significant USA Hematite 'iron Rose' ex Jack Halpern

Item Description

This is one of the largest and 'meatiest' hematites we have ever seen from this rare and remote locality, and is a SIGNIFICANT USA hematite specimen for the size and brilliance. It was colelcted by Mike Sprunger, a well known Utah collector, in 1981 and comes with his label card, signed on the reverse. Jack is the first and only owner of the specimen since the 1980s. It is gorgeous with incredibly reflective metallic luster that you could see your reflections in, and is extraordinarily diffuclt therefore to photograph. It is nearly complete 360 degrees all around and nearly pristine, with only a few small dings on close inspection and some minor wear on the side edges - but looks pristine in any case, at first glance. The main crystals are huge, and act as a foothold for smaller clusters of thicker but smaller hematite crystals, with sharp bevelled edges. The more you look closely, the more mesmerizing detail you see. The piece is simply incredible. AND, it is AMERICAN! I have never seen a hematite 'rose' of this magnitude from Utah, let alone from the USA. If it was from Switzerland, this 'iron rose' would be valued at $10,000 and more, quite easily, for the famous classic Alpine material - and yet, this is even more rare, more uncommon! It is impossible to value easily because htere are no comparables, as with the best of minerals in Jack's or any collection, but one would think it should at least be worth what a Swiss example (which is more common) should go for. STUNNING - please see video.