughout the matrix and is locally visible in larger dark areas.

Stilbite from the Leveäniemi Mine in northern Sweden

The Leveäniemi Mine near Svappavaara in Norrbotten belongs to the important iron ore province of northern Sweden. The ore is predominantly composed of Magnetite, with Apatite and other associated minerals occurring locally. Leveäniemi therefore forms part of the broader group of northern Swedish iron oxide–apatite deposits, similar to those known from the Kiruna district.

Stilbite is documented from Leveäniemi as an associated mineral and occurs there as secondary mineralization in cavities and on ore- and host-rock surfaces. The combination of Stilbite and Magnetite makes this specimen particularly interesting because it reflects both the mineralogical diversity and the ore-deposit character of the locality.