Hematite (Kidney Ore)

This striking miniature botryoidal hematite, often referred to as "kidney ore," a fairly rare form of hematite for the species in the USA. This particular sample consists of a mass of hematite, concave on one side, showcasing a bubbly surface with a reddish-brown colouration and a velvety sheen. Unlike the more common English kidney ore, this piece originates from a rare and historically significant locality in Michigan’s Upper Peninsula.

Sourced from the Ohio Mines, a group of two mines located at Imperial Heights near Michigamme, Michigan, this specimen comes from a large underground iron mine. Well-crystallized hematite from this locality is exceedingly rare, making this a significant Michigan collector’s piece.