How to identify Iron Ore

To correctly identify Iron Ore (Hematite or Magnetite), check each of these features in order. Many rocks and minerals look alike, so cross-reference multiple properties before deciding.

Step-by-step identification

1. 1

   Color

   Overall color and any zoning or banding

   Hematite: Reddish-brown, steel-gray, black. Magnetite: Black.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Hematite: Metallic to dull, earthy. Magnetite: Metallic to submetallic.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Hematite: Massive, botryoidal, oolitic, micaceous (specular hematite). Magnetite: Granular, massive, octahedral crystals.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Hematite: Rhombohedral, tabular, botryoidal, massive. Magnetite: Isometric, typically octahedral or dodecahedral crystals, massive.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Hematite: None (parting sometimes observed). Magnetite: None (parting sometimes observed).

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Banded Iron Formations (BIFs), magmatic deposits (e.g., layered intrusions, Kiruna-type), hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic deposits, lateritic weathering profiles.

Key Facts

Hardness

Hematite: 5-6 on Mohs scale. Magnetite: 5.5-6.5 on Mohs scale.

Specific Gravity

Hematite: 5.26. Magnetite: 5.17-5.18.

Crystal System

Hematite: Trigonal. Magnetite: Isometric.

Color

Hematite: Steel-gray, black, reddish-brown. Magnetite: Black.

Luster

Hematite: Metallic, submetallic, dull, earthy. Magnetite: Metallic to submetallic.

Transparency

Opaque

Fracture

Hematite: Uneven to subconchoidal. Magnetite: Uneven to conchoidal.

Cleavage

None (parting sometimes observed in both).

Composition

Hematite: Iron(III) oxide (Fe2O3). Magnetite: Iron(II,III) oxide (Fe3O4).

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Hematite: Rhombohedral, tabular, micaceous (specular), botryoidal, reniform, massive, oolitic. Magnetite: Octahedral, dodecahedral, granular, massive.
• Cleavage Type: None (parting on {1011} in hematite and {111} in magnetite is sometimes observed but is not true cleavage).
• Fracture Type: Hematite: Uneven to subconchoidal. Magnetite: Uneven to conchoidal.
• Tenacity: Brittle
• Luster Type: Hematite: Metallic, submetallic, dull, earthy. Magnetite: Metallic to submetallic.

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