Minerals:  Quartz with Limonite, Hematite
Locality: Imini Mine, Amergane Caïdat, Drâa-Tafilalet Region, Morocco
Dimensions: 60mm x 60mm x 20mm
Weight: 34.2g

The Iron Cross is an extraordinary quartz specimen from the Imini Mine, carrying a thick coating of limonite with hematite that gives the piece its rich metallic character and deeply textured surface.

The limonite is thick and substantial, settling into the quartz and following every ridge, recess and jagged growth beneath it. That underlying quartz is heavily textured in its own right, so the specimen has multiple layers of rough mineral growth rather than behaving as a simple iron coating. Metallic hematite adds a subtle sparkle throughout, becoming especially concentrated across the reverse where the silver layers have a deeper presence.

There’s a wonderfully raw quality to the piece. The form is irregular, rugged and almost aggressive in places, with sharp projections and broken looking textures giving it enormous visual impact. It has a strong cabinet presence despite its relatively slim profile, and the dense iron coating gives the specimen a weighty, ancient appearance. Sensational