In this article
GemStore team — written by the people who list and pack every stone.
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Hematite is iron oxide, the same mineral that colours rust and red earth, polished to a metallic silver-black mirror. It is an inexpensive stone, so price differences are small in absolute terms, but they still reflect real differences in quality. The bigger risk for buyers is paying a natural-stone price for a synthetic substitute.
The hematine problem
Much of the shiny "hematite" sold in beads and bracelets is actually hematine (also sold as "magnetic hematite"), a manufactured material made from iron powder and other compounds. The simplest test is a magnet: natural hematite is not noticeably magnetic; hematine sticks to a magnet. If a stone is sold as magnetic hematite, it is not natural hematite.
A second check: the streak
Natural hematite leaves a reddish-brown streak when rubbed on unglazed white porcelain, such as the back of a tile. That is a mineralogist's test and it does leave a mark, so ask the seller to do it on an offcut rather than your stone.
What moves the price of genuine hematite
Polish
The whole appeal is the mirror finish. A deep, even, metallic shine without pits or ripples is the main quality factor.
Freedom from flaws
Hematite can have small cracks and pits that break the reflection. Clean surfaces are worth more.
Shape and cut
Smooth, symmetrical cabochons and well-defined faceted shapes take more skill to produce and are priced accordingly.
Size
Larger stones without cracks are harder to cut, so they carry a slightly higher total price, though per-carat rates stay modest.
Weight as a clue
Hematite is very heavy for its size, noticeably heavier than most gemstones. Because pricing is per carat, a hematite stone weighs more carats than another gem of the same dimensions; bear that in mind when comparing rates.
Brittle, heavy and best kept dry
At 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale hematite can be worn in a ring with care, but it is brittle and can crack if dropped on a hard floor. Keep it dry and away from salt water and harsh chemicals, which can dull or mark the surface, and wipe it with a soft dry cloth.
Hematite in crystal lore
Hematite is widely worn in modern crystal lore for grounding and focus. These are beliefs, not promised effects; if an astrologer is involved, see our rashi guide.
Buying hematite
Each stone in our hematite collection is natural, inspected and priced individually. Also worth seeing: malachite and sapphire. Urdu names are on our names page, and we deliver with Cash on Delivery to Lahore, Karachi and every other city.
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