Hematite (''iron rose'') (ex Bob Reynolds Collection)

Item Description

The most desirable and classic form for Hematite are the famous "iron roses" from various world localities. Along with the fine examples from the Swiss Alps, some of the best "iron rose" Hematites are those from Brazil. This piece is an excellent large thumbnail featuring splendent, metallic, steel-grey colored, thin layered crystals of Hematite forming a beautiful "rose" shape. While the broad faces on the front and back have highly reflective luster (hard to replicate in photos or a video), the thin edges have a matte reddish hue, creating a striking contrast. The piece is in good shape, but there are points of contact along a couple edges where it presumably was detached from the pocket wall. A wonderful example of these beautiful and fine quality "iron rose" specimens from Ouro Preto. From the collection of Robert (Bob) Reynolds (#RR0189). Bob was a well-known fossil and mineral expert and former Curator of Earth Sciences at the San Bernardino County Museum in California. The rare phyllomanganate-chromate species Reynoldsite was named in his honor in 2011.