How to identify Iron Ore

To correctly identify Iron Ore (Hematite/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: Steel-gray, silver-gray, reddish-brown, or black. Magnetite: Black.

2. 2

   Luster

   How the surface reflects light: metallic, vitreous, dull

   Hematite: Metallic to dull earth. Magnetite: Metallic to submetallic.

3. 3

   Texture

   Grain size and surface feel: coarse, fine, glassy

   Hematite: Can be massive, botryoidal, reniform, micaceous (specular hematite), or oolitic. Magnetite: Typically massive, granular, or octahedral crystals.

4. 4

   Crystal Form

   Shape of visible crystals or crystal faces

   Hematite: Rhombohedral, tabular, or massive. Magnetite: Isometric, commonly as octahedra or dodecahedra.

5. 5

   Cleavage

   How it breaks: flat cleavage planes vs irregular fracture

   Hematite: No true cleavage, but parting on {0001} and {1011}. Magnetite: No cleavage, but parting on {111}.

6. 6

   Geological Environment

   The rock formation and setting where it occurs

   Banded Iron Formations (BIFs) in ancient sedimentary basins, magmatic intrusions (e.g., anorthosites, gabbros), hydrothermal veins, contact metamorphic zones, and lateritic weathering profiles.

Key Facts

Hardness

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

Specific Gravity

Hematite: 5.26. Magnetite: 5.17-5.20.

Crystal System

Hematite: Trigonal. Magnetite: Isometric.

Color

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

Luster

Hematite: Metallic to dull earth. Magnetite: Metallic to submetallic.

Transparency

Opaque.

Fracture

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

Cleavage

Hematite: None, but parting on {0001} and {1011}. Magnetite: None, but parting on {111}.

Composition

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

Physical characteristics

• Crystal Habit: Hematite: Rhombohedral, tabular, massive, botryoidal, reniform, micaceous (specularite), oolitic. Magnetite: Octahedral, dodecahedral, granular, massive.
• Cleavage Type: Hematite: No true cleavage, but distinct parting. Magnetite: No true cleavage, but distinct parting.
• Fracture Type: Hematite: Uneven to subconchoidal. Magnetite: Uneven to conchoidal.
• Tenacity: Brittle.
• Luster Type: Hematite: Metallic to dull earth. Magnetite: Metallic to submetallic.

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