Hematite

specimen number:
2262145

location:
Elba, Tuscany, Italy

description:
Lustrous somewhat iridescent crystals of hematite to 1.0 cm in size across the top of matrix. Typical of these, some damage is present.

Hematite from the island of Elba, Italy, is associated with one of the most significant iron deposits in history. Geologically, the mineralization is located along the eastern coast near Rio Marina, where late-Miocene magmatic intrusions into Paleozoic and Triassic sedimentary rocks created extensive skarn and replacement deposits. This environment produced high-quality hematite known for its intense metallic luster and exceptional tabular and rhombohedral crystal habits, often forming brilliant, mirror-like plates. Historically, mining and quarrying on the island dates back over 2500 years to the Etruscans and Romans, who recognized the purity of the ore. The mines were vital to the economy of the Mediterranean for centuries, seeing major industrial expansion during the 19th century under various Italian administrations. Large-scale extraction continued until the mid-20th century, with the final commercial operations at the Rio Marina site closing in 1981.

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