Vote for your favorite mineral in #MinCup26! - Sphalerite vs. Anorthite
Both zinc ore Sphalerite and calcium plagioclase feldspar Anorthite have perfect cleavage that will split cleanly if you hit them with a hammer, but only one can claim a larger split of your votes!
Log InRegister
Quick Links : The Mindat ManualThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryMindat Newsletter [Free Download]
Home PageAbout MindatThe Mindat ManualHistory of MindatCopyright StatusWho We AreContact UsAdvertise on Mindat
Donate to MindatCorporate SponsorshipSponsor a PageSponsored PagesMindat AdvertisersAdvertise on Mindat
Learning CenterWhat is a mineral?The most common minerals on earthInformation for EducatorsMindat ArticlesThe ElementsThe Rock H. Currier Digital LibraryGeologic TimeExplore Fossils
Minerals by PropertiesMinerals by ChemistryMineral Visual ExplorerAdvanced Locality SearchRandom MineralRandom LocalitySearch by minIDLocalities Near MeSearch ArticlesSearch GlossaryMore Search Options
Search For:
Mineral Name:
Locality Name:
Keyword(s):
 
The Mindat ManualAdd a New PhotoRate PhotosLocality Edit ReportCoordinate Completion ReportAdd Glossary Item
Mining CompaniesStatisticsUsersMineral MuseumsClubs & OrganizationsMineral Shows & EventsThe Mindat DirectoryDevice SettingsThe Mineral QuizTime Machine
Photo SearchPhoto GalleriesSearch by ColorPhoto Colour ExplorerNew Photos TodayNew Photos YesterdayMembers' Photo GalleriesPast Photo of the Day GalleryPhotography

Great Western Mine (Iron Star Mine), Crystal Falls, Iron County, Michigan, USAi
Regional Level Types
Great Western Mine (Iron Star Mine)Mine
Crystal FallsCity
Iron CountyCounty
MichiganState
USACountry
Great Western Mine (Iron Star Mine), Menominee Iron Range mining district, Michigan, USA

This page is currently not sponsored. Click here to sponsor this page.
PhotosMapsSearch
Latitude & Longitude (WGS84):
46° 6' 28'' North , 88° 19' 10'' West
Latitude & Longitude (decimal):
46.10778,-88.31944
GeoHash:
G#: f01nq1xtr
GRN:
N31W45
Type:
Mine
Köppen climate type:
Dfb : Warm-summer humid continental climate
Nearest Settlements:
PlacePopulationDistance
Crystal Falls1,414 (2017)1.6km
Alpha138 (2017)8.4km
Amasa283 (2017)17.1km
Florence592 (2017)21.3km
Commonwealth403 (2017)22.4km
Mindat Locality ID:
124362
Long-form identifier:
mindat:1:2:124362:1
GUID (UUID V4):
0


Commodities (Major) - Iron
Deposit Type: Secondary Enrichment
Development Status: Past Producer
Deposit Model: 241: Superior Fe (BC name is Lake Superior & Rapitan types iron-formation)
Host Rock: Iron Formation

An iron mine worked 1882 - 1910. The mine worked 16 levels and had three shafts, and also used the shaft of the neighboring Lincoln Mine. Though very watery, having been located in a swamp, the mine was one of the most productive in the area.

The property description is E1/2-SW and SW-SE Sec. 21 T43N-R32W, which is the 80 acres between N46º6'5", N46º6'31", W88º18'55", and W88º19'14", and the 40 acres between N46º6'5", N46º6'18", W88º18'36", and W88º18'55.

Select Mineral List Type

Standard Detailed Gallery Strunz Chemical Elements

Commodity List

This is a list of exploitable or exploited mineral commodities recorded at this locality.


Mineral List


9 valid minerals.

Rock Types Recorded

Note: data is currently VERY limited. Please bear with us while we work towards adding this information!

Select Rock List Type

Alphabetical List Tree Diagram

Detailed Mineral List:

ⓘ 'Apatite'
Formula: Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
ⓘ 'Chlorite Group'
ⓘ Goethite
Formula: Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘ Gypsum
Formula: CaSO4 · 2H2O
ⓘ Hematite
Formula: Fe2O3
ⓘ 'Mica Group'
ⓘ Native Copper
Formula: Cu
ⓘ Native Silver
Formula: Ag
ⓘ Neotocite
Formula: (Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
ⓘ Pyrite
Formula: FeS2
ⓘ Siderite
Formula: FeCO3
ⓘ Stilpnomelane
Formula: (K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O

Gallery:

List of minerals arranged by Strunz 10th Edition classification

Group 1 - Elements
ⓘNative Copper1.AA.05Cu
ⓘNative Silver1.AA.05Ag
Group 2 - Sulphides and Sulfosalts
ⓘPyrite2.EB.05aFeS2
Group 4 - Oxides and Hydroxides
ⓘGoethite4.00.Fe3+O(OH)
ⓘHematite4.CB.05Fe2O3
Group 5 - Nitrates and Carbonates
ⓘSiderite5.AB.05FeCO3
Group 7 - Sulphates, Chromates, Molybdates and Tungstates
ⓘGypsum7.CD.40CaSO4 · 2H2O
Group 9 - Silicates
ⓘNeotocite9.ED.20(Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
ⓘStilpnomelane9.EG.40(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
Unclassified
ⓘ'Chlorite Group'-
ⓘ'Mica Group'-
ⓘ'Apatite'-Ca5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)

List of minerals for each chemical element

HHydrogen
Hⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Hⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Hⓘ Neotocite(Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
Hⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
Hⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
CCarbon
Cⓘ SideriteFeCO3
OOxygen
Oⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Oⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Oⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Oⓘ Neotocite(Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
Oⓘ SideriteFeCO3
Oⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
Oⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
FFluorine
Fⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
NaSodium
Naⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
MgMagnesium
Mgⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
AlAluminium
Alⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
SiSilicon
Siⓘ Neotocite(Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
Siⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
PPhosphorus
Pⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
SSulfur
Sⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Sⓘ PyriteFeS2
ClChlorine
Clⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
KPotassium
Kⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
CaCalcium
Caⓘ GypsumCaSO4 · 2H2O
Caⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
Caⓘ ApatiteCa5(PO4)3(Cl/F/OH)
MnManganese
Mnⓘ Neotocite(Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
FeIron
Feⓘ GoethiteFe3+O(OH)
Feⓘ HematiteFe2O3
Feⓘ Neotocite(Mn,Fe)SiO3 · H2O (?)
Feⓘ PyriteFeS2
Feⓘ SideriteFeCO3
Feⓘ Stilpnomelane(K,Ca,Na)(Fe,Mg,Al)8(Si,Al)12(O,OH)36 · nH2O
CuCopper
Cuⓘ Native CopperCu
AgSilver
Agⓘ Native SilverAg

Other Regions, Features and Areas containing this locality

North AmericaContinent
North America PlateTectonic Plate
USA

This page contains all mineral locality references listed on mindat.org. This does not claim to be a complete list. If you know of more minerals from this site, please register so you can add to our database. This locality information is for reference purposes only. You should never attempt to visit any sites listed in mindat.org without first ensuring that you have the permission of the land and/or mineral rights holders for access and that you are aware of all safety precautions necessary.

References

Lake Superior Iron Ore Association (1952) Lake Superior Iron Ores: Mining Directory and Statistical Record of the Lake Superior Iron Ore District of the United States and Canada. Cleveland, Ohio. 334 pages.
James, H.L., Dutton, C.E., Pettijohn, F.J., Weir, K.L. (1968) Geology and Ore Deposits of the Iron River-Crystal Falls District, Iron County, Michigan. United States Geological Survey Professional Paper 570: 45-56, 88-110.
Pettijohn, F.J. (1972) Geology and Magnetic Data for Southern Crystal Falls Area, Michigan. Michigan Department of Natural Resources, Geological Survey Division. Report of Investigation 9. 31 pages.
Bernhardt D.E. (2001) Men, Mines, and Memories: Iron Mining in Iron County, Michigan. Iron County Historical Museum, Caspian, Michigan.
Quick NavTopCommoditiesMineral ListRock TypesOther RegionsReferences
 
and/or  
Mindat.org® is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization. Mindat® and mindat.org® are registered trademarks of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2026, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph and Ida Chau.
Content on this site may not be used to train, fine-tune, or otherwise develop artificial intelligence or machine learning models without prior written permission - see our Terms & Conditions.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: September 3, 2026 16:12:13 Page updated: August 14, 2025 13:01:19
Go to top of page