Iron
ID: 25
Iron
Chemical Formula
Fe
Hardness (Mohs)
4 - 5
Crystal System
Isometric
Streak
Gray
Luster
Metallic
Diaphaneity
Opaque
Color
Steel-gray to black
Crystal Habit / Mode of Occurrence
Isometric - Hexoctahedral; typically massive, granular, or in irregular nuggets; rare cubic or octahedral crystals. Often found alloyed with nickel (e.g., in meteorites).
Fun Facts
Most native iron found on Earth comes from meteorites, with terrestrial native iron being very rare and often associated with volcanic activity. Common Uses: Historical use in tools and weapons (meteoritic iron); today, nearly all industrial iron comes from iron ore minerals (like hematite, magnetite) rather than native iron. Collector's mineral.