This is an exceptionally large display quality classic North of England Quartz and Hematite specimen, the like of which are rarely seen on this scale and quality. The specimen, which is from Egremont in the West Cumbrian Iron Orefield, forms a large plate of layered compact fibrous purple-grey Hematite (to 9 mm thick) completely covered by greyish-white Quartz of a similar thickness but rising upwards into large striking doubly-terminated (bipyramidal) colourless to greyish-white Quartz crystals to 2.7 cm in length, which display a glassy vitreous luster. These crystals are in remarkably fine condition for their undoubted age. Scattered about the base of these larger Quartz crystals are small (2 to 3 mm) bunches of parallel razor-like glossy metallic black Specular Hematite crystals. The smaller Quartz crystals are often water clear. On the reverse of the specimen lustrous orange Eisenkiesel and Specular Hematite is present, in areas to 4.6 cm by 4 cm along with the internal concave surfaces of botryoidal Hematite, var. Kidney Ore. Quartz specimens of this caliber are now rare from the West Cumbrian Orefield, and this is an exceptional one. An old number (725) is painted in red on the back of the specimen, but nothing is known of its history.
