Hematite

/ˈhɛmətaɪt/ noun

Definition

A common iron oxide mineral that is dark gray, red, or reddish-brown and is an important ore of iron.

Etymology

From Greek 'haima' (blood) + '-ite' suffix for minerals. Named for its blood-red color when powdered, the term dates back to ancient mineralogy.

Kelly Says

Hematite is one of the oldest known minerals—ancient peoples used it as a pigment and even believed it had magical properties, and it's literally what gives Mars its rusty red color!

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