Hematite is the primary, globally abundant ore of iron (\(Fe_{2}O_{3}\)), typically appearing as matte gray, black, or metallic, though it always leaves a reddish-brown streak. It is used for steel production, pigments, and jewelry. Formed over 2.5 billion years ago by oxygenation in oceans, it thrives in sedimentary environments, has a hardness of 5.5 to 6.5, and usually has a metallic luster.
Hematite
from the UK
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