Hematite (var: Pencil Ore) (ex R. D. Mushlitz Collection)

Item Description

A striking and superb quality "Pencil Ore" specimen of the famous Hematites from the lesser known Cary Mine in Iron County, Wisconsin. There's a reason why this county got its name, mostly due to the presence of so much concentrated (and often high quality) iron ore in the form of beautiful Hematite specimens like this one. The piece is a gorgeous, heavily striated, elongated tapered "tooth"-like display specimen with a dark reddish-grey color on the exterior faces. It's complete all around and displays well from all angles. The term "Pencil Ore" is used to describe "hard, fibrous masses of Hematite that can be split up into thin rods" according to mindat.org, and this piece is a textbook example of said material. Similar specimens have been found from the better-known Montreal Mine, just a couple miles away, but you'd be hard-pressed to find another example as good as this one from the Cary Mine. From the collection of R. D. Mushlitz. Valued at $2,000 for the size, quality and the fact that they are virtually non-existent on the market today.