In this article
Written by Sameer
Reviewed on
Hematite is iron oxide, the same mineral that turns rust and red soil their colour, polished up into a silver-black metallic mirror. It is not an expensive stone, so the gaps between prices are small in rupee terms, but they do still reflect real differences in quality. The thing buyers should actually worry about is handing over natural-stone money for a manufactured copy.
The hematine trap
A great deal of the shiny "hematite" in bead strings and bracelets is really hematine, sometimes sold as "magnetic hematite". It is a factory product made from iron powder and other materials. A magnet is the easiest way to tell: natural hematite shows no real attraction, but hematine sticks to it. So if the label says magnetic hematite, it isn't natural hematite.
The streak test
Rub natural hematite across unglazed white porcelain, the back of a bathroom tile for example, and it leaves a reddish-brown line. It is a proper mineralogist's test, but it leaves a mark, so ask the seller to try it on an offcut, not the stone you want to buy.
What raises the price of real hematite
The polish
Hematite is all about that mirror finish. A deep, even, metallic shine with no pitting or rippling is the single biggest quality factor.
A clean surface
Small cracks and pits interrupt the reflection, so stones without them are worth more.
Shape and cut
Smooth, symmetrical cabochons and crisply faceted shapes take more skill to make, and are priced to match.
Size
Bigger stones without cracks are harder to cut, so the total price creeps up, though the rate per carat stays modest.
Weight tells you something
Pick up a hematite and you will notice how heavy it is, clearly heavier than most gemstones of the same size. Since stones are priced by the carat, a hematite will weigh in at more carats than another gem with the same measurements. Keep that in mind when you compare per-carat rates.
Heavy, brittle, and happiest dry
Hematite rates 5.5 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale, so a ring is possible if you are careful, but it is brittle and can crack if it hits a hard floor. Keep it dry, away from salt water and strong chemicals that can dull or mark it, and wipe it down with a soft dry cloth.
What crystal lore says
In modern crystal lore people wear hematite for grounding and focus. Those are beliefs, not promised effects. If an astrologer is guiding your choice, have a look at our rashi guide.
Buying hematite from us
Every piece in our hematite collection is natural, checked and priced individually. You might also like malachite or sapphire. Urdu names are listed on our names page. We pack and send from Karachi with Cash on Delivery: Karachi usually in 1 to 2 working days, then Lahore and every other city in Pakistan.
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