What is the difference between hematite and hematin?

Let’s start with the fact that artificial hematite is VISUALLY a complete analogue of natural one. It is widely used in costume jewelry, and the beads can be of various shapes: in the form of stars, small spheres, frames, etc. The differences begin when comparing the physicochemical properties of hematite and its artificial “brother”.

And so. Hematin (Hematine) – literal translation into Russian – hematite pendant (here the sellers of beads do not deceive us in any way, selling hematin under the guise of hematite, and, like true translators, provide such a translation to the buyer). Other names are man-made hematite (man-made hematite), magnetic hematite, hemalike.

Although many claim it is made of hematite or iron oxide mixed with resin, the material is a completely man-made compound – ceramic barium strontium ferrite magnet (Ba,Sr)Fe12O19. The average grain size of ceramics is 5-10 microns, and porosity is 10-15%. In addition, the magnetic field strength of this material is significantly greater than that of any hematite sample.

Hematin is a very shiny, gray man-made material. In English slang there is even an interpretation of the name of this material, namely: Hemalyke ™, (Hema “look alike” – similar to hematite). Hemalyke™ is a brand name for hematin material. Hematin is easy to produce and easy to give absolutely any shape, unlike fragile hematite, because in production it is a metal-ceramic resin poured into molds.

Hematin was created in America, at a time when magnetic therapy was gaining popularity. Proponents of magnetic therapy believe that magnets placed close to the body can have several physical effects: stimulating blood flow, relieving pain, increasing joint flexibility, and other soft tissue benefits. Other proponents of magnetic therapy use it to restore the balance of bodily energies to promote holistic health.

Recommendations for storage and use of hematin specified by the manufacturer:

1. This material is extremely durable: store separately with jewelry, soft metals to prevent it from damage;
2. Do not use hematin products if you are pregnant or have electrical-medical implants such as a pacemaker or insulin pump.
3. These decorations are not intended for small children.
4. Please discontinue use if you experience irritation or inflammation. Keep hematin products away from computer hard drives, credit cards, cassette and video tapes, floppy disks and other electronic devices.
5. Hematin jewelry should not be worn near the watch battery.

First of all, before buying hematite, you need to decide for yourself why you are buying it: is the esoteric power of a natural stone important to you, or do you need reliable, durable beads that have a presentable appearance and an unusual shape. If the choice is made, then you need to understand that when buying a natural stone, the choice of shapes and sizes will be very small and will most likely be limited to cubes, parallelepipeds, round and oval cabochons, both cut and uncut. There can be no question of any stars, disks or hearts. But, in return, you will have a natural stone with its inherent strength and energy of the Earth.

The main differences between natural hematite and hematin have already been described, but I will repeat:

1. Natural stone, regardless of its color, ALWAYS leaves a red mark on the surface, for example, on porcelain. (For reference. TRACE COLOR. This is the color of the mineral in the powder. Determined on an unglazed porcelain plate. The color of the mineral in the powder may differ from the color of the mineral itself (our hematite, for example). The color of the trait is more constant for minerals and is therefore used as an important diagnostic sign. Minerals whose hardness is higher than a porcelain plate do not give the devil.)
2. Natural stone is NOT attracted to refrigerator magnets. It has magnetic properties, but they are very weakly expressed, and they cannot be tested using homemade methods.
3. The specific gravity of hematite and hematin is almost the same, and it differs significantly from a simple non-ceramic imitation. Ceramic imitation is lightweight. To understand what you have in your hands, imagine how much a metal bolt of the same size and volume as the sample in your hand would weigh. The string of hematite and hematine beads are heavy.
4. Externally, hematite is similar to wolframite, ilmenite, cinnabar, cuprite, magnetite. It differs from cinnabar by the absence of cleavage, from cuprite by less hardness, and from the others by the red color of the line.
5. Hematite is brittle, unlike hematin.

Hematite is a mineral, iron oxide with the chemical formula Fe₂O₃. Mg and Ti are noted as isomorphic impurities. H may be present in trace amounts₂O (hydrohematite). In some varieties, in cryptocrystalline masses, mechanical impurities of silica and alumina are observed.

The name comes from the Greek. haimatites – “like blood” or Greek. “aima” – “blood” and is due to the bright red color of this mineral, ground into powder. This mineral has been known since ancient times and its modern name is first found in Theophrastus (IV century BC).

Synonyms and morphological varieties: red ironstone (fine- and cryptocrystalline aggregates), red ironstone or specularite (distinct crystalline formations with a strong metallic luster), ironrose (flower-like aggregates of lamellar crystals), iron mica (thin lamellar flake-like mica-like aggregates), iron sour cream (loose red powdery variety that is greasy to the touch), red glass head (large kidney-shaped sinter aggregates with a zonal-concentric structure and a shiny surface), bloodstone, bloodstone, red ore. anhydroferrite, iron kidney.

The color of dense masses and hematite crystals varies from steel gray to iron black. Powdery and cryptocrystalline varieties have brownish, red-brown, dull red, and sometimes bright red colors. In the thinnest plates, hematite shines through with a thick, rich red color. Hematite crystallizes in the form of well-formed thick and thin tabular, lamellar, flattened and rhombohedral crystals and their intergrowths. An iridescent or bluish discoloration can often be observed on the surfaces of the edges. Common forms of secretions of this mineral are various massive dense and fine-grained aggregates, spherulite crusts, sinter aggregates, powdery secretions, bunch-shaped dendrites, scaly and earthy masses, oolites. Another form of hematite in nature is finely dispersed anhydrous iron oxide, present in certain minerals and rocks, which colors them an intense red color (red marbles, red shales, wax jaspers, etc.). Hematite hardness is 5,5 – 6. Brittle. There is no cleavage. A characteristic diagnostic sign is the cherry-red line. The gloss is matte, semi-metallic, metallic. Opaque, translucent in very thin plates. The fracture in crystalline varieties is stepwise conchoidal, while in cryptocrystalline varieties it is unevenly splintered. It dissolves slowly in hydrochloric acid. Non-magnetic.

Satellite minerals: magnetite, chlorites, quartz, ilmenite, pyrite, siderite, barite, etc.

The genesis of hematite can be different: igneous (in granites, syenites, gabbro), hydrothermal, sedimentary (lenses in carbonate sediments of shallow water facies), metamorphic (ferruginous quartzites, gneisses, various shales). Hematite can be found in pegmatites, in which it is formed during the final hydrothermal stage of the process. It is released during volcanic processes (in the form of crystals and deposits in lava cracks and on the walls of volcanic craters); occurs as a contact-metasomatic mineral in skarns; distributed in oxidation zones of iron ore and pyrite deposits, as well as in the weathering crust of rocks in dry, hot climates. It is known to be found in placers. It is chemically stable; when weathered, loose aggregates are formed that are greasy to the touch, the so-called “iron sour cream.” Forms pseudomorphs of octahedral crystals on magnetite, which are called “martite”. Reverse psephdomorphoses of magnetite after hematite, called “mushketovite,” are also known, which are formed under reducing conditions.

Hematite is mined in many deposits. Magnificent crystals of this mineral come from Brazil, South Africa, Great Britain, Italy, Switzerland, and Austria. The largest iron ore deposits are known in Ukraine (Krivoy Rog) and Russia (Kursk Magnetic Anomaly). Hematite is also found in the Urals and Siberia.

Hematite, along with magnetite and goethite, is the main source of iron, the content of which in hematite ores is 50-65%. In addition, hematite, ground into powder, is used as a natural mineral paint, called “iron lead”, and is also used as a soft abrasive for polishing various materials. Hematite is widely popular as an ornamental and jewelry stone, which, after polishing, acquires a strong metallic luster and black color with a dark red tint. Various souvenirs, figurines, cameos, intaglios, beads, bracelets, jewelry inserts and adornments are made from this mineral. Well-formed crystals, their intergrowths and various pseudomorphs of hematite are highly valued by collectors. Collectible samples of hematite in Russia are mined in the Subpolar Urals (“hematite roses”), at the Korshunovskoye and Rudnogorsk deposits in the Irkutsk region (druzes of lamellar crystals), in the vicinity of Shabrov in the Sverdlovsk region (individual crystals in talc). Also, samples of hematite from the Aktas and Kurzhunkul deposits in Kazakhstan often appear on our market.

There is a fairly common ceramic imitation of hematite, which has the trade name “hematin” and is a glassy dioxide of iron and titanium. The main difference from hematite is its magnetic properties – hematin is attracted by a magnet.

Hematite was known as an ornamental stone back in Ancient Egypt and in the states of Mesopotamia, and shiny polished plates of hematite (specularite) were used as mirrors by some ancient civilizations. Due to its appearance, this stone was endowed with many properties and gained enormous popularity among warlocks, who performed various magical rituals with its help. Hematite was considered a powerful amulet that protected against dark forces. Alchemists and magicians worked with it in the Middle Ages, with its help they communicated with the souls of the dead and summoned elemental spirits. In addition, this stone, associated with the planet Mars, was a talisman for warriors; it gave them courage and bravery, and also made them invulnerable in battle. Today it is believed that hematite has a positive effect on the human energy field and strengthens the physical and etheric bodies. It helps fight attacks of anger, gives confidence and a sense of security, promotes the accumulation of energy and gives its owner the ability to influence other people. According to lithotherapists, hematite has a direct positive effect on the human blood and circulatory system. It increases the body’s resistance to stress, normalizes low blood pressure, and stimulates sexual energy. It is used for diseases of the kidneys, liver, spleen, pancreas, various hormonal disorders, and diseases of the genitourinary system. In the eastern practice of lithotherapy, hematite is used to treat abscesses, stop bleeding, and fight blockages in blood vessels. It is not recommended to use hematite for people with high blood pressure. From an astrological point of view, hematite is a talisman stone for people born under the signs of Scorpio and Cancer. There are contraindications for people born under the signs of Gemini, Virgo, Libra and Pisces.