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[metwerks]

I am curious what the difference is or are all 3 of these interchangeable?

[Michael Shaw]

Hi Metwerks,

The terms "needle ore" and "pencil ore" were commonly used throughout the iron ranges of Michigan, Minnesota, and Wisconsin to describe hematite. Needle ores were compact masses which were fibrous in texture, while pencil ores usually denoted pieces which were columnar and thicker. The photo below shows a typical pencil ore specimen from Wisconsin.

Michael