The name hematite was derived from the ancient Greek words "aematitis lithos" meaning blood stone. Presence of hematite gives surrounding rocks a reddish tinge. If soils or rocks have a reddish color, it is usually due to hematite, and hematite is what makes the planet Mars red! These hematite beads are a lustrous dark silvery-gray color. The faceted shapes glitter like tinsel.
Hematite is the mineral form of iron oxide. It is 70% iron, which explains why this silvery-gray gemstone is so heavy.