Crystal Hematite

Chemical Formula

Fe₂O₃

Composition

Iron oxide. May contain slight amounts of titanium.

Variable Formula

(Fe,Ti)₂O₃

Color

Black, gray to silver gray, brown to reddish brown, red. Some specimens are iridescent, and other are multicolored or banded gray and dark red.

Streak

Red to reddish brown

Hardness

5 - 6

Crystal System

Hexagonal

Crystal Forms 
and Aggregates

Crystals occurs in thin plates, as well as bundles of small micaceous plates, and in thin splinters. Most commonly massive, mammilary, botryoidal, reniform, oolitic, stalactitic, and radiating. Scalenohedraland rhombohedral crystals occur, as well as tabular and groups of tabular crystals. Crystals are oftenstriated. Dendritic and rosette forms are also found. May form as a pseudomorph after other minerals, especially as octahedral crystals of Magnetite.
 

Transparency

Opaque

Specific Gravity

4.9 - 5.3

Luster

Metallic to dull

Cleavage

None, but occasionally exhibits rhombohedral and basal parting.

Fracture

Uneven

Tenacity

Brittle

Other ID Marks

Hematite is paramagnetic, meaning it is slightly attracted to magnetic fields.
 

Complex Tests

Becomes strongly magnetic when heated.

In Group

Oxides; Simple Oxides

Striking Features

Reddish streak, hardness, crystal habits, and paramagnetism

Environment

Occurs in almost all different environments.
 

Rock Type

Igneous, Sedimentary, Metamorphic

Popularity (1-4)

1

Prevalence (1-3)

1

Demand (1-3)

1