Hematite pseudo after Ilmenite, Hydrotalcite (Type Locality) & Lizardite ex Fioravanti Coll.

Item Description

This is a very rare pseudomorph, that for 50 years and more was thought to be ilmenite but upon analysis (I am told by a Norway expert) has proven in all cases to be hematite. Any good specimen is VERY RARE from this well-known Norway locale, quarried for magnesite and serpentine. This exceptional and colorful combination is highlighted by the dramatically placed, HUGE, sharp, 4.6 cm, lustrous, metallic-gray trigonal crystal with a cute baby brother in the front. It is complete all-around and is essentially pristine, with only one tiny bruise. The hematite crystals are set in the starkly contrasting matrix of sections of translucent, yellow-green lizardite, a Serpentine Group species and white laminated hydrotalcite, a rare complex carbonate. This deposit is the Type Locality for hydrotalcite. This is a superlative and rare combination example with an exceptionally large crystal from the Fioravanti Collection. It was obtained in an exchange with the D'Elia Collection in 1968. A super rare and interesting pseudomorph specimen! Courtesy of Norway specialist Oivind Thoresen: Worked with this locality for 30 years; In earlier times everyone thought this was magnetite or ilmenite because of the crystal shape, and after analysis we found out that all was hematite. Or to say it exactly it is martite. Hematite made out of pseudomorph.