eCryptonite #011

​The model used is a beautiful and unique Quartz covered with Hematite and Stilbite from Malmberget, Sweden.

The size is 62x34x32 (36 gr.)

The quartz itself is perfect and even more interesting when you study it. If you take a look at the video you will notice that on the backside you can see the crystal's faces more in detail. In fact, they are not clean faces, but instead, you will see that they are covered with tiny sparkling crystals.

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The crystals are covered with red hematite, which is a common iron oxide.
And finally, you will see that it is also covered with beautiful yellow Stilbite crystals.

Even though it is not an expensive specimen, it is very unique and it will stay in the collection where it belongs.

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Malmberet, Norrbotten County, Lapland, Sweden:
The mines of Malmberget are the second-largest iron ore mines in Sweden.

Annual production is over 5 million tonnes of iron ore. It is one of the largest underground mines for ore in the world. The deepest point is 1390 meters below ground.

Sometimes the miners hit pockets with crystals, but seldom they are collected as it would slow the work. Luckily there are workers who are trying to save/collect the most interesting stuff.

My father had friends in the mining companies in Sweden and traded minerals directly from them. Most of the stuff he got was back about 15-25 years ago. Much of this material is now long gone, and seldom seen at the market.


Fun fact:
The name "hematite" is derived from the Greek word for "blood" αἷμα (haima), due to the red coloration found in some varieties of hematite.