Hematite with Quartz

specimen number:
2102244

location:
Ullcoats #1 Mine, Egremont, Cumbria, England, UK

description:
Glassy sharp gem crystals of quartz to 1.6 cm in size across the top of a sparkling metallic micaceous hematite crystal matrix. This is in very good condition. Classic material for this mining district.

The Ullcoats Number 1 Mine, located near Egremont in the West Cumberland Iron Ore Field of Cumbria, England, was a premier producer of high-grade hematite. Geologically, the mine exploited massive replacement ore bodies within the Carboniferous Seventh Limestone, where iron-rich fluids filled faults and cavities to form dense, metallic hematite and the iconic "kidney ore" variety. This specific site was particularly noted for its complex structural geology, as the ore was often found in contact with the underlying Ordovician Skiddaw Group. Historically, the Ullcoats Mining Company began sinking shafts in the late 1890s, with Number 1 being a primary extraction point that helped the mine become one of the largest and most successful in the district. The operation reached its peak in the early 20th century and was eventually amalgamated with the neighboring Florence Mine in 1917, creating a vast interconnected underground complex. Large-scale production at Ullcoats continued through the mid-20th century until the broader complex transitioned toward limited Heritage mining and final closure in the 1980s.

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