RocksdayHematite vs Psilomelane
The quickest way to tell Hematite from Psilomelane: Hematite leaves a reddish brown streak; Psilomelane leaves brown.
Iron oxide and the world's most important iron ore. It can be shiny steel-gray or earthy red, but always leaves a reddish streak.
Photo: Wikipedia Loves Art participant "Assignment_Houston_One", CC BY-SA 2.5
A group name for hard, black manganese oxides — including romanechite and hollandite — not a single mineral species.
Photo: Robert M. Lavinsky, CC BY-SA 3.0
Quick tests
- Streak (rub on unglazed porcelain): Hematite leaves a reddish brown streak; Psilomelane leaves brown.
- Luster: Hematite looks metallic; Psilomelane doesn't.
Key differences
- Hematite leaves a red streak.
Side by side
| Property | Hematite | Psilomelane |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Mineral | Mineraloid |
| Mohs hardness | 5.5–6.5 | 5–6 |
| Luster | Metallic to earthy | Submetallic to dull |
| Streak | Reddish brown | Brown |
| Colors | Silver, Black, Red | Black, Gray |
| Crystal system / structure | Trigonal | Botryoidal mixture of manganese oxides |
| Specific gravity | 5.26 | 3.7–4.7 |
| Formula | Fe₂O₃ | — |
| Found in | Lake Superior iron ranges; Carajás, Brazil | Romanèche, France; Arizona |
Properties that are the same for both are grayed out.
How to identify hematite
- Reddish-brown streak — the key test, even on silvery pieces.
- Heavy for its size.
- Not magnetic (or only weakly).
- Sometimes forms bubbly 'kidney ore' masses.
Crystal system: Trigonal
Full Hematite guide →How to identify psilomelane
- Black, often grape-like (botryoidal) or massive.
- Brownish-black streak.
- Harder than pyrolusite: a knife may barely scratch it.
Structure: Botryoidal mixture of manganese oxides
Full Psilomelane guide →More comparisons
Frequently asked questions
What is the difference between hematite and psilomelane?
Hematite is a mineral (Fe₂O₃) with a Mohs hardness of 5.5–6.5 and a metallic to earthy luster, usually silvery, black or red. Psilomelane is a mineraloid with a Mohs hardness of 5–6 and a submetallic to dull luster, usually black or gray.
How can you tell hematite from psilomelane?
Hematite leaves a reddish brown streak; Psilomelane leaves brown. Hematite looks metallic; Psilomelane doesn't. Hematite leaves a red streak.
Could you tell them apart from a blurry close-up?
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