mineral

Hematite

Hematite (Iron(III) oxide, Fe2O3)

Hardness: 5.5–6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray to black, sometimes reddish-brown; Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 5.26

Hardness: 5
Color: Steel-gray to black, sometimes reddish-brown
Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic

Identified March 25, 2026More mineral →

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Physical properties

Hardness: 5.5–6.5 Mohs scale; Color: Steel-gray to black, sometimes reddish-brown; Luster: Metallic to sub-metallic; Crystal structure: Trigonal; Cleavage: None; Specific Gravity: 5.26

Formation & geological history

Formed in sedimentary iron formations through precipitation in water, or as a secondary mineral through weathering. It occurs in hydrothermal veins and sometimes as an accessory mineral in igneous rocks.

Uses & applications

Primary ore of iron; used in jewelry as beads or intaglios, polishing compounds (jeweller's rouge), and industrial pigments.

Geological facts

Hematite's name comes from the Greek word 'haima' meaning blood, because the mineral is red when ground to a powder. It is also the mineral responsible for the reddish color of the planet Mars.

Field identification & locations

Can be identified by a 'streak test': when rubbed against unglazed porcelain, metallic hematite leaves a characteristic rust-red streak. It is found globally in large deposits like Lake Superior (USA) and Minas Gerais (Brazil).