Haematite
Antiferromagnetic mineral, but due to slightly imperfect antiparallelism of the magnetic moments it exhibits a weak ferromagnetic moment. Common in oxidised volcanic rocks and in sediments formed in an oxidising environment. It is the final product of prolonged oxidation of magnetite or
maghaemite. It is also formed by dehydration of goethite. May also from a solution by precipitation in certain sediments (red sediments) and in hydrothermal veins. Very common in tropical and subtropical soils. The name is derived from the Greek word aima, meaning blood. Mentioned by the Roman poet Vergilius in the 1st century BC in the Eneid. Also called oligist from the Greek work oligos, meaning very few, because it contains a lower percentage of iron compared to magnetite. Colour: steel gray to black. In powder form it has a red cherry or blood colour to reddish brown. Metallic reflectance. Hardness between 5 and 6.5. It occurs in massive forms as drused, botryoused or as fibrous concretions or also as an aggregate of laminar crystals or in rose like form. Occurs also as hexagonal platelets, but in general isometric and of irregular form. Iron ore. Utilised as a precious stone, or colourant, abrasive and as a polishing product.



Hellenistic Period
Cultural period in Greece (336-146 BC) between the conquest of the Persian Empire by Alexander the Great and the establishment of Roman supremacy.