hematite

American  

[hee-muh-tahyt, hem-uh-] / ˈhi məˌtaɪt, ˈhɛm ə- /

noun

1. a very common mineral, iron oxide, Fe 2 O 3 , occurring in steel-gray to black crystals and in red earthy masses: the principal ore of iron.

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hematite British  

/ ˈhɛmətaɪt, ˈhɛmətaɪt, ˌhiː-, ˈhiːm-, ˌhɛməˈtɪtɪk /

noun

1. Also called: iron glance.  a red, grey, or black mineral, found as massive beds and in veins and igneous rocks. It is the chief source of iron. Composition: iron (ferric) oxide. Formula: Fe 2 O 3 . Crystal structure: hexagonal (rhombohedral)

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hematite Scientific  

/ hē′mə-tīt′ /

1. A reddish-brown to silver-gray metallic mineral. Hematite occurs as rhombohedral crystals, as reniform (kidney-shaped) crystals, or as fibrous aggregates in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary rocks. It is the most abundant ore of iron, and it is usually slightly magnetic. Chemical formula: Fe ₂ O ₃ .

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Other Word Forms

• hematitic adjective

Etymology

Origin of hematite

1535–45; < Latin haematītes bloodstone < Greek haimatī́tēs ( lithós ) bloodlike (stone). See hemat-, -ite ¹

Example Sentences

Pigments made of minerals including hematite and rocks like lapis lazuli are ground into nanoparticles and suspended in silica, resembling “melted glass,” as Magaloni describes.

From Los Angeles Times • Sep. 1, 2025

In addition to ferrihydrite the researchers used various quantities of iron oxide phases like magnetite, hematite, feroxyhyte and schwertmannite.

From Salon • Mar. 1, 2025

With a microscope, the researchers also found a rust reddish pigment on the ornaments—likely cinnabar or hematite that were sprinkled or painted on the bodies of deceased royals as part of burial rites.

From Science Magazine • Apr. 17, 2024

When the team analysed the dried-up powder, they found it contained hematite, "giving the paste a deep red colour".

From BBC • Mar. 13, 2024

Jasper, hematite and similar stones had certain general powers of doing good.

From Psychotherapy by Walsh, James J. (James Joseph)