large Hematite

Item Description

A remarkable large and uncommon old-time hematite "needle ore" specimen from this extinct large open pit and then deep underground Wisconsin iron mine. Beautiful ribbing and a lustrous gray/mahogany-brown patina highlight this complete all-around and pristine doubly terminated specimen. The two terminations are dramatically different! SELDOM do you see such a LARGE CABINET specimen of this quality and form preserved from this locality. The Montreal Mine opened in 1886 and closed in 1963. This exceptional old-timer probably dates to the 1950s. Ex Dr. James Carter Collection. James was a professor of Geology and former Department Chairman at the University of Texas at Dallas for 43 years until he retired in 2008. A true geoscientist, he studied and preformed research on a remarkable variety of geological aspects. NASA asked Carter to help create a material that was similar to actual lunar regolith. The lunar regolith simulant, or fake moon dirt, he deveoloped was used by NASA and other researchers for studies in support of future human activities on the moon. He passed away in 2019. We just acquired part of his collection. Read about James at: https://www.utdallas.edu/news/faculty-staff/carter-tribute-2019/. Today, these usually go for $1500-2000 in this size and quality.