mineral

Hematite

Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohs; Color: Metallic gray to black (red when powdered); Luster: Metallic to submetallic; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (uneven fracture); Specific Gravity: 5.26

Hardness: 5
Color: Metallic gray to black (red when powdered)
Luster: Metallic to submetallic

Identified May 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohs; Color: Metallic gray to black (red when powdered); Luster: Metallic to submetallic; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (uneven fracture); Specific Gravity: 5.26

Formation & geological history

Formed in sedimentary banded iron formations (BIFs) via precipitation from water, or in igneous/hydrothermal environments. Oldest deposits date back over 2.4 billion years.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron; used in pigment manufacturing (ochre), polishing compounds (jeweler's rouge), and increasingly in beads and decorative tumbled stones.

Geological facts

Hematite is notably magnetic if it contains traces of magnetite, but its most famous trait is its blood-red streak when rubbed on a porcelain plate, which gives it its name (from the Greek word 'haima' for blood).

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density/weight and distinct reddish-brown streak. Found globally, with major deposits in the Lake Superior region (USA), Brazil, Australia, and China.