2.6" Hematite Botryoidal Kidney Ore Rock Mineral Specimen Irhoud Mine, Morocco
Location: Irhoud Mine, Morocco
Weight: 1.8 Ounces
Dimension: 2.6 Inches Long, 1.4 Inches Wide, 0.5 Inches thick
The item pictured is the one you will receive.
Botryoidal Hematite
Hematite, an abundant iron oxide mineral, ranges in color from steel gray to nearly black, particularly in its specular form. The rainbow hematite variant displays iridescent hues reminiscent of oil slicks and is often supported by a quartz backing to enhance its structural integrity. Despite its diverse appearances, hematite consistently produces a characteristic rust-red streak. It possesses greater hardness than pure iron, though it is comparatively brittle. The term "hematite" originates from the Greek word haimatites, meaning blood. Major deposits are found in Australia, Brazil, England, Mexico, the United States, and Canada. Notably, hematite is Alabama’s state mineral, with around 375 million tons extracted between 1840 and 1975. Besides its terrestrial significance, hematite is prevalent on Mars and contributes to the planet’s distinctive red coloration, first detected by the Mars Global Surveyor’s Thermal Emission Spectrometer (TES).
