What is it and where is it formed?  Hematite is a mineral that is often found where there used to be water, hot springs, or volcanoes.  Hematite is an ore of iron which means that iron is in it.   It is formed in igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic rocks but mainly in granite and limestone.

How and where is it mined?  Hematite is mined using underground mining.  It is mined in England, Mexico, Australia, Canada, and Brazil.

What is it used for?  Hematite is sometimes used as a gemstone. Ground up hematite is red or reddish brown and is used for dying things. Is also used in paints.

Interesting!  Chinese doctors sometimes use hematite to cure sickness.

Hematite has iron and oxygen in it.

Mostly black or red

These are the most common colors of hematite.

Red

If you crushed hematite, the dust that was formed would be red.

Opaque

You can’t see through it.

Metallic or earthy

If you shine a light on this mineral, it might be glossy or dull.

None

When broken, it doesn’t have a pattern to how it splits.

Jagged

If broken, the pieces would look jagged and uneven.

Yes

It will attract and be attracted to a magnet if it is heated.

5-6

Only something as hard as a steel file will scratch this.  It is hard.

5.3

Slightly heavier than most metals.

Hexagonal