mineral

Hematite

Hematite (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray, dark gray, silver, or reddish-brown; Luster: Metallic to submetallic, sometimes earthy; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None, exhibits uneven fracture; Specific gravity: 5.3.

Hardness: 5
Color: Steel-gray, dark gray, silver, or reddish-brown
Luster: Metallic to submetallic, sometimes earthy

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in a variety of geological environments, primarily through deposition in aqueous environments, hydrothermal processes, and as a result of magmatic differentiation.

Uses & applications

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

Geological facts

Hematite is the most important ore of iron. When finely ground, it produces a reddish-brown streak which has been used as a pigment since prehistoric times.