mineral

Specular Hematite Geode/Nodule

Specularite (Polycrystalline Hematite), Fe2O3

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray to black with a shimmering silvery luster (specular); Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Streak: Reddish-brown.

Hardness: 5
Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic
Streak: Reddish-brown

Identified April 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray to black with a shimmering silvery luster (specular); Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Streak: Reddish-brown.

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal processes or via precipitation from iron-rich fluids in sedimentary basins or volcanic cavities. Often found in Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) dating back 1.8 to 2.5 billion years.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron; also used as a pigment (ochre), in heavy media separation, and increasingly in jewelry and metaphysical collecting.

Geological facts

The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood, due to the red color of its powder. Specularite contains tiny mirror-like flakes that sparkle when turned in the light.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density (heavy for its size) and the characteristic cherry-red streak it leaves on unglazed porcelain. Commonly found in the Lake Superior region (USA), Brazil, and Australia.

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