mineral

Hematite

Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale. Color: Steel gray, black, reddish-brown. Luster: Metallic to submetallic or earthy. Crystal structure: Trigonal. Streak: Cherry-red to reddish-brown. Specific gravity: 5.26.

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

Identified August 7, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Forms in diverse environments, primarily through aqueous processes, hydrothermal veins, and as an accessory mineral in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It can also form as a weathering product of other iron-rich minerals.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron used for steel production, pigment in paints and cosmetics, and occasionally carved into ornamental objects or jewelry.

Geological facts

Hematite is the most abundant iron oxide mineral on Earth and is also found on Mars, contributing to the planet's reddish appearance.

Field identification & locations

Easily identified by its distinct reddish-brown streak when scratched across an unglazed porcelain plate, despite often having a metallic silver-gray appearance.