2.1" Hematite Botryoidal Kidney Ore Rock Mineral Specimen Irhoud Mine, Morocco
Location: Irhoud Mine, Morocco
Weight: 3.2 Ounces
Dimension: 2.1 Inches Long, 1.9 Inches Wide, 0.9 Inches thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Botryoidal Hematite
Hematite is a very common mineral composed of iron oxide. Its color ranges from steel gray to nearly black, as seen in the variety known as specular hematite. Another form, rainbow hematite, displays iridescent colors similar to oil on water. The drusy form of rainbow hematite is often backed with quartz to enhance its durability. Although its appearance can vary, all forms of hematite share a distinctive rust-red streak.
Hematite is harder than pure iron but also more brittle. The name hematite is derived from the Greek word haimatites, meaning “blood.” Major deposits are found in Australia, Brazil (notably the rainbow variety), England, Mexico, the United States, and Canada. It is also the state mineral of Alabama (USA), where approximately 375 million tons were mined between 1840 and 1975.
Hematite is one of the most abundant iron ores on Earth and is also widespread on Mars, where it is responsible for the planet’s characteristic red coloration. It was first identified on Mars by the Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES) aboard NASA’s Mars Global Surveyor.
