The most important iron ore mineral, hematite is responsible for the red color of many rocks and soils. Its name comes from the Greek word for blood, referring to its red streak. Color: Steel-gray to red-brown. Luster: Metallic to earthy. Streak: Red to red-brown. Cleavage: None. Hardness: 5-6. Transparency: Opaque. Crystal system: Trigonal. Chemical formula: Fe₂O₃. Specific gravity: 5.3. Formation: Forms through precipitation in marine or freshwater environments, oxidation of other iron minerals, or from hydrothermal fluids. Common geological settings: Found in sedimentary banded iron formations, as a weathering product of iron-bearing minerals, and in hydrothermal veins. Common look-alikes and related entries: Magnetite, Goethite, Limonite.
Previous: Halite — Sodium chloride — common table salt. Forms cubic crystals and is the most common evaporite mineral.
Next: Hemimorphite — Zinc silicate hydroxide forming beautiful blue druzy coatings and radiating crystal fans. Named for its hemimorphic crystal habit.
These authoritative resources support category-level nomenclature, terminology, identification methods, and safety. When a specimen-specific safety warning appears, the public-health source listed here directly supports that precaution. They are not line-by-line citations for every other property on this entry, and natural specimens vary.
Editorial owner
GeoMiner
Last updated
2026-03-30T14:39:19.334229+00:00
Review status
Published; not independently peer-reviewed
IMA–CNMNC List of Mineral Names — International Mineralogical Association. Official mineral-name, nomenclature, and classification records.
Mineral ID Key — Mineralogical Society of America. Physical-property identification methods, repeat-testing guidance, and limitations.
The most important iron ore mineral, hematite is responsible for the red color of many rocks and soils. Its name comes from the Greek word for blood, referring to its red streak.
How can you identify Hematite?
Compare several properties rather than relying on colour alone. This entry records colour: Steel-gray to red-brown; lustre: Metallic to earthy; streak: Red to red-brown; Mohs hardness: 5-6; cleavage: None; crystal system: Trigonal; transparency: Opaque. Confirm an important identification with additional field tests or qualified laboratory work.
How does Hematite form?
Forms through precipitation in marine or freshwater environments, oxidation of other iron minerals, or from hydrothermal fluids.
Where is Hematite commonly found?
Found in sedimentary banded iron formations, as a weathering product of iron-bearing minerals, and in hydrothermal veins.
What is Hematite commonly confused with?
Hematite may be confused with Magnetite, Goethite, Limonite. Compare multiple diagnostic properties because colour and surface appearance can overlap.
JavaScript is loading the interactive GeoMiner experience. The identification tools provide educational candidates, not laboratory confirmation.
