Comparison · Minerals vs Oxide Minerals
Hematite vs Pyrolusite
Hematite and Pyrolusite are easy to confuse. Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Below is a side-by-side comparison of their properties and the quick tests that separate them.
Key differences between Hematite and Pyrolusite
- Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
- Streak color differs: Hematite leaves a red to reddish-brown streak on unglazed porcelain, Pyrolusite leaves black to bluish black.
- Both look metallic, so compare color, tarnish and weight rather than shine.
- They overlap in gray and black, but Hematite also comes in red.
- Well-formed crystals give it away: Hematite is trigonal, Pyrolusite is tetragonal.
Hematite vs Pyrolusite properties
| Property | Hematite | Pyrolusite |
|---|---|---|
| Type | Minerals | Oxide Minerals |
| Mohs hardness | 6 | 6.25 |
| Luster | metallic | metallic |
| Streak | Red to reddish-brown | Black to bluish black |
| Transparency | opaque | opaque |
| Specific gravity | 5.3 | 5 |
| Crystal system | trigonal | tetragonal |
| Common colors | Metallic Gray, Black, Red | Black, Steel gray, Bluish gray |
| Rarity | common | common |
| Typical specimen value | $2–$50+ | $5–$200+ |
Which is more valuable?
Pyrolusite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $10 for Hematite, and premium Pyrolusite can reach $200 or more.
About Hematite
Hematite is the most important iron ore mineral. Its name comes from the Greek word for blood, referring to its red streak.
About Pyrolusite
Pyrolusite is the most common manganese oxide ore mineral, with a steel-gray to black color and metallic to dull luster. It typically occurs as massive, fibrous, or radiating aggregates and often forms branching dendrites on rock surfaces.
Hematite vs Pyrolusite FAQ
Is Hematite the same as Pyrolusite?
No. Hematite is a mineral while Pyrolusite is a oxide mineral. Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead.
How can you tell Hematite from Pyrolusite?
Both sit near Mohs 6, so a scratch test alone will not separate them. Lean on luster, streak and heft instead. Streak color differs: Hematite leaves a red to reddish-brown streak on unglazed porcelain, Pyrolusite leaves black to bluish black. Both look metallic, so compare color, tarnish and weight rather than shine.
Which is harder, Hematite or Pyrolusite?
They are about equally hard, both near Mohs 6.
Which is more valuable, Hematite or Pyrolusite?
Pyrolusite is usually the more valuable of the two: a typical collector specimen runs about $35 against $10 for Hematite, and premium Pyrolusite can reach $200 or more.
