Published May 2014  •  Updated March 2024  •  Read Time: 11 minutes
Hematite is a shiny silvery mineral and the most important ore for Iron.  Its easy to distinguish from other silver minerals because its steak is a brick red color, the very same color as rust.  While it appears silver in its pure form, when Hematite is enclosed in Quartz, it once again shows up as red.  When sold as healing stones, they might be given marketing names such as “Strawberry Quartz” for dark red or purple-pink stones or “Tangerine Quartz” if it has an orange tone.  Hematite is a wonderful grounding stone, especially during stressful situations.  It has a strong, practical and mature energy that helps us to take care of what is necessary, including our own self-care.

Hematite hematite meaning

Hematite Meaning

Spiritual Healing Properties

Hematite is a phenomenal grounding stone and can help us to survive and thrive no matter the circumstances we find ourselves in. It is particularly useful during difficult seasons of life. Hematite encourages us to be honest and able to look directly at the source of our discomfort, so that we can make amends, heal and move forward. When necessary, it will also give us strength so we cut ties with whatever is no longer serving us.  If the problems are internal, rather than external, Hematite helps us feel safer as we explore our Shadow Self.  Hematite helps us to stay connected to our own bodies and the Earth while engaging in high spiritual work or energetic traveling. It gives us a warm sense of security, so that we feel safe enough to do the important work we need to do. It lifts away feelings of shame, confusion and despair, replacing those energies with determination to do better and to play a positive role in the world. Hematite gives us a keen discernment so that we can know truth and act accordingly.

Metaphysical Properties Hematite
Chakra Root
Element Earth
Numerology 9
Zodiac Aries and Aquarius.

Emotional Healing Properties

Hematite has a strong, soothing energy, which can be very encouraging when we feel anxious or depressed. It helps us to see the silver lining around grey clouds and to find the strength to try again. Hematite has a very practical approach to negative or overwhelming emotions.  Before we try to understand or work through our emotions on a purely mental/emotional level, we are reminded to first check if our basic needs are being met.  Essentially, Hematite encourages us to parent our “inner toddler.”  Have we eaten and are we hydrated?  If it’s been a while, are we just “hangry” – moody because our body needs fuel? Are we sleeping and exercising enough?  Do we feel like falling down in a tantrum because we actually just need a nap?  Have we been hugged lately or had other positive social interactions?  All of these basic needs play a HUGE role in our emotional well-being and attending to them has an immediate positive result.  Hematite invites us to make self-care a priority. It reassures us that negative emotions are a part of life that everyone experiences from time to time, but if we act sensibly much of our distress will soon pass.

Mental Healing Properties

Hematite increases our self-confidence. It briskly removes any self-limitations we have placed on ourselves and shows us that we are more powerful than we give ourselves credit for. Hematite helps us to logically explore our motivations, and be very honest with ourselves. It is a fantastic talisman for anyone fighting an addiction or engaged in a lawsuit. It also helps us to acknowledge any mistakes we have made and to make peace and learn from the negative experiences.  If our behavior, either intentionally or ignorantly, has caused harm to others, Hematite pushes us to swiftly take responsibility and make amends. However, if we find ourselves getting mired in excessive feelings of guilt or shame, Hematite gently and sensibly reminds us that those feelings don’t help us or anyone else. Rather than indulging in self-flagellation, it’s far more beneficial to simply learn the lesson and do better in the future.

Physical Healing Properties

Hematite is highly recommended to encourage preventative healthcare, rather than waiting until the body suffers a crisis. Hematite reminds us that while common sense advice may not be very glamorous, there’s a reason it works. Hematite helps us to assess our health habits around food, hydration, exercise, sleep, and stress and make sensible changes. It gives us the stamina to follow through with a healthy lifestyle, rather than bouncing back and forth between healthy and unhealthy habits. It also reminds us that perfection is unrealistic and that “good enough” is a reasonable goal. Hematite is a great talisman for anyone with anemia or other blood-related problems who often feels tired and weak. It reminds us that our distressed feelings are directly related to physical processes, and there are simple things we can do to help our body, which in turn will elevate our mood. If the body does go into crisis mode, for example if the anemia is caused by kidney disease or if the liver is damaged, Hematite helps us to stay grounded and swiftly take action to appropriately handle the situation before it gets any worse.

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Hematite Mineralogy

Where does Hematite come from?

The largest deposit of Hematite is found in the United States (Minnesota). Other important deposits are found in Australia, Bangladesh, Brazil, China, Czech Republic, England, India, Italy, Liberia, New Zealand, Ukraine, and Venezuela.

Mining and Treatments

Hematite is the most important of all Iron ores, because it contains up to 70% pure Iron. It is also fairly abundant and relatively easy to mine. The largest Hematite deposit is a sedimentary one located in the Lake Superior district in North America. Most Hematite is dug out in large pit mine operations, the Hematite itself is a secondary mineral, the purpose of the mine is to extract the Iron content.

Hematite Placeholder
Hematite

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Mineral Family

Hematite is an Oxide mineral. The Oxide family has closely-packed Oxygen atoms with tiny bits of metal or semi-mental atoms occupying the space between. There are two forms of Oxide minerals, “simple Oxides” which only have a single type of metal or semi-metal, and “complex Oxides” which have multiple metals and/or semi-metals. Most Oxide minerals are found in igneous rocks. Hematite is probably the second most famous Oxide mineral. It is second only to Corundum or, as it is more commonly called, Ruby and Sapphire.

Hematite’s energy works well with its family – other Oxide minerals.  Try it in combination with Chrysoberyl, Lodestone, Merlinite, RubyRutile and Sapphire

Hematite Formation and Crystal Associates

Hematite occurs in several different forms, the most common of which is Specular Hematite, which is the shiny silver variety. Hematite can also grow in flower-like forms, known as “Iron Roses,” and as short black crystals. It is most often found in sedimentary beds or metamorphosed sediments, however it may also be found as an accessory mineral in many igneous rocks.  Hematite may also be an inclusion in Quartz crystals, appearing red like its streak, rather than silver.

Hematite’s energy works well with its “friends” – crystal associates formed in the same geological environment.  Try it in combination with Amethyst, Quartz, Rutilated Quartz, and Smoky Quartz.

Is Hematite magnetic?

Hematite has a very weak magnetic response that can only be observed with special equipment.  But “magnetic hematite” is often sold in natural history museum gift shops, metaphysical stores, toy shops, etc.  The labeling is misleading since what is being sold is actually a synthetic ferret magnet.  Ferret magnets are made by mixing and heating iron with another metallic ferrimagnetic minerals such as manganese, nickel or zinc.  The ability for a mineral to be magnetic is actually determined on the atomic level.  Most substances have an equal number of electrons whirling in each direction, but a few substances have electrons running in the same direction. If two magnetic objects are placed next to each other, the electrons will either begin to run together and they will be attracted, or they will run opposite each other and be repelled.

Mineralogy Hematite
Chemical Formula Fe2O3m iron oxide
Cleavage None
Color Silver, black, grey, brown-red
Crystal System Hexagonal
Form/Habit Tabular, platy, botryoidal
Fracture Conchoidal, uneven, fiberous
Hardness – Mohs Scale 5.5-6.5
Luminescence None
Luster Metallic
Mineral Family Oxides
Specific Gravity 5.12-5.28
Streak Brown-red
Transparency Opaque

History of Hematite

Hematite has an extremely ancient historical record and is included in the majority of ancient and medieval lapidaries, texts that describe gemstones and their powers. While Hematite typically looks shiny silver, when it is powdered or captured in Clear Quartz, it is bright red. Hematite’s streak, or the color it shows when used as a drawing instrument, is also red. With that in mind, it comes as no surprise that name “Hematite” comes from the Greek word haimatitis, meaning “blood red.” During the European Middle Ages, it was sometimes called “Bloodstone” and it has been known as the “stone which bleeds” in countless lapidaries.

Hematite’s history stretches back to the Neolithic period, and probably far beyond that. It has been found in Neolithic burials in both Europe and Asia. In Europe, mummified remains have been found with powdered Hematite smeared on the skin, creating a reddish tint. In China, skeletal remains surrounded by pieces of Hematite have been uncovered. Since such burials were made before the invention of writing, it is impossible to know, for certain, why the Hematite was used. It could possibly denote a spiritual significance. It could also be purely aesthetic, since Hematite is used to create red paint, and is used to decorate pottery worldwide

Centuries later, the great Mediterranean civilizations were all well familiar with Hematite’s various metaphysical properties. According to the late Egyptian text, The Magical Papyrus of Leyden (c.200 CE), Hematite could be used to treat eye wounds, small growths, and reduce inflammation. It could also heal cuts, when powdered and mixed with cat feces, goat fat, and honey. However, this mixture would only work if the proper spells were said! Powdered Hematite could also be taken orally in an elixir to cure illnesses that causes a person to cough up blood. In addition to these medicinal remedies, it was also a key ingredient in a mystical ink, composed of various ores along with seven perfumes and seven flowers.

In Mesopotamia, a lapidary written by Azchalias for King Mithridates the Great (135-63 BCE), included a through examination of Hematite. In addition to its medicinal properties, Hematite had several additional uses. It was said to bring good fortune to anyone petitioning the king, and also brought victory in legal battles. Azchalias recommended that all lawyers, judges and other members of the legal profession wear Hematite jewelry and use Hematite signet rings. Numerous archaeological digs in Mesopotamia have found Hematite seals, jewelry and other small decorative items.

Hematite was closely associated with several of the Greek Gods. At the beginning of creation, the primal sky god, Uranus, was married to his mother, the earth goddess Gaia. They had several children, including the Titans, the Cyclops and the Hekatonkheires (100 armed giants). Uranus hated his children and banished them to Tartarus, the Greek equivalent of Hell. Gaia responded by freeing her son Cronus, the king of the Titans and the god of time-eternal, and gave him a diamond sickle. Cronus used this weapon to castrate his father Uranus and threw the genitals down into the sea, where they gave life to various beings, most famously the Furies, goddesses of vengeance, as well as Aphrodite, goddess of love and beauty. As Uranus’s blood dripped down from its wound on to earth, it was petrified as Hematite. Cronus immediately took Uranus’ place as king of creation and in turn sired many children, including several of the most important Greek Gods including Zeus, Poseidon, Hades, Hera, Demeter, and Hestia. Cronus was terrified lest one of them kill him and so he swallowed each divine child as they were born. Once again, Gaia was determined to save her innocent children and so when her last child, Zeus, was born, she hid him away. When he was old enough, he returned to kill his father and rescue his undigested siblings. Zeus then became the new king of the gods, god of the sky and god of measured-time (days, seasons, etc.). Zeus’ own son, Ares, god of war, never attempted to usurp his place. Hematite was a sacred stone for Ares, since it was believed to heal cuts and other wounds. As a result, Greek soldiers smeared powdered Hematite on their skin before going into battle.

By the Roman era, Hematite was thought to be five distinct stones, rather than a single gem or mineral. According to Pliny the Elder(CE 23-79), in his lapidary, The Natural History of Precious Gemstones, each variety of Hematite cured different problems. The best variety, Ethipic, could heal eye wounds and treat burns. The second best variety, Androdamus, could cure illness that caused nausea and vomiting. The third variety from Arabia could ease pain, particularly nerve pain from burns. The fourth and fifth Hematite varieties were best used in a powdered form mixed in oil, and imbibed as a tonic to heal blood-related disorders. Modern metaphysical healers still use Hematite to treat a variety of blood-related diseases and disorders. Fascinatingly, there is a scientific basis for this longstanding medical tradition. Hematite is an Iron oxide which has strong astringent and styptic properties. Hematite powder does in fact cause blood to coagulate!

Hematite is also found encased within Clear Quartz.  While the pure mineral is silver, when found in Quartz it appears bright red.  The first known reference to Red Quartz dates to the late 1800s, when a fine-grained Red Hematite Quartz was found in English iron mines.  It was initially called “Scarlet Quartz” but that name soon fell out of fashion.  Today reddish-orange Quartz is called Ferruginous Quartz by scientific collectors and Tangerine Quartz by metaphysical collectors.  Amusingly, both kind of collectors will use the name Strawberry Quartz for reddish-pink Quartz.

In the 21st century, various fruit-inspired names have been given to synthetic man-made stones.  These synthetic stones are usually easy to identify.  They tend to have an exceptionally-vibrant color and are often translucent or coated with a rainbow sheen.  In some cases, they are made from regular Clear Quartz, such as in the case of these crystal points.  At other times, the entire “crystal” will be made from glass or similar materials.

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