Name/Title
Hematite var. speculariteEntry/Object ID
2011.57.107Description
Chemical Composition: Fe2O3
Crystal System: Hexagonal System
Description: Common Name: Hematite var. specularite
Chemistry: Fe2O3,
Class: Oxides and Hydroxides
Location: Negaunee Iron Formation, Empire Mine, Ishpeming, MI
Description: Blocky, angular with one side showing agatized banding while encrusted with metallic ore (solid) present. The remainder has a speckled metallic luster. Gray to light pink (in a band).
Physical Characteristics:
•Color is steel or silver gray to black in some forms and red to brown in earthy forms. Sometimes tarnished with iridescent colors when in a hydrated form (called Turgite).
•Luster is metallic or dull in earthy and oolitic forms.
•Transparency: Crystals are opaque.
•Crystal System is trigonal; bar 3 2/m
•Crystal Habits include tabular crystals of varying thickness sometimes twinned, micaceous (specular), botryoidal and massive. also earthy or oolitic.
•Cleavage is absent. However, there is a parting on two planes.
•Fracture is uneven.
•Hardness is 5 - 6
•Specific Gravity is 5.3 (slightly above average for metallic minerals)
•Streak is blood red to brownish red for earthy forms.
•Associated Minerals include jasper (a variety of quartz) in banded iron formations (BIF or Tiger Iron), dipyramidal quartz, rutile, and pyrite among others.
•Notable Occurrences especially nice specimens come from England, Mexico, Brazil, Australia and the Lake Superior region.
•Best Field Indicators are crystal habit, streak and hardness.
Fracture: Uneven
Grain Size: Medium
Hardness: 6 Orthoclase
Luster: Metallic
Rock Origin: Terrestrial
Rock Type: Sedimentary
Specific Gravity: 5.3
Streak: Blood Red to BrownCollection
Museum Collection of FossilsAcquisition
Accession
2011.57Source or Donor
Museum Collection of FossilsAcquisition Method
Long-term LoanDimensions
Width
3 inDepth
3-11/16 inLength
3-1/4 inLocation
Location
Container
CenterDrawer
Front Row / 2nd ShelShelf
LeftCabinet
Case # 51Wall
NorthRoom
Delmar Smith HallBuilding
Crater Rock MuseumCategory
Permanent