Mineral

Hematite

Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5–6.5 on Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray to black (metallic) or reddish-brown (earthy); Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic; Crystal Structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None (uneven fracture); Specific Gravity: 5.26.

Hardness: 5
Color: Steel-gray to black (metallic) or reddish-brown (earthy)
Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic

Identified March 15, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Formation & geological history

Formed in sedimentary environments as a chemical precipitate in banded iron formations, or as a sublimation product in volcanic areas. It can also form during the weathering of other iron-rich minerals. It dates back billions of years to the Great Oxygenation Event.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron and steel production. Also used as a pigment (ochre), in radiation shielding, as a polishing compound (jeweler's rouge), and widely used in jewelry as tumbled stones and beads.

Geological facts

Hematite always leaves a distinctive rust-red streak when rubbed on a porcelain plate, even if the specimen looks metallic black. It is also the reason for the red color of the soil on Mars.

Field identification & locations

Identify in the field by its high density (feels heavy for its size) and its red-brown streak. It is found globally, with massive deposits in Brazil, Australia, China, and the Lake Superior region of North America.