Hematite

Hematite, also known as haematite, is ferric oxide, a hard and relatively heavy mineral that can be steel, silver, or reddish brown in color, often with a brilliant metallic lustre and is generally only lightly magnetic.

The name comes from the Greek word for blood, sharing it’s linguistic origin with words like hemoglobin and hematoma. Hematite has different associations within different cultures. It was a stone of mourning during the Victorian Era. The Egyptians crafted talismans out of hematite for their burial chambers and made jewelry out of it to calm anxiety. Some Native American tribes used it in the making of war paint believing that it would make the wearer invulnerable to attack. The Greeks associated the mineral with the God of War, Ares (Mars) and both Greek and Romans warriors and soldiers rubber their bodies with hematite believing, like the Native Americans, that it conferred immunity against wounds.

In more modern times, hematite is believed to have metaphysical and spiritual properties. It is believe to encourage healthy circulation, balance, healing, self confidence, memory, optimism and courage, and to reduce stress and anxiety.