Is this Hematite?

[OntarioArch]

Do you think this little beauty is made of hematite?

 

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[ARC]

Um... no.

 

[ARC]

hematite has a silver / greyish tone.

Your item is black.

 

[OntarioArch]

hematite has a silver / greyish tone.

Your item is black.

The reason I ask this respectful question is the number of artifacts I find described by reputable auction houses as "hematite" , that sure look black to me. I don't see silver and greyish tones on these particular items. there are plenty more examples of black 'hematite' up for auction. Perhaps these various auction houses have it wrong.

 

[joshuaream]

It could be, color isn’t really a great indicator.

If it’s hematite it should be shockingly heavy compared to another stone of similar size.

I have a large hematite celt, and the first thing people notice is the weight.

 

[No gold in NY]

I've seen pics of hematite . Some silver, grey, and reddish, like in pic #3. Isn't it some sort of iron oxide? Should be attracted to a magnet. What do I know? I'm no geologist

 

[sandchip]

...Should be attracted to a magnet. What do I know? I'm no geologist

That's what I thought, and me either. A magnet sticks to this eggstone.

 

[OntarioArch]

The magnetic test is not reliable, I am told by many who know more than me. Joshuaream got me thinking about not just weight, but what about density?

So I looked up density of hematite: about 5 g/cc. My artifact weighs 277 grams; displaces 90 cc water (thanks to my wife's measuring cup...) and 277/90 = 3g/cc, which is the approximate density of diorite, basalt, gabbro, granite, slate, and lots of other rock.

Good to know! Start weighing those 'hematite' specimens!

And, um..., thanks for the respectful, um..., responses. Um...

 

[The Grim Reaper]

hematite has a silver / greyish tone.

Your item is black.

i find black Hematite all the time so the color has nothing to do with whether or not it is. It looks like black Diorite to me.

 

[ARC]

Still no.

 

[The Grim Reaper]

The material looks just like this Chisel which is made from black Diorite. This is a very heavy and dense material.