Provenite

Rio Marina

AreaClosedDraft data

42.8140° N, 10.4260° E · ± 1 km

Hematite and Pyrite from Elba, Italy, with photos of specimens from this locality.

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Minerals found here

HematitePyrite

Hematite at Rio Marina

Mirror-bright tabular and rhombohedral crystals, sometimes iridescent, from the classic Elba iron district.

Hematite specimen from Rio Marina, Elba, Italy (NMNH 79088-02).
Hematite specimen from Rio Marina, Elba, Italy (NMNH 79088-02).
Photo: Smithsonian NMNH, Department of Mineral Sciences · CC0 · Source
Formula
Fe₂O₃
Morphology
Tabular, lamellar and rhombohedral crystals; micaceous plates
Color / luster
Black to steel-gray with mirror-like luster; natural iridescence on some pieces
Associated minerals
Quartzpyrite
Surface features
Natural iridescent tarnish on some specimens
History
Iron has been mined here since antiquity; the old workings (Vigneria, Falcacci and others) are now preserved by the Mining Park of Elba

Sources: SRC-229 SRC-245 SRC-250 SRC-251

About Hematite →

Pyrite at Rio Marina

Strong gold-on-black contrast of pyrite on hematite

Cluster of large pyrite crystals from the iron mines of Rio Marina, Elba.
Cluster of large pyrite crystals from the iron mines of Rio Marina, Elba.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Single pyrite crystal showing an iron-cross twin, Rio Marina, Elba.
Single pyrite crystal showing an iron-cross twin, Rio Marina, Elba.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Sharp pyritohedral pyrite crystal from Rio Marina, Elba Island.
Sharp pyritohedral pyrite crystal from Rio Marina, Elba Island.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky · CC BY-SA 3.0 · Source
Formula
FeS₂
Morphology
Cubes; pyritohedra
Color / luster
Brassy metallic crystals on dark iron-ore matrix
Associated minerals
Hematitelimonitegoethitequartzcalcite
Availability
Scarce
History
Historic eastern Elba iron mines, worked from antiquity until closure in 1981

Sources: SRC-007

About Pyrite →

Geology of the locality

Setting
Hematite-pyrite-limonite iron mineralization, locally with deeper skarn-associated ore
Type
Skarn
Host rock
Metasedimentary rocks; schistose and arenaceous rocks
Region
Elba
Country
Italy

Historic eastern Elba iron-mining area. Mining ended in 1981; parts are now managed for museum and guided visitor access.

Sources: SRC-007

Sources

  1. SRC-007 · Website
    Mining areas - Rio MarinaParco Minerario Isola d Elba · Parco Minerario Isola d Elba
  2. SRC-229 · Book
    Handbook of Mineralogy - HematiteAnthony, J.W.; Bideaux, R.A.; Bladh, K.W.; Nichols, M.C. · 2005 · Mineralogical Society of America
  3. SRC-245 · Museum / collection
    Hematite, NMNH 79088-02, Rio Marina, ElbaSmithsonian National Museum of Natural History · 2025 · Smithsonian Institution
  4. SRC-250 · Website
    Hematite from Rio Marina, ItalyEarthWonders · EarthWonders
  5. SRC-251 · Database
    Hematite gallery: Vigneria stope, Rio Mine, Rio MarinaMindat.org gallery 49842 · Mindat.org

Draft data from the Provenite workbook. Check entries against the cited sources before relying on them. Photos are open-licence images from Wikimedia Commons; the author and licence are given with each photo.