Hematite

This miniature crystallised Hematite is from the world-famous N'Chwaning II mine in the Kalahari Manganese Field of Northern Cape Province, South Africa. It is a superb example of crystallised Hematite at its best; who would have ever thought an iron oxide could produce such spectacular specimens? A matt, sooty black matrix of manganese oxides has one concave-curved face completely coated with metallic black, crystallised Hematite ranging from millimetre-size crystals up to a twin 3.6 cm wide! The larger crystals are so reflective they appear pure metallic silver and frequently have subtly striated faces, sometimes forming chevroned patterns. A spectacular miniature Hematite from N'Chwaning II.