Hardness: 6.50
Refractive Index: 2.94-3.22
Specific Gravity: 5.20
Birthstone: March, December.
Astral Stone: Aquarius
Anniversary Stone:
Origination: The most important source for hematite today is the country of Brazil. It can also be found in China, Canada, England, Germany and others.
Care & Cleaning: To clean, rub lightly with a soft polishing cloth or use a plain water rinse. An optional dab of olive oil will sometimes produce a beautiful shine.
Folklore, Facts & Fiction:
Astrologers often associate hematite with Mars and Mercury.
Hematite is generally silver to black in color, although it also can show a deep red.
Hematite is a variety of iron oxide.
It is sometimes fashioned into costume jewelry in combinations with black onyx or various other chalcedonies.
It may be seen en cabochon, or faceted as a brilliant on its� table.
Hematite is also used in the carving of artifacts.
When it is ground into powder, hematite is sometimes used in the polishing of other gems and minerals. It is also used as a base for pigments.
Hematite was often worn as mourning jewelry during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Ancients believed that hematite could stop bleeding.
Native American Indians believed that war paint made with hematite would make them invincible in battle.
Hematite was believed to be among the first minerals ever fashioned into rings.