MARTITE Hematite After Magnetite from Payun Volcano in Argentina

From the volcanic heart of Mendoza, Argentina comes one of the most striking pseudomorphs on Earth: hematite after magnetite better known as "martite".

These octahedrons are the ghostly remnants of magnetite crystals, preserved perfectly in form but transmuted into metallic hematite over geologic time.

The Payún Matrú volcanic field in Mendoza has been designated a protected provincial park (sometimes called Payunia Provincial Park), recognized for its unique volcanic landscape and biodiversity. Since becoming a state/provincial park, all mining activity has been permanently banned.

This is the last generation of martite that will ever see daylight from this locale. Once they’re gone, they’re gone — and pieces like this move straight into permanent collections.

🖤 A relic of fire, iron, and time itself.
Museum-grade, volcanic, and forever finite.