Many Vibes of Hematite

You can go to just about any place on Earth and find hematite. This iron oxide is one of the most abundant minerals on the planet. It is an important ore for iron. It has a variety of diverse uses, including the production of pigments, in preparations used for heavy media separation, in radiation shielding, and as ballast, to name a few.

Why is hematite so special?

Does the form of hematite I choose make a difference?

The form of hematite you choose will most likely depend on how you plan to use it. If you want to make certain that you have hematite with you at all times, then you’ll need to decide where you want to carry it. Hematite is an affordable gemstone, so price is generally a negligible concern.

If you want to carry your hematite in a pocket or in your purse, then a couple of tumbled rock hematite stones is probably your best bet. You can keep them on your person, or in your car or office. Keeping it close means you can get that burst of strong, cool, and calming energy when you need it.

If you’re thinking jewelry is more your thing, then you need to be sure to separate magnetic, or man-made, hematite from natural gemstone hematite. Most of the natural gemstone hematite found on the market comes from the U.S.A., Canada, Venezuela, and Brazil. When polished to a bright luster, the hematite beads will be a dark silvery-gray.

Hematite worn for its protective properties or as an energy stone can be found in rings, bracelets, anklets, necklaces, and earrings. You can find focal beads to center a necklace of your own design, or fashion an entire jewelry piece from hematite.

Caring for Your Hematite

Anything that is precious to us is worth taking care of. Hematite jewelry is no exception. It has a few precautions when it comes to caring for it, because it is a rather soft mineral that can have a tendency to be brittle. If you’ve ever had opal or apatite, caring for hematite is similar.

You should avoid exposing your hematite to steam cleaners or any of the currently popular ultrasonic cleaners. Harsh chemicals or cleaning fluids, such as bleach or a cleaning acid, should be avoided.

When your hematite needs cleaning, use warm soapy water and a soft cloth. Be sure to use a soap that is described as “gentle” on hands or clothes. You can wipe the hematite with a soft cloth to remove dirt or dry it off. You’ll want to be sure you rinse it well to remove any soapy residue that could cloud its natural luster.

Meditate on it.