• Oxide minerals are made up of oxygen and one or more metals.
• Common oxide minerals include: hematite and limonite
Hematite Pronounce:
• Hematite, an iron oxide, has a composition of Fe2O3.
• Hematite is identified by its non-metallic or metallic luster and its red to red-brown streak.
• Hematite is identified by its non-metallic or metallic luster and its red to red-brown streak.
• Its hardness is 1.5 to 5.5.
• Its specific gravity is 4.9 to 5.3.
• Hematite is used in pigments and as an iron ore.
Hematite, shown here, is an iron oxide. It is a common iron ore. (Photographs by Parvinder Sethi)
• Limonite, another iron oxide, has a composition of Fe2O3·nH2O.
• Limonite is identified by its non-metallic luster; dull earthy yellow to dark brown color; and its yellow to brown streak
• Its hardness is 1.5 to 5.5.
• Its specific gravity is 3.6 to 4.0.
• Limonite is used in pigments and as an iron ore.