Quick Links : The Mindat Manual The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Mindat Newsletter [Free Download]

Home Page About Mindat The Mindat Manual History of Mindat Copyright Status Who We Are Contact Us Advertise on Mindat

Donate to Mindat Corporate Sponsorship Sponsor a Page Sponsored Pages Mindat Advertisers Advertise on Mindat

Learning Center What is a mineral?The most common minerals on earth Information for Educators Mindat Articles The Elements The Rock H. Currier Digital Library Geologic Time

Minerals by Properties Minerals by Chemistry Advanced Locality Search Random Mineral Random Locality Search by minID Localities Near Me Search Articles Search Glossary More Search Options

The Mindat Manual Add a New Photo Rate Photos Locality Edit Report Coordinate Completion Report Add Glossary Item

Mining Companies Statistics Users Mineral Museums Clubs & Organizations Mineral Shows & Events The Mindat Directory Device Settings The Mineral Quiz

Photo Search Photo Galleries Search by Color New Photos Today New Photos Yesterday Members' Photo Galleries Past Photo of the Day Gallery Photography

Hematite

A valid IMA mineral species - grandfathered

This page kindly sponsored by June Epp

Photos of Hematite (7359)Discuss Hematite

Hematite Gallery Search Photos of Hematite

Edit Add Synonym Edit CIF structures Clear Cache

Iron Rose, etc.

Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Hematite, etc.

Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa

Kidney Ore

Florence Mine, Egremont, Copeland, Cumbria, England, UK

Iron Rose, etc.

Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Hematite, etc.

Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa

Kidney Ore

Florence Mine, Egremont, Copeland, Cumbria, England, UK

Iron Rose, etc.

Saint-Christophe-en-Oisans, Grenoble, Isère, Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes, France

Hematite, etc.

Wessels Mine, Joe Morolong Local Municipality, John Taolo Gaetsewe District Municipality, Northern Cape, South Africa

Hide all sections | Show all sections

About HematiteHide

Formula:

Fe₂O₃

Colour:

Steel-grey to black in crystals and massively crystalline ores, dull to bright "rust-red" in earthy, compact, fine-grained material.

Lustre:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic, Dull, Earthy

Hardness:

5 - 6

Specific Gravity:

5.26

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Member of:

Hematite Group

Name:

Originally named about 300-325 BCE by Theophrastus from the Greek, "αιματίτις λίθος" ("aematitis lithos") for "blood stone". It is possibly the first mineral ever named ending with a "-ite" suffix. Translated in 79 by Pliny the Elder to haematites, "bloodlike", in allusion to the vivid red colour of the powder. The modern form evolved by authors frequently simplifying the spelling by excluding the "a", somewhat in parallel with other words originally utilising the root "haeme".

Dimorph of:

Luogufengite

Hematite Group. The iron analogue of Corundum, Eskolaite, and Karelianite.

Hematite is rather variable in its appearance - it can be in reddish brown, ocherous masses, dark silvery-grey scaled masses, silvery-grey to black crystals, and dark-grey masses, to name a few. What they all have in common is a rust-red streak (except Ti-bearing varieties which have a black streak).
Black crystals may be confused with ilmenite.

NOTE: The 'hematite' used in jewelry, and often sold as magnetized items, is nothing of the sort and is an artificially created material, see Magnetic Hematite.

In an experimental volcanic gas condensation by Africano et al. (2002), it deposited in high fO₂ conditions during cooling from ca. 800°C down to ca. 650°C.

Visit gemdat.org for gemological information about Hematite.

Unique IdentifiersHide

Mindat ID:

1856

Long-form identifier:

mindat:1:1:1856:8

IMA Classification of HematiteHide

IMA status:

Approved, 'Grandfathered' (first described prior to 1959)

Classification of HematiteHide

Strunz-mindat (2025):

4.CB.05

4 : OXIDES (Hydroxides, V[5,6] vanadates, arsenites, antimonites, bismuthites, sulfites, selenites, tellurites, iodates)
C : Metal: Oxygen = 2: 3,3: 5, and similar
B : With medium-sized cations

Dana 7th ed.:

4.3.1.2

Dana 8th ed.:

4.3.1.2

4 : SIMPLE OXIDES
3 : A₂X₃

Hey's CIM Ref.:

7.20.4

7 : Oxides and Hydroxides
20 : Oxides of Fe

Mineral SymbolsHide

As of 2021 there are now IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols (abbreviations) for each mineral species, useful for tables and diagrams.

Please only use the official IMA–CNMNC symbol. Older variants are listed for historical use only.

Symbol	Source	Reference
Hem	IMA–CNMNC	Warr, L.N. (2021). IMA–CNMNC approved mineral symbols. Mineralogical Magazine, 85(3), 291-320. doi:10.1180/mgm.2021.43
Hem	Kretz (1983)	Kretz, R. (1983) Symbols of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 68, 277–279.
Hem	Siivolam & Schmid (2007)	Siivolam, J. and Schmid, R. (2007) Recommendations by the IUGS Subcommission on the Systematics of Metamorphic Rocks: List of mineral abbreviations. Web-version 01.02.07. IUGS Commission on the Systematics in Petrology. download
Hem	Whitney & Evans (2010)	Whitney, D.L. and Evans, B.W. (2010) Abbreviations for names of rock-forming minerals. American Mineralogist, 95, 185–187 doi:10.2138/am.2010.3371
Hem	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019)	The Canadian Mineralogist (2019) The Canadian Mineralogist list of symbols for rock- and ore-forming minerals (December 30, 2019). download
Hem	Warr (2020)	Warr, L.N. (2020) Recommended abbreviations for the names of clay minerals and associated phases. Clay Minerals, 55, 261–264 doi:10.1180/clm.2020.30

Pronunciation of HematiteHide

Pronunciation:

Play	Recorded by	Country
	Jolyon Ralph	United Kingdom

Physical Properties of HematiteHide

Lustre:

Metallic, Sub-Metallic, Dull, Earthy

Transparency:

Opaque

Colour:

Steel-grey to black in crystals and massively crystalline ores, dull to bright "rust-red" in earthy, compact, fine-grained material.

Comment:

See Rossman, G. R. (1996) for cause of red colour.

Streak:

Reddish brown ("rust-red"); blackish when Ti-bearing

Hardness:

5 - 6 on Mohs scale

Hardness:

VHN₁₀₀=1000 - 1100 kg/mm² - Vickers

Hardness Data:

Measured

Tenacity:

Brittle

Cleavage:

None Observed

Parting:

Partings on {0001} and {1011} due to twinning. Unique cubic parting in masses and grains at Franklin Mine, Franklin, NJ.

Fracture:

Irregular/Uneven, Sub-Conchoidal

Comment:

Elastic in thin lamellae

Density:

5.26 g/cm³ (Measured) 5.255 g/cm³ (Calculated)

Optical Data of HematiteHide

Type:

Uniaxial (-)

RI values:

n_ω = 3.150 - 3.220 n_ε = 2.870 - 2.940

Max. Birefringence:

δ = 0.280
Based on recorded range of RI values above.

Interference Colours:
The colours simulate birefringence patterns seen in thin section under crossed polars. They do not take into account mineral colouration or opacity.

Michel-Levy Bar The default colours simulate the birefringence range for a 30 µm thin-section thickness. Adjust the slider to simulate a different thickness.

Grain Simulation You can rotate the grain simulation to show how this range might look as you rotated a sample under crossed polars.

Thickness: 30 µm

Rotation:

Surface Relief:

Moderate

Anisotropism:

Distinct

Reflectivity:

Wavelength	R₁ (%)	R₂ (%)	^imR₁ (%)	^imR₂ (%)
400nm	26.8%	30.5%	12.2%	15.6%
420nm	28.5%	31.8%	13.9%	17.0%
440nm	28.9%	32.1%	14.3%	17.3%
460nm	28.2%	31.9%	13.6%	17.0%
470nm	28.1%	31.7%	13.4%	16.8%
480nm	27.9%	31.6%	13.3%	16.7%
500nm	27.5%	31.3%	12.9%	16.3%
520nm	27.2%	30.5%	12.6%	15.6%
540nm	26.7%	30.1%	12.2%	15.3%
546nm	26.4%	30.0%	12.0%	15.1%
560nm	26.1%	29.8%	11.8%	15.0%
580nm	25.5%	29.3%	11.3%	14.6%
600nm	24.8%	28.6%	10.8%	14.0%
620nm	24.1%	27.7%	10.3%	13.2%
640nm	23.6%	26.7%	9.9%	12.4%
650nm	23.3%	26.3%	9.7%	12.0%
660nm	23.0%	25.9%	9.5%	11.7%
680nm	22.6%	25.3%	9.2%	11.2%
700nm	22.3%	25.1%	9.0%	11.1%

Graph shows reflectance levels at different wavelengths (in nm). Peak reflectance is 32.1%.
R₁ shown in black, R₂ shown in red, ^imR₁ shown in green, ^imR₂ shown in blue

Colour in reflected light:

White to greyish white with bluish tint

Internal Reflections:

Red

Pleochroism:

Weak

Comments:

O = brownish red
E = yellowish red

Chemistry of HematiteHide

Mindat Formula:

Fe₂O₃

Element Weights:

Element	% weight
Fe	69.943 %
O	30.057 %

Calculated from ideal end-member formula.

Elements listed:

Fe, O - search for minerals with similar chemistry

Common Impurities:

Ti,Al,Mn,H₂O

Age distributionHide

Recorded ages:

Mesozoic : 236 ± 7 Ma to 145 ± 4 Ma - based on 6 recorded ages.

Chemical AnalysisHide

Oxide wt%:

	1	2	3
Fe₂O₃	87.0 %	86.95 %
MnO₂	2.5 %	2.93 %
SiO₂	5.0 %	8.20 %
Al₂O₃	2.0 %	0.73 %	0.12 %
Loss	3.5 %	1.19 %
TiO₂			5.69 %
MnO			0.16 %
FeO			88.91 %
MgO			0.47 %
Total:	100 %	100 %	95.35 %

Empirical formulas:

Sample ID	Empirical Formula
3	(Fe³⁺,Al)_1.774(Fe²⁺, Mg, Mn)_0.113Ti_0.113O₃

Sample references:

ID	Locality	Reference	Notes
1	Bihain, Vielsalm, Luxembourg, Wallonia, Belgium	Drapiez, M. (1820) Sur une mine de fer oligiste du Grand Duché de Luxembourg. Annales générales des sciences physiques, Bruxelles: 7.
2	Colanhan, Lierneux, Liège, Wallonia, Belgium	Davreux, C. (1833) Essai sur la constitution géognostique de la province de Liège. Mémoire de l'Académie royale de Bruxelles, Mémoire couronné in 4°, 9.
3	Dypingdal serpentine-magnesite deposit, Snarum, Modum, Buskerud, Norway	Raade, Gunnar (1982) Die sogenannten "Martite" von Snarum (Norwegen) [The so-called “Martites” from Snarum (Norway)]. Der Aufschluss, 33 (11) Heidelberg. 405-407	Microprobe, Fe2+

Crystallography of HematiteHide

Crystal System:

Trigonal

Class (H-M):

3m (3 2/m) - Hexagonal Scalenohedral

Space Group:

R3c

Cell Parameters:

a = 5.038(2) Å, c = 13.772(12) Å

Ratio:

a:c = 1 : 2.734

Unit Cell V:

302.72 Å³ (Calculated from Unit Cell)

Morphology:

Crystals generally thick to thin tabular {0001}, rarely prismatic [0001] or scalenohedral; also rarely rhombohedral {1011}, producing pseudo-cubic crystals. Often found in sub-parallel growths on {0001} or as rosettes ("iron roses.") Sometimes in micaceous to platy masses. May be compact columnar or fibrous masses, sometimes radiating, or in reniform masses with a smooth fracture ("kidney ore"), and botryoidal and stalactic. Frequently in earthy masses, also granular, friable to compact, concretionary and oolitic.

Twinning:

Penetration twins on {0001}, or with {1010} as a composition plane. Frequently exhibits a lamellar twinning on {1011} in polished section.

Crystallographic forms of HematiteHide

Crystal Atlas:

Image Loading

Click on an icon to view

Hematite no.319 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Hematite no.331 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Hematite no.337 - Goldschmidt (1913-1926)

Crystal StructureHide

Load
Unit Cell | Unit Cell Packed
2x2x2 | 3x3x3 | 4x4x4

View
CIF File Best | x | y | z | a | b | c

Rotation
Stop | Start

Labels
Console Off | On | Grey | Yellow

Data courtesy of the American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database. Click on an AMCSD ID to view structure

ID	Species	Reference	Year	Locality	Pressure (GPa)	Temp (K)
0000143	Hematite	Blake R L, Hessevick R E, Zoltai T, Finger L W (1966) Refinement of the hematite structure American Mineralogist 51 123-129	1966	Elba, Italy	0	293
0002228	Hematite	Gualtieri A, Venturelli P (1999) In situ study of the goethite-hematite phase transformation by real time synchrotron powder diffraction American Mineralogist 84 895-904	1999		0	586
0002229	Hematite	Gualtieri A, Venturelli P (1999) In situ study of the goethite-hematite phase transformation by real time synchrotron powder diffraction American Mineralogist 84 895-904	1999		0	790
0002230	Hematite	Gualtieri A, Venturelli P (1999) In situ study of the goethite-hematite phase transformation by real time synchrotron powder diffraction American Mineralogist 84 895-904	1999		0	1052
0017806	Hematite	Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R, Ishizawa N (1994) Synchrotron X-ray study of the electron density in alpha-Fe2O3 Acta Crystallographica B50 435-441	1994	synthetic	0	293
0017807	Hematite	Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R, Ishizawa N (1994) Synchrotron X-ray study of the electron density in alpha-Fe2O3 Acta Crystallographica B50 435-441	1994	synthetic	0	293
0017808	Hematite	Maslen E N, Streltsov V A, Streltsova N R, Ishizawa N (1994) Synchrotron X-ray study of the electron density in alpha-Fe2O3 Acta Crystallographica B50 435-441	1994	synthetic	0	293
0017731	Hematite	Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367	1980	synthetic	0.0001	293
0017732	Hematite	Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367	1980	synthetic	1.54	293
0017733	Hematite	Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367	1980	synthetic	3.14	293
0017734	Hematite	Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367	1980	synthetic	4.16	293
0017735	Hematite	Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367	1980	synthetic	4.39	293
0017736	Hematite	Finger L W, Hazen R M (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars Journal of Applied Physics 51 5362-5367	1980	synthetic	5.24	293
0014076	Hematite	Pauling L, Hendricks S B (1925) Crystal structures of hematite and corundum Journal of the American Chemical Society 47 781-790	1925		0	293
0018106	Hematite	Pauling L, Hendricks S (1925) The Structure of Hematite Journal of the American Chemical Society 47 781-790	1925		0	293

CIF Raw Data - click here to close

data_global
_chemical_name_mineral 'Hematite'
loop_
_publ_author_name
'Blake R L'
'Hessevick R E'
'Zoltai T'
'Finger L W'
_journal_name_full 'American Mineralogist'
_journal_volume 51 
_journal_year 1966
_journal_page_first 123
_journal_page_last 129
_publ_section_title
;
 Refinement of the hematite structure
;
_database_code_amcsd 0000143
_chemical_compound_source 'Elba, Italy'
_chemical_formula_sum 'Fe2 O3'
_cell_length_a 5.038
_cell_length_b 5.038
_cell_length_c 13.772
_cell_angle_alpha 90
_cell_angle_beta 90
_cell_angle_gamma 120
_cell_volume 302.722
_exptl_crystal_density_diffrn      5.256
_symmetry_space_group_name_H-M 'R -3 c'
loop_
_space_group_symop_operation_xyz
  'x,y,z'
  '2/3+x,1/3+y,1/3+z'
  '1/3+x,2/3+y,2/3+z'
  'x,x-y,1/2+z'
  '2/3+x,1/3+x-y,5/6+z'
  '1/3+x,2/3+x-y,1/6+z'
  'y,x,1/2-z'
  '2/3+y,1/3+x,5/6-z'
  '1/3+y,2/3+x,1/6-z'
  '-x+y,y,1/2+z'
  '2/3-x+y,1/3+y,5/6+z'
  '1/3-x+y,2/3+y,1/6+z'
  '-x,-x+y,1/2-z'
  '2/3-x,1/3-x+y,5/6-z'
  '1/3-x,2/3-x+y,1/6-z'
  '-y,-x,1/2+z'
  '2/3-y,1/3-x,5/6+z'
  '1/3-y,2/3-x,1/6+z'
  'x-y,-y,1/2-z'
  '2/3+x-y,1/3-y,5/6-z'
  '1/3+x-y,2/3-y,1/6-z'
  'y,-x+y,-z'
  '2/3+y,1/3-x+y,1/3-z'
  '1/3+y,2/3-x+y,2/3-z'
  '-x+y,-x,z'
  '2/3-x+y,1/3-x,1/3+z'
  '1/3-x+y,2/3-x,2/3+z'
  '-x,-y,-z'
  '2/3-x,1/3-y,1/3-z'
  '1/3-x,2/3-y,2/3-z'
  '-y,x-y,z'
  '2/3-y,1/3+x-y,1/3+z'
  '1/3-y,2/3+x-y,2/3+z'
  'x-y,x,-z'
  '2/3+x-y,1/3+x,1/3-z'
  '1/3+x-y,2/3+x,2/3-z'
loop_
_atom_site_label
_atom_site_fract_x
_atom_site_fract_y
_atom_site_fract_z
Fe   0.00000   0.00000   0.35530
O   0.30590   0.00000   0.25000
loop_
_atom_site_aniso_label
_atom_site_aniso_U_11
_atom_site_aniso_U_22
_atom_site_aniso_U_33
_atom_site_aniso_U_12
_atom_site_aniso_U_13
_atom_site_aniso_U_23
Fe 0.00772 0.00772 0.00279 0.00386 0.00000 0.00000
O 0.00656 0.00800 0.00442 0.00405 0.00177 0.00365

Epitaxial Relationships of HematiteHide

Epitaxial Minerals:

Pseudobrookite	Fe₂TiO₅
Rutile	TiO₂

Epitaxy Comments:

Examples of rutile epitaxial on hematite are widespread. Dramatic specimens have been found at Novo Horizonte, Brazil.

Pseudobrookite on hematite with pseudobrookite {121}[210] parallel to hematite {0001}[1100].

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Loading XRD data...

2θ (degrees) d-spacing (Å)

Data courtesy of RRUFF project at University of Arizona, used with permission.

Powder Diffraction Data:

d-spacing	Intensity
3.68 Å	(30)
2.70 Å	(100)
2.52 Å	(70)
2.21 Å	(20)
1.84 Å	(40)
1.69 Å	(50)
1.49 Å	(30)
1.45 Å	(30)

Geological EnvironmentHide

Paragenetic Mode(s):

Paragenetic Mode	Earliest Age (Ga)
Stage 3a: Earth’s earliest Hadean crust	>4.50
9 : Lava/xenolith minerals (hornfels, sanidinite facies)
10 : Basalt-hosted zeolite minerals
Stage 3b: Earth’s earliest hydrosphere	>4.45
14 : Hot springs, geysers, and other subaerial geothermal minerals
15 : Black/white smoker minerals and other seafloor hydrothermal minerals
17 : Marine authigenic Hadean minerals (see also #24)
Near-surface Processes
21 : Chemically precipitated carbonate, phosphate, iron formations
24 : Authigenic minerals in terrestrial sediments (see also #17)
25 : Evaporites (prebiotic)
High-𝑇 alteration and/or metamorphism
32 : Ba/Mn/Pb/Zn deposits, including metamorphic deposits
Stage 5: Initiation of plate tectonics	<3.5-2.5
40 : Regional metamorphism (greenschist, amphibolite, granulite facies)
Stage 6: Anoxic biosphere	<4.0
44 : Anoxic microbially mediated minerals (see also #44)
Stage 7: Great Oxidation Event	<2.4
45b : [Other oxidized fumarolic minerals]
47h : [Near-surface oxidized, dehydrated minerals]
47i : [Terrestrial weathering of meteorites]
Stage 10a: Neoproterozoic oxygenation/terrestrial biosphere	<0.6
48 : Soil leaching zone minerals	<0.6
49 : Oxic cellular biomineralization (see also #44)	<0.54
53 : Other minerals with taphonomic origins	<0.4

Geological Setting:

Large ore bodies of hematite are usually of sedimentary origin; also found in high-grade ore bodies in metamorphic rocks due to contact metasomatism, and occasionally as a sublimate on igneous extrusive rocks ("lavas") as a result of volcanic activity. It is also usually the cause of red soils all over the planet.

Synonyms of HematiteHide

Hematogelite (of Tućan)

Iron oxide (in part)

Needle-ore (in part)

Pencil Ore (in part)

Other Language Names for HematiteHide

Basque:Hematite

Catalan:Hematites

Croatian:Hematit

Czech:Hematit

Dutch:Hematiet

Esperanto:Hematito

Estonian:Hematiit

Finnish:Hematiitti

French:Hématite
Fer oligiste
Fer oxydé rouge
Hematite rouge
Fer oxydé (in part)
Titane oxydé ferrifère (in part)

Galician:Hematita

German:Hämatit
Anhydroferrit
Eisenglanz
Haematit
Haematites
Hematit
Jernglanz
Roteisenerz
Roteisenstein
Rotheisenstein
Rother Eisenrahm
Silbereisen
Speglande Eisenglimmer
Blutstein (in part)
Eisenniere (in part)

Greek:Αιματίτης

Hebrew:המטיט

Hungarian:Hematit

Italian:Ematite
Ematite rossa
Oligisto

Japanese:赤鉄鉱

Latin:Ochra rubra

Lithuanian:Hematitas

Norwegian:Hematitt

Polish:Hematyt

Portuguese:Hematite

Romanian:Hematit

Russian:Гематит

Simplified Chinese:赤铁矿

Slovak:Hematit

Spanish:Hematites
Campanil
Hematites roja
Hierro oligisto
Oligisto
Vena

Swedish:Hematit
Blodsten
Haematites ruber
Järnmalm tritura rubra
Jernglans
Röd Jernmalm
Rödmalm
Speglande Jernmalm

Traditional Chinese:赤鐵礦

Turkish:Hematit

Ukrainian:Гематит

Varieties of HematiteHide

Alumohematite	Al-bearing (aluminian) hematite.
Crucilite	Pseudomorphs of Hematite and/or Goethite after Arsenopyrite, named for cruciform shape of crystals. Originally described from Clonmel, Co. Waterford, Ireland.
Hydrohematite	Originally considered as a hydrated hematite, Fe2O3.nH2O, based on specimens from Bavaria and Prussia having ~5 wt% H2O (Breithaupt, 1847). A crystal-structure study by Wolska (1981) showed the presence of OH groups and suggested the formula Fe_2-x(OH)_xO_3...
Iridescent Hematite	An iridescent variety of specularite (hematite), its colour play caused by a very thin coating of nanoparticles of an unidentified aluminium phosphate (Nadin, 2007).
Iron Rose	A term used to describe rounded aggregates of tabular crystals. In these formations, the arrangement of the crystals somewhat reminds of the petals in a rose blossom, hence the name.
Kidney Ore	A reniform (kidney-shaped) or botryoidal variety of hematite. The internal structure of the kidney-shaped nodules is usually concentric and radiating.
Manganese-bearing Hematite
Martite	The name given for hematite pseudomorphs after magnetite, formed under conditions of increasing oxygen fugacity. For pseudomorphs of magnetite after hematite see "mushketovite". Originally described from Itabira, Minas Gerais, Southeast Region, Brazil...
Red Ochre	Earthy, reddish variety of hematite. Used as a natural red pigment.
Sanguine	A red ochreous variety of haematite that has been used for thousands of years as a pigment and art medium. Sometimes described as red chalk, but is not a variety of chalk the limestone. Red masses with low hardness. See ochre. Probably usually a mixture w...
Specularite	A variety of hematite characterized by aggregates of silvery, metallic, specular ("mirror-like") hematite flakes or tabular, anhedral crystals.
Stannian Cuprian Antimonian Hematite	The Tolbachik material has up to 2.6 wt% Sb₂O₅.
Stannian Cuprian Hematite	The Tolbachik material has up to 9.2 wt% SnO₂ (maximum Sn content for natural hematite) and up to 4.7 wt% CuO.
Titanohematite	Ti-bearing variety of hematite.
wood hematite	A finely radiated variety of hematite exhibiting alternate bands of brown or yellow of varied tints. Ref: Fay

Relationship of Hematite to other SpeciesHide

Member of:

Hematite Group

Other Members of Hematite Group:

Corundum	Al₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
Eskolaite	Cr₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
Karelianite	V³⁺₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
Tistarite	Ti³⁺₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c

Common AssociatesHide

Associated Minerals Based on Photo Data:

5,525 photos of Hematite associated with Quartz	SiO₂
2,753 photos of Hematite associated with Calcite	CaCO₃
1,390 photos of Hematite associated with Rutile	TiO₂
934 photos of Hematite associated with Goethite	Fe³⁺O(OH)
760 photos of Hematite associated with Amethyst	SiO₂
633 photos of Hematite associated with Pyrite	FeS₂
590 photos of Hematite associated with Fluorite	CaF₂
557 photos of Hematite associated with Magnetite	Fe²⁺Fe³⁺₂O₄
495 photos of Hematite associated with Chalcopyrite	CuFeS₂
455 photos of Hematite associated with Limonite

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide

4.CB.	Magnesiohögbomite-6N12S	Mg₅Al₁₁TiO₂₃(OH)	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
4.CB.	Ferrohögbomite-2N2S	[(Fe²⁺,Mg,Zn,Al)₃(Al,Ti,Fe³⁺)₈O₁₅(OH)]₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.	Zhenruite	(MoO₃)₂ · H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
4.CB.	Fuyuanite	Mg₇Nb₆O₁₈(OH)₈	Trig. 3 : P3
4.CB.	Virgilluethite	MoO₃ · H₂O	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
4.CB.	Pengite	(Pb₈Sb³⁺₃)_Σ11Sb⁵⁺₉O₃₅	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
4.CB.05	Brizziite	NaSb⁵⁺O₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Tistarite	Ti³⁺₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
4.CB.05	Ecandrewsite	ZnTiO₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Melanostibite	Mn²⁺₂Fe³⁺Sb⁵⁺O₆	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	UM1998-11-O-AuHSb	Au⁺₂Sb³⁺O₂(OH)
4.CB.05	Karelianite	V³⁺₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
4.CB.05	Corundum	Al₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
4.CB.05	Eskolaite	Cr₂O₃	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3c
4.CB.05	Geikielite	MgTiO₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Akimotoite	MgSiO₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Unnamed (Fe-Cr Oxide)	FeCrO₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Auroantimonate	AuSbO₃
4.CB.05	Hemleyite	(Fe²⁺_0.48Mg_0.37Ca_0.04Na_0.04Mn²⁺_0.03Al_0.03Cr³⁺_0.01)_sum=1.00Si_1.00O₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Ilmenite	Fe²⁺TiO₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.05	Pyrophanite	Mn²⁺TiO₃	Trig. 3 : R3
4.CB.10	Bixbyite-(Fe)	(Fe,Mn)₂O₃	Iso.
4.CB.10	Bixbyite-(Mn)	Mn³⁺₂O₃	Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Ia3
4.CB.10	Avicennite	Tl₂O₃	Iso. m3 (2/m 3) : Ia3
4.CB.15	Armalcolite	(Mg,Fe²⁺)Ti₂O₅	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
4.CB.15	Ferropseudobrookite	Fe²⁺Ti₂O₅	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
4.CB.15	Griffinite	Al₂TiO₅	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
4.CB.15	Pseudobrookite Group
4.CB.15	Sassite	Ti³⁺₂Ti⁴⁺O₅	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Cmcm
4.CB.15	Pseudobrookite	Fe₂TiO₅	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m)
4.CB.20	Zincovelesite-6N6S	Zn₃(Fe³⁺,Mn³⁺,Al,Ti)₈O₁₅(OH)	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3m1
4.CB.20	Magnesiohögbomite-2N4S	(Mg_8.43Fe²⁺_1.57)_sum=10Al₂₂Ti⁴⁺₂O₄₆(OH)₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.20	Magnesiobeltrandoite-2N3S	(Mg₆Al₂)(Al₁₈Fe³⁺₂)O₃₈(OH)₂	Trig. 3m : P3m1
4.CB.20	Zincohögbomite-2N6S	[(Zn,Mg)₇(Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)₁₆O₃₁(OH)]₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.20	Magnesiohögbomite-6N6S	[(Mg,Fe²⁺)₃(Al,Ti,Fe³⁺)₈O₁₅(OH)]₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
4.CB.20	Magnesiohögbomite-2N3S	[(Mg,Fe²⁺,Zn)₄(Al,Ti,Fe³⁺)₁₀O₁₉(OH)]₂	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : P3 1m
4.CB.20	Magnesiohögbomite-2N2S	[(Mg,Fe²⁺)₃[Al₇(Ti,Fe³⁺)]O₁₅(OH)]₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.20	Ferrohögbomite-6N12S	[(Fe²⁺,Mg,Zn)₅(Al,Ti,Fe³⁺)₁₂O₂₃(OH)]₆	Trig. 3m (3 2/m) : R3m
4.CB.20	Zincohögbomite-2N2S	[(Zn,Al,Fe²⁺)₃(Al,Fe³⁺,Ti)₈O₁₅(OH)]₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.25	Kleberite	FeTi₆O₁₁(OH)₅	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
4.CB.25	Pseudorutile	Fe₂Ti₃O₉	Hex. 6 2 2 : P6₃ 2 2
4.CB.30	Oxyvanite	V³⁺₂V⁴⁺O₅	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.30	Berdesinskiite	V³⁺₂TiO₅	Mon.
4.CB.30	Kaitianite	Ti³⁺₂Ti⁴⁺O₅	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.35	Machiite	Al₂Ti₃O₉	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.35	Vestaite	(Ti⁴⁺Fe²⁺)Ti⁴⁺₃O₉	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.35	Olkhonskite	(Cr,V)₂Ti₃O₉	Mon.
4.CB.35	Schreyerite	V³⁺₂Ti⁴⁺₃O₉	Mon. 2/m : B2/b
4.CB.40	Zincorinmanite-(Zn)	Zn₂Sb₂(Fe³⁺₄Zn₂)O₁₄(OH)₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.40	Majindeite	Mg₂Mo₃O₈	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.40	Almagreraite	CuZnMn⁴⁺₃O₈	Orth. mm2 : Pmn2₁
4.CB.40	Kamiokite	Fe₂Mo₃O₈	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.40	Nolanite	V³⁺₈Fe³⁺₂O₁₄(OH)₂	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.40	Iseite	Mn₂Mo₃O₈	Hex. 6mm : P6₃mc
4.CB.40	Rinmanite	Zn₂Sb₂Mg₂Fe₄O₁₄(OH)₂	Hex. 6 : P6₃
4.CB.45	Stibioclaudetite	AsSbO₃	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/m
4.CB.45	Claudetite	As₂O₃	Mon. 2/m
4.CB.50	Senarmontite	Sb₂O₃	Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m
4.CB.50	Arsenolite	As₂O₃	Iso. m3m (4/m 3 2/m) : Fd3m
4.CB.55	Valentinite	Sb₂O₃	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pccn
4.CB.60	Bismite	Bi₂O₃	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
4.CB.65	Sphaerobismoite	Bi₂O₃	Tet.
4.CB.70	Sillénite	Bi₁₂SiO₂₀	Iso. 2 3 : I2 3
4.CB.75	Kyzylkumite	V³⁺Ti₂O₅(OH)	Mon. 2/m : P2₁/b
4.CB.80	Tietaiyangite	Fe³⁺₄Fe²⁺TiO₉	Hex.
4.CB.85	Liuite	FeTiO₃	Orth. mmm (2/m 2/m 2/m) : Pnma
4.CB.90	Luogufengite	Fe₂O₃	Orth. mm2 : Pna2₁
4.CB.95	Wangdaodeite	FeTiO₃	Trig. 3m : R3c

Fluorescence of HematiteHide

In UV light:

None.

Other InformationHide

Health Risks:

No information on health risks for this material has been entered into the database. You should always treat mineral specimens with care.

Industrial Uses:

A major ore of iron.

Hematite in petrologyHide

An essential component of rock names highlighted in red, an accessory component in rock names highlighted in green.

Internet Links for HematiteHide

mindat.org URL:

https://www.mindat.org/min-1856.html
Please feel free to link to this page.

Search Engines:

Look for Hematite on Google

Look for Hematite images on Google

Look for Hematite on Bing

Look for Hematite images on Bing

Look for Hematite on DuckDuckGo

Look for Hematite images on DuckDuckGo

Look for Hematite in the Rock H. Currier Digital Library

External Links:

Look for Hematite on Webmineral

Look for Hematite on Wikipedia

Look for Hematite on Mineralien Atlas

Raman and XRD data at RRUFF project

References and PDF downloads at RRUFF project

American Mineralogist Crystal Structure Database

Handbook of Mineralogy page PDF

Mineral Dealers:

Buy from McDougall Minerals

Wilensky Exquisite Minerals

High-end worldwide specimens & outstanding customer service

Blue Gems Australian & International

The Arkenstone - Fine Minerals

Fine Minerals from Weinrich Minerals, Inc.

Buy from D. Joyce minerals

Buy rare minerals from Excalibur Minerals

References for HematiteHide

Reference List:

De natura fossilium - Lib. I-Xp.468

Sandalov, F.D., Pekov, I.V., Koshlyakova, N.N., Latyshev, A.V., Zhegunov, P.S. (2023): Hematite from Fumaroles of the Tolbachik Volcano (Kamchatka, Russia): Chemistry, Relationship with Associated Minerals, Morphological and Genetic Features. Zapiski RMO, 152(4), 16-46.

McKee, G.W. (1904) Prismatic crystals of hematite. American Journal of Science: s4-17(99): 241-242.

Pauling, Linus, Hendricks, Sterling B. (1925) The crystal structures of hematite and corundum. Journal Of The American Chemical Society, 47 (3). 781-790 doi:10.1021/ja01680a027

Biäsch (1929) Zs. Kr., 70, 1.

Palache, Charles, Berman, Harry, Frondel, Clifford (1944) The System of Mineralogy (7th ed.) Vol. 1 - Elements, Sulfides, Sulfosalts, Oxides. John Wiley and Sons, New York.pp.527-534

Bourguignon, P., Toussaint, L. (1955) Caractères chimiques et minéralogiques d'hématites manganèsifères d'Ardenne. Annales de la Société géologique de Belgique: 78: 419.

Kato, K. (1958) Crystal form and unit cell constant of hematite from Sennin mine, Iwate Prefecture. The Journal of the Japanese Association of Mineralogists, Petrologists and Economic Geologists: 42(4): 177-183.

Blake, R. L., Hessevick, and R. E., Zoltai, Tibor, Finger, Larry W. (1966) Refinement of the hematite structure. American Mineralogist, 51 (1-2) 123-129

Mao, H.K., Virgo, D., Bell, P.M. (1977) High-pressure 57Fe Mössbauer data on the phase and magnetic transitions of magnesioferrite (MgFe2O4), magnetite (Fe3O4), and hematite (Fe2O3). Carnegie Institution of Washington Year Book, 76, 522-525.

Finger, Larry W., Hazen, Robert M. (1980) Crystal structure and isothermal compression of Fe2O3, Cr2O3, and V2O3 to 50 kbars. Journal of Applied Physics, 51 (10). 5362-5367 doi:10.1063/1.327451

Fleet, Michael E., Arima, Makoto (1985) Oriented hematite inclusions in sillimanite. American Mineralogist, 70 (11-12) 1232-1237

Criddle, A. J., Stanley, C. J. (1993) Quantitative Data File for Ore Minerals. Springer Netherlands.

Rossman, G.R. (1996) Why hematite is red: Correlation of optical absorption intensities and magnetic moments of Fe3+ minerals. Mineral Spectroscopy: A tribute to Roger G. Burns, Special Publication, (5), 23-27.

Gaines, Richard V., Skinner, H. Catherine W., Foord, Eugene E., Mason, Brian, Rosenzweig, Abraham, King, Vandall T. (1997) Dana's New Mineralogy (8th ed.). Wiley-Interscience. p.1872

Andrault, D., Bolfan-Casanova, N. (2001) High-pressure phase transformation in the MgFe2O4 and Fe2O3-MgSiO3 systems. Physics and Chemistry of Minerals, 28, 211-217.

Rozenberg, G. Kh., Dubrovinsky, L. S., Pasternak, M. P., Naaman, O., Le Bihan, T., Ahuja, R. (2002) High-pressure structural studies of hematite Fe2O3. Physical Review B, 65 (6). 064112 doi:10.1103/physrevb.65.064112

Shim, Sang-Heon, Duffy, Thomas S. (2002) Raman spectroscopy of Fe₂O₃ to 62 GPa. American Mineralogist, 87 (2-3). 318-326 doi:10.2138/am-2002-2-314

Africano, F., Van Rompaey, G., Bernard, A., Le Guern, F (2002) Deposition of trace elements from high temperature gases of Satsuma-Iwojima volcano. Earth Planets and Space, 54 (3). 275-286 doi:10.1186/BF03353027

Cornell, R.M., Schwertmann, U. (2003) The iron oxides. Structure, properties, reactions, occurrences and uses. Wiley-VCH, Weinheim.

(2005) Hematite. Handbook of Mineralogy. Mineralogical Society of America

Das, Soumya, Hendry, M. Jim (2011) Application of Raman spectroscopy to identify iron minerals commonly found in mine wastes. Chemical Geology, 290 (3) 101-108 doi:10.1016/j.chemgeo.2011.09.001

Majzlan, J., Bolanz, R., Göttlicher, J., Števko, M., Mikuš, T., Čaplovičová, M., Filip, J., Tuček, J., Rößler, C., Matthes, C. (2025) Incorporation of W⁶⁺ into hematite (α-Fe₂O₃) in the form of ferberite nanolamellae. European Journal of Mineralogy, 37 (1). 101-110 doi:10.5194/ejm-37-101-2025

Significant localities for HematiteHide

Showing 38 significant localities out of 20,583 recorded on mindat.org.

This map shows a selection of localities that have latitude and longitude coordinates recorded. Click on the

symbol to view information about a locality. The

symbol next to localities in the list can be used to jump to that position on the map.

Locality ListHide

- This locality has map coordinates listed.

- This locality has estimated coordinates. ⓘ - Click for references and further information on this occurrence. ? - Indicates mineral may be doubtful at this locality.

- Good crystals or important locality for species.

- World class for species or very significant. (TL) - Type Locality for a valid mineral species. (FRL) - First Recorded Locality for everything else (eg varieties). ~~Struck out~~ - Mineral was erroneously reported from this locality. Faded * - Never found at this locality but inferred to have existed at some point in the past (e.g. from pseudomorphs).

All localities listed without proper references should be considered as questionable.


Argentina
Tucumán Province Tafí del Valle Department Tafí del Valle ⓘ Cerro Loma Pelada	[var: Martite] Raúl Jorge Tauber Larry´s collection

Austria
Salzburg St. Johann im Pongau District Hüttschlag ⓘ Karteisgraben	Strasser (1989)

Chile
Coquimbo Limarí Province Monte Patria ⓘ Mantos Grandes Mine	[var: Specularite] Maskaev et al. (2007)

France
Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes Puy-de-Dôme Riom Saint-Ours-les-Roches ⓘ Puy de Ténuzet quarry	Mboungou-Kongo (2002)
Grand Est Haut-Rhin Colmar-Ribeauvillé Sainte-Marie-aux-Mines ⓘ Brézouard Massif	Wittern et al. (1997)
Col de Ste Marie Tête du Violu ⓘ Bernardstein vein	Les Minéraux de Sainte Marie-aux-Mines
Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur Alpes-de-Haute-Provence Forcalquier Saint-Maime ⓘ Saint-Maime mines	Favreau G. et al. (2004)

Ireland
Munster Cork County Mizen Peninsula Ballydehob Audley Mines ⓘ Ballycummisk Mine	[var: Specularite] Flannery (n.d.)

Italy

Piedmont Cuneo Province Bellino Varaita di Rui Valley ⓘ Salza Mountain	Piccoli (2002) +1 other reference
Metropolitan City of Turin Sauze di Cesana ⓘ Metabasite occurrence	[var: Iron Rose] Giacomino et al. (1986) +1 other reference
Usseaux ⓘ Bergerie del Laux	[var: Iron Rose] Giacomino et al. (1986) +1 other reference
Tuscany Livorno Province Rio Rio Marina Rio Mine ⓘ Bacino stope	E. Grill (1911)
ⓘ Valle Giove stope	Garofalo et al. (2025)
ⓘ Vigneria stope	Orlandi +2 other references
Lucca Province Minucciano Gorfigliano ⓘ Acqua Bianca valley	Orlandi P. et al. (LU)
Pietrasanta ⓘ Monte Folgorito	Dini A. et al. (1997)

Morocco
Drâa-Tafilalet Region Zagora Province Agdz Cercle Tansifte Caïdat Ightem ⓘ Ightem Mine (Irhtem Mine; Irtem Mine)	Favreau et al. (2006)

Norway
Telemark Kragerø Kragerø Archipelago Langøy Langøy Iron Mines ⓘ Peder Anker Mine	Vogt (1892) +1 other reference

Spain
Andalusia Málaga Antequera ⓘ La Juanona Quarry	Romero Silva (2003) +2 other references
Aragon Zaragoza Tierga ⓘ Santa Rosa Mine	Calvo (2008)
Asturias ⓘ Oviedo	Fuertes Acevedo (1884) +1 other reference
El LLagú Castro Cegallú-El Bravo ⓘ Latores Quarry	Calvo (2009)

Switzerland
Grisons Surselva Region Tujetsch Val Curnera ⓘ Cavradi gorge	Kipfer (1974) +1 other reference

UK
England Cumbria Copeland Egremont ⓘ Florence Mine	Fluorite: The Collector's Choice. Extra ...
Eden Shap Rural ⓘ Shap Beck Quarry

USA
Arizona La Paz County Buckskin Mountains Santa Maria Mining District (Planet Mining District; Swansea Mining District; Bill Williams Mining District) ⓘ BCC Mines	Anthony et al. (1995)
Maricopa County ⓘ Queen of Sheba Mine (La Aguila patented claim; La Firmos Mine)	self-collected by C. Lemanski
Navajo County Apache Iron Mining District ⓘ Apache Iron deposit	- (2005)
Connecticut Hartford County East Granby ⓘ Roncari Quarry (Tilcon East Granby Quarry)	Cristofono (n.d.)
New Haven County East Haven ⓘ Cinque Quarry	Powell (1987)
Montana Jefferson County Cataract Mining District (Comet Mining District; Basin Mining District) ⓘ PC Mine	Chris Van Laer Collection
New Mexico Doña Ana County Las Cruces ⓘ Calle Jitas Blvd Chert Occurrences	Brighton Alfred Collection.
Rhode Island Providence County North Smithfield ⓘ Waterford	Michael W. Kieron collection

Mindat.org is an outreach project of the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy, a 501(c)(3) not-for-profit organization.
Copyright © mindat.org and the Hudson Institute of Mineralogy 1993-2025, except where stated. Most political location boundaries are © OpenStreetMap contributors. Mindat.org relies on the contributions of thousands of members and supporters. Founded in 2000 by Jolyon Ralph.
To cite: Ralph, J., Von Bargen, D., Martynov, P., Zhang, J., Que, X., Prabhu, A., Morrison, S. M., Li, W., Chen, W., & Ma, X. (2025). Mindat.org: The open access mineralogy database to accelerate data-intensive geoscience research. American Mineralogist, 110(6), 833–844. doi:10.2138/am-2024-9486.
Privacy Policy - Terms & Conditions - Contact Us / DMCA issues - Report a bug/vulnerability Current server date and time: August 13, 2025 08:34:11 Page updated: August 13, 2025 00:44:51

Go to top of page

Hematite

About HematiteHide

Unique IdentifiersHide

IMA Classification of HematiteHide

Classification of HematiteHide

Mineral SymbolsHide

Pronunciation of HematiteHide

Physical Properties of HematiteHide

Optical Data of HematiteHide

Chemistry of HematiteHide

Age distributionHide

Chemical AnalysisHide

Crystallography of HematiteHide

Crystallographic forms of HematiteHide

Crystal StructureHide

Epitaxial Relationships of HematiteHide

X-Ray Powder DiffractionHide

Geological EnvironmentHide

Synonyms of HematiteHide

Other Language Names for HematiteHide

Varieties of HematiteHide

Relationship of Hematite to other SpeciesHide

Common AssociatesHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat GroupingHide

Fluorescence of HematiteHide

Other InformationHide

Hematite in petrologyHide

Internet Links for HematiteHide

References for HematiteHide

Significant localities for HematiteHide

Locality ListHide

Related Minerals - Strunz-mindat Grouping Hide