Quartz with Hematite

specimen number:
2072183

location:
Florence Mine, Egremont, Cumbria, England, UK

description:
Classic British specimen with glassy gemmy smoky quartz crystals mostly double terminated and measuring to 2.8 cm in size across a matrix of bright micaceous lustrous metallic crystallized hematite. This is in good condition. A very attractive combination piece. The matrix is a kidney ore hematite. Previously from the collection of Emamanuel Bravais with labels.

The Florence Mine, situated near Egremont in West Cumbria, England, was one of the last deep-shaft iron ore mines to operate in the United Kingdom. Geologically, the deposit consists of massive hematite replacement bodies hosted within the Carboniferous-aged Sixth Limestone. These ores formed when iron-rich hydrothermal fluids moved along faults and dissolved the limestone, leaving behind dense metallic hematite and the world-famous "specularite" and "kidney ore" varieties in open cavities. The mine is also legendary among collectors for its aesthetic associations of hematite with clear, well-formed quartz crystals and dolomite. Historically, the Florence shaft was sunk in 1914 by the Millom and Askam Hematite Iron Company, with production ramping up through the early 20th century. While most neighboring mines closed by the 1970s, Florence survived through various ownership changes and small-scale operations until commercial iron ore extraction finally ceased in 2007. Since the closure, the site has been preserved in part as a heritage center and for specialized pigment production.

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