mineral

Hematite

Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Color: Steel-gray, reddish-brown, or black. Luster: Metallic to submetallic, sometimes dull in earthy varieties. Crystal Structure: Trigonal. Cleavage: None, but exhibits distinct parting. Specific Gravity: 5.3.

Hardness: 5
Color: Steel-gray, reddish-brown, or black
Luster: Metallic to submetallic, sometimes dull in earthy varieties

Identified August 4, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in diverse environments, notably in hydrothermal veins, hot springs, and sedimentary deposition in marine or lake environments, often creating banded iron formations (BIFs) dating back billions of years.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron used in steel production, also utilized for pigments, radiation shielding, and occasionally polished into beads, carvings, or jewelry.

Geological facts

Hematite leaves a distinctive reddish-brown streak when rubbed across an unglazed porcelain plate, a key diagnostic property even when the exterior looks dark and metallic.

Field identification & locations

Found worldwide in massive deposits, particularly in regions with ancient sedimentary iron formations such as the Lake Superior region, Australia, and Brazil. Collectors look for its heavy weight relative to size and its metallic sheen.