Hematite is the most important iron ore, containing about 70% iron.

Chemical Formula: Fe2O3
Class: Iron Oxides
Hardness: 5-6
Coloration: Steel Gray to reddish brown

How to identify it/Unique Characteristics or Properties:
Hematite is the most important iron ore, containing about 70% iron. It generally shows up looking red, and if soil is red it is probably from a high hematite content. It can also show up in other forms. With mica or quartz in it, hematite can sparkle and is called “specular hematite” or “specularite”. See the picture below for an example. It can also occur in steel-gray metallic looking crystals, generally hexagonal. Red rose shaped crystals are also possible.

Where to find it in…

The Northwest: Green Mountain, southern Oregon
Other: Ukraine, China, India, Liberia, Switzerland, Brazil, Venezuela, Australia
Past Uses: Due to its bright red color, it has been used as a pigment, called ochre. It has also been carved.
How it was Made: Quite common, occurs in hydrothermals or in igneous as an accessory mineral.
Interesting Facts: It can become magnetic when heated. It is hematite that makes Mars the “red planet.”