Calcite (fluorescent) on Hematite - rare for locale

Item Description

Classic old locality specimen of brick red, botryoidal Hematite, richly coated by Calcite, from the famous Florence Mine in England. This iron ore is often referred to as Kidney Ore, and its distinctive look is attractive and easily recognizable. The Calcite layer is composed of sparkly, white botryoids averaging about 5 mm. The uniformity and the scintillating surface add much to the aesthetics, and where the botryoids are exposed you can see both the layered growth pattern of the Calcite as well as its fluorescence. This is a very good combination piece from this well-known mine, which operated primarily in the early to mid 1900's and the mine effectively closed by the end of the 1960s. Recently deaccessed from the Tim Sherburn collection.