268g Specular Hematite after Magnetite Ferruginous Rhyolite Iron Ore MO For Sale

Here we go another new on for ya this is a rugged, 268-gram specimen of specular hematite and magnetite housed in a striking red matrix. Measuring 3.75\" x 2.75\" x 1.25\", this piece features brilliant, metallic blades of specularite flashing fiercely against a dense, brick-red background.

This piece is a fantastic geological pseudomorph. The specular hematite has replaced the original magnetite structure while retaining a slight, lingering magnetic draw. The host matrix itself is a heavily oxidized, Precambrian ferruginous (iron-rich) rhyolite tuff. Over a billion years ago, the massive heat of the iron intrusion thoroughly cooked this surrounding volcanic rock. If you look closely at the red matrix, you can see distinct, light-colored phenocrysts—tiny quartz or feldspar crystals—suspended in the fine-grained material. These phenocrysts are the tell-tale signature of an explosive ash-flow tuff that was later welded together and stained deep red by iron-saturated hydrothermal fluids.

The History:

This specimen is from the rugged terrain of Shepherd Mountain in the Arcadia Valley of Missouri. This area of the St. Francois Mountains is not just a geological marvel; it is the historic cradle of 19th-century American industry. During the 1800s, Shepherd Mountain and the surrounding Iron County districts were the beating heart of the American iron boom. The high-grade ores pulled from these very hills fed the furnaces of the Civil War, built the early infrastructure of St. Louis, and laid the literal iron tracks of westward expansion.

When you hold this piece, you aren\'t just holding a beautiful geological association—you are holding a heavy, raw piece of the 19th-century mining history that built the Midwest.

Details:

Weight: 268 grams

Dimensions: 3.75\" x 2.75\" x 1.25\"

Locality: Shepherd Mountain, Iron County, Missouri, USA

Characteristics: Specular Hematite after Magnetite pseudomorph, weakly magnetic, housed in a baked Precambrian ferruginous rhyolite tuff featuring visible phenocrysts.

Please see all photos to appreciate the metallic flash and deep matrix contrast of this incredible specimen!

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