H is for... Haematite

Continuing our series exploring the history of jewelry trends, Sarah Jordan looks at the ancient history of haematite As the oldest-known iron oxide mineral, haematite is intertwined with the history of the earth Haematite is recognised for its opaque black or silvery grey colour with a shiny metallic lustre.

Seen as protection against bleeding, haematite was also popular with the Ancient Egyptians, who carved it onto talismans and medallions Contemporary haematite jewelry moves away from carved cabochons and steps towards faceted gems with a silver-like lustre Its grey-black colour and metallic sheen also makes haematite a popular choice for men's accessories, including cufflinks, tie pins and watch bezels.

To discover the best-quality haematite for jewelry, modern-day gem miners look to Switzerland, Italy and Brazil. . Source