# How to identify hematite

Canonical page: https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/hematite
Last reviewed: September 17, 2026
Page purpose: Original LithoMap mineral identification reference for field observations, search systems, and language models.
Classification: Iron oxide mineral · Fe₂O₃

## Summary

Hematite is an iron oxide whose most reliable field clue is a red to reddish-brown streak, even when the specimen itself looks steel gray, black, earthy, or red.

## Quick identification clues

- Red to reddish-brown streak
- Metallic, submetallic, or earthy luster
- Commonly red, brown, gray, or black
- Weakly magnetic at most in ordinary hand samples

## Composition and classification

Hematite is ferric iron oxide. Mixtures with clay, silica, goethite, magnetite, or other minerals alter hardness, luster, density, and magnetic response.

## Appearance

Hematite occurs as steel-gray plates, shiny botryoidal masses, earthy red pigment, oolitic grains, and dense iron ore. Crystal form alone is therefore unreliable.

Weathering may create earthy coatings on other rocks. A coating can leave a red streak without the whole specimen being massive hematite.

## Identification tests

- Streak: Red to reddish-brown. The most useful field test across metallic and earthy varieties.
- Hardness: Variable, commonly about 5 to 6.5. Earthy aggregates may be much softer than crystals.
- Magnetism: Usually weak or absent. Strong attraction suggests magnetite or a mixture.
- Density: Dense when massive and relatively pure. Clay-rich earthy material may feel lighter.

## Common lookalikes

- Magnetite: Has a black streak and is strongly magnetic.
- Goethite: Commonly leaves yellow-brown to brown streak and forms different weathering textures.
- Ilmenite: Usually black-streaked and weakly magnetic, without hematite’s diagnostic red streak.

## Direct side-by-side comparisons

- Hematite vs. magnetite — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/compare/hematite-vs-magnetite
- Goethite vs. hematite — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/compare/goethite-vs-hematite
- Rutile vs. hematite — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/compare/rutile-vs-hematite

## Most relevant related guides

- Goethite — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/goethite
- Magnetite — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/magnetite
- Rutile — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/rutile
- Ilmenite — https://lithomap.app/resources/mineral-identification/ilmenite

## Formation

Hematite forms in oxidizing sedimentary, hydrothermal, volcanic, metamorphic, and weathering environments.

It is abundant in banded iron formations and can replace or develop from other iron minerals during oxidation.

## Occurrence and geologic setting

Hematite occurs in iron formations, red beds, hydrothermal deposits, volcanic rocks, soils, and weathered zones.

A red-streaking coating may be thin and secondary. Examine a fresh interior before calling an entire specimen hematite-rich.

## Uses and significance

Hematite is a principal iron ore and has long been used as red pigment. Specular varieties are also collected and used decoratively.

## Field safety and limitations

- Use an unglazed streak plate; color on skin or paper is less controlled.
- Avoid breathing iron-rich mine dust.
- Dense iron oxide is not a meteorite merely because it attracts a magnet weakly.

## Authoritative sources

- Minerals and their physical properties — U.S. National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/geology/minerals.htm
- Mohs Hardness Scale — U.S. National Park Service: https://www.nps.gov/articles/mohs-hardness-scale.htm
- Natural Gemstones: Mineral Gemstones — U.S. Geological Survey: https://pubs.usgs.gov/gip/gemstones/mineral.html

## Specimen photograph

- Image: https://lithomap.app/_delivery/identification/minerals/hematite.webp
- Description: Dark metallic and reddish-brown hematite-turgite mineral specimen
- Creator: James St. John
- License: CC BY 2.0 — https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0/
- Source record: https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Hematite-turgite_1.jpg

This reference supports preliminary field identification. It is not a laboratory determination, appraisal, hazard assessment, proof of origin, or statement of land ownership, legal access, or collecting permission.