mineral

Specularite (Specular Hematite)

Iron Oxide (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray to black with a shimmering metallic sparkle; Luster: Sub-metallic to metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (conchoidal fracture); Specific gravity: 5.26.

Hardness: 5
Color: Steel-gray to black with a shimmering metallic sparkle
Luster: Sub-metallic to metallic

Identified March 18, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed through hydrothermal or metamorphic processes in banded iron formations (BIFs). Often found in Precambrian deposits (up to 2 billion years old) where iron was precipitated from seawater and later subjected to heat and pressure.

Uses & applications

Primarily mined as a high-grade iron ore. In the collector market, it is popular for its sparkling 'glitter-like' appearance and is occasionally used in fashion jewelry or as a pigment.

Geological facts

The name 'Hematite' is derived from the Greek word for blood (haima), because although the mineral looks silver, its streak powder is reddish-brown. The specular variety is composed of massed flakes or scales that reflect light like tiny mirrors.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its distinct metallic sparkle and by performing a streak test; it will leave a characteristic rust-red streak on unglazed porcelain. Commonly found in major iron-mining districts such as the Lake Superior region (USA), Brazil, and South Africa.