Hematite (ex Franceso Bedogne Collection)

Item Description

A classic Italian Hematite, but not the typical material we would expect from Elba, this is piece from Mt Etna, where some of the most beautiful and lesser known Hematites are found in Italy. This piece is filled with gorgeous metallic hexagonal silvery-grey hexagonal crystals of Hematite that coat nearly every part of the matrix. The crystals actually have a shimmering blue iridescent appearance when you look closely. The crystals are all in good shape, with diverse habits ranging from simple blades to small "rosettes" to partial / distorted crystals that are a signature from this locality. A great old time specimen of this beautiful material. From the worldwide collection of famed Italian mineral collector, field collector and author, Francesco Bedogne of Sondrio, Italy (Collection #2218). Bedogne wrote dozens of articles and several books about the mineralogy of Italian Alpine localities such as Val Bregaglia, Val Masino, Val Codera, Val Spluga, Valtellina and the famous Val Malenco. He was also the founder of the Valtellinese Mineralogical Institute.