Hematite

Hematite is safe to handle in its finished, polished state, but excessive exposure to its dust may lead to heavy metal poisoning. When cutting or polishing hematite, wear a dust mask to minimize dust inhalation. Store it in a sealed container in a well-ventilated area, away from children and pets. For those involved in crystal healing, never put it in your mouth.

Weight is a decisive factor affecting the price of hematite. The price of a tumbled stone about 2.5 cm across is usually $1-$5/piece.

Hematite's exceptional toughness is a result of its compact crystal structure, devoid of perfect cleavage, thereby lessening the chances of chipping or breakage from day-to-day use.

Despite hematite's resistance to a range of conditions like intense light, and extremely dry conditions, it shows sensitivity towards water exposure, heat and common household chemicals which are often encountered in everyday scenarios. This makes it sensitive under everyday wearing conditions.

Hematite varieties include kidney ore, martite (pseudomorphs after magnetite), iron rose and specularite (specular hematite). While these forms vary, they all have a rust-red streak. Hematite is not only harder than pure iron, but also much more brittle. Maghemite is a polymorph of hematite (γ-Fe₂O₃) with the same chemical formula, but with a spinel structure like magnetite.

Hematite shows only a very feeble response to a magnetic field. Unlike magnetite, it is not noticeably attracted to an ordinary magnet. Hematite is an antiferromagnetic material below the Morin transition at 250 K (−23 °C), and a canted antiferromagnet or weakly ferromagnetic above the Morin transition and below its Néel temperature at 948 K (675 °C), above which it is paramagnetic.

Hematite has a wide range of uses, ranging from commercial to aesthetic. It is a primary ore of iron, so it is mined in massive quantities all over the world. As far back as 40,000 years ago, ancient peoples crushed this mineral to make red, ochre, or black paints. Many famous cave paintings and pictographs were made using hematite pigments. Today, particularly handsome specimens are sought after by collectors, while polished pieces are mainstays at rock shops and jewelry stores.

With its strong black or deep red hues, hematite has historically been associated with death, and there are many records of mourning jewelry being carved out of the mineral. Its heavy iron content also drew associations the god of war and with warfare itself; ancient Greek warriors would sometimes rub hematite on themselves before heading to battle.

The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood αἷμα (haima), due to the red coloration found in some varieties of hematite. The color of hematite lends itself to use as a pigment. The English name of the stone is derived from Middle French hématite pierre, which was imported from Latin lapis haematites c. the 15th century, which originated from Ancient Greek αἱματίτης λίθος (haimatitēs lithos, "blood-red stone"). Ochre is a clay that is colored by varying amounts of hematite, varying between 20% and 70%. Red ochre contains unhydrated hematite, whereas yellow ochre contains hydrated hematite (Fe2O3 · H2O). The principal use of ochre is for tinting with a permanent color. The red chalk writing of this mineral was one of the earliest in the history of humans. The powdery mineral was first used 164,000 years ago by the Pinnacle-Point man, possibly for social purposes. Hematite residues are also found in graves from 80,000 years ago. Near Rydno in Poland and Lovas in Hungary red chalk mines have been found that are from 5000 BC, belonging to the Linear Pottery culture at the Upper Rhine. Rich deposits of hematite have been found on the island of Elba that have been mined since the time of the Etruscans.

The powdery mineral was first used 164,000 years ago by the Pinnacle-Point man, possibly for social purposes. Hematite residues are also found in graves from 80,000 years ago. Near Rydno in Poland and Lovas in Hungary red chalk mines have been found that are from 5000 BC, belonging to the Linear Pottery culture at the Upper Rhine.

Rich deposits of hematite have been found on the island of Elba that have been mined since the time of the Etruscans.

The name hematite is derived from the Greek word for blood αἷμα (haima), due to the red coloration found in some varieties of hematite. The color of hematite is often used as a pigment. The English name of the stone is derived from Middle French hématite pierre, which was taken from Latin lapis haematites c. the 15th century, which originated from Ancient Greek αἱματίτης λίθος (haimatitēs lithos, "blood-red stone").

Hematite is thought by some to improve the strength of will. Wearing this stone may help one overcome bad habits or negative thoughts while simultaneously increasing self-confidence and courage. The mineral is also often associated with calming and balance - having hematite around your home, or in certain rooms, is believed to confer a relaxing effect.