Quartz with Hematite

specimen number:
8311117

location:
Soudan Mine, St. Louis Co., Minnesota, USA

description:

A rarity from Minnesota, glassy gemmy crystals of colorless quartz to 1.5 cm in height are coming off matrix with minor hematite. This is in good condition. Previously in the collection of Robert Nowakowski, and then from the collection of Don and Gloria Olson. Specimens from this locality rarely appear on the market today.

The Soudan Mine in northern Minnesota is the oldest and one of the most important iron mines in the state, with mining beginning in 1884 after rich hematite deposits were discovered on the Vermilion Range. It was the first iron mine in Minnesota and helped establish the state as a major iron producing region. Operations began as an open pit and later moved underground, eventually reaching depths of more than 2,300 feet. The mine operated until 1962 under companies including U.S. Steel. After closure, it was turned over to the state and is now preserved as a historic site and state park, with parts of the underground workings later used for scientific research.

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