Hematite

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Hematite crystals - click for larger pic
Hematite rosette
Stephen Cares sp.
Photo by Violet Anderson
© Royal Ontario Museum

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Hematite occurs very rarely at MSH, it is a member of the hematite group.

PHYSICAL CHARACTERISTICS:

Color is usually dull red or black.
Luster is vitreous or earthy.
Diaphaneity is opaque.
Crystal System is hexagonal;
Crystal Habits include lamellar hexagonal plates and as blocky
crystals to 3mm across.
Cleavage none, however ther is a good {001} parting.
Fracture is uneven to subconchoidal.
Hardness is 5 – 6.
Specific Gravity is approximately 5.26 g/cm
Streak is deep red.
Associated Minerals include analcime, ancylite, calcite,
microcline, pyrite, rhodochrosite, siderite and smectite group.
Distinguishing Features: Crystal habit and color.
Origin: Named in antiquity from the Greek haimatitis, blood-red,
because of the red color of its powder.

CLASSIFICATION:

Dana System
# 4.3.1.2

Strunz Classification
# IV/C.04-20

REFERENCES:
MinRec 21:314 (1990), Dana 8:217-220 (1997)

DISTRIBUTION AND RARITY AT MONT SAINT-HILAIRE:

MSH
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