Specularite

THE STORY

Photos cannot show the intense glittering found in these specimens – it overwhelms the photo sensors of a camera. You have to see it to appreciate it! This material is a very unusual natural form of the minerals hematite and magnetite, both of which are primary ores of iron. It is sometimes found in ancient iron deposits called Banded Iron Formation (BIF) and is restricted to only particular beds in a few of the old iron mines of Minnesota and Michigan. The Michigan locations produce superior specimens and that’s where our site is located.

Although the precise circumstances for creation of these glittering crystals is not well understood, it is apparent that only under special circumstances will certain BIF deposits yield specularite. The glittery sheen in these specimens is from millions of individual crystal faces reflecting the light. The crystals grow in tiny, flat, radial patterns and group together in layers as you see here.

PGL excavates this material in an abandoned old iron mine in the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. The main ore body at this location was played out over fifty years ago. We have extensive knowledge of the mine and have been studying the layout of the beds and occurrence of the various minerals there for over a decade. We use this data to compare to other mines in the area and in Minnesota in order to better understand the geologic history of the region.

This specimen is guaranteed 100% natural – it came out of the ground as you see it (with the exception of a flat sawn base). There is no coating, colorizing, or treatment whatsoever. Most of these are two-sided and show the same intense glittering from both sides. These specularite specimens are mineralogically stable – they will not rust nor discolor over time. You can display this specimen indoors or outside and it can be easily cleaned with soap and warm water.

Similar specimens you may like: Banded Iron Formation / Iron Range Stromatolites / Gunflint Iron Rainbow Stromatolites?