Hematite

specimen number:
1115643

location:
Biancavilla, Metropolitan City of Catania, Sicily, Italy

description:
Bright lustrous metallic thin platy hematite crystals on matrix. Minimal micro-damage present; in good condition.

Biancavilla, situated on the southern slopes of Mount Etna in the Catania province of Sicily, has a history rooted in agricultural traditions and volcanic interactions, developing near ancient Hellenic and Roman settlement sites. Geologically, the area is dominated by the alkaline and tholeiitic lavas, tuffs, and pyroclastic deposits of the Etnean volcanic complex. Within this volatile setting, localized fumarolic activity and post-magmatic hydrothermal alterations within cavities of the volcanic rocks yield accessory minerals such as hematite, which frequently occurs here as brilliant, mirror-like, platy crystal aggregates (such as those found at Monte Calvario).

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