Hematite

specimen number:
2062106

location:
Wakefield, Gogebic Co., Michigan, USA

description:
Lustrous smooth botryoidal hematite across the top of matrix. In great condition. At one time the specimen was part of the collection at the A.E. Seaman Mineral Museum.

Wakefield, located in Gogebic County, Michigan, is part of the Gogebic Iron Range, a major iron producing region that was extensively mined from the late 19th century through the mid 20th century. Mining in the area focused on high grade iron ore hosted in banded iron formations, with numerous underground mines developed to follow the ore bodies at depth. The district played an important role in supplying iron for the growing industrial needs of the United States. In addition to its economic significance, the Wakefield area is known among collectors for occurrences of botryoidal hematite, which forms as smooth, rounded masses with a metallic luster. These specimens developed through secondary processes involving the alteration and recrystallization of iron rich material, and they are valued for their attractive form and association with this historic iron mining region.

The A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum at Michigan Technological University in Houghton, Michigan, is one of the premier mineral museums in the United States, with a history closely tied to the development of mining and geology in the Lake Superior region. The museum was established in the late 19th century and later named in honor of Arthur Edmund Seaman, a professor of mineralogy who played a key role in building the collection and advancing geological education at the university. Over time, the museum has grown to house an extensive collection of minerals, with particular strength in specimens from Michigan's Copper Country, including native copper and related minerals. It serves both as a public museum and an academic resource, supporting research, education, and outreach. Today, the A. E. Seaman Mineral Museum is recognized for its high quality displays and its importance in preserving the mineralogical heritage of the region.

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