Kidney ore
Variety Fe2O3
Also called Botryoidal hematite
About it
Hematite in rounded, kidney-like masses with a fibrous, radiating interior. The classic source is the iron mines of west Cumbria, England, around Egremont and Cleator Moor.
- Type
- Variety
- Group
- Hematite variety
- Formula
- Fe2O3
- Hardness (Mohs)
- 5.5–6.5
- Specific gravity
- 4.9–5.3
- Streak
- red-brown
- Lustre
- metallic, submetallic
- Crystal system
- Trigonal
- Colours
- dark grey, black, reddish black
- Transparency
- opaque
- Cleavage and fracture
- none; radiating fibrous structure, uneven fracture
Typical values: real specimens vary. For more, see mindat.org.