Royal Restormel Iron Mine, Lostwithiel, Cornwall.

An unusual and interesting specimen displaying goethite crystals to 5 mm in length, pseudomorphing  curved crystals of siderite to 1 cm these are coated with a covering of fine crystalline quartz with hematite inclusions.

Viewed from the side, a second stage of mineral replacement can be seen, with hematite and limonite replacing the former rhombohedral crystals of dogtooth calcite. The contrasting textures and successive stages of replacement make this a particularly interesting specimen from the Royal Restormel Iron Mine. The additional replacement features can be clearly seen in photographs 3 and 4.

From the collection of Richard Hoston, formerly in the collection of F. A. Wilson.

Size: 9 x 7.5 x 4 cm