mineral

Hematite (Tumbled)

Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Metallic gray to black, reddish-brown streak; Luster: Metallic to submetallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 5.26

Hardness: 5
Color: Metallic gray to black, reddish-brown streak
Luster: Metallic to submetallic

Identified June 3, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Metallic gray to black, reddish-brown streak; Luster: Metallic to submetallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal/Hexagonal; Cleavage: None; Specific gravity: 5.26

Formation & geological history

Formed in banded iron formations through oxidation of iron-rich sediments, hydrothermal veins, or as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks. Typically billions of years old in sedimentary contexts.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron for steel production; used as a pigment (ochre), in jewelry as beads/cabochons, and in radiation shielding.

Geological facts

The name comes from the Greek word 'haima' for blood, due to the blood-red color of its streak and powder. It is also the mineral responsible for the reddish tint of the planet Mars.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density/heaviness relative to size and its distinctive reddish-brown streak when rubbed against an unglazed porcelain plate. Common in the Great Lakes region (USA), Brazil, and Australia.