Hematite pseudomorphing after Ilmenite with epitaxial Rutile (ex Gerry Morvell Collection)

Item Description

I remember these specimens hit the market circa 2010, and then quickly disappeared. Very few were available, and I don't know if there will be more. This piece is a showy and aesthetic display quality piece featuring many sharp, well-formed, thick, bladed, hexagonal crystals of what were originally Ilmenite, but have been pseudomorphed/replaced by steel-grey Hematite. The added bonus to this piece is that there are many small but beautifully well-crystallized groups of dark brownish-red colored, lustrous, heavily striated Rutile twins (showing 60 degree twin angles) which are epitaxially overgrowing the Hematite. It is believed that the original Ilmenite (which is titanium iron oxide) was altered / dissolved and resulted in the formation of the Hematite (iron oxide) and Rutile (titanium oxide). What's really special about this piece is that it's in amazingly good condition, as most of the pieces I've seen from this find were badly damaged. While this piece is not 100% pristine, it's still the best example we've ever had to offer in the auctions. Priced at $950 in the inventory. From the collection of Gerry Morvell.