Hematite (important old classic!) ex Jack Halpern

Item Description

This is a CLASSIC of Old Brazilian mineral discoveries, probably from the 1960s or 1970s, and is a rare Iron Rose style of Hematite from the famous gem deposits of Ouro Preto. Not only are they mined for gems, but also for iron, so much hematite surely was destroyed! This is a complete rose of crystals, HUGE AND COMPLETE, massing 584 grams (over 1.25 pounds in weight !). It is complete. Note that this is preserved as found without heavy cleaning work. It has iron oxide staining on the side edges that in Jack's opinion (and we agree) really served to accent the luster and shape of the frontal faces and slight curvature of the crystals. Most of these are overcleaned, and have no contrast. The slight brown layer on the sides helps add depth and contrast when this is displayed facing forward, with just a slight tilt. It is a monster of a crystal, complete, shiny, robust, and damned impressive to look at. It is quite simply one of the best surviving examples we know of, of this material - although not the biggest, as we have seen even larger but more crude specimens. It is a perfecct collector size for so many of us, and the kind of metallic rarity (as an old classic style, rather than as a rare species per se) that leaps out to the eye. Video helps, but you just have to trust that this is simplybetter in person. It is a significant hematite specimen, whether from anywhere. Compared to small examples that sell for $2-5k already, not that there are any big ones of this quality out there to compare it to but we would think this to be valued $15-20,000. Jack purchased this from dealer Ken Roberts, known for his exquisite eye for beautiful specimens, in the 1990s.