Hematite
Natural haematites are found in red-brown or opaque red colour. The chemical content of hematite (sometimes also spelled haematite) is Fe2O3 or iron oxide. It’s name comes from the Greek word haem (blood), the same root as haemoglobin, the iron oxide bearing chemical that gives blood its red colour. However, hematite can be found in variety of colours, from black to steel or silver-grey, brown, or the reddish-brown its name suggests. Most presentations of hematite in gem form are in the polished metallic steel, silver, or black colourations. Hematite is hard, measuring between 5.5 and 6.5 on the Mohs hardness scale: hematite should scratch glass, but will be scratched by quartz. When dragged across a hard surface, it should leave rusty mark coloured much like dried blood. It is actually harder than iron, but more brittle.
Red ochre paints derived from hematite was used by many different prehistoric cave paintings, and in more modern indigenous art forms. It continues to be used as a paint pigment, and its hardness allows it to be used as a polishing powder for glass.
Based on its blood colour, it is credited for physical healing powers related to blood issues, such as haemophilia, vascular weakness, nosebleeds, amenia, heart, as well as diseases of the kidneys and liver. Mineral and crystal healers also credit them with treatment for stress from birth, surgery, and tumours. They may also be prescribed for treating jet leg stress, nervous disorders, and fevers. Native American healers also used them for treatment of dental problems, pimples, canker sores, and in modern times, to treat alcohol abuse. Hematite is also credited by some healers with mental healing powers. It can sooth the mental state, bringing calm and concentration, bolstering self-confidence, and general improvement in mental functions. It does this by drawing out mental tensions from the body, cancelling out negative mental influences, and dispersing angry thoughts and influences in the mind. It is credited with improving general mental dexterity.
The ancient Egyptians used hematite in various magical amulets, some of which were used to treat madness and inflammation. Romans saw its red colour of blood as a sign of power from Mars, the God of War, and some Roman soldiers even believed that hematite, by bringing the power of the God of War, made them invincible. Other cultures saw hematite stones as having formed from the blood of past warriors left on the battlefield.
Scientists were quite excited to find hematite on the planet Mars. The planet’s ochre tone is from iron-rich soil, but hematite requires water to form: the discovery of hematite by orbiting spacecraft around the planet generated enormous interest, and the Opportunity rover was specifically sent to investigate one of the most promising sites, where the rover instruments found small spherical hematite formations, clinching the case for Mars once having water on its surface.
Hematite was very popular in European jewelry during the late 1800s, but it has found considerable popularity in the last fifty years in the United States, particularly in Native American jewelry. Hematite’s brittleness means that jewelry should be handled with some care to prevent chipping and scoring, but its strength means that well-cared hematite jewelry will retain its attractive appearance indefinitely. |
