hematitiksi

Hematite is an iron oxide mineral with the chemical formula Fe2O3. It is one of the most abundant minerals in Earth's crust and a major ore of iron, providing a large portion of the iron used in steel production.

Hematite occurs in a range of colors from red and reddish-brown to black, with a metallic to earthy luster. Its streak is typically red. It has a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale and a specific gravity around 5.0 to 5.3. Crystals are common in the hexagonal system, but most hematite is found in massive or botryoidal forms.

Formation occurs through oxidation of iron-bearing minerals in igneous, metamorphic, and sedimentary environments, often as a product of weathering. It is a principal component of banded iron formations and appears in hydrothermal veins and placer deposits worldwide.

Uses include being a major iron ore mined, processed, and smelted to produce pig iron and steel. Hematite is also used as a pigment known as red ochre, in cosmetics and paints, and as an abrasive and filler in various industrial applications. Higher-purity hematite is utilized in some magnetic and electronic materials.

The name derives from Greek haima, meaning blood, reflecting its red coloration in many forms. Hematite has been known since ancient times and remains important both economically and scientifically.