Hematite occurs in platy, compact, granular, or earthy masses.
Hematite is often the red cementing material in sandstones, and is found to a lesser extent in red clays and shales. It is readily distinguished from all other minerals by its cherry red streak. Hematite is the most important ore of iron, and also the most important metallic mineral in the world. The value of the pig iron and steel manufactured from it every year exceeds the value of any other metal. During the late nineteenth century, oolitic hematite was mined in Bath County in northeastern Kentucky.