Haematine, also spelled hematine, is a term used to describe an artificial substance that resembles natural hematite in its appearance. Hematite is an iron oxide mineral that is commonly found in nature and is known for its deep-red or black color. Haematine, however, is not a naturally occurring mineral, but rather a man-made material.
Haematine is created by grinding or pulverizing natural hematite into a fine powder and then binding it with a suitable binder or resin to form a solid mass or shape. This process allows for the creation of various objects, such as jewelry, beads, and ornamental items.
The resulting haematine material possesses the same lustrous, metallic-like surface as natural hematite, making it a popular substitute in jewelry-making and decorative objects. It often displays a dark gray to black color, although other hues, such as reddish-brown, can also be obtained depending on the specific manufacturing process.
Due to its synthetic nature, haematine may have slightly different properties compared to natural hematite. However, it still retains many of the desirable characteristics, such as its durability, hardness, and polishability. These properties make haematine a sought-after material for artistic and decorative purposes.
Overall, haematine can be defined as an artificial substance that imitates the appearance of natural hematite, created by grinding and binding hematite powder with a binder or resin. It is commonly used in jewelry and ornamental items due to its metallic sheen and inherent qualities reminiscent of the natural mineral.
