Hematite

Rather deceptively, Cleator Moor is both a town and a civil parish, but not a moor!  It is located about half way between Egremont to the south and Frizington to the north.  This rather magnificent botryoidal Hematite is a perfect example of the variety Kidney Ore and looking very kidneyish indeed!  Sometimes Kidney Ore can form as nested shell-like layers which can part and be somewhat friable, but this is just the opposite, completely solid and robust.  Each of the main botryoidal hemispheres measures about 3 cm across and form a bubbly, or should I say kidney-like, mound of dark chocolate brown Hematite with a muted metallic lustre.