Hematite

specimen number:
2062173

location:
Cary Mine, Iron Co., Wisconsin, USA

description:
Very fine example of botryoidal hematite, the type called kidney ore. In good condition, at one time this was part of the collection of the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Tech University and comes with one of their labels.

The Cary Mine, located in Hurley within Iron County, Wisconsin, was a cornerstone of the Gogebic Iron Range. Geologically, it targeted the Ironwood Iron Formation, a Paleoproterozoic sequence where tectonic tilting and secondary hydrothermal enrichment created massive, high-grade hematite ore bodies dipping steeply to the north. These deposits were often found at the intersection of the iron formation and cross-cutting igneous dikes, requiring deep underground extraction methods. Historically, the Cary Mine was established in 1886 and became one of the most enduring operations in the district, known for its extreme depth which eventually exceeded 3,000 feet. The mine operated continuously under various owners, including Pickands Mather and Company, until its final closure in 1964. Its decommissioning marked the end of an era for Wisconsin's underground iron mining, leaving behind a legacy of industrial prowess and a landscape characterized by the unique red-tinted geology of the Gogebic Range.

Questions about this specimen?
Send an email or call us: 314-341-1811.