mineral

Tumbled Hematite

Hematite (Alpha iron oxide, Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohawk; Color: Steel-gray to black with a metallic luster; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Streak: Characteristically cherry-red to reddish-brown; Specific gravity: 5.26

Hardness: 5
Color: Steel-gray to black with a metallic luster
Streak: Characteristically cherry-red to reddish-brown

Identified July 16, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5-6.5 Mohawk; Color: Steel-gray to black with a metallic luster; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Streak: Characteristically cherry-red to reddish-brown; Specific gravity: 5.26

Formation & geological history

Formed in various geological environments: as a primary mineral in igneous rocks, in hydrothermal veins, and most commonly as a precipitate in sedimentary iron formations like Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) dating back over 2 billion years.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron for steel production; used as a polishing agent (jeweler's rouge), in pigments, and extensively in jewelry as beads and tumbled stones.

Geological facts

Hematite is much denser and heavier than it looks. It is an important mineral on Mars, where its presence in the form of 'blueberries' suggested that liquid water once existed on the Martian surface.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified in the field by its high density and distinctive red streak when rubbed on a porcelain plate. It is commonly found in iron-rich sedimentary basins in Australia, Brazil, and the Lake Superior region of North America.