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Hematite

Introduction
 

	Hematite is variable in its appearance; it can be reddish brown, dark silvery-grey, dark-grey and black. What all varieties have in common is a rust-red streak.
	Hematite (also spelled as Haematite), is the most important iron ore and takes its name from the Greek word “Haem” for Blood, which describes the color of its powdered form.
Legends & Lore

Ground and powdered, it was used by pre-historic man to make cave paintings, by the Egyptians to decorate tombs of pharaohs and by Native Americans as war paint. Today, it is still used as red ochre pigment and as metal polishing powder call “jeweler’s Rouge”.
 

Ancient superstition held that large deposits of Hematite formed from battles that were fought and the subsequent blood that flowed onto the ground. Hence, Haematite was once believed to stop the bleeding of a wound.
 

“Hematite Rose”, also called “Iron Rose” is a circular arrangement of bladed crystals giving the appearance of the flower of a rose. “Iron Rose” is found in St. Gotthard, Switzerland and Elba, Italy.
 

“Tiger Iron”, is a sedimentary deposit of approximately 2.2 billion years old that consists of alternating layers of silver Gray Hematite and Red Jasper, Chert or even Tiger’s Eye.
 

“Kidney Ore” is the massive botryoidal form and gives the appearance of lumpy kidney-like masses. Considered rare and are sought after by collectors, “Kidney Ore” is found in the Forest of Dean and Barrow-In-Furness, England.
 

“Specularite” is a micaceous or flaky gem that is sparkling silver gray and sometimes used as an ornamental gem. It is also called “Looking Glass Ore” and was once used as mirrors by the Aztecs.
 

Hematite is popular for Jewelry. It is typically cut into cabochons, table cuts and brilliants. It is also carved into figurines, pendants, necklaces, cameos and intaglios in signet rings.