![[Hematite pic.png|250]] **Hematite** was an [ornamental stone](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Ornamental_stones "Ornamental stones") that was favored by [fighters](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Fighter "Fighter"), as well as a common ore of [iron](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Iron "Iron"). ## Description Typical raw hematite appeared as a hard gray-black crystalline mineral, or as a red stone. Gem-quality hematite had a very fine grain of crystals, and could be polished to a smooth, shiny dark gray or black stone similar in appearance to [steel](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Steel "Steel"). It was often tumbled to make beads or cut in a baguette fashion (rectangular with beveled sides). When crushed, hematite became a blood-red powder. Base value of 10gp-25gp ## Properties Hematite weighed about 306 pounds (139 kilograms) to 330 pounds (150 kilograms) per 1 cubic foot (0.028 cubic meters). In bulk, it was commonly used as [iron](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Iron "Iron") ore Tiny amounts of hematite could be trapped inside [sunstones](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Sunstone_\(gem\) "Sunstone (gem)"), giving the translucent gem an amber or reddish hue. A similar effect could occur in [iol](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Iol "Iol") stones, giving them a secondary golden color ## Powers Hematite was not magical itself, but it was responsive to enchantments related to blood and life force and was used in [necromancy](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Necromancy "Necromancy") and the healing arts. Specifically, it was used to create magical periapts for [healing](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Periapt_of_health "Periapt of health") and [foul rotting](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Periapt_of_foul_rotting "Periapt of foul rotting"). It was said to absorb [negative energy](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Negative_energy "Negative energy"). A typical stone had a base value of 10 gp. Only a handful of people (mostly powerful mages that kept the secret to themselves) knew that this common stone was one of the "nine secrets"—minerals that could be enchanted to become [[Ioun Stone General Info]]  ## Usages - Polished Hematite stones were a relatively cheap and common feature of jewelry. - Hematite was a common stone among the [drow](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Drow "Drow"), and was worn by drow of average station. They also often used it on enchanted items. - The [lesser deity](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Lesser_deity "Lesser deity") [Iyachtu Xvim](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Iyachtu_Xvim "Iyachtu Xvim") was known to occasionally send hematite gems to show favor or inspire his followers. - The lesser deity [Vhaeraun](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Vhaeraun "Vhaeraun") was known to occasionally send hematite gems to show his favour or disfavour to his followers. - [Noble dao](https://forgottenrealms.fandom.com/wiki/Noble_dao "Noble dao") lined the interior of their structures with reflective stones and crystals such as hematite. They used these surfaces to flash light-based messages and alarms throughout their holdings. # Volo's Guide Hematite is a shiny gray-black gemstone often cut in a baguette fashion (rectangular with beveled sides). These orna¬ mental stones are prized by fighters and often used in magical periapts (both periapts of healing and periapts of fold rotting). They are not magical in nature, though they are particularly responsive to enchantments, especially those dealing with healing and necro¬ mancy, because hematite has a magical affinity with blood and life forces. Even among powerful mages, few Faerunians know that hematite is one of the "nine secrets" (gemstone varieties that can be transformed into ioun stones ([[Ioun Stone General Info]]) by the proper spells).