Cochise College          Photos of Minerals

                          Geology Home Page                

                          Roger Weller, geology instructor

                          [email protected]
                                  copyright 2006-R.Weller
 

Mineral Information on:
hematite

Chemical Group:    oxide

Chemical Formula:    Fe₂O₃

Color:  steel gray in crystal form
      In earth or finely massive form it is a strong red

Streak:  red or reddish brown
 

Luster:  metallic to sub-metallic

Hardness: 5 to 6        Specific Gravity:  5.26            Fracture: very brittle

Cleavage:  none, but parting in two directions

Crystal Forms and Habits: Trigonal system
    Hematite occurs in many forms: steel-gray metallic-looking crystals, specular hematite,
    kidney ore, oolitic hematite, stalactites

Mineral Associations:

Identifying Characteristics:  Hematite has a reddish brown streak.

Uses: polishing compound (rouge), coloring pigment for bricks and tile, iron ore
     solid forms are used in jewelry

Occurrences:  Lake Superior district, Clinton iron beds 

Toxicity:      when-swallowed- low          when inhaled- high

Additional Information: