Hematite and Pyrite

Pyrite from Peru

Gemologists use a set of technical terms to refer to luster or the light reflected from a gemstone's surface. These terms include adamantine (like diamond), vitreous (like glass), silky, resinous, greasy and metallic.

The most common luster, typical of transparent faceted gems like sapphire, spinel, beryl, quartz and tourmaline, is vitreous. The highest or most reflective luster is known as metallic, indicating a reflective surface similar to polished metal. Gemstones with a metallic luster typically have a refractive index from about 2.6 to more than 3.0, substantially higher than even diamond, which has a refractive index of 2.4.

Very few gems have a metallic luster. The best known are hematite and pyrite, two iron-based minerals that are often used for ornamental purposes.

Hematite is iron oxide that gets its name from the Greek word for blood, since it is red when sliced thinly or powdered. Hematite forms in the rhombohedral crystal system, which is the same crystal structure as sapphire and ruby. Hematite is always opaque and is typically a blackish grey. It is commonly cut as cabochons, faceted or sold in the form of engravings, which are particularly popular. Hematite was a traditional material for signet rings. When highly polished it can sometimes look like silver.

Hematite Intaglio

Hematite deposits are found in the UK (Cumberland), Bangladesh, Brazil, China, New Zealand, the Czech Republic and the USA (Minnesota). Hematite has also been found on the planet Mars by NASA spacecraft. Since hematite is usually found in aqueous environments on Earth, it has led to speculation that there was once water on Mars.

Pyrite (also known as iron pyrite) is iron sulphide, which is usually brass-yellow or gray-yellow, earning it the nickname of "fool's gold". Its name comes from the Greek for fire, since it produces sparks when struck by steel or flint. Historically, pyrite was widely used in jewelry, but it is not so often seen today. Pyrite can be found in the form of carvings, as side stones in ring settings, and sometimes in pendants in a disk-like form with a distinctive radial pattern. Pyrite has a reasonably good level of hardness (6 to 6.5 on the Mohs scale) but is quite brittle.

Pyrite deposits are found in Peru, Bolivia, Mexico, Sweden, Romania and the USA (Colorado).