Quartz on Hematite - Florence Mine, Egremont, West Cumberland Iron Field, Cumbria, UK
 
Elegant hematite with short-prismatic double terminated quartz from the Florence mine. The surface consists of fine-leafed hematite while the lower levels are formed as so-called kidney ore hematite.
This variant of hematite was found in the Florence mine east of the West Cumbrian town of Egremont. The iron mineralization here is by displacement of limestone and the kidney shaped - ore from this mine is undoubtedly among the very best in the world. It is a magnificent specimen that impresses with its size, colour, morphology and patina. In cross-section, the hematite is graphite to steel gray with a satin luster, while the outer surface is partially reddish with a metallic-satined luster.