Hematite (classic "iron rose")

Item Description

Aesthetic, superb 2.5 x 2.0 x 1.5 cm cluster of lustrous Hematite cluster of the variety called for hundreds of years by the locals, “iron rose”, from this historic locale. Scovil photo, published in Mineralogical Record, Refined Elegance: The Small Treasures of Mineralogy, November 2022. Note that while hematite roses are common enough in theory, they are often marred by damage, lack of luster, lack of balanced symmetry, or simply not as fully sized as this for a true competitive thumbnail specimen. The size is literally the perfect large full thumbnail, and it is very impactful on display. This is literally the ideal, stereotypic example of the habit in thumbnail size, and was part of a favorite suite in the Schauss collection. Over the years, Alex devoted considerable time (and funds) to building what might be the finest overall and comprehensive thumbnail crystal suite of hematite crystals, and over 30 are in the collection. This is his best of this style.