Hematite
Hematite is an iron oxide mineral and one of the most important ores of iron. As a gemstone it is known for its heavy weight and bright, metallic, silver-grey to black polish. Despite its dark appearance, hematite always leaves a red to reddish-brown streak when rubbed across unglazed porcelain, and powdered hematite is blood red. Its name comes from the Greek "haima", meaning blood.
Hematite has been used by people for longer than almost any other mineral. Ground into red ochre, it was used as a pigment in cave paintings and burials tens of thousands of years ago. Polished hematite was used in ancient Egypt and Babylon for seals, amulets and mirrors, and in the Victorian era it was cut into dark beads and intaglios for mourning jewellery. Hematite has also been found on Mars, where it is one of the minerals that gives the planet its red colour.
Much of the "hematite" sold today as beads is not natural. Man-made material, often called hematine or "magnetic hematite", is produced from iron oxides and other materials and is strongly magnetic. Natural hematite, by contrast, is only very weakly magnetic and will not stick to an ordinary magnet. Hematite-look beads are also made in a range of metallic coatings, such as gold, rainbow and bronze. Natural hematite has no cleavage but can break if dropped onto a hard surface.
Hematite at a glance
| Colour | Silver-grey to black, metallic; red to reddish-brown when earthy |
|---|---|
| Hardness (Mohs scale) | 5.5 – 6.5 |
| Composition | Iron oxide |
| Crystal structure | Trigonal; usually massive, botryoidal or tabular |
| Lustre | Metallic to splendent; earthy when massive |
| Transparency | Opaque |
| Where it is found | Brazil, Australia, China, India, Canada, England (Cumbria), Italy (Elba), Sweden and USA |
Caring for hematite
Hematite (5.5 – 6.5 on the Mohs scale) is moderately hard but brittle, and it can break or chip if dropped. Clean it with a soft, dry or slightly damp cloth and dry it straight away. Avoid soaking it or leaving it wet, as natural hematite can rust over time, and avoid ultrasonic and steam cleaners and harsh chemicals. Coated beads should only be wiped gently, as the coating can wear. Store separately from harder stones.
In folklore
The beliefs below are traditional folklore, included for interest. They are not scientifically proven, and nothing here is medical advice.
Hematite's red streak led many ancient cultures to link it with blood and warfare. Roman and Greek soldiers were said to rub hematite on their bodies before battle in the belief that it would make them invulnerable, and it was associated with Mars, the god of war. Ancient Egyptians used it in amulets for the dead and believed it calmed hysteria. In the 19th century it was popular in mourning jewellery. Hematite is associated with the zodiac signs Aries and Aquarius.
Hematite is traditionally regarded as a grounding and protective stone. Crystal healing lore holds that it helps the wearer feel stable, focused and calm, and that it strengthens courage and willpower. Because of its link with iron and blood, it was long believed to support the blood and circulation. It is associated with the root chakra.
Related stones
Magnetite, goethite, limonite and specularite (sparkling, flaky hematite). Tiger iron is a natural mix of hematite, red jasper and tiger's eye. Hematite inclusions give colour to red aventurine, sunstone and some jasper. Imitations include hematine (magnetic hematite) and metal-coated glass.
For the technically minded
| Scientific name | Fe2O3 |
|---|---|
| Density | 4.9 – 5.3 |
| Refractive index | 2.87 – 3.22 |
| Double refraction | 0.28 |
| Cleavage | None |
| Streak | Red to reddish-brown |
| Fluorescence | None |