Hematite: St. Gotthard Pass area, Ticino, Switzerland

Description

Species: Hematite, Adularia

Locality: St. Gotthard Pass area, Airolo, Ticino, Switzerland

Size: 6.5 x 4.5 x 3.8 cm.

Hematite “roses” from the Swiss and French Alps are a true mineral classic and have been eagerly-sought by collectors for hundreds of years. This is a fine example featuring highly-lustrous, sharp black hematite crystals forming rosettes to 2.7 cm. with small gemmy adularia crystals. It has a great provenance too, with a label from the collection of noted early 20th century mineral dealer E.M. Gunnell, who acquired it from R.M. Wilke in 1943. Later it appeared in the noted Hoppell collection auction (Heritage Auctions) around ten years ago. One very minor restoration does not detract from this excellent old European mineral classic. Mark Cross photo.