Lizhu Iron Ore Specimen ~ Amphibolite/Skarn (Zhejiang, China)

Lizhu Iron Ore Specimen (Amphibolite/Skarn) - Lizhu iron mine, Lizhu ore field (Lichu ore field), Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (里珠铁矿, 里珠(理褚)矿田, 越城区, 绍兴市, 浙江省, 中国)

This substantial specimen is a historically and scientifically intriguing piece of Iron Ore sourced from the notable Lizhu Iron Mine (漓渚铁矿) in Shaoxing (绍兴市), Zhejiang Province (浙江省) China. This material represents the mineralised geology that supported local industrial operations.

The rock is characterised by its dark, dense, greenish-black matrix and medium-to-coarse grain size. It likely classifies as an altered Amphibolite or a heavily mineralised Skarn rock, formed through high-temperature metamorphism and fluid interaction. The colour is derived from iron-rich silicate minerals such as amphibole or pyroxene, combined with the ore mineral itself, likely magnetite or hematite. If magnetite is present, the specimen will exhibit magnetic properties (see magnet in images - magnet does not come with the rock). Its high density is a testament to the concentration of these heavy iron-bearing minerals.

The Lizhu Iron Mine played a role in the regional industrial history of Shaoxing. Specimens from known Chinese industrial localities are particularly valuable for collectors interested in global mineral resources and the geology of East Asia. This piece serves as an excellent reference for understanding the process of ore formation and the specific geological settings of continental iron deposits. It is an ideal, durable piece for advanced geological collections, university teaching programs, or anyone interested in the economics of mineralogy.

Origin: Lizhu iron mine, Lizhu ore field (Lichu ore field), Yuecheng District, Shaoxing, Zhejiang, China (click here for Mindat info)
Rock type: Amphibolite/Skarn-type iron ore with magnetic properties (Magnetite present)
Size: ~10(L) x 8(H) x 3(W) cm (see scale cube), 478 g