Detailed information
Species
Hematite, var. Pencil Ore
Dimensions
40 x 80 x 20
mm
Weight
186 g
Locality
Pit No. 1, Hodbarrow Mine Millom Cumbria, England
Condition
No recorded repairs
Like a narrow pointed triangular slice of watermelon but much heavier, this iconic West Cumbrian variety of Hematite presents the classic form known as "Pencil Ore". It has nothing to do with writing, but is in reference to how the nodular botryoidal masses of Hematite fracture, or splinter, to form pointed shards. This hand specimen sized example shows the full length from rounded (botryoidal) edge to the point where it reaches the centre of the nodule. Unusually for West Cumbrian Hematite specimens it is well-provenanced to a specific mine, and individual shaft (pit) within that mine: Pit No. 1, Hodbarrow mine.