Hematite Jewelry - Is It Magnetic or Not?

The gemstones hematite and lodestone are both stated as being magnetic, but is this really the case?

Hematite is a black silvery stone which is quite heavy. It has been with royals since the Egyptian and Greek days. It is named after the Green word haima, which means blood. It will streak red when rubbed against a harder substance, thus the name. Hematite is also known as a black diamond when it is faceted.

Contrary to popular belief, hematite is not magnetic. (lodestone, another black stone has this quality.) Hematite jewelry is thought to have mystical qualities, however. It is often said that wearing hematite jewelry will bring good luck in legal matters, so it is popular with some new age lawyers.

Natural healers use hematite to improve memory, re-focus the intellect and to remove negative thoughts. It is often thought to balance the first chakra, the root, in yoga.

For a more detailed information article on the qualities of both hematite and lodestone, please visit our resource library at Vintage Jewelry Lane.

Hematite and Lodestone - Which is magnetic?

Both of these black or very dark gray minerals look quite similar. They are shiny, similar in color and both made of iron oxide - magnetite. Both have healing properties, although the magnetic effect is associated with lodestone. I will discuss each mineral separately which should give you a good overview of the differences and similarities.

Lodestone is magnetic when found in nature. It was commonly used in the manufacture of compasses, because of these magnetic properties. Hematite, on the other hand, is not magnetic by nature.

What we have come to think of as magnetic hematite is actually a synthetic material called synthetic Hematite or hemalyke. This synthetic material is created with magnetism - thus the confusion between the two types of minerals.

Both minerals have healing and mystical properties. For more information on the two minerals, please visit the hematite article in the resource library at Vintage Jewelry Lane.