Hematite is well-loved for being a stone of grounding that also provides protection. It’s known for being black in color and having a beautiful metallic shine to it. However, it is actually blood red in color due to the high iron content in the stone.
This crystal is an extremely strong stone and very durable. The structure of the stone is heavy and dense. It’s most commonly found in South Africa and in Brazil. However, it can also be found in the mountains of Switzerland and the shores of Lake Superior in Canada.
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What Is Hematite?
Hematite is a crystal made of iron oxide and is an important iron ore. The stone often looks like it is metallic because of the iron content and the shine that comes with that. The most common color is black for this stone. However, it also comes in brown and reddish-brown. You can also get grey and silver colors.
What Is The Meaning Of Hematite?
The gemstone has had several names over the centuries. The Ancient Greeks referred to it as haima, which means blood. It’s also been called the Iron Rose thanks to its connection to the earth it is found in.
Prehistoric man used hematite to create their drawings on cave walls, the Egyptians used it for decoration in the pharaohs’ tombs, and the Native Americans used it as war paint.
Benefits And Healing Properties Of Hematite
This crystal has been used for protection for thousands of years. One of the main ways it was and is still used is for protection against excessive bleeding. Soldiers and warriors would carry the stone to battle, and mothers would keep it near them while going through childbirth.
However, it isn’t just for protection. A hematite crystal can also keep you grounded and give you confidence. It is linked to the root chakra, meaning it can form part of your foundations and give you stability in your everyday life.
The link to iron and the heavy content within the stone has led hematite to be used in connection to the blood and our circulatory system. People use it to improve their circulation, reduce high blood pressure, reduce clots and even slow heavy menstrual periods.
On the more metaphysical side, hematite is used to improve your ability to stand strong, giving you more courage and willpower. The stone can help you to break habits such as being a people pleaser and living a timid lifestyle.
How To Use Hematite?
The best way to get the most out of hematite is to have it in direct contact with your skin. It is often used in jewelry, specifically beaded bracelets and necklaces. This allows you to get the strength of the stone without any distractions. A hematite ring is also a good way to keep the stone close to your body.
Hematite is also a great stone to use in your feng shui to balance your home. Placing it in an altar in a room where you study or work will allow it to absorb negative energies and keep them away from you. It should be placed in the Gen position, which is the closest left corner to you as you enter a room.
Can You Wear Hematite Every Day?
The short answer is yes, you can wear it every day.
The hematite stone is exceptional at absorbing negative energy around you and helping you to focus on the task at hand. Some people wear it as their daily jewelry, others even carry it in their pockets when exercising.
The thing is, you need to ensure that you cleanse your hematite regularly otherwise it will stop working for you. As it fills up with negative energy, it will eventually reach a point where it can no longer absorb any more.
Can You Sleep With Hematite?
Hematite is not a crystal you want around you when you are trying to fall asleep. The stone works to energise you, meaning it will keep you awake and give you an interrupted night’s sleep. It’s best to remove any jewelry you have before you enter the bedroom. In fact, it’s also good to keep any hematite stones out of your bedroom entirely.
How Can You Tell If Hematite Is Real?
Hematite is a hefty stone, often surprisingly so. It’s also cool to the touch at first and will warm up using heat from your body when you hold it or wear it. One way to tell if it’s the real deal is to do a streak or a scratch test. The scratch test is when you rub the stone with an abrasive surface like sandpaper. This should show a red powder. The streak test is when you strike a surface like unglazed porcelain with the stone. The streak left behind should be a reddish-brown color.
Another issue that has cropped up in recent times is that of magnetic hematite. The stone is not naturally magnetic, not to the point where one would stick to a metal surface or to another stone. There is a lot of magnetic hematite jewelry out there and it’s important to note that these stones are all manmade and not natural. They are not going to have the same healing properties as the real thing.
Is Hematite Expensive?
Hematite is not a very expensive crystal.
What you are usually paying for is actually the jewelry design and setting when you buy this stone. Even a large, raw specimen will not cost you very much. The only time a crystal can become expensive is when it features something unique like an unusual formation or an intricate pattern within the crystal.