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Hematite
Current inventory:  0 gems
 

Chemistry:  Fe₂O₃  [Iron Oxide]

Discovered: Prehistoric;   IMA status: Valid (pre-IMA; Grandfathered).
Hematite gets its name from the Greek word haimatites for bloodlike due to its red streak and its blood red color in very thin slivers or powder.

Classification

Mineral Classification:

Silicates

Strunz 8th Ed. ID:

4/C.04-20

Nickel-Strunz 10th Ed. ID:

4.CB.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations

Related to:

Hematite Group. The iron analogue of Corundum, Eskolaite and Karelianite.

Crystal Data

Crystallography:

Trigonal - Hexagonal Scalenohedral

Crystal Habit:

Crystals complex rhombohedral, pseudocubic, prismatic, rarely scalenohedral, to 13 cm, with triangular striations on [0001] and [1011]; thin tabular, to micaceous or platy, commonly in rosettes; radiating fibrous, reniform, botryoidal or stalactitic masses, columnar; earthy, granular, oolitic, concretionary.

Twinning:

Penetration twins on [0001] or with [1010] as composition plane; also lamellar on [1011].

Physical Properties

Cleavage:

None observed; Parting on [0001] and [1011] due to twinning.

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven to Subconchoidal

Tenacity:

Brittle

Hardness (Mohs):

5.0 - 6.5

Hardness (Vickers):

VHN₁₀₀=1000 - 1100 kg/mm²

Density:

5.26 (g/cm³)

Luminescence:

None

Radioactivity:

Not Radioactive

Optical Properties

Color:

Steel gray, Black, Blackish Red, Reddish Brown in thin slivers

Transparency:

Opaque, Translucent on thin edges

Luster:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic, Dull, Earthy

Refractive Index:

2.87 - 3.22  Uniaxial ( - )

Birefringence:

0.280 (very high)

Dispersion:

Strong, ~0.203

Pleochroism:

Weak; O = brownish red; E = yellowish red

Anisotropism:

Distinct; internal reflections: deep, blood red

Occurances

Geological Setting:

An accessory mineral in felsic igneous rocks, a late-stage sublimate in volcanic rocks, and in high-temperature hydrothermal veins. A product of contact metamorphism and in metamorphosed banded iron formations. A common cement in sedimentary rocks and a major constituent in oolitic iron formations. Abundant on weathered iron-bearing minerals.

Common Associations:

Ilmenite, Rutile, Magnetite (metamorphic and igneous); Goethite, Siderite, Lepidocrocite (sedimentary).

Type Locality:

n/a (prehistoric)

Year Discovered:

Prehistoric

View mineral photos:

Hematite Mineral Photos and Locations

More Information

Mindat.org
Webmineral.com

Hematite is a common mineral, but not often faceted as a gem because it is opaque. It can commonly be found as attractive, faceted beads and carved cameos however. Hematite powder was used by Native Americans as a face paint called red ochre. The polishing compound known as rouge used on gold and silver is powdered Hematite. Faceted or cabochon Hematites are very attractive because of the silvery black color and mirror-like polish.
 

  
Hematite gems for sale:

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