Hematite-included Beta Quartz & Specular Hematite (old classic - Harvard Univ.)

Item Description

Sculptural and deceptive large old-time mounded combination from the famous iron mines at Frizington, these quartz with hematite combinations are a classic of old English minerals. . One side of the banded "kidney ore" hematite matrix is dramatically dominated by the 6.0 cm tall densely intergrown cluster of highly lustrous, glassy, rich rust-red, hematite-included beta or dypyramidal quartz crystals. This style is a classic style from the old extinct iron mines in the district (although some people argue if they are really beta quartz, which is formed at high temperature apparently; or jsut regular quartz which looks weird). Adjacent is a complementary field of sparkling specular hematite plates partially coated with hematite. The reverse side is distinctively different. Here we see a crowning ring of included beta quartz crystals, that cascade down one side of this very showy exposure. The center of the vuggy side is richly filled with partially coated sparkly specular hematite. The small hole through the piece adds artistic quality. This fine and classic old-timer has an excellent provenance, having been in the Harvard Museum Collection.