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Hematite Spherule

Hematite Spherule

6 total reviews



This rocky ball is not just a concretion of sandstone and hematite, its also evidence that water once existed on Mars.

These concretions commonly form in the Southwest United States and were called Moqui Marbles by the Hopi people who have lived in the area for thousands of years.

When iron-bearing minerals weather, the iron molecules seep into the groundwater and oxidize with other granules. Over time, as the surrounding stratum erodes, it exposes the spherules and they collect on the surface.

This natural process may sound boring, but it became a geological hot topic when Opportunity found similar spherules on Mars.

The Martian spherules, initially called blueberries, stumped scientists when first discovered, but eventually the connection to the terrestrial version was made. Since the concretions require groundwater to form, the discovery also led to the conclusion that water must have once existed on Mars.

Our specimens were not sourced from the lands of the Hopi or Navajo Reservations or National Parks.

This listing is for one specimen.

Small: 15 – 25 mm diameter
Medium: 25 – 40 mm diameter
Large: 41 – 60+ mm diameter



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    Regular price $6.00
    Regular price Sale price $6.00
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    Customer Reviews

    Based on 6 reviews
    83%
    (5)
    17%
    (1)
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    A
    A.K. (Virginia, United States)

    Amy gave this item 5 stars

    T
    T.H. (Virginia, United States)

    Tina gave this item 5 stars

    L
    L.L. (Virginia, United States)

    Item as described, packaged very thoughtfully with great information card

    M
    M.H.

    Madison rated this item 5 stars

    Y
    Y.D. (Pennsylvania, United States)
    Looks Just Like The Photos

    Its a Hematite Spherule, alright! Its roundish. Brownish. Hard. It's all I can do to stop myself from cutting it in half or smashing it open. Curiosity has its downfalls. Its a cool little thing, though!

    V
    V.F. (Virginia, United States)

    Valerie gave this item 4 stars

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