Specular Hematite Stand-up

A dense and relatively hard iron oxide, hematite is the most important iron ore because of its high iron content (70%) and its abundance. The Lake Superior district is the world’s largest producer, but other major deposits are found in Brazil, Australia, and China. Much hematite is a soft, fine grained, earthy form called red ocher, which is used as pigment. Purified hematite, called rouge, is used to polish plate glass and jewelry. The word hematite is derived from the Greek, haimatitis, meaning “blood red,” the color hematite streaks. Ancient cultures used hematite for blood disorders and wounds. The iron oxides have strong astringent and styptic properties.