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Hematite |
A sample of hematite may look like little more than a dark gray blob. That might seem impossible to identify but with a streak test, you can easily identify it! To tell if it is hematite, just rub the mineral against a white streak plate and it will form a small amount of red powder! The largest amounts of hematite are found in sedimentary rocks that formed from weathering iron-rich minerals. In these sedimentary deposits, hematite is thought to have precipitated from lakes or seas by organic and/or chemical processes. The hematite often occurs with intermixed layers of quartz or chert. Hematite is an important ore of iron. It is also used as a pigment in paint and in polishing compounds. It is made into a variety of handcrafted objects such as beads and jewelry.
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Meet some other nonsilicate minerals!
A piece of hematite may look like just a dark gray blob. That might seem difficult to identify but with a streak test you can easily identify it! Just rub the mineral against a white streak plate and it will form a small amount of red powder! The largest amounts of hematite are found in sedimentary rocks, often as thin layers between layers of quartz or chert. Hematite is an important ore of iron. It is also used to make red paint and it is made into jewelry such as beads.
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Meet some other nonsilicate minerals!
This mineral is called hematite. It is like a red crayon! Draw with it on a white streak plate and it will make a red line. Hematite is used to give red paint its color. |
Meet some other nonsilicate minerals!
Last modified April 25, 2003 by the Windows Team
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