A BIT ABOUT HEMATITE!
Last week I was a tad long-winded, so I promise a shorter treatise this week as we explore a wee bit about the gemstone hematite. I like it on its own and yet find it blends well with many other stones. So let’s talk hematite while it’s way too hot to be outside. (Supposed to reach 106 today and my phone tells me it’s 105 at 3 pm, so I suspect we may go even higher, ugh.)
Hematite is a common iron oxide and can be found in a variety of colors from black to silver grey, brown to reddish brown, or even red. After all, its name is a derivative of the Greek word for blood. It has also been used a pigment. However, most hematite used in jewelry is of the deep, metallic steel grey hue. You will sometimes see magnetic hematite, but it is a synthetic with the true name of hematine. While there is a rainbow hematite, most of what you see labeled as such is also synthetic. The legit stuff is sourced from may parts of the world. Although fairly hard, it can be brittle, so avoid steam or ultrasonic cleaning. Just a soft cloth is often enough. And try to avoid dropping it on a hard surface! As with most gems, it must be polished to achieve the shiny, smooth, metallic appearance we associate with it. It is rarely faceted. While usually appearing as a metallic grey, it will leave a reddish streak when scraped across another surface. But please DON’T ruin your jewelry by testing that!!!
Now to the metaphysical. If you’re into that sort of thing, then you will be pleased to know that hematite is considered protective and associated with the root chakra. It is said to balance energies and bring one into equilibrium of body, mind, and spirit by absorbing toxic, negative emotions and energy.
So, if you are feeling the need for a little ‘Zen’ in your life, or just like the soft, metallic shine of the stone, check out my hematite jewelry by typing ‘Hematite’ into the search box of my website: www.mladycreations.com. I have some lovely designs for you to peruse!
On a personal note, when I haven't been digging up purslane, I’ve been cleaning, cleaning out, and re-organizing the barn, barn bathroom, and tack room. Since I'm strictly a pleasure dressage rider these days, a lot of stuff from my time in the hunter/jumper world found a new home at a local teaching barn, and some just found its way to the dumpster. By the time I’m done, everything will be in a tall plastic outdoor cabinet and I won’t have to clean something before it’s usable! Two of those cabinets live in the bathroom which has a heater and never freezes (think first aid and grooming liquids) while seven and a frig reside in the tack room. My three dressage saddles are the only items not enclosed and they have covers as they sit on the saddle rack. Oh, and 35 pallets have been sorted down to the 17 necessary and in the best shape for storing winter hay and the remainder donated to a shop that burns them in the winter. Win-win for both of us! It will soon be worth the sweat I’ve generated and the dirt I’ve swept, breathed, and worn getting the project done.