HEMATITE
Specimen hem-18
$ 150.00Dims: 2.3" x 1.9" x 1.6" (5.8 x 4.8 x 4.1 cm)
Wt: 5.58 oz. (158.5 g)
Punta Calamita, Elba Island, Italy
Though most of the visible crystals on this specimen show damage in one form or another, it is still a rather impressive specimen, for two reasons: its locality, and the two largest crystals on it. These two crystals grow parallel and adjacent to each other, and appear to be tangent to each other near their bases. They both measure approximately 1" (2.5 cm) in diameter and 0.2" (5 mm) in thickness. Though they are damaged, their crystal form is quite evident. However, I cannot classify it, though it must be hexagonal-based. The crystals generally are much thicker than most Hematite tablets that I have seen, and each blade shows subtle but definite curvature on certain faces. Even the largest faces are made up of smaller faces that make them appear curved. They have the standard dark gray color and metallic luster that one expects from Hematite, and show patches of iridescence on some smaller faces. There are a few small hexagonal prismatic quartz crystals among the smaller Hematite blades- these are transparent and seemingly clear, but appear almost white due to their matte luster. There is no other material, and more massive Hematite seems to act as a host rock. I find it intriguing to consider that Napoleon may have walked on the earth over this specimen during his exile!