Hematite

  • 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 was found on Mars, a planet that used to have more water.

 Hematite

Hematite
Mineral Characteristic What the
mineralogists say		 Kid's Guide:  What it REALLY means!
Chemical Symbol Fe2O3

Hematite has iron and oxygen in it.
Color

Mostly black or red

These are the most common colors of hematite.
Streak

Red

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

Opaque

You can’t see through it.
Luster

Metallic or earthy

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

None

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

Jagged

If broken, the pieces would look jagged and uneven.
Magnetism

Yes

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

5-6

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

5.3

Slightly heavier than most metals.
Crystal Shape

Hexagonal

Hexagonal