Specularite Hematite with Clear Quartz

Description

A self-standing cabinet piece with lustrous black Specularite blades intergrown with clear to milky Quartz. Its upright form shows a striking contrast between the dark metallic fans and pale crystals.

Black, finely bladed Specularite forms radiating groups across this upright 230 g specimen. Clear to milky Quartz crystals project between the metallic blades. The photographs show the front, sides and natural reverse; the specimen is self-standing, and the photographed glass base is used for presentation.

The supplied locality is Guangdong Province, China. “Jinlong Hill style” describes its appearance; it is not a confirmed mine attribution. The specimen measures 100 × 50 × 30 mm. It is described as natural, with no repairs or enhancement, and

The bladed growth described here gives the specimen a strong sense of direction. Overlapping elongated forms create layers and spaces through the group, while reflections emphasise individual edges. The overall arrangement is worth appreciating alongside the details of each exposed surface, particularly when comparing the piece with more compact crystal clusters.

The accompanying Quartz brings a silicate crystal habit into the association. Its surfaces and crystal outlines contrast with the featured mineral, giving the specimen more than one kind of growth to examine. The way the minerals occupy the same piece is part of its character: the setting retains their natural relationship and adds depth to the overall display.

Hematite is iron oxide and one of the important ore minerals of iron. Its appearance is remarkably varied: red earthy material and dark metallic crystals belong to the same species. The name Specularite is used for sparkling, reflective Hematite. This variety makes texture and crystal habit especially useful when describing a collector specimen.

Crystallised Hematite can develop plates, blades and compact intergrowths. The surface reflections often reveal these forms more clearly than the dark overall colour does. Where a pale or transparent mineral accompanies it, that contrast gives the metallic growth a stronger visual outline. The value to a mineral collection lies in this combination of identifiable habit, surface character and natural association.

The recorded origin is Guangdong Province, China (Jinlong Hill style). Within a collection of Hematite specimens, this locality gives the piece a geographical identity alongside its particular crystal habit and natural setting.

The specimen measures 100 × 50 × 30 mm, with a recorded weight of 230 g. The proportions give a useful guide to its place in a display, with the individual crystal arrangement and mineral association remaining the principal points of interest.

Support the stable matrix or the supplied mount when moving the specimen, avoiding pressure on projecting growth. A secure indoor display allows its natural form and surface detail to be appreciated while protecting exposed crystal edges.