What is Hematite ?

Hematite is one of the most abundant minerals found on the earth's surface and in shallow crust. Hematite is a type of iron oxide with the chemical composition Fe2O3. This rock is a common rock-forming mineral that is often found in sedimentary, metamorphic and igneous rocks.

Hematite is a well-known type of iron ore. It used to be found in thousands of places around the world, but now there are only ten major deposits in the world where there is considerable equipment to effectively extract and process almost all ore production.

Hematite has also been used as a pigment since ancient times. Although this material is often shaved as a gemstone, it is rarely a face. Due to its association with blood and red, hematite may range in color from black and metallic gray to reddish brown in thin spots or crystals.

This stone has many uses, but the economic importance of using hematite as iron ore is much greater than its other uses. Its applications such as the production of pigments, preparations for the separation of heavy environments, radiation shielding, ballast are also used in many other products.

Hematite is available in black, steel or silver-gray, brown to reddish brown or reddish brown. While these shapes are different, they all have streaks of red tinge. It is interesting to know that hematite is harder than pure iron but much more brittle. Large hematite deposits are commonly found in bonded iron structures. Gray hematite is often found in places with stagnant water or mineral hot springs, such as Yellowstone National Park in North America. This mineral is usually formed as a result of volcanic activity or may form in the presence of water by precipitating from water and accumulating in layers on the bottom of a lake, spring or other standing water.Hematite crystals may form as a secondary mineral to the size of clay, resulting from a combination of weathering processes in the soil.

Hematite History

Hematite has been associated with blood for centuries because of its red color. The ancient people used this stone as a protection against bleeding. Hematite was thought to have the power to prevent bleeding and prevent excessive bleeding during childbirth. In the new age, hematite is still used to keep the blood healthy and to help treat blood-related diseases. Hematite is very powerful and is thought to improve overall, courage, legal affairs, alertness, vitality, wealth, power, Trade and agriculture helps. This stone eliminates anger and fear as well as fosters peace. 3000 years ago in ancient Babylon, warriors carried it to defeat enemies, and it was believed to be magical and help to break down stone walls. Also in the Middle Ages, farmers used hematite as a talisman and it was believed that this stone would strengthen their crops. In the thirteenth century, hematites were carved into bats in the form of bats and then worn by them because they believed that it enhanced these spells.

Hematite Color

This stone is a dark, blackish gray opaque stone with a metallic luster. It uses a metallic polish that can look like silver, pure black or metallic blue and has an extremely high brilliance and shine. Hematite has a hardness of 6.5 Mohs. Thick hematite crystals are very suitable and popular for cutting as precious stones, but due to the high density, the parts may be heavy. Hematite is also used to make decorative pieces, as well as to create necklaces, pendants and rings. Hematite is also engraved and has always been popular for carving cameo pieces known as intaglio. The value of raw hematite is low, but beautifully engraved pieces are very valuable.

Hematite may also be present in short rhombohedral crystals, which are black or dark iron gray with rainbow surfaces. Its crystals can be earthy or red. Most hematite deposits are in Quebec, Canada, near Lake Superior. Iron roses are mined in Switzerland and Brazil. High quality hematite, suitable for cutting as a gem, is found around England, Germany and Alba, Italy.

Hematite Variety

·         Paint Ore - It is a type of hematite with red, brown or reddish brown color.

·        Kidney Ore - It is a type of hematite with globular, botryoidal, reniform and mammalian forms.

·         Martite - It is a type of pseudomorph hematite .

·         Iron Rose - It is a Disorganized, flat, hexagonal plates of Hematite that resemble a rose in their crystal formation.

·         Rainbow Hematite -It is theIridescent Hematite that is displaying a play of colors.

·         Specularite - It is a Micaceous Hematite with small, intergrown, hexagonal plates that produce a glistening effect when rotated.

·         Titano-hematite - It is a Titanium rich variety of Hematite.

Hematite Sources

Most ores are produced in China, Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa, Canada, Venezuela and the United States.

Hematite is also found in most European countries. In Idar-Oberstein, Germany, many things are cut, although these materials are made in England. The main sources are:

·        England

·        Elba, Italy

·        United States: Alaska; Arizona; Michigan Lake Superior region, Minnesota; Missouri; New York; Pennsylvania; South Dakota; Tennessee; Wisconsin; Wyoming.

·        Canada; Cuba; Mexico.

·        Brazil

Hematite Sizes

Hematite is available in very large and solid parts, which are suitable for cutting grains, cabinets, etc. of any size.

Hematite Care

Hematite with hardness between 5 and 6.5 is quite hard, but also fragile. Strictly avoid mechanical cleaning such as steam cleaning or ultrasonic processes. Instead, use a soft brush, a mild detergent and warm water to clean.

Hematite Identification

To identify hematitis, a deep red or brownish red line is characteristic. A massive mixture of hematite, martite, and gangue minerals is found near Ouro Preto, Brazil, which has a dark brown streak instead of red.

Hematite is similar in appearance to psilomelane, a manganese oxide, but hematite, on the other hand, conducts electricity poorly.

Synthetic Hematite

Hematite is not naturally magnetic. Hematine or "magnetic hematite" is a synthetic magnetic simulator with a misleading name, and interestingly, its streak is red. Synthetic hematite is very popular because it is magnetic. Gemstone cutters can also make from cameos, intaglios, and cabs from hematine.

Hematite Healing

Hematite strengthens our connection with the earth and makes us feel safe. This stone gives us courage, strength, endurance and vitality. Hematite as a "stone for the mind" strengthens concentration and memory.

Hematite uses magnetic force to balance our yin yang energies and to create a stable balance between the ethereal nervous system and the physical nervous system. It concentrates energy and emotion for balance between body, mind and soul.

Hematite dissolves negative energy and also prevents the absorption of negative energy by others. Hematite is very strong, boosts self-esteem and survival, increases willpower and reliability, and builds confidence. This is very effective in overcoming compulsion and addiction, treating overeating, smoking and other forms of binge eating.

As mentioned, hematite restores, strengthens and regulates blood and helps with blood diseases such as anemia. This stone supports the kidneys and regenerates the tissue. It absorbs iron and forms red blood cells. It also treats leg cramps, anxiety and insomnia. Hematite also helps to align and break the spine.

Is Hematite found on Mars ?

According to NASA discoveries, hematite is one of the most abundant minerals in rocks and soils on the surface of Mars. The reddish brown landscape of Mars is due to the abundance of hematite in Martian rocks and its surface materials, which is why the planet appears red in the night sky. This is the nickname "Red Planet" on Mars.

Hematite Uses

·        Hematite as Iron Ore

Hematite is one of the most important iron ores in the world. Hematite is a leading ore because it is more abundant in many parts of the world, but magnetite contains a higher percentage of iron and is easier to process.

Hematite is mined in the world's largest mines. These mines are worth billions of dollars because some of them extract more than 100 million tons of ore annually. These open pit mines can be hundreds to thousands of feet deep and several miles wide.

China, Australia, Brazil, India, Russia, Ukraine, South Africa and the United States are the world's top producers of iron ore.

·        Hematite as Pigment

Hematite is one of the first pigments used by humans. The ancient people obtained hematite, crushed it into fine powder, and used it to make paint. Since the Renaissance, the names of pigments have often been chosen based on the names of the places where they were produced. Color changes are the result of the type of hematite used and impurities such as clay and other iron oxides that are mixed with it.

·        Hematite as Gem

Hematite and taconite are usually cut into cabochons and beads. These stones are very popular as inexpensive jewelry items. Polished hematite is also known and popular as a "healing stone". It is believed that carrying it helps to solve some medical problems.

Hematite in Jewelry

As mentioned, hematite is often shaved as a gemstone, but it is rarely polished. The color of hematite due to its relationship with blood and red can be from black and metallic gray to reddish brown in thin spots or crystals.

Hematite was once used as a mourning jewel because of its black color. Certain types of hematite-rich clay or iron oxide, especially Armenian bole, have been used in gilding. Hematite is also used to make carved gems in coffee flowers. Synthetic hematite is sold as magnetic hematite.