Image: <a href="//commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/User:Cccefalon" title="User:Cccefalon">CEphoto, Uwe Aranas</a> (CC BY-SA 3.0)
trigonalcommonOxides
Hematite
Fe2O3
Hematite typically forms as steel-gray to black, metallic crystals or masses, often with a characteristic reddish-brown streak. In this image, it appears as small, dark crystals associated with pyrite.
Hematite Physical Properties
Mohs Hardness
5.5Crystal System
trigonalLuster
metallicStreak Color
reddish-brownCleavage
noneFracture
unevenSpecific Gravity
5.26Colors
steel-gray, black, reddish-brown, silverTransparency
opaqueType Locality
Minas Gerais, BrazilMineral Group
OxidesUses
iron ore, pigment, jewelry, polishing agentAssociated Minerals
pyrite, quartz, magnetite, goethiteRarity
commonGeological Context
Hematite is a very common iron oxide mineral, forming in a wide range of geological environments including sedimentary deposits (e.g., banded iron formations), hydrothermal veins, and as an alteration product in igneous and metamorphic rocks. It is the most important ore of iron.
